Over a quarter of car buyers want winter tyres on their next vehicle

Over a quarter of in-market buyers would like to have the option to have their next vehicle fitted with winter or all-season tyres instead of summer tyres, What Car? research has found.

As part of What Car?’s latest weekly industry study, 28% said they would like retailers to offer fitting winter or all-season tyres on their next car.

The research found that 13% of in-market buyers have had or been involved in an accident in the winter caused by poor road conditions.

The new tyre law being introduced on February 1, 2021, will ban the use of tyres aged more than 10 years on goods vehicles and minibuses, providing a customer service opportunity for LCV dealers servicing large heavy vans. 

What Car? said winter tyres have been found to offer better grip when the temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius.

Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, said: “The recent bouts of snowy weather have once again shown how helpful a good set of winter or all-season tyres can be.

“With more than a quarter of buyers interested in having them fitted as standard, there’s plenty of scope for retailers to consider offering them as an alternative for summer tyres during autumn and winter months.”

The findings follow as Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement last night, that England would follow Scotland into a new national lockdown.

The Government’s gov.uk website confirmed this morning (December 5) that dealerships and auctions have been classed as non-essential retail locations which must now rely on click and collect operations to continue to sell products.

Over half of drivers said they prepare their vehicles for the winter, with the majority carrying an ice scraper or de-icer in the vehicle throughout the vehicle, and having it serviced just before the colder months arrive. 

What Car?’s research also found 85% think new drivers should be taught winter driving skills as part of their driver training to help them avoid accidents during the months when roads are slippery, and visibility is poor due to reduced daylight hours.