Went for a French MOT today. Nothing wrong, just a small oil leak on the trans and at the end they called me to have a look at my tyres.
These LTZ Coopers are from 2011 have done 12OOO mls, 6/7 MM all but 2 off them (rear) have little cuts all round in the sidewall. Hardly visible but deep, They told me it would be better to replace them. They had not seen anything like that, lookes like the tyres are old and dry.

I have never noticed it but I put 4 new ones on today.
Maybe worthwhile to check yours.

Those tyres look as if they are starting to delaminate Not good, I have only seen this sort of thing on tyres that are old, at least 5 years old, and on mobile loo's. Which are very heavy and sit around a lot, especially in the winter.

I'd do a search on tyre dates and where to find them, they might be older than you think. I'd also be dropping a harsh line to Cooper too, good luck  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Robert, buddy, it doesn't look like your the only one http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic79529.html Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

is it all the way round sort of? or just on a area, like where the tyre may have laid flat, ie slow puncture, and sidewall crushed etc. they do look in a very bad state. also, had it been on the inside, the typical owner. might never have known. the old MOT man may be a genuine Saint, to the state of some cars he may have seen in his lifetime. I always look over the old tyres in the tyre fitters 'pile' to see the most smooth and dangerous one. -knowing that that car could have been approaching me a few weeks earlier. -alarming. eh

Thanks miggit, I was thinking about dropping a letter to Coopers.
The issue is: you have to look very well to discover this when the tyre is on the wheel. Now they are off it is obvious.

@ Johnnyboy: It is all around the both tyres and yes alarming.

Last edited by Robert on 3rd Sep 2015 7:42pm. Edited 1 time in total

Be interesting to check the tyres manufacture dates.
I've only seen old tyres look like that.

http://us.coopertire.com/Tire-Safety/Repla...ation.aspx

week 33 2011

I would expect a quality tyre to last longer than 4 years, I think that the average mileage per year is 10,000 miles, and I would expect to get more than 40k out of an expensive set of tyres. Especially when they have only done 12k

I think that harsh words should be spoken  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

I was told (so dont take it as read) that tyres have a 4 to 5 year shelf life and less if not used that much. Had to replace all 4 on one of the horse trailers that was a 2011 with correct year tyres. Had done VERY little miles but the sidewalls were similar

Well, I have got (pritty big) Michelins on my Talbot (my avatarcar) for 9 years now and they look like new. If the Talbot does 2000 miles a year it is really very much.
we'll see what this new set of coopers will bring.

It depends on storage. If they're left outside in the sun or heat they'll perish faster than if they're kept shaded in a cool garage.

you're right, my cars are garaged, otherwise you'll cook your brain getting in.

As above, UV light will perish tyres quite quickly which is why caravan tyres need replacing before the tread is worn out. The Caravan Club recommend to replace when the tyres are 5 years old.

Even so, that looks like something you would take up with Cooper. The tyres are 4 years old with 12K miles on them right? And they look like that? Definitely not what one might reasonably expect from a premium brand manufacturer.