How to identify smuggled tyres

[ahsann]

easy way to confirm this, go to any other outlet and find same tire of any other manufacturing date. you will see the difference.

[sardarg]

dear fellow PW members what is the target to reach out of this debate for smuggled non smuggled tyres etc etc.

@pwuser157639505928 what do you plan after using the tyres for xxx no of kms? do you want to start a fight with shopkeeper and challenge him for product authenticity just because of so & so from pw has said so?? do you have any legal potential to do so ?

you wanted fun spin by posting at PW enjoy the spin sir

[affanhaq94]

I was following this thread so that I, newcomer to Pakistan, could maybe find clues to determine if the tires you are about to purchase are smuggled or not.

I think this thread has spun off into something else.

Honestly if I was op, if the tires aren't bothering you, don't feel weird with vibrations or issues, then just run them and don't worry about it. Don't listen to your friend or whoever it was who put doubt in your mind. Now it the tires are having all sorts of weird issues in your driveability, then I would be concerned.

[ahsann]

Tires have a shelf life, and they expire and are prone to bursting. So for safety of every one its better to be aware of the right manufacturing date.

But yes, in Pakistan people are not to bothered and only learn the hard way on highways or on high speeds.

[affanhaq94]

Yes of course. Tires that are older than 6 yrs generally should be avoided. However, wouldn't OP be able to tell just by looking at the condition or the tires if they are 'old'. Dry rotting, cracking, less road grip, shaking/vibrations, bubbled sidewall etc....wouldn't it be evident?

Anyways my point was, let's assume the tires date code is correct, manufactured in 2023. Let's assume they are smuggled. If OP is not facing any dangerous issues as I listed above, what's the harm? Is there something about smuggled tires that I'm not understanding? I have heard the way they ship them reduces tire life or can cause problems...is that it?

[msabbasi]

The question was how to identify smuggled tires. Yes the date can be one way. But more importantly I'll submit a few pictures to further tell if the tires are smuggled.

As @pwuser157639505928 said the tires are placed one inside the other. Putting them in and pulling them out destroys there tires.

We can see the damage to the bead and tread.

[affanhaq94]

Good information for someone buying tires. Thanks

[capsat]

tires are placed one inside the other. Putting them in and pulling them out destroys there tires.

sir @msabbasi Thank you for illustrative pictures

that is what is explained in post #14 as text @sardarg next time try to collect pictures for such explanations.

[lazers]

Are they giving warranty ? These tires come with warranty, but in case of smuggled there is no warranty

[pwuser157639505928]

Bro the boarder around the date stamp is normal ( it's how the most manufacture stamp date on tyres). The real thing to see if the font of date matches the rest of font.

[pwuser157639505928]

Pakwheel forum is community driven place where people share their experience, knowlege and queries. The purpose of this thread is to acquire and share knowledge regarding identification of smuggled tyres. Such discussions helps the community to become more aware of the corrupt practices being followed in the marketplace and improves the safety on roads for everyone. Not sure why are you getting offended by this thread? Did I mentioned I'm going to fight shopkeeper after the discussion? Why are so upset about my legal potential as a consumer?

[pwuser157639505928]

No these tyres don't have warranty. Btw no imported tyre in pakistan have any warranty whatsoever, but shopkeepers do say upto 50k kms or 1 year just to upsell at the moment (they will simply refuse with 100+ excuses incase you claim warranty in future) but in realty no imported tyre comes with official warranty because these companies (continental, gdyear, yoko, bridgestone Micheline etc) don't operate in Pakistan officially. Some importers like Sheikh Brothers etc are official importers of their respective companies but they are not manufacturer so importer or seller simply can not provide warranty. Some local tyres do have legitimate warranty thou.

[sardarg]

sure why are you getting offended

no sir am not offended

[lazers]

I was able to find this about dealers in PK, of yokohama

[sardarg]

does anyone have real experience of imported tyre warranty claim in Pakistan ? What is procedure adopted by IMPORTER to manage warranty replacement or prorate adjustment ??

@hash4u @hassan1991 @argtr65 @nfssaad @consigliori @chinyoti @dani_kk @rajaatta @ser_gtr @sameerulhaq064 sirs please guide

[capsat]

[hash4u]

yes i have
got imported stamped yoko tires for a pakwheeler
his tire developed a mysterious cut from outside
took it back,they took pictures and stuff said wld send it to main dealer.
claim rejected stating cut was from some external object

[sardarg]

sir that means claim rejected warranty zero ?

[hash4u]

Safe to assume if there is a bubble type showing clearly
With no impact signs from outside
Maybe then case could b entertained

[capsat]

Maybe then case could b entertained

wishful thinking