A man recently revealed how the tires he purchased off Facebook Marketplace quickly turned into a trip to Discount Tire to buy new ones.
In the TikTok, Wyatt (@wyattalton) shares how the used tires he bought from Facebook Marketplace ended up not working out well for him.
“Don’t be a dumb[expletive] like I was and buy used tires off Facebook Marketplace,” he begins.
Wyatt says the Marketplace seller told him there was about 70% tread life left on the tires. He trusted the seller’s word, and after a brief inspection, he went through with the purchase.
“I look at the tires and they look good. They don’t really look too bad or nothing,” Wyatt says.
After purchasing the tires, Wyatt says he took them to Discount Tire to only find out they can’t be balanced. He says the mechanics at Discount Tire informed him that there were bulges on the top of the tires. When they were spinning the tires, they were imbalanced, and they suggested Wyatt buy a new set of tires.
“After wasting $500 on these, I had to buy new tires anyways. Don’t buy used [expletive] tires off Facebook Marketplace,” he concludes. He adds in the caption, “Please be careful, it’s way too easy to get swiped. Be smart with your money or end up like I am with four unstable tires.”
What Are the Risks of Buying Used Tires?
While buying used tires from Facebook Marketplace means potentially getting a good deal, it could be more costly down the road. This content creator experienced this firsthand with immediately having to buy a new set of tires after learning the used tires were imbalanced.
According to Chapel Hill Tires, the dangers of buying used tires include safety concerns, unknown history, lack of warranty, and the risk of fraud.
Tread is at the core of tire functionality and safety. When buying used tires, you are inheriting the previous driver’s wear patterns and the tread inconsistencies they produced. This can lead to inconsistencies in driving and may impact overall safety when driving.
Even with a thick tread, there’s a chance the tires are old. Old tires are prone to multiple failures due to deterioration, which has led to many incidents of loss of control, according to J.D. Power reports. As tires age, cracks develop on the inside and outside, causing the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tire. Just as an old rubber band cracks and breaks when stretched, the tires become prone to being torn apart when driven, and this can lead to severe consequences.
One of the perks of buying new tires is getting the manufacturer’s warranty. When buying from a private seller, the warranty expires because the manufacturer is no longer tied to the sale. If anything is wrong with the tires, the manufacturer is no longer responsible for any defects or issues.
Should You Buy Used Tires From Facebook Marketplace?
Most manufacturers suggest you should not buy used tires because of the known safety issues, United Tires reports. Used tires with minor damage can lead to large problems, including tread separation and sidewall blowout.
While buying used tires can have positive benefits, including saving money, it’s harder to verify the condition of the tires. A full, proper inspection is needed to ensure the tires are solid. Buying used tires from a larger company or mom-and-pop auto stores is a better option for buying reliable used tires.
Getting used tires off Facebook Marketplace is a gamble. While some score a solid deal, you may end up having to completely buy a new set of tires.
Commenters Chime In
“Here’s the deal. I’ve been to a lot of Discount Tires and every single time I bring them a used set of tires to put on in balance, they always without a doubt always give me an issue. Take it to a local shop and they will get it done no problem,” one TikTok commenter shared
“Discount always finds problems with anything you don’t buy from them,” another replied.
“Don’t go to them, moms and pop shops every time. tire techs at those spots don’t have the proper training,” a third added.
Motor1 has contacted Iris Wyatt via TikTok direct message. It contacted the seller he got the tires from via Facebook. This story will be updated if either party responds.
