Jokes aside, the cost of buying brand new tires can be a pain. Especially if you own a sports car, pick-up truck, or an off-road/SUV equipped with with a 20 plus inch tire. For example, those tires can cost north of $400 for Yokohama Geolandar X-AT a piece! A quick calculation will bring you to a total of $1600 for all 4. What about used tires? How much do those cost?
How Much Do Used Tires Sell For?Well depending on various conditions, like the tire tread wear, it can be as far as 40-60% of the price of the new tire. The logic behind that should be 40% tire tread wear, 40% of the price of a new tire, but it also depends on the dimensions and e t.c. So, it is actually a fair amount of money that you can save on buying used tires. Easy-peasy? Not quite. You should do some research in order to avoid any traps and be better prepared to choose the right tire.
What to look for while choosing used tiresWell, obviously you should check for any visual damage as, after all, we are talking about a tire that was used, probably, every day. Beware of any chips and damages sustained from parking a car by the sidewalks, for instance. Another reason for worrying is damage that can appear while running over a pothole, especially the ones that are not properly leveled and have nasty sharp edges. The cut damage from hitting a pothole or a sidewalk is one thing but a bulge can also be dangerous as it disrupts the integrity of the tire and can potentially lead to a flat tire with an explosive bang effect. Highly dangerous!
And after all, any damage can be acceptable if the repair is done right by the professionals. Any honest repair shop will do this as it should be done and any patch or tire plug shouldn’t be a thing to be worried about. If the tire patch is made to the sidewall, tire tread shoulder, or belt edge, then you should avoid these used tires and that used tire shop altogether. That is not a safe tire.
Retreaded tireWhen the tires are worn enough to become unusable, there is the option to be retreaded.
That means that a new layer of rubber tread is laid down in order to make the tire usable again. The biggest benefit here, besides the lower price compared to buying a new tire, is one less used tire thrown away. This means that there is no need for another waste of energy in order to recycle a tire, or even worse for the tire to be just laying around and piling in someone’s backyard.
While there are a lot of companies that are using this technology to “bring back the life” to the tire, there is also a good reason why big manufacturers are not retreading their tires. Should you avoid a retreaded tire? It is up to you. There is a possibility of the retreaded tire delaminate which can lead to the obvious dangerous situation. The smartest thing to do is to check the retreading company’s background and see if the customers have some complaints about any problems.
Tire ageThe tire age is one of the most important indicators, besides the tire tread wear that you should consider when buying a used tire.
A general opinion is that a tire can be used up to 10 years, but be aware as the older it gets it loses the ability to maintain good contact to the road due to the loss of elastic characteristic of the tire. That is why car manufacturers recommend changing a tire at a maximum of 6 years in which period a tire can still retain its optimal characteristics.
How can you determine the tire age? There is a four-digit DOT code on the sidewall of the tire that shows us the week and the year in which the tire was manufactured. For example DOT code 1017 shows that the tire was manufactured in the 10th week of the year 2017.
Tire treadThe tire tread wear can be easily measured if the tire was properly used and evenly worn. If there is an anomaly that indicates uneven wear of the tire, don’t buy it! Uneven tire wear shows that either the driver wasn’t very gentle with the vehicle hence the tires, or that his vehicle wasn’t technically OK, or the tires weren’t aligned properly.
Those tires won’t do any good to your car, buddy.
The easiest and the most usual test for measuring the tire tread depth is by using a penny coin.
Just insert the penny into the tire grooves, with the head of the famous president upside down, and check if the head is covered by the tread or not. If the tip of the head is covered then the tire tread is at least 2/32 inches, which is just enough. Repeat this test on various parts of the tire tread to be sure that it is evenly worn. Anyway, this is the bare minimum and you should avoid this tire as it will be a bad investment unless you are selling your car and don’t want to invest much.
If you are buying used tires and still want to be safe and sound, then you should know that tire tread is directly related to performance. Of course, the tire compound is the biggest factor, but the tire tread can affect the performance, especially the stopping distance while braking. For example, a new tire with 10/32nds tread can be almost double more efficient under braking than a heavily used tire with 2/32nds tread.
Safety is most important and you should have this information on your mind when choosing a used tire.
If you are driving on snow this is even more important.
