Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing nearside rear [5.2.3 (d)(ii)]
Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside rear [5.2.3 (d)(ii)]
I had exactly the same advisories' on the 3/4 year old Michelin tyres on a BMW a few years ago except mine was all 4 which were the factory fit originals.
The cracks were barely visible, you really had to look hard to see them. A couple of months later I asked our local MOT man (the one I use for the Caterham) for his opinion and he said that pass then with just an advisory although he commented that they were so minor he may well have ignored them.
Move onto the autumn and it was approaching the time I fitted the winter wheels. I had heard that Michelin had a 6 year warranty on tyres from the date of manufacture (the code is on the sidewall) so I contacted them. The chap suggested that they needed sending back to them for inspection which for me was easy since all I needed to do was swap wheels and ask the fitter up our street to remove the tyres for some beer tokens. Once off the cracks seemed much worse, you could see the reinforcement when you flexed the now deflated sidewalls and the fitter said they needed throwing.
I then had to take them to ATS tyres who would forward them FOC to Michelin. Waited a few weeks and got a letter confirming they were scrap and added a cheque for the value of the remaining tread would follow. A week later it arrived, just under £200. Come spring I had a set of Khumo's fitted by the chap up the street for just over £200.
At the next MOT the BMW garage put an advisory on the papers that the tyres were not BMW OEM equipment despite being the correct size, speed and load rating. I contacted Khumho who said it was not an issue and to be sure I contacted my insurers who confirmed if they were the OEM size, speed and load rating there was certainly no issue.
The next MOT (the last whilst I had the car) was done at our local BMW indy (owner was ex main BMW dealership mechanic with over 30 years experience) and there were no advisories.
Doubt the OP will be able to claim from the manufacturer (worth a look at the date to check) but maybe worth deflating one with the car jacked up to see what its like with a flexible sidewall.
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