How much should a used tire cost


Used Tire Cost: How much are they?

What's In This Guide?

  • What Affects Used Tire Prices?
  • Why Should I Buy Used Tires?
  • Where Can I Buy Used Tires?
  • Conclusion

What Affects Used Tire Prices?

  • Initial price from new
  • Tread
  • Wheel alignment
  • Age
  • Tire brand
  • Tire size
  • Tire type

How Does Initial Tire Price Affect Used Tire Price?

No matter if you buy an expensive item or a cheap one, chances are that both of these will suffer from depreciation. Tire depreciation can easily be viewed as a percentage of value a tire loses during its lifespan. More expensive tires start with a higher price tag, but they follow a similar depreciation curve as cheaper tires do.

This is because the price itself isn’t as important as all the other factors listed above combined. Therefore, losing 30% of the value from a $1000 tire isn’t the same as losing 30% of the value from a $100 tire. This inevitably means that more expensive tires tend to lose more value from a dollar-per-dollar standpoint while cheaper tires lose the same percentage, but not the same amount.

How Does Tread Affect Used Tire Price?

The more you use a tire, the less effective it becomes. The less effective the tire becomes, the less sense there is to buying it. Therefore, no one is willing to pay considerable amounts of money on a tire that has little to no tread left. As the tread tends to wear off, the value of the tire is soon to follow. Either way, be sure to always check how much tread a tire has left with these two handy tricks.

How Does Wheel Alignment Affect Used Tire Price?

Wheel alignment does not necessarily affect used tire prices directly, but rather the effects of improper wheel alignment. If you fail to precisely align your wheels so they can meet the road at the exact angle, chances are that your tires will experience uneven wear.

Uneven wear means that some parts of the tire are noticeably more worn out and that the tire is not able to perform in the same way across its entire surface. Tires with considerable uneven wear aren’t going to fool anyone as these tires are the very cheapest usable used tires you can get. You can’t even properly predict how long these tires can last.

How Does Tire Age Affect Used Tire Price?

Tire age works in a similar way as tire tread because the older the tire, the less tread it has. However, age plays a more pivotal role in other situations, such as when you don’t use your tires. If you keep your tires stored for a long time, even though they have lots of tread left, they are simply too old to be used.

Moreover, the modern-day tire industry has shown great improvement over tires made in the past few decades. So even if you do store old unused tires perfectly, chances are that they are not going to be as advanced as the tires you can buy today. To top it all off, the structural integrity of a tire sidewall tends to deteriorate as tires get older and older.

How Does Tire Brand Affect Used Tire Price?

Brands like Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli, BF Goodrich, and Bridgestone are known as premium tire brands. Being a premium tire brand means making tires for the very best and most advanced cars on the market. Premium tires cost a lot more money than mid-level tires and they perform better in most relevant areas.

Used tires with premium badges are also going to be more valuable on the 2nd hand market as people are more willing to invest in a brand known for quality. This is especially the case when it comes to used tires as you are never too sure if the tire is as good as it looks.

How Does Tire Size Affect Used Tire Price?

Some tire sizes are more popular than others which means that the used tire market is in greater demand for such tires. 15 and 16-inch tires are likely the most popular tire sizes out there which means that most used tire buyers are going to want 15 and 16-inch used tires.

However, low-profile tires tend to be more expensive from the get-go which also means that they are more expensive when buying used. Really large commercial-grade and off-roading tires use more rubber, steel, cotton, and all other materials during production which also pushes the price of such used tires.

How Does Tire Type Affect Used Tire Price?

Not all tires are made equal which means that certain types of tires are more expensive than others. For example, an industry-standard all-season tire is always going to be a lot cheaper than a performance tire or an off-roading tire. Winter tires use different compounds which wear out faster and pre-mounted winter/snow tires are a bit trickier to buy for that very reason.

Why Should I Buy Used Tires?

There are a couple of reasons why people tend to opt for used tires as opposed to simply buying a set of brand-new tires. First of all, used tires are cheaper and it often makes more sense to buy a set of used tires for a particular car that isn’t getting as much use as a typical daily driver. So, if you own an old car that you only drive occasionally at low speeds, there is no need for you to overspend on a set of brand-new tires.

Furthermore, by buying used tires, you are actively lowering the effects used tires have on our environment. The good thing is that you can recycle both new and used tires which means that you can take them to certain facilities where you can even make some money doing that. No matter how you look at it, it makes perfect sense to recycle tires.

