Do car tyres go off even when not used?

[electro_boy]

I’ve seen an add for unused Yokohama winter tyres as speced for the S1 Evora.  I’m waiting to hear back from the seller to see what the date of manufacture is for the tyres.  Just wondering if there is a shelf life for tyres even if they are stored in the dark away from UV light and the elements that could damage them?

[DBG]

Yep. No idea about winter tyres though. 

My first Elise had 7yo original tyres on it (only 1k on the clock) a they had bugger all grip.  

Our tyre guy generally says 3 years is where they drop off in his opinion. 

[B430m]

I was told by a tyre reseller that 6yrs was the safe life of tyres.

[Escape]

I think 5 years is the limit to sell tires as new, even when unused, because the rubber can/will degrade. On a Lotus, better to err on the safe side. If it's a set for a weekend offroader, less of an issue.

I've driven my Esprit on what I think were original Goodyear Eagles, over 25 years old and about half worn. Stored dry and dark for most of their lives. It was an emergency decision, to be able to move the car while the other set of rims was being repainted. I was very cautious, but did give it some beans on an empty, wet parking lot and was amazed by the grip they still offered. Not something I want to take chances on in actual traffic and/or spirited driving.

[au-yt]

It also depends on how tires are stored, away from UV (in the dark )and not mounted they have a bit longer shelf like, race guys I told  wrap them in plastic to help stop them drying out

Edited December 12, 2018 by au-yt

[ramjet]

Don't know about the life, but yep, they go 'off'.

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

You can still buy Lotus-supplied OEM Pirellis as fitted to the Evora S via Lotus Silverstone. Since Evora S production stopped about three and a half years ago, I wonder how old they are?

Like Filip above, I had the original Hethel-fitted and model-specific Goodyear Eagle F1s on my old 1991 Lotus Omega up until 2014. The tyres were dated 1990 and 1991. Despite being nearly 25 years old they worked fine, had no sidewall cracking and plenty of tread, but were a bit "dry". They had enjoyed a very pampered life: always garaged and only done <8000 miles by the time I replaced them with some Falkens, just for safety's sake. The Goodyears had been unavailable for many years by then.

The concours entrant in me regretted replacing them: they even had the original 1991 Norfolk air in them. I also failed to ask for the original valve caps back from the tyre fitter. That was stupid as they were again model-specific metal caps and unobtainable anywhere.

[electro_boy]

Thanks guys for the info.  I imagine I wont put many miles on the tyres as they will be used only for winter months so need them to stay good for a couple more years before they will wear out.   I'll wait for the seller to get back to me with the manufacture date and if under 3 years old, I may go for them.