OriginWhy is that important? Well, up north, on the snowy roads, the tires could be potentially exposed to salt which can damage them if not used properly or washed after driving on a road paved with that raw salt. On the other hand, if the tires were used down there on scorching Tennessee sun, then there is a good chance that no matter how “young” the tires are, they are probably unusable as they’ve lost all the flexibility and can deteriorate sooner than usual.
So the origin of the used tire is a very important factor but is also very difficult to detect especially if you are not buying them from the owner on ads, rather from a shop that can’t guarantee that information.
ConclusionIf you are expecting to get a straight answer if you should go ahead with buying a used tire instead of a new one, well, that is up to you and your personal estimation.
Whether you need to change your tires because the lease is coming to the end or you are looking to sell your car, or you need to change your tires because yours are finished, used tires are a great option. You’ll save a lot of money, which in these pandemic times can make a difference, and you’ll also be able to choose a tire model that was maybe unreachable when new.
Yours truly had an unpleasant experience with used tires that had sufficient tire tread but they were old enough to perform like driving on ice. The other bad news is that those tires were fitted on a 2008 Yamaha FZ6 and I had 2 months of riding experience at the time. So of course I fell off the motorcycle because I wasn’t able to stop when needed. The good thing was that I arrived in the middle of the corner riding at 20 mph so the fall wasn’t very heavy, but the bad thing was that I took my wife with me on that ride. So my wife’s broken palm as a result of all that and a very expensive lection about research for used tires.
My point is that the tires are the only thing that keeps you safe on the road so you have to be thorough when researching for used tires and you’ll be just fine. Don’t be naïve and use all the knowledge that you’ve learned in this article and go out there playing detective. Buying used tires doesn’t have to be a boring thing especially if you know a trick or two about it!
Written by Jason Michaels Last Updated: Mar 19, 2023
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission when you click on them, but this is at no extra cost to you. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Want to Make Extra Money Now?
Join Mistplay Now For a 50 Unit BonusYes, you really can sell used tires.
Just because they’re no use to you, doesn’t mean someone else won’t take them in! There are companies all over the nation that will accept tires of all conditions.
So why not get rid of some junk and make it cash?
Whether it’s a small, medium, or large, companies will either recycle or turn them back into working tires.
On average you can make anywhere from $1 or $40 for large truck tires.
This could be the easiest way to make some cash and make some room in the garage!
Here are the best companies that will take your unused tires for cash:
Table of Contents
This company has multiple locations on the East Coast.
They are actively buying tires as well as growing the business. At this time they’re only accepting truck tires and the condition of the tires is listed below:
They will pay based on the quality of the tire along with the demand for the tire. So try to find some solid tires that aren’t too popular to get the most money.
Company #2 Pomp’s Tire (Midwest)Pomp’s Tire is a growing company that has multiple businesses in the Midwest. They are only accepting semi-truck tires. This is important to know as they won’t be accepting any car or lightweight truck tires.
They will only buy the tire if they’re in demand for that size. They also have a limit on how many tires they will buy as they don’t want to go over their demand.
They don’t say too much about the quality of tire so it seems like they’re pretty lenient on that part.
Company #3 Santa Ana WheelThis company is only located in California.
Santa Ana Wheel will only accept tires that are original equipment manufacturers (OEM). These wheels are produced by a car maker’s specific manufacturer. They are pretty precise about their requirements. Here are the only tires they will accept:
They will only buy it if that tire is in demand. They are a little picky so be sure you have the perfect tire going in!
Company #4 Tire Management, Inc.Located in Illinois, tire Management, Inc is one of the best companies to sell your tires to. They prefer large orders of tires at one time. They currently accept the following tire brands:
Their policies for buying old tires are they have to be regroovable and have capable casings. Steel and Aluminium wheels are required to have good bold holes and rim flanges.
Their pricing is dependent on the demand for the tire.
Company #5 A & A Tire & Wheel (Dallas)This company accepts most tire brands but they recommend contacting them beforehand to ensure they accept the brand. They require the tires to be in relatively good condition along with being able to be retreaded and resold.
They are accepting tires as needed so if they have too many they won’t take yours in.
The same goes for pricing if they have a ton of tires chances are you won’t be getting paid that much.
