What Are Brand-New Buffed-Logo Tires?
2 Answers
Brand-new buffed-logo tires, also known as buffed-barcode tires, refer to tires with the white barcode (located at the tire bead area) ground off. Below is an introduction to buffed-logo tires: 1. Overview: These are non-warranty products that may include factory-rejected defective items or even qualified products. To avoid claim complications, manufacturers directly ship them as buffed-logo products. Additionally, smuggled export-to-domestic-sale tires and cross-regional parallel-import tires are often sold at low prices after logo removal. 2. Usable Tires: Except for factory-rejected defective tires, other buffed-logo tires maintain equivalent quality to genuine products but lack warranty coverage. Factory-designated "usable tires" typically exhibit minor flaws like uneven rubber distribution, excessive dynamic balance deviation, or stitching irregularities – defects often visible upon visual inspection.
The so-called 're-badged' tires are essentially those that appear brand new but have their production dates or brand markings ground off or altered. I once bought a set myself, lured by the low price without careful inspection, only to find the car wobbling on the road—later realizing the tires might have been expired. The main purpose of grinding off markings is to conceal the true age of the tires, such as refurbished or overstocked old tires being resold after treatment. These pose significant risks because you can't tell if the rubber has degraded—a blowout at high speeds could be disastrous. I strongly advise everyone purchasing new tires to always check if the DOT code on the sidewall is intact and undamaged. Take the time to verify; safe driving is paramount—don’t end up regretting like I did. Tires directly affect braking and traction, and buying re-badged ones is like driving blindfolded—you can’t see what you’re getting into.
