Are there counterfeit Michelin tires?
3 Answers
There are counterfeit Michelin tires. Computer verification for authenticity: Genuine Michelin tires sold through official channels have anti-counterfeit labels on the tire's label paper. The certificate comes with a silver coating that can be scratched off to reveal a 16-digit code as per instructions. Visit Michelin China's official website, enter the retailer's ID number. Upon success, input the mobile phone number, license plate, and tire anti-counterfeit code to display the verification result. Identifying tire quality by appearance: Tire quality can be assessed by observing the tread pattern, color, and gloss. Generally, inferior retreaded tires are poorly processed, resulting in relatively shallow tread grooves. In terms of color, counterfeit retreaded tires appear overly bright and shiny, whereas genuine ones look darker. Retreaded tires tend to have dull colors and lackluster gloss.
Last time at the auto parts market helping a friend check tires, I saw fake Michelins that looked incredibly real. The sidewall logo stamp was almost indistinguishable, but the rubber felt hard when pressed. The shop owner privately told me these high-quality fakes use recycled rubber in the inner layers, which can delaminate when tire temperatures rise during highway driving. The key is to check if the DOT code and production date on the sidewall are laser-engraved - stickered labels are 80% likely problematic. In rainy conditions, these tires can have braking distances 5-6 meters longer than genuine ones - definitely not worth the savings.
My best friend once bought fake Michelin tires on Taobao, initially thinking she got a great deal. After two months of driving, she noticed a sudden increase in tire noise. During maintenance, the mechanic scraped the tread with a screwdriver and actually peeled off rubber particles! Genuine tires, molded under high temperature and pressure, wouldn't behave like this. Now she's wiser—she either buys from the official flagship store or visits Michelin-certified shops. Always remember to check the anti-counterfeit QR code on the tire sidewall; fake ones won't scan any records.
