The best (and worst) tires on the market

Tires are an essential element for road safety. In fact, the condition of tires and brakes are the two most important active safety elements when it comes to preventing potential incidents and accidents. In this regard, the latter is interesting. OCU study that analyzes the best and worst tire manufacturers on the market, according to user reviews. This study collected the opinions and experiences of 52,000 drivers from five European countries regarding their satisfaction with and perceived quality of their car tires, allowing for a ranking of the best and worst tire manufacturers on the market.

The study, which includes the average of respondents' perceptions of tires over the last five years, divides manufacturers into three main categories: those with a good or premium rating (identified with four stars), those with average quality (three stars), and those with perceived low or improvable quality (with two stars).

The best tire brands on the market, according to this study, are Continental, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Dunlop, all of which received four-star ratings and a perceived quality score of over 60 out of 100. At the other end of the spectrum are manufacturers from emerging markets such as Taiwan and Singapore.

The OCU study also includes several interesting data points, such as the fact that 96% of Spanish drivers use summer tires year-round, unlike European drivers, who use winter tires much more frequently during the colder months of the year. This difference is explained by Spain's weather conditions, with winters that are much milder than those in northern and central Europe.

Another interesting aspect when analyzing tires is that the majority of Spanish drivers only change them when they are old. In fact, the study shows that 71% of Spanish respondents only change their tires when the rubber is already aged and the tread is practically worn out. Manufacturers recommend changing tires every 10 years or 45,000 kilometers to ensure their effectiveness and proper functioning.