Company #6 Auto & Tire WorksThis company is located in Denver, they accept all kinds of tires and rims. They just want the tires to be in decent shape along with a rim that doesn’t need too many repairs. They also would like the tires to be good enough to get retreaded.
The price is all based on demand so definitely look for a less popular brand tire.
Company #7 Your Local Tire ShopThis can be a hidden gem.
You can quickly cut down on travel time using a local tire shop. These small businesses can be in need of tires. Just be sure to contact them ahead of time so you know they’re in need of tires.
They usually can’t take as much in because they’re typically not major companies but it won’t hurt to try!
Company #8 Liberty Tire RecyclingWith over 25 locations in the United States and Canada, Liberty tire Recycling is one of the best options for getting rid of tires. They take in any tires because they recycle instead of making the tires work again. Here’s what they turn their tires into:
This is a great way to get rid of unused tires and give to a company that helps millions.
Company #9 Lakin TireThis company has been working hard for over 100 years, they turn those unused tires into a product that benefits millions.
They will accept just about any tire. Their goal is to recycle as many tires as they can to eliminate waste.
This is a great way to get rid of the tires that are in terrible shape. You won’t make as much as you would a newer tire but still, a great way to help the world and make money.
Company #10 United TiresThis company buys and sells tires, especially used tires. That’s the perfect opportunity to sell them your used tires. They will take your tire and turn it into a working tire and resell it all while you get paid for hardly anything.
The tires must be in pretty decent shape and cant have any tears, holes, or large damage. They will accept tires based on the need for them, so if they are full they won’t be accepting any.
How to Find Companies That Buy Used Tires Near Me? Tip #1:Look for local companies. This can be done either online or in the newspaper, word of mouth, phonebooks, etc. But there are more local companies than you’d think.
They would love to take in the tires and possibly pay you for it.
Just be sure to be upfront about the condition along with the brand. Some places will even pick the tires up from you but will charge you for it. It might be worth the trip to save some extra cash but that’s up to you!
This is a great way to make money, support local businesses, and help the world.
Tip #2:Contact the companies you’re interested in. This is a great way to build a connection and continue a successful business. Make sure to discuss their needs, brands, and quality of the tire. Then once you have the requirements, go hunt for those exact tires.
It could also benefit you to talk about transportation. They could end up providing the transportation to take the drive off your hands. Or you can save some money and do the driving yourself, it’s all up to you and what you work out with them.
Tip #3:Figure out pricing and narrow down what tires are worth it.
Make sure to call different companies to work out deals and get the tires they’re looking for.
This will also help you find what the company will pay you more. For example Company A will only pay you $3 for your tire while company B will pay you $10. It’s all based on their needs.
You can also talk about bundling tires, so instead of 1 tire for $5, you’ll give them a trailer full for $250. It could be a good way to get rid of a lot of tires for a solid price.
Places Where You Can Sell Used Tires Online Website #1 Tire-Trader.comThis company is buying and selling used truck tires and tire casings. They would be a perfect fit to make a lot of money, they have contacts for both US and Canadian countries.
They will match you up with companies that are looking for your exact tire. That’s why this can be a great way to save time and make money.
Website #2 SellMyTires.comThis classified ad listing site is a perfect way to get your tires out to companies across the nation.
You can post your advertisement with a photo. You will then have either people or companies looking to purchase your tire.
Everything is free and there is no limit to size, quality, or brands. You can post as much or little as you please!
Website #3 eBayThis is a site that offers more than tires. Regardless It’s a great way to save time and money but just uploading a picture and description. You then can set it as an auction or “buy now” and watch the money roll in.
Just make sure to be straightforward with the condition and set up the shipping so you don’t get burned with having to pay the shipping fees.
Website #4 CraigslistThis website is a 2-in-1 opportunity, not only can you find free tires on here but you can also sell them! All you do is upload a picture and description, from there people will contact you about the tires.
You can either meet them locally or ship them the tires. It’s completely up to you and the buyer.
Either way, this is a fast way to get exposure and make some money.
Last but very important is Facebook Marketplace. This is the fastest and, most direct way to sell tires. All it takes is a simple photo and description and anyone that searches for tires will see your ad. This is all completely free.
They will contact you via Facebook messenger. This is a great way to quickly sell and also build relationships with future customers.
How Much Can I Make?Selling tires can actually make you a decent amount of money! There’s even potential to turn it into a business. It would be pretty easy.
