Replacing tyre on a car - failed NCT

dillsquatt

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My car failed NCT on car last night - Major fail - 'repair plug in area outside central 3/4 of tread pattern'. Advised to replace tyre.

Just wondering is it advisable just to replace one tyre or should all four be replaced - I know nothing about car or mechanics but I do recall hearing this before - something to do with balance?

Any advices would be appreciated.
thanks
 
Eh no you do not need to replace all your tyres providing the thread on them is fine.

If there is uneven wear on one tyre this could indicate a balance issue but as this was not picked up on the nct (or noticeable to yourself) then this is not an issue.
 
Some advise that tyres should ideally be replaced in pairs - i.e. both front or rear tyres at the same time. But that might only be necessary if you're doing a lot of driving and not for, say, a city runaround? And might also depend on the state of both tyres in the pair.
 
It is widely recommended from a handling and safety point of view that you replace both tyres on the same axel. Also, if you replace two rather than four tyres you should put the new tyres on the rear axel (for both front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles).
 
It depends totally on the circumstances. If you hit a pothole and one of your tyres develops the resulting dreaded bulge, I suspect that recommendations to replace 2 tyres might belong in the same category as advice from your barber that your hair, albeit short, would benefit from a haircut.
 
Replace the damaged tyre with one of the same make, size, speed-rating, and tread pattern (all that information is on the side-wall of the tyre) and ask for the wheel to be balanced after the tyre is fitted. Get the work done in a specialist tyre shop rather than at a garage / main-dealer as they will more than likely be less expensive.

Understand your tyre
 
I've been driving for a few decades and I haven't come across this adivice
 
This is keeping it simple?
 
This is keeping it simple?
Yes, it's the logic behind the simple answer I gave to the simple problem, simply ages ago.
 
Tyres on my car are rotated as part of annual service. Very low mileage so got 'advisory note' about them on last NCT but passed ... still sound according mechanic.