skills/used-car-investigator/references/tires-cargo-dealer.md

# Tires and Practical Fit

Use this reference when tire condition, cargo utility, or buyer fit could change the decision. For
dealership research, use `dealer-reputation.md` instead.

## Tires

Capture what is **verified**, **visible but unmeasured**, **seller-claimed**, or **unknown**:

- tire type: summer, all-season, all-weather, winter, performance, run-flat, or commercial/light-truck
- brand/model, size, load and speed rating, wheel size, and whether all four match
- tread depth in millimetres or 32nds, measured across the tread when available
- manufacturing date code, cracking, bulges, punctures, plugs/patches, sidewall damage, and flat spots
- evenness of wear, inner-edge wear, cupping, feathering, and evidence of alignment or suspension issues
- seasonal setup, remaining winter usefulness, studding where relevant, and storage/second-set claims
- AWD/4WD circumference matching, EV load/noise/rolling-resistance implications, and run-flat tradeoffs

Do not infer tire condition from a clean photo or “good tires” in an advertisement. If tread depth,
age, type, or matching cannot be verified, call it out as an evidence gap and ask for close photos or
a measurement. Price likely replacement as a complete matched set when AWD/4WD or mixed wear makes one-
tire replacement inappropriate. Include mounting, balancing, alignment, and seasonal changeover when
they materially affect the buyer's cost.

Tires can affect safety, wet/cold traction, ride, noise, fuel/energy use, handling, and immediate value.
They are usually a condition/value adjustment, not proof of a mechanical defect unless wear points to one.

## Cargo and seating configuration

Report practical capacity in a fixed order:

1. seats/rows in normal use
2. cargo volume with all normal seats upright
3. volume with second-row seats folded
4. volume with third-row seats in use/folded when applicable
5. underfloor storage, frunk, spare-tire intrusion, load-floor length/width, opening height, and sill height

Use manufacturer figures only when the exact body style/trim is resolved. Label whether the measurement
is behind the second row, behind the first row, or a maximum-to-roof figure; manufacturer methods differ.
Do not present folded-seat maximum as everyday usable cargo space.

Translate the numbers into the buyer's use: stroller, mobility equipment, pet carrier, luggage, bicycle,
long flat-pack item, or rear-seat passenger space. If the buyer has not stated the load, ask one concise
fit question or state the uncertainty. Mention whether folding seats are split, flat, removable, or blocked
by a raised floor/subwoofer. Disclose both **seats-up** and **seats-folded** capacity whenever cargo matters.

## Required report fields

- Tires: type, tread/age evidence, matching/condition, immediate replacement estimate, confidence
- Cargo: seats-up volume, seats-folded volume, configuration caveats, practical-fit conclusion