Alloy wheels are popular for their strength, lightweight, and sleek appearance. However, like any other part of your vehicle, alloys can suffer damage from everyday wear and tear, potholes, and kerb collisions.
Driving on damaged alloy wheels can seriously affect safety and performance so we have rounded up all the information you need to understand the risks of alloy wheel damage, whether it’s safe to drive on damaged alloys, if they could cause an MOT failure, and some hidden issues that may arise from neglecting alloy repairs.
How Dangerous is Alloy Wheel Damage?
Driving on damaged alloy wheels can impact vehicle safety. Alloy wheels are designed to be lightweight yet strong, allowing for better handling and braking, when they’re cracked, bent, or otherwise compromised, their structure weakens, leading to several potential hazards:
- Reduced Handling: Damaged alloys can misalign your wheels, affecting your car’s handling. A vehicle that drifts or doesn’t respond predictably to steering can be challenging to control, especially in emergencies.
- Vibration Issues: Bent alloy wheels often cause a noticeable vibration in the steering wheel, especially at higher speeds. This isn’t just uncomfortable—it indicates uneven rotation, which places additional stress on suspension components and makes driving less predictable and more hazardous.
- Increased Tyre Wear: Damaged wheels often cause irregular tyre wear. Misalignment and uneven wheel surfaces lead to tyres wearing faster in certain areas, increasing blowout risks and resulting in more frequent tyre replacements.
- Wheel Failure Risk: In severe cases, a damaged alloy wheel can lead to sudden failure while driving. Cracks or deep dents can weaken the alloy, potentially causing the wheel to break or detach, significantly increasing your accident risk.
Can You Drive on Damaged Alloys?
Technically, you may still be able to drive on a damaged alloy, but this is generally unwise. Even minor damage can worsen over time, especially if exposed to road stresses. Consider these factors before driving on damaged alloys:
- The Extent of Damage: Light scuffs or cosmetic scratches may not immediately impact safety. However, cracks, bends, or large chips are best addressed promptly to avoid escalation.
- Speed and Distance: High-speed or long-distance driving on damaged wheels amplifies risks, including wheel failure and increased tyre wear. If driving is unavoidable, keep speeds low and limit travel until repairs are made.
- Emergency Situations: Damaged alloys reduce your vehicle’s responsiveness in emergency braking or swerving, making it harder to react quickly to obstacles or sudden stops, thus increasing accident risk.
Will Damaged Alloys Fail an MOT?
In the UK, the MOT test ensures vehicles meet roadworthiness standards, with alloy wheels among the components inspected. Damaged wheels can result in an MOT failure. Here’s what to consider:
- Structural Damage: If an alloy wheel has cracks, significant dents, or any structural damage compromising its integrity, it may be flagged during the MOT. Severe damage can lead to MOT failure due to safety risks and will need repair or replacement.
- Excessive Corrosion: Heavily corroded alloys may also fail the MOT if the corrosion weakens the wheel structure. Rust or corrosion, often caused by exposure to road salt and moisture, can be mitigated by regular alloy cleaning and maintenance.
- Wheel Alignment and Balance Issues: Although the MOT doesn’t specifically test alignment, damaged alloy wheels leading to misalignment can indirectly impact inspection results. For instance, uneven tyre wear may indicate misaligned or damaged alloys, which could be grounds for MOT failure.
Additional Issues Caused by Damaged Alloy Wheels
Beyond immediate safety and MOT concerns, damaged alloy wheels can cause several less obvious but significant issues if left unchecked:
- Reduced Fuel Efficiency: Bent or misaligned alloys create drag, requiring the engine to work harder to maintain movement. This reduces fuel efficiency and increases fuel costs over time.
- Suspension and Steering Wear: Damaged wheels throw off vehicle balance, putting stress on suspension and steering components, leading to premature wear on shocks, struts, and steering systems, resulting in costly repairs.
- Tyre Pressure Loss: Cracks or bends can cause slow air leaks, gradually reducing tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase blowout risk, impair handling, and further reduce fuel efficiency.
- Brake System Strain: Damaged wheels compromise brake performance. Brakes are most effective when wheels rotate evenly, but damaged alloys lead to uneven rotation, reducing brake efficiency and accelerating brake pad and rotor wear.
- Vibration Damage to Electronics and Interior: Vibrations from bent or damaged wheels can affect the chassis, loosening fittings and electronic components. Prolonged shaking may damage displays, radios, and navigation systems or cause persistent rattling.
- Cosmetic Degradation: Damaged alloys affect vehicle appearance, as corrosion and cracks spread over time, diminishing resale value and overall aesthetics.
- Increased Tyre Replacement Costs: Uneven tyre wear from damaged alloys leads to more frequent tyre replacements. Tyres worn unevenly are unsafe and prone to punctures, increasing maintenance costs.
Don’t Ignore Damaged Alloys!
Driving on damaged alloy wheels is risky, leading to severe safety and performance issues. Alloy damage compromises handling, creates vibrations, accelerates tyre wear, reduces fuel efficiency, and can lead to wheel failure. Prompt inspection and repair by professionals can help ensure vehicle safety. Moreover, damaged alloys could cause MOT failure, potentially preventing you from using your vehicle until repairs are made.
For your safety, vehicle performance, and budget, damaged alloy wheels shouldn’t be overlooked. Get in touch with us today to discuss your alloy needs.