Before you decide to buy used tires, you need to be able to inspect them carefully and thoroughly. First of all, you need to find out when were the tires made. You also need to find out how much tread is left on the tire and if there are any cuts, pierces, or similar defects on both the face and the sidewall of the tire. Go around the entire tire and don’t skimp a mere inch.

Be sure to know what you are after before you come and start looking for tires. It is also essential to make sure that the tire you are looking at can even fit your wheel and your car. If you do all of this carefully and with a decent understanding of what is going to happen if you don’t, you should buy used tires.

Where Can I Buy Used Tires?

There are plenty of places out there where you can buy used tires. You should start by looking at your local tire centers and dealerships as these often stock used tires if such tires are worthy of resale. Big-box retail shops such as Walmart, Sears, Costco, etc.) can also sometimes stock used tires while also selling them for a considerable discount.

Online services such as eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, or Kijiji are filled with loads of used tires and wheels, but these are a bit trickier as you are usually buying from private individuals. It is often best to search for specialized used tire shops that predominantly deal with refurbishing used tires as these are the places with the best deals and best used tires in general.

Conclusion

Determining a used tire cost requires a bit of knowledge as not all tires depreciate in the same way. It is reasonable to think that a standard used tire should only cost about 30%-50% of the tire’s original price, but some tires, such as lightly used high-performance tires, can cost up to 75% of the original price tag.

Either way, many factors affect how much a used tire costs, all of which are important. If you do decide to buy a set of used tires, be sure to do so carefully as used tires need to be inspected thoroughly before buying.

How Much Are Used Tires In 2023? (Types, Is It Ok + More)

Those who don’t have enough money to purchase new tires or insurance to cover tire replacement have no choice but to purchase second-hand tires.

However, used tires may still have sufficient tread depth and be free from unusual and uneven tread wear. But how much do these tires cost? If you’d like to find out, keep reading!

Used tires range in price from $25 to $160 with a complete set selling at $100 to $650, or 30% to 50% less than a new tire of the same type. A set of four tires is priced between $224 and $325 on Craigslist and Facebook MarketPlace. Therefore, used tires are a viable option if you’re seeking to save money.

To learn more about used tire pricing, if you should consider buying used tires, how to choose the best used tires and more, keep reading for more facts!

How Much Should 4 Used Tires Cost?

You could pay between $25 to $160 for a single used tire, meaning a whole set may sell at $100 to $650, or 30% to 50% lower than a new tire of a similar model.

This figure is dependent on a variety of factors, such as tire size or if they come mounted on a wheel or not. Therefore, you might pay $50 or $90 for the same kind of tire.

Tires with low mileage are obviously more valuable than tires that are virtually worn out, and the price of a large truck tire is generally more than the price of a typical passenger car tire.

Additionally, because of their higher original price and residual value, low profile and performance tires will likewise command a premium.

How Long Do Used Tires Last?

Not all brands and models have a long wear life, as some treads last longer than others, and tread life is sometimes dictated by the kind of tire.

Touring tires, for example, are supposed to last longer than performance or summer tires.

This may also be true of H/T or highway-terrain tires, which have a longer wear life than A/T or all-terrain tires for pickup trucks or SUVs.

In most situations, tread life is determined by a variety of factors, including the vehicle’s overall condition, driving habits, miles traveled, and present road/weather conditions. Therefore, the life expectancy of your tires depends on how and where you drive your car.

Although you may not be able to manage the latter, if you drive carefully and responsibly, you should be able to fully maximize a pair of used tires.

How Do I Choose A Good Set Of Used Tires?

Experienced drivers wouldn’t recommend buying anything unless the tread depth is at least 7 to 9/32″ -, or even higher if it’s a more aggressive truck or SUV tire.

Anything less is bad when traction, comfort, and durability are taken into consideration. Therefore, wherever you shop, double-check the listings. Most vendors outright display the remaining tread depth, but you should take this with a grain of salt.

For safety, actual product photographs should be included in the listings. If you see anything unusual (such as bald areas or uneven wear marks), move on and look for alternative options.

Does Walmart Sell Used Tires?

Walmart doesn’t sell or install old tires since it only sells items with UPC numbers.

Therefore, if you’re seeking second-hand tires, go to Facebook MarketPlace or Craigslist, where you could get single tires for $89-$103 or a set of four for $224-$325.