People are always getting rid of tires for free on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or even just their yard. All it would take is picking up the tires then bringing them to a place that will but them.
So how much can you actually make?
Well.. on average they will sell from $25 to $75. The price depends on the quality and demand.
These would need to be tires that can be turned back into working tires.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that companies will only buy tires based on demand. This means they will have a cap on the tires they’re accepting.
It might be smart to call them ahead of time to know how many they will accept.
The quality is also very important but simple to look for – The tire must be in good condition. If the tire is slashed, broken, cracked, or damaged, you most likely won’t make any money from it. But you could always take it to a recycling plant and make a couple of bucks!
Key situations to keep in mind:
It’s very important to not just throw tires away here’s why:
Why Can’t I Just Throw Them Away?If you want to get a nice fine then feel free to throw your tires out.
Truth is, it’s illegal to throw out old tires. There are many reasons for this. The steel belts inside the tires will actually puncture the liners in landfills. This will eventually lead to ground contamination and create major problems.
Instead of throwing them out you can easily make some cash anyways!
Here’s another reason to not throw them away – Tires take up a lot of space and will pile up ver easily. Especially if everyone throws them out. But the real problem is piled up tires are perfect for mosquitos that are not only annoying but also carry and transmit diseases.
Another problem with tires getting piled-up is that it will trap methane gas that will, in the end, destroy the landfills production.
Contaminated WaterWhen tires are placed in wet soil, loads of chemicals will seep into the ground from the tire.
This causes the groundwater to get contaminated. When this builds up the water will become unusable.
So why not just burn the tires, easy solution right?
That might not be a good idea… Burning tires will cause air pollution, especially large piles of tires. Air pollution can cause many diseases and issues in the world.
The best decision is to just either sell or recycle the tires, not only do you benefit everyone else but you also make some money. If you’re selling just be sure they’re in good condition or you could be held accountable.
Do I Have Liability After The Sale?This can sound a whole lot scarier than it is. It all depends on the situation of the sale here are the two scenarios:
Selling tires (or any product) requires a lot of honesty or you can face some legal trouble. Here’s an example:
If you list the tire as “brand new, no problems” chances are someone will purchase that tire.
So now you just made a quick $75 bucks! Everything’s great.. Until you hear on the news that a 2012 Ford had issues with its tire and caused a major accident.
Yeah, that’s your tire and you’re not facing legal trouble because you weren’t upfront about the issues. Good news! This can all be avoided by doing one thing…
Just be upfront about every sale you make. If there’s a hole or tear just let them know and you shouldn’t have any issues!
Selling tires to a business is completely different and a whole lot more “stress-free”
If you are selling used tires to businesses, the liability of the tire will transfer from you to the business. You’re free of anything that has to do with that tire. When you sell to a business you are legally required to make sure the tire is in a good safe condition. The business is required to do the same.
Check out these legal regulations to stay clear of any problems!
Are There Any Legal Regulations?The law on selling tires is pretty vague, Pretty understandable as it’s a pretty small part of the world.
If you live in the United States the laws will vary from state to state so just be sure to check with your local laws.
The law states that you are responsible for ensuring the tires are in safe condition before selling them. You are also responsible to mention any problems or issues with the tire before the sale.
This all sounds like a lot and can be scary but truthfully there are no legal guidelines on what a “safe condition” really is.
Because of the legal regulations, tire shops will be a lot more selective when it comes to selecting tires. So if you bring them a tire that’s in terrible shape chances are you just wasted a trip, only bring tire shops tires that they can actually real. And bring the tires that are in bad shape to a recycling plant.
Another big thing to look for is if the tire is under a recall. This is important to do because it’s illegal to sell any tire that is under recall. To search for this you can look up your tires DOT number on the US Tire Manufacturers Association website.
The key things to look for to stay out of legal trouble:
It can be very intimidating with all the legal situations, but it’s really not that bad. Just be upfront and honest and you can make a lot of cash.
Final ThoughtsSelling tires is a great way to make money, it will also help the world in many ways. Although it can be a little scary with legal issues, it’s not that bad. Just be honest and upfront about the tires. If there are any issues with it bring it to a recycling plant. If they’re in good shape, then bring it to a business!
To find free tires, browse Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, yard sales, or even check with dealerships.
