Hankook Tyres Cracking

[HenryT]

I took my car for its first MOT yesterday at ATS (£24.99 offer via Groupon if you are in need). Car passed okay but I was given an 'advisory' concerning the front tyres.

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Slightly surprised at this, if not a tad disappointed as the car has only done 16,000 miles and I do keep an eye on the tyre pressures. The tester suggested the tyres were ok for the time being but will probably need to be changed before the next MOT. Looking closer it seems all 4 do display some cracking within the treads on the inner and outer edges.

I haven't seen any comment on here about this and wondered if anyone else has a similar experience?

As an aside, it does seem quite an issue for Hankook wearing Sportage drivers on a Kia forum I looked at.

 

[Durzel]

Seems like an extremely fussy MOT tester to me to be honest. Maybe he feels obliged to give at least one or two advisories? I wouldn't give much thought to running those tyres.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

Does your car get driven regularly?
Small cracks within the tread are pretty normal. If they were on the sidewall, that's different but I wouldn't worry about those.
If you're concerned though, contact Hankook and ask for their opinion.

 

[HenryT]

Does your car get driven regularly?
Small cracks within the tread are pretty normal. If they were on the sidewall, that's different but I wouldn't worry about those.
If you're concerned though, contact Hankook and ask for their opinion.

Probably 3 or 4 times most weeks, not big mileage.

I'm not unduly concerned just a bit surprised really as didn't think it was a 'thing'. The cracks only appear superficial so probably just a watching brief for now.

From the comments on the Kia forum it doesn't look as though Hankook are prepared to engage - anyone there who has raised it with them has been fobbed off.

I have a visit from the Tesla ranger due in a couple of weeks to do the brake service and filters, etc so I'll ask him if its common and of any great concern.

Cheers.

 

[MrBadger]

Out of curiosity, what is the DOT code (WWYY) written on the sidewall of the tyres?

 

[Dangerous Fish]

Probably 3 or 4 times most weeks, not big mileage.

I'm not unduly concerned just a bit surprised really as didn't think it was a 'thing'. The cracks only appear superficial so probably just a watching brief for now.

From the comments on the Kia forum it doesn't look as though Hankook are prepared to engage - anyone there who has raised it with them has been fobbed off.

I have a visit from the Tesla ranger due in a couple of weeks to do the brake service and filters, etc so I'll ask him if its common and of any great concern.

Cheers.

What does "fobbed off" mean? No response at all or just a response they didn't want to hear?
And to be fair, a Tesla ranger isn't a tyre expert any more than someone on a forum. I've got more experience WRT tyres than any Tesla employee I've ever met
You'll get all sorts of responses here, too which is why the manufacturer really is the best one to go for.

 

[HenryT]

Out of curiosity, what is the DOT code (WWYY) written on the sidewall of the tyres?

Of the 4 tyres 3 are 0821 and one is 0921. Car is June 21

 

[as400]

Interesting my wife's mini has Hankook run flats, 2 year old tyres also mentioned on MOT cracking on out edges, tread is fine.

Am having second thoughts about Hankooks

 

[HenryT]

What does "fobbed off" mean? No response at all or just a response they didn't want to hear?

A bit of both I think...

I took various photos and emailed Hankook who dismissed my complaint and suggested I take into a Hankook dealer, fit new tyres and the trye dealer would return for their inspection and decision. Obviously I am not fitting new tyres and expect them to cough up a 50% refund! Their email was extremely dismissive and I've decided to run the Hankooks down, but keep my eye on them.
In my email I did say as a retired Vehicle Inspector I feel this is a safety issue which still didn't gain any response other than a standard rejection email.

Went through this a while ago the thread should be on here somewhere,Bolton kia recommended replacement at 12k miles tyre (manufacturing date may 2107)2 years old
,hankook said same as previous replace at hankook agent and they will inspect.went to two tyre specialists both said should be ok ,they see a lot of these on lower mileage cars somthing to do with the chemical composition of the tyres being made more eco friendly.

I appreciate I'll get 'all sorts of responses' on here, but I was just interested to see if others have any experience of the same issue.

Glad to hear you're the top man on tyres - may ask you to have a look as well then!

 

[Foxsbiscuits]

I've got similar cracks on mine, Hankook said I could start a warranty claim but I haven't bothered so don't know if they'd actually accept it as a fault.

 

[HenryT]

I've got similar cracks on mine, Hankook said I could start a warranty claim but I haven't bothered so don't know if they'd actually accept it as a fault.

I've had a brief email exchange with Blackcircles about this - I noticed they offer a 'Lifetime Guarantee' on tyres they sell but I couldn't see if perishing/cracking might be covered. I wanted to know where they stood on the subject, if I was to buy my next set from them and had the same result. The short version is that they would 'look at it'

We do find this type of cracking on the edges to be semi-typical of many brands however, whether EV or conventionally fuelled.

At this rate of cracking, we wouldn't offer any advice on whether to continue using them or not but would likely classify this as light and ask that you monitor them closely over the coming weeks for any considerable changes. When manufacturing defects occur, they tend to affect the entire treadblock and so thicker cracks tend to occur in the central three quarters of the tread at the same or around the same time.

I assume you will carry on using the tyres but keep a 'watching brief'?

Cross Climates for me next time I think, maybe 6 - 12 months hence, unless these tyres deteriorate further.

 

[Foxsbiscuits]

I assume you will carry on using the tyres but keep a 'watching brief'?

Yes I will, I have no issue continuing to use the tyres, the cracks do seem light/cosmetic and not dangerous.
Overall I find no issues with the tyres, they seem to perform really well but I don't have comparison.
I fear I could change to Pilots or Cross and would be very annoyed if it increased road noise for example, can't just change my mind and then I'm stuck with them for the life of the vehicle given my low mileage.
In fact I don't know why I'm even talking about it, the current tyres will probably last me!

 

[Foxsbiscuits]

In fact my perishing is far less significant than yours -

 

[Dangerous Fish]

In fact my perishing is far less significant than yours -
View attachment 1058994

Honestly, that is just not worth worrying about in the slightest,