Top mechanic issues warning to used car owners over tyre ‘scam’ (2024)

Scotty Kilmer has issued a warning to used car owners (Image: YouTube / Scotty Kilmer)

Top car mechanic Scotty Kilmer has issued a vital tyre warning to used car owners with motorists at risk of suffering from balance issues.

The popular motoring expert urged drivers not to fall into the habit of visiting cheap tyre stores as it could lead to issues down the line.

Securing cheap repairs may look appealing but Scotty stressed it was likely a false economy with mechanics unlikely to balance a car correctly afterwards.

He was speaking from first-hand experience after he claimed his son got “scammed” at a garage after experts incorrectly applied weights.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Scotty said: “Today I'm going to tell you why you don’t want to go to a crappy tyre store and have them balance your tyres incorrectly.

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Tyres have to be properly balanced by mechanics (Image: Getty)

"Because that's what's happened to my son. He had to get a tyre put on so he just went down the street to a tyre store and they didn’t balance it right.

“It was so badly balanced you can see the remnants where the weights used to be. It had over 18 different weights on it.

“To do it correctly, first all the weights have to be taken off the rim, the old ones. Those idiots put new ones on top of the old ones and it shook like mad.

"So when you need a tyre replaced go to a reputable shop. Don’t go to one of those places that says ‘oh we’ll change your tyres for five bucks’ and don’t go buy used tyres. Buy good new tyres and have them balanced correctly'.”

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Motoring specialists at Halfords stressed the importance of balancing wheels before setting off.

They admitted that balancing “ensures that the weight of the wheel and tyre is even around the axle”.

This is “achieved by placing tiny offsetting weights at specific points around the wheel”.

Road users who notice uneven tyre wear or tyre 'wobbles’ at 40 - 50mph will likely need their rubber re-balancing.

YouTube viewers quickly took to the comment section to weigh in on Scotty’s advice.

@williamalexander1743 said: “A small shop will not have a quality balancing machine. The best machines use laser technology and determine a high spot on the (tyre) it pinpoints exactly where the weight should be installed.”

@henrysikora1408 added: “It's also a good idea to check if all four of your new [tyres] are the same size. One time I found one tyre the shop installed was the WRONG size!"

Another YouTube account explained: “My biggest problem was getting the techs to REMOVE all the weights. Some had the mindset that it didn’t make a difference.”

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