A single used tire costs an average of $25-$160, which is comparable to Walmart’s new tires, which cost an average of $31-$102.

Is It Okay To Purchase Used Tires?

You should only put used tires on your car if they are really necessary, because since used tires aren’t regulated, there’s no way of knowing if they’re safe.

Tread degradation can easily be observed, but internal tire deterioration is difficult to spot unless you’re a specialist.

If you’re in need of tires, it’s strongly advised to purchase new ones from a reputable shop rather than buying used tires from a vendor.

Purchasing a used tire to be used as a spare isn’t as bad. However, to keep your car safe, never buy a whole set of secondhand tires.

How Can You Tell If A Used Tire Is Good?

Before purchasing used tires, make sure you check out factors such as tread depth, tread and sidewall condition, repairs, and age.

A regular new tire has a tread depth of 10/32 to 11/32 of an inch, while 2/32 of an inch is the legal minimum tread.

At least 5-6/32 of the tread depth on a decent used tire should be left, which can be determined by using the penny test.

If a significant portion of the head side of the penny is visible, it will be fair to assume that the tread is around 2/32 inches and thus in violation of safety measures.

If a used tire’s tread depth appears to be adequate, inspect the whole surface of the tire for noticeable cracks or cuts in the sidewall. It’s also hazardous to use if the sidewall has bumps or other irregularities, as an impact might cause the rubber to delaminate from the belting.

Therefore, look for traces of repair on the interior of the tire (it must have been repaired with a tire plug if you see crude nubs of rubber sticking up).

Tires now have a four-digit number on them that identifies their age; the first two numerals indicate the week in which it was manufactured, while the final two digits indicate the year.

A tire with the DOT number 1208, for example, was manufactured in the 12th week of 2008.

Tires that are more than 6 years old should be avoided since the oil in the rubber begins to dry up with time, resulting in dry rot, cracking, and a hazardous tire.

To learn more about tires, you can also see our posts if you can sell used tires, if you can buy used tires, where you can dispose of tires for free, and how tires are recycled.

Conclusion

While it’s not suggested that old rubber is always better than new, the cost savings potential is undeniable for purchasing used tires instead of new. Therefore, as long as used tires pass inspection and have sufficient tread left, they are safe.

If you’re considering buying used tires for your car, make sure you buy from a reputable vendor, which guarantees that each tire will be extensively tested and certified for the road.

how to choose, check and whether it is worth buying used tires

Konstantin Ishchenko

experienced car enthusiast

The motorist's budget hits the hardest when you have to buy both summer and winter sets of tires within one year.

For example, the popular Nissan Qashqai is equipped with 225/45 R19 tires in the maximum configuration, a set of the middle price category will cost about 50,000 rubles.

But there is an option to save money and buy used tires. This article will tell you how to safely buy used tires and when you shouldn't.

You will know:

  • How to know which tires to look for
  • Is it worth buying used tires
  • Why they sell used tires and who does it
  • Where to buy used tires
  • What to check when buying used tires
  • Additional things to check when buying used winter tires
  • How to calculate the fair price of used tires (calculator)

How to know which tires to look for

Or the season has changed. We wrote in detail about how to assess the condition of tires and understand when they need to be changed in a separate instruction. Before you start looking for tires, it is important to be able to read their parameters. The most important in this situation are the size, manufacturer and model of the tire.

If the task is to buy a set of four tires, then it is important to respect the size. If you damaged one tire, you will have to look for exactly the same one: two wheels of the same axle must have tires with the same tread pattern, and this is possible only in the case of tires of the same model.

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Tire parameters important to look for: width, profile height and rim diameter Tire manufacturer and model

Does it make sense to buy used tires

According to Avtostat, an average car in Russia drives 17,500 km per year. Let's take the average wear resistance of tires according to the Treadwear index - 320 and calculate how long a new set of summer tires could theoretically last.

Every 100 index units is 12,500 km, which means tires are rated for 40,000 km. Assuming that the summer kit is used for 6 months out of 12, the mileage for six months is 8750 km, and the kit is enough for 4. 5 seasons.

If the annual mileage is 30,000 km, then the summer kit should wear out in 2.7 seasons. But I have not met people who change tires in the middle of the season: either they change them in the spring, or they drive them until autumn.

Judging by Yandex Market, the average popular tire 205/55 R16 costs 5500 R, which means that the set is 22 000 R. Let's round up 2.7 to three full seasons. One season costs Rs. pay more than 14,000 R. How to evaluate the tread depth on a used tire, we will tell a little later.

