Automobile Association of Malaysia

BUYING SECOND HAND WHEELS AND TYRES

WHEELS

Make sure the wheel you’re buying is still round, by this I mean not excessively deformed. Check the wheels thoroughly for cracks, traces of kerb scrubbing or riding, etc
Make sure it is of the correct offset and bolt-on measurement for the car. Do not settle for rims that have had extra bolt holes drilled into them as it is unsafe, even if the shop tells you otherwise.
Scratches and poor paint finishing can generally be accepted but it will tell you a bit of history of how rough a user the previous owner was. Nothing a bottle of spray paint won’t fix.
l If you find you need too many lead balance weights when balancing the wheel, that should be a tell-tale sign the wheel’s no longer as mint as the owner or shop claimed.
Study the pricing carefully. If you have to spend up to RM300 more (depending on model, size and design) to get a brand new set of alloys, that’s a far better buy than buying a used set you don’t know anything about.

TYRES

There’s a reason why there are second hand or used tyres. Generally, it is accepted as tyres the original owner no longer wants.
Sometimes you do get lucky. Lucky in the sense that you stumble on a set of perfectly good second hand tyres with more than 80 per cent tread left simply because the previous owner did not find it compatible with his driving preferences. Provided the price is right, it would be a steal! Check however, for any traces of defects, cuts, etc.
If you can afford, stay away from retreads and tyres that have more than 50 per cent tread wear on them. Unless of course, it’s a last resort decision or you’re desperate for a temporary replacement.
When on second hand tyres, do readjust your driving style and habits accordingly. Only a fool will be blasting down the highway on worn out tyres that he’s just fitted less than an hour ago. Be extremely cautious when taking high speed corners, driving in the rain and going through water puddles.
As a rule of thumb, make sure the tyres you’re buying are not stiff hard and has lost all elasticity. Tyres like these are more susceptible to blowing up or breaking when you drive due to its brittle construction.