Either way, you go you can make a lot of money and positively impact the world!
We will buy any quantity.1 We will buy from 1 tire (and disk). Preliminary assessment via WhatsApp, bring it yourself, we will give you a higher price than other companies offered you!
There is a mutual settlement (Trade-In) - your used ones with an additional payment for new tires of all popular brands.
If you need the maximum price for your tires, rims - leave it with us for a commission, we will do pre-sale preparation, check, blacken the tires, fix the rims and, if necessary, paint (powder coating). We will put it on the trading floor and online platforms.
Communication with buyers from 8-00 to 21-00 seven days a week, selling at a price on the site or offered by you.
We have been working for more than 20 years, we know all the subtleties of this work, our integrity is confirmed by thousands of our customers from whom we bought tires, wheels, we buy more than 1000 tires monthly. Reviews on the cards and on the company's website give us the right to say that we are the best in this business!
For a preliminary assessment through messengers, take pictures of your tires and wheels, as shown in the example.
You can also use the ransom valuation calculator. It will show the average cost at which we redeem.
Detailed information on the redemption of tires and the redemption, exchange of disks.
1. Will you definitely pay more than other companies?
Yes, we guarantee that if you come to us, we will give you a higher price than other companies offered you. You can show the correspondence or send it to us in advance. We have been on the market for over 20 years and have created the best service for buying and selling tires and wheels.
2. Do you buy complete wheels?
We buy tires, wheels and complete wheels.
Including 1 tire, rim or wheel. If you have, for example, 3 or 5 tires, then we will buy everything if they are serviceable!
3. What condition should the tires or rims be in?
Tires must be free of bulges and sidewall repairs. Discs without metal destruction and welding traces. Submit your photos and we'll tell you.
4. On a commission, how does it happen and what is it?
You give us your tires, rims or complete wheels under the contract, we do everything to sell them at the highest possible price.
5. Where are you located if I want to bring it myself?
We have 4 branches, we work from 8-00 to 21-00 seven days a week, drive to the nearest one to you:
| m. Tushinskaya +7 (495) 223-38-43 ext. 1 Camping passage, 1. | m. Sh. Enthusiasts +7 (495) 223-38-43 ext. 3 Burakova, 27, building 3. | m. Medvedkovo +7 (495) 223-38-43 ext. 4 Polyarnaya, 31V, building 1. | m. Anino +7 (495) 223-38-43 ext. 2 Warsaw highway, 170G, box 34 |
We have been working for more than 20 years, we know everything about this market and give the best for our customers.
We provide a full list of services in one place, we give a guarantee for all services. For our customers there are always discounts, promotions and bonuses.
You can always sell, exchange, leave your tires or wheels for a commission, everything is transparent and beneficial to both parties. You will never feel cheated.
0120 Promotion: free delivery of tires from 20,000 ₽ in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Russia, except MO.
30 days warranty.
Tire evaluation! Fast and hassle-free!
Tires Disks Complete wheels
Procedure for buying tires
Submitting a photo
You must take a photo of the tread of each tire. Our appraisers will answer any questions.
We will pick up tires for free
We pick up tires for free throughout Moscow. The courier appraiser will make sure the quality of the tires and give you the money. The courier will arrive at any place, whether the tires are in an apartment, a garage or a private house.
Money immediately
We will buy your tires with wear up to 50% at the best prices. If you agree with the final price, you will receive the entire amount in cash or on your bank card.
Where is the best place to sell tires?
Expected cost
Sale term
No pre-sales costs
Transaction comfort
75-85% of market value, depends on liquidity and condition
24 hours
Selling on your own
Market price
up to 2-4 months
See how the process looks like in more detail
Frequently asked questions
1. Do you buy tires?
Yes, of course. We buy tires, rims and complete wheels. The procedure is the same as buying tires. You send a photo to WhatsApp and communicate with the redemption manager.
2. What condition should the tires be in?
Tires must be free of bulges and sidewall repairs. Examples of photos to send are also given in this section.
3. Where are you located if I want to bring it myself?
You can bring your wheels to any of our addresses listed on the main page of shinsale.ru.
Process description
We offer you to get good money for an old set of tires, you send photos of your tires to us by mail or via messengers, and we tell you how much we are ready to buy your goods today.