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These are very average values, but still usable. There is no perfect formula, operating conditions and driving style are very different.

Buying used tires will allow you not to get into a loan if a new set is too expensive. Or it will help those who know for sure that at the end of the season they will change the car: there is no point in buying new tires for the next driver. However, the theoretical calculation does not take into account your travel time for the next purchase and the risks of buying a bad kit. If you plan to drive a car for at least two years, buy new tires.

Velcro on stamped disc. A set of tires and wheels - 3000 R. I took it to change the car into it for the duration of a long body repair. It was a pity for me to leave the car on the expensive original casting. I had to spend two weeks searching, look through hundreds of ads and once go to the other end of the city. When the wheels are no longer needed, I plan to sell for 6000 R

Why they sell used tires and who does it

At first glance, selling tires is illogical. Tires need to be worn out completely and then disposed of, but the market for used rubber is huge. It has several types of sellers with very different offers.

Companies that sell used tires from Europe and Japan. Despite the ban on the import of used rubber, which has been in effect in the Eurasian Customs Union since January 1, 2010, this business is booming. The main thing is to prove that tires are not hazardous waste and they are not imported for recycling. Therefore, on Avito and various sites, many offices offer used tires of various brands, sizes and models.

Advantages and disadvantages of specialized stores that sell used tires

Benefits Defects
Huge selection of summer tires

Advice available, professionals know their product

Usually there is a tire service on site

Safer online shopping. Many sell by bank transfer as a full-fledged online store

Tire warranty until the first tire fitting, a defective tire will be changed to a good one or money will be returned

There is almost no choice of winter tires: no studded and little friction - Velcro. You can only buy "euro-winter" for mild climatic conditions.

Consultation will not always be truthful and in the interests of the buyer. Everything is like on the market in the bad sense of the word

Tires can be of the old year of manufacture

Here are some of the advantages of specialized stores that sell used tires:

  1. Huge selection of summer tires.
  2. You can get advice, professionals know their product
  3. Usually there is a tire service on site.
  4. More secure online shopping. Many trade by bank transfer as a full-fledged online store.
  5. Tire warranty until the first tire fitting, a defective tire will be replaced with a good one or the money will be returned.

But there are also disadvantages:

  1. There is almost no choice of winter tires: no studded and low-friction Velcro tires. You can only buy "euro-winter" for mild climatic conditions.
  2. Advice will not always be truthful and in the best interests of the buyer. Everything is like in the market in the bad sense of the word.
  3. Tires may be old year.
Warehouse of one of the used rubber sales companies. Darker and shiny tires have already been given a marketable appearance. They look fresher and more attractive

Dealers and tire shops. They differ from the first ones in scale - they are much smaller, and also in that they trade at best on the scale of one city. Often the base for such activities is a tire shop. They buy cheaply at Avito or from tire fitting clients, sell more expensively at Avito or other tire fitting clients.

There are also not very pleasant scenarios: an unscrupulous tire fitting worker offers to dispose of a completely normal set of tires “out of friendship” and gets it for free. For another client, the same kit “very much nothing, two seasons will definitely pass” costs 15,000 rubles.

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A typical tire shop that sells rubber for emergency replacement of a damaged tire. The choice is small, storage is not according to the rules: direct sunlight damages tires. But there are situations when there is no choice

Individuals who sell unwanted tires for a variety of reasons. Here are the main ones:

  • the car was sold or trade-in, there were tires or even wheels assembled. Selling separately for added value. This makes sense: a car will definitely not become more expensive due to a set of wheels;
  • the car was stolen, smashed or stopped driving in winter. There was a set of wheels left, which, in general, has nowhere to go;
  • bought new tires, they sell the old one. Often the tires are completely worn out and ask for scrap, but the owners try to sell them at the price of a set "for the season". Unfortunately, Avito is inundated with such announcements.

Advantages and disadvantages of buying tires from an individual

Advantages of Defects
You can search for tires by car make and model, not just size

With a little luck, you can make a super bargain

It will take a long time and carefully to choose among ads

Many do not know what they are selling (mistakes in tire names, sizes and models are normal)

A rare seller agrees to tire fitting in his presence, everything will have to be checked by himself and by hand

Many scammers: they can offer to leave an advance payment and disappear or send an erased kit instead of what is in the ad

No warranty on tires

Here are some of the benefits of buying used tires from individuals:

  1. You can search tires by car make and model, not just size.
  2. With a certain amount of luck, you can make a super bargain.

