Currently away on a short break with my wife and daughter. 

Quick nip to Tesco for some essentials whilst my wife puts our daughter to bed.

Notice my lights go directly into neighbours house as I approach a shared drive. Dip them, not see a raised kerb... you know the rest.

Off to see if the cut means a new tyre and thankfully I have alloy insurance. 

What a moron!

‘Morning Sam,

Really sorry to hear this, and probably no consolation, but I guess the majority of us have done something similarly silly during our years of driving. Fortunately here,  the only one which is in pain is your wallet. 
Personal opinion and apologies for being negative, but  I doubt if any tyre retailer would sanction its continued use. 
Today will be a better day - as they say. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Sorry to hear this but easily done 

Been there myself with my last car.

If it was just the rim protector lip you would be OK, but it does look like you've taken so chunks out of the actual sidewall on the first picture so I'd say replace, especially on an RS4.

Unfortunately sidewall damage is more serious than tread damage, and means a new tyre is needed.

Took it to a tyre centre and they've said it is fine. It is on the reinforced wall bit, typically designed to act as a scuff guard for the alloys. I will keep an eye on it and ask the repair specialist to take a look when they come to do the alloys (I've got tyre cover too).

Such a moron for not paying more attention! It looks so ugly. 

Thanks for the update Sam. 
The replies to date suggest the tyre should not continue to be used. 
Interesting to now know that you also have tyre insurance. If so, does it cover such damage caused under your circumstances? 
Again just a personal view:- you seem to be knocking yourself about for something that has been done and cannot be reversed. I would be concentrating my mind on the best way forward to ensure the safety of your family, yourself and other road issues.
Do you really want to run the risk of having far more to worry about than the cost of a tyre? 

I guess I trust the advice of someone who saw it in person and who works with tyres all day vs. a couple pictures shared online. But I am happy to take it to another place later today to get a second opinion. 

The tyre and alloy insurance covers accidental damage over three years since purchase. There is a maximum number of claims per year (I believe eight) and a number per wheel per year, but I've made zero claims in 16 months so far. 

 

8 minutes ago, RS4Dad said:

I guess I trust the advice of someone who saw it in person and who works with tyres all day

IMO, if someone whose job is to sell me tyres say's that they don't need to sell me tyres.... I'd probably trust them too.

I drove on the tyre I pictured above for a few months before selling the car and it was fine even at motorway speeds+

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by Mark M.

Yeah, he was totally unequivocal about it too. No "well, I would, but it is up to you". Said it was absolutely fine and the edges were designed for that reason.

Going to another tomorrow to be on the safe side! 

25 minutes ago, RS4Dad said:

Yeah, he was totally unequivocal about it too. No "well, I would, but it is up to you". Said it was absolutely fine and the edges were designed for that reason.

Going to another tomorrow to be on the safe side! 

Hi any damage to a sidewall is a big NO and will get you nicked if you are stopped that would never pass an MOT, showed the picture to my friend who is an MOT tester, his comment, Nah!

Steve.

When assessing cuts in a tyre, it is permissible to check whether a cut is deep enough to reach the ply or cord by using a blunt instrument to open the cut taking care not to cause further damage.

The following criteria should be used when assessing a cut in a tyre:

any ply or cord that can be seen without touching the tyre - fail

if by folding back rubber or opening a cut with a blunt instrument, so as not to cause further damage, exposed ply or cord can be seen irrespective of the size of the cut - fail

if a cut which is more than 25mm or 10% of the section width whichever is the greater, is opened with a blunt instrument and cords can be felt but not seen - fail

Before failing a cut, you must make sure it’s the cords that you can feel not a foreign object. If you’re not sure, then you should pass and advise.

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/5-axles-wheels-tyres-and-suspension#section-5-2-3

 

If cords or ply are not exposed then it shouldn't be a fail. The pic I posted above went through at least 1 MOT and wasn't even an advisory.

Appreciate all of that Mark, but the acid test is whether a responsible driver of a performance car would take any risk in driving such a car with visible damage to the extent shown, particularly since it will boil down to an increased potential for failure vs. some tens of £s to get it sorted via. the insurance cover held. 
This question is asked on the basis of a ‘ Professional opinion’ of ‘…well I would, but it’s up to you’. 

That's incorrect. The person who assessed it said it would be absolutely fine and not to worry. I then said I'd replace it when back home in Surrey (we are away this week) and he said that would be a waste of money and totally unnecessary. 

Ill be getting another assessment done before we return home. I'm paying for a mobile service to come and assess. But that'll be three professionals looking at it then. 

I do appreciate opinions here, but I value that of professionals more. 

Edited September 25, 2025Sep 25 by RS4Dad

Thanks for updating the forum Sam.

Perhaps you haven’t told us about the second professional - or have I missed it?

Now knowing what we do, it seems strange that you should ask for the opinions of non-professionals on here- whose  opinions you value less - when professional opinions would have been readily available to you.
Perhaps it’s good to have a shoulder to cry on.

Regards,

Gareth. 

8 hours ago, Magnet said:

Appreciate all of that Mark, but the acid test is whether a responsible driver of a performance car would take any risk in driving such a car with visible damage to the extent shown, particularly since it will boil down to an increased potential for failure vs. some tens of £s to get it sorted via. the insurance cover held. 

That's the thing though, the rubber coating on the sidewall has no strength in it, all the strength is from the carcass ply and steel belt plies. The rubber on the sidewall is to protect those from the elements, so if there not exposed then there is no degradation of the strength of the tyre.

I really can't understand anybody even considering driving a car with tyre damage such as this. It not only your families safely, think about others on the road you may injure with a blow out! 

Lots of strong opinions on here. Thankfully, I've spoken to professionals and they align with Mark M's comments. 

I forget how terribly emotional and vocal people can get when their opinions are not followed. I do appreciate the passion, but in this instance, I'll go with what the pros say. 

If there was any indication at all safety was compromised, I'd just replace the tyre. However, the resounding feedback for this tyre is it is cosmetic and I can replace if I am precious about it looking ugly but it has zero impact on integrity or safety of the tyre. 

Edited September 26, 2025Sep 26 by RS4Dad
Typos

Given that we have only seen a couple of small photos, whereas the professionals have examined the real thing, I can't blame you for taking their advice in preference to ours. The ultimate decision however rests with the next MOT test. When is that due?

Not until end of Feb 2026. 

I have a decent garage near to me in Surrey that I will go to and get his opinion. He is pretty militant and tells it like it is, but I do feel I have asked another people now. 

I'll keep an eye on blackcircles and if the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 275/30 R20 Y go on sale again, I might just replace for peace of mind. Usually replace in at least pairs, though.