A Reddit post about a set of worn tires has sparked debate about vehicle safety, dealership accountability, and the risks of trusting a seller’s assessment without an independent inspection. The post was shared on June 7 by Reddit user u/neonvortex420 in the r/tires community.
It featured photos of tires mounted on a vehicle purchased from a salvage dealer. The owner explained that the dealer had assured them the tires would remain serviceable for another year.
Yet after examining the tires, the buyer questioned that assessment and sought opinions before taking the car on a trip. The response from tire enthusiasts, mechanics, and former tire technicians was nearly unanimous.
Users warned that the tires appeared to have exceeded their service life and should be replaced before the vehicle returned to the road. From the photos shared in the post, the surface of the tire appear as smooth as a baby’s skin.
Photos Show Tread Loss and Exposed Cords
The images uploaded to Reddit showed tires with extensive tread wear across multiple sections of the contact patch. In several areas, users pointed out that internal cords and steel belts appeared visible through the rubber.
That detail became the focus of many comments because exposed cords indicate that the tire’s tread has worn through to structural layers designed to remain protected beneath the surface. In many jurisdictions, passenger vehicle tires are considered legally worn out when tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch, or roughly 1.6 millimeters.
Based on the images provided, many commenters argued the tires appeared to have gone beyond that threshold. Several users also noted uneven wear patterns.
According to commenters, the wear suggested the vehicle may have alignment problems, suspension issues, or a history of being operated with improper tire pressure. One commenter, SaltLakeBear, warned that the tires presented risks that extended beyond reduced grip. The user cited the possibility of hydroplaning in wet conditions and the potential for tire failure during highway driving.
Community Questions Dealer’s Advice
Among the most upvoted comments was a response from user Flying-Cat-000, who joked that the dealer “didn’t have tires to sell.” Humor became a recurring theme throughout the discussion, but many users expressed disbelief that any dealership employee would genuinely claim the tires had another year of life remaining.
Some commenters speculated that the dealer may have been attempting to avoid paying for replacement tires. Others questioned whether the statement had actually been made, suggesting the post sounded too extreme to be real.
The original poster addressed those doubts directly. “I bought the car from a salvage dealer and he told me the tires would be good for another year,” the user replied. “I was just posting because it seemed pretty crazy to me.”
That clarification shifted much of the discussion toward the realities of buying vehicles from salvage dealers, where buyers often assume greater responsibility for inspecting components before purchase.
Former Tire Technicians Issue Warnings
Several commenters identified themselves as current or former tire industry workers. One user, CanadaCthulhu, said they had worked in the tire business and stated the tires should be replaced immediately.
The commenter added that they had previously required customers to sign liability waivers when attempting to drive away on tires in similar condition. Other users advised the vehicle owner to visit a dedicated tire shop rather than return to the dealership for guidance.
Recommendations included replacing all affected tires, performing a wheel alignment, inspecting suspension components, and conducting a broader vehicle inspection to identify additional issues that may have been overlooked. While some participants questioned the authenticity of the story, the dominant message remained consistent throughout more than 150 comments.
According to the Reddit community, the tires shown in the photographs were not approaching the end of their service life. They had already reached it.
For drivers, the discussion underscored a principle that applies whether a vehicle comes from a franchise dealer, private seller, or salvage lot: when safety-critical components are involved, an independent inspection may be worth far more than a seller’s assurance.