But there are also disadvantages:

  1. You will have to choose among ads for a long time and carefully.
  2. Many do not know what they are selling (errors in names, sizes and tire models are the norm)
  3. A rare seller agrees to tire fitting in his presence, everything will have to be checked by himself and by hand.
  4. Many scammers: they may offer to leave an advance payment and disappear or send an erased set instead of what is in the ad.
  5. No warranty on tires.
The wheel from the kit, which I bought from a private trader from the Mini club telegram chat. The seller got rid of the car and urgently sold the original casting on almost new tires. 16,000 R for such a set is a gift of fate. And in order not to take risks, I asked a friend to control the shipment of wheels to my city

Where they buy used tires

Universal ad platforms: Avito, Yula and others. Here is the largest selection of used tires. Both private traders and professionals sell. Despite the convenient application and filters, it takes a lot of time to search. Don't expect every seller to list the model correctly. Bridgestone Potenza can become just "Bridge Stone" - and this is not the worst option.

You will have to scroll through a huge number of ads with completely worn-out tires that are only suitable for recycling. Unfortunately, no filters will save you from this. Looking for tires on Avito is like looking for a treasure: you have to dig a lot, and no one guarantees a reward, but some are lucky.

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Adjust the filter by size - so you will have more chances to find the tires you need You can no longer drive on such tires: they are worn out to the limit marks, this can be seen even in the photo. Plus, the sidewalls are very worn out. But the seller still thinks that he can get 3000 R for them

Websites for car sales announcements: "Avto-ru" and "Drom". There are few private ads here, mainly specialized stores operate on such sites.

Droma has the largest selection of used wheels and tires from Japan in the country. Drome offers a good customer protection service and acts as a guarantor of purchase: if they send you worn or damaged tires, the site will return the money. If everything is fine, they will be transferred to the seller.

At the time of writing the article on Avto-ru, there were only five private ads for the sale of tires of the common size 205/50 R17 throughout Russia. It makes no sense to look for tires from private traders on this site. Source: Avto-ru

Car club sites: forums, chats, Drive-2 — places where representatives of car clubs communicate. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the site itself. This can be a group on Vkontakte, a chat on Telegram or WhatsApp.

There are fewer offers here, but they are more interesting, more likely to find a good set. It is not customary to post completely junk for sale in communities or to greatly inflate the price: the ad will be discussed, criticized, or even deleted altogether.

But don't forget about safety. You should not buy something without verification or send the entire amount to a stranger in another city. It is usually customary to ask a friend of a teammate to go look at the kit and make sure that the tires are sent. Here, as a rule, you can place your ad on the purchase of the necessary tires and wait for responses.

There is a flea market on Drive-2. It is not very popular, but it is worth looking into it: there are filters separately for disks, wheels and tires, you can specify the dimensions.

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Special online stores and car disassembly. In most cases, such sellers open an official representative office on Avito, but some sites are still working. They may have rare tires or a more interesting price. Large auto-dismantlers rarely sell tires - they mainly sell sets of wheels. The condition of the tires on the rims is most often mediocre: a car is not sent to scrap on good tires.

Tire shops and car services. It's hard to find interesting deals on tires here, it's not their business. Tires in a tire shop are usually bought in emergency cases: when one or more tires are damaged, but you need to somehow drive a couple of weeks to pay.

What to check when buying used tires

Price. Before buying used tires, it is better to check the price of new tires of the right size. Tires from young Chinese brands are very cheap, and the market for used tires is overheated and overpriced. It is impossible to unequivocally answer which is better: a new tire from an unknown manufacturer or a used tire from a well-known brand. But it is necessary to compare, study reviews and weigh everything.

At first glance, an excellent offer. A set of fresh tires 215/55 R17 with 20% wear for 18,000 R. But the indicated balance of 6 mm is about 30% wear. The remaining tread of the new tire is 8 mm, the tread limiter bar has a height of 1. 6 mm. The tire is worn 2 mm. Usable tread depth: 8 mm − 1.6 mm = 6.4 mm. 2mm from 6.4mm is 31% wear. Source: Avito But then it turns out that the new ones are very inexpensive. The remaining 6 mm is two-thirds of the tire resource, which means that buying such a kit costs no more than 16,000 R. Source: Yandex Market

Manufacturer, model, size, indices and other features. Be sure to check all tire specifications - everything that is indicated on the sidewall. The seller may not understand tires well or deliberately lie. Carefully inspect each tire. For example, you can accidentally buy a set of four tires, where three will be with runflat technology and one without it. If buying tires remotely, always ask for individual photos of each tire in full detail, or even better, a video.

Tire year. Among the advertisements of specialized stores, there are often tires that are more than 5 years old. Tires may have excellent tread residue, but it is better to refrain from such a purchase. The older the tire, the worse its properties and the greater the chance of hidden damage: cracks, delaminations and ruptures.

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The tire release marking always looks like this: the first two digits are the week of production, the second two are the year

Tread depth. It is not necessary to measure the residual depth "by eye", it is better to buy a special device or use a caliper. The standard tread depth of new summer car tires is 7-8 mm, winter tires are 8-10 mm.

About tires that are long overdue for disposal, they wrote above: summer tires less than 4 mm or winter tires less than 5 mm should not be bought "for the season", it is not safe.

Digital Tread Depth Gauge is a simple and cheap instrument. It will help to accurately measure the residual tread depth and adjust the price of a set of tires. Source: Yandex Market

Tread condition, damage and repairs. Do not buy tires with uneven tread wear. They will not be able to provide a complete drainage of water from the contact patch with the road, it is unsafe to ride on them. Severe cuts or even the absence of individual tread fragments will also be a reason to refuse a purchase. Without a specialist, you run the risk of buying a tire that you cannot use.

But do not be afraid of well-repaired punctures. Tires with patches on the inside of the tread part can be bought, this will not affect further operation. You should not buy tires on which punctures were repaired with a tourniquet.

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Obviously, this tire is no good: there is almost no tread, the studs are completely worn out. The central part is almost completely missing, and the sidewalls are less worn. Maybe the tire was pumped. Surprisingly, they also sell such

Cracks and delaminations. Long longitudinal cracks, along the circumference of the tire on the sidewall or small cracks in the tread area - in any case, bad. Either such a tire was poorly stored, or it is very old. This is a particularly dangerous case, because such a tire can collapse while driving and cause a terrible accident. Cracks are not repaired, so you will have to refrain from buying.

Sidewall condition, damage and repairs. Hernias of any size, side cuts and patches on the side of the tire are good reasons to keep looking. You can't buy these tires.

Carefully inspect and feel the sidewalls of the tires. Unfortunately, not all defects can be found on a tire without a disk and without air inside. It will be ideal if you can mount tires on rims in a tire shop. Ask to balance the wheels and only then pay.

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If in doubt that the tires are intact, look for another option. Remember that it is the tires that connect your car and the road.

The surface adjacent to the rim may also be damaged on the tire. The photo shows the consequences of careless tire fitting of an old tire. I don't recommend buying this tire. If in doubt, and the offer is very interesting, ask the opinion of a tire fitting specialist

What to additionally check when buying used winter tires

Presence of spikes and their condition. It is not necessary to count every stud on a tire, it is difficult and time consuming. Just look at the tire: if it seems that there are about half of the studs on it or less, you do not need to buy a tire. Studded tires without studs won't get Velcro, so don't just look at the tread.

Studs on a tire that has already been driven for a couple of seasons look very different from new ones. They were worn off along the way, the seats were broken. In the background, you can see that the tire has already begun to lose studs. Even with sufficient tread, you can be left without spikes very quickly, it is better to look for another option

How to calculate a fair price for used tires

Ads often offer used tires at an inflated price. We have made a special calculator that will help you calculate the fair value of tires, regardless of the manufacturer, technical parameters of tires and their number in the kit.


How to buy used tires

  1. When looking for used tires, check all possible sites and do not be lazy to look for a community of owners of the same cars.
  2. Don't buy used tires until you compare prices. It is important to understand how much a tire of the same brand, model and size, but new, costs.
  3. Remember about the safety of online shopping: ask questions in advance, ask for additional photos and videos and beware of scammers.
  4. Check each tire very carefully. Make sure that all tires are made by the same manufacturer at about the same time, all tires have the same parameters. Make sure that there are no bulges, cracks, tears or delaminations on the tires and that the tread is worn evenly.
  5. Do not delay your trip to the tire shop: the less time passes, the more chances you have to return defective tires to the seller.
  6. And the last advice, already as a seller. If your tires are worn out, don't try to sell them, scrap them: they are accepted in many shops where you can buy tires, and you can also put them in special containers that are available at some gas stations.

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Often selling tires on rims is a way to hide the patches and the "medical history" of the tire.

Tire age

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Critical tire wear: when we risk crossing the line

As you know, rubber loses its properties over time. It becomes less elastic, microcracks appear on its surface. Rubber, in the words of the drivers, "dube". The sidewalls become rigid, tire fitting is difficult. At the same time, the grip properties of the tire deteriorate, especially its ability to keep the car on wet pavement.

Tire age limit varies depending on the quality of the rubber compound and manufacturing technology. According to GOST, the warranty period for tires is five years, and the further possibility of using the tire is determined by the consumer. As a rule, tires run longer depending on the mileage and the driver's accuracy. But you should think about buying tires older than eight years, even if they look decent and, without running a single kilometer, lay in the warehouse.

The production date is applied to the sidewall as a set of four digits: the first two are the week of manufacture, the next two are the year of manufacture. It is easy to calculate that, for example, the numbers "5012" mean that you have a tire released in December 2012.

The production date is printed on the sidewall as a set of four digits: the first two are the week of manufacture, the next two are the year of manufacture. It is easy to calculate that, for example, the numbers "5012" mean that you have a tire released in December 2012.

When buying a set, it is also important to choose not only tires of the same brand and model for all wheels, but also preferably ones that are close in age. This is the only way to count on the fact that the purchased tires in terms of properties will not differ much from one another.

Mechanical damage to tires

This is a special item when choosing a used tire. They can be divided into two groups - visible and hidden.

Visible include punctures, tears, cuts, hidden - damage to the cord. This kind of damage is clearly visible when examining the inside of the tire. You can allow the presence of "fungi" and patches from the side of the tread. But their number should not be excessive. The more patches, the more difficult it is to balance the wheels, and this affects the comfort and suspension parts while driving, and the residual life of the tire itself is reduced.

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In addition, you need to remember that the patch blocks the exit of air from inside the wheel, but does not block the entry of moisture into the tire structure from the outside. Water, including salt containing water, getting on the metal cord, first causes rust, and then the destruction of metal threads. In comparison with a patch, a sealing puncture on both sides (“fungus”) looks preferable. But patches on the sidewall are generally unacceptable. A tire with a side cut is unusable. In the best case, on a tire with a "healed" sidewall, you can, with care, get to the house, and then change the wheel.

It has been noticed that other sellers, in order to hide the patches and "medical history" of the tire, offer them complete with a disk. The buyer will not disassemble the wheel to inspect it from the inside! Often, the pressure in the tire is noticeably lower than the working one. The fact is that under normal pressure, internal damage can give itself away. Hence the advice: if you are looking at used tires, it is better to buy them without rims or not on rims.

Cord damage

A wheel inflated to working pressure must be smooth, have a clear geometric shape without hernias and swellings. You can check this only by mounting the wheel on the disk and pumping it up. Therefore, when buying a used tire, it is necessary to discuss with the seller the possibility of a return in case of hidden defects.

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In general, such defects are caused by damage to the cord after punctures or strong impacts. Outwardly, this manifests itself in the wave-like bends of the tread - the whole thing. This can either be noticed in the parking lot or felt when driving at a slow speed. A car with damaged tires starts rocking from side to side. With an increase in speed, "waltz" disappears, but the car loses stability. Is it dangerous.

When the cord is peeled, hernias occur. Most often they are found in the shoulder area and are the result of a collision with a curbstone. How long a wheel with a hernia lasts, no one will undertake to predict.

Tread wear

This is the main criterion when choosing tires with mileage. The tread depth determines how long you can drive on these tires. Remember that according to the Rules of the Road, the tread depth of summer car tires should not be less than 1.6 mm, and winter tires - less than 4 mm. It is clear that these indicators are critical, which means that a margin of no less than 2–3 mm must be added to them.

You also need to pay attention to the uniformity of tread wear. It should be the same in depth both in the center and along the side tracks around the entire circumference. In order for the wear pattern to be correct, measurements of the tread depth are carried out crosswise in diametrically opposite directions.

So should you buy used tires or not?

Buying used tires is a risky business. Too many pitfalls. It is one thing to buy tires from a neighbor or relative you trust, and quite another to buy a pig in a poke in the market. The tire is black, opaque, you can't look inside (if it is already mounted on a disk). Driving on used tires can be taken as a temporary measure.


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