tyre-prices-how-much-should-i-pay-for-tyres

As the only part of your car in direct contact with the road, tyres are of critical importance, but few motorists relish buying them. The market can be a minefield, as evidenced by the fact there is no consensus on how many <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/best-tyre-brands-and-how-to-save-money/n19437">brands</a> are available in the UK, with most informed guesses suggesting the figure is in the hundreds – a scenario further muddled by the increasing numbers of ultra-cheap products now offered sporting unfamiliar branding, many from China. This influx has also highlighted wild variations in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/tyre-prices-how-much-should-i-pay-for-tyres/n28647">price</a>. In general terms, the tyre market follows the principle “you get what you pay for”, but with the differences so vast it’s no surprise buyers get confused. As an example, consider the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>, Britain’s biggest selling car in each of the past three years. It can be fitted with a variety of different sized <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-small-car-tyres/n27922">tyres</a>, but among the more common is the 215 55 R17 size (see below for an explanation of what these figures refer to).

A search on the website of major retailer National showed no fewer than 49 different options available at this size, ranging from the specialist Cinturato Winter 3 from premium brand Pirelli at £284.99 per tyre (fully fitted) to just £60.99 for one from Chinese budget brand Rovelo. Multiply these costs by four – one for each corner – and this amounts to a potential difference in outlay of £896. And that’s restricting the search to a reputable retailer; other, less familiar vendors offer even cheaper, more obscure brands.<h2 dir="ltr">How much should I pay for tyres? </h2>Only you can decide how much of a value you place on safety, but the evidence from independent testing is clear – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/best-tyre-brands-and-how-to-save-money/n19437">premium tyres</a>, which are the most expensive, deliver the best performance and grip in the wet and dry, plus offer the greatest durability. As such, our recommendation is to pay as much as you can afford, because the variation in, for example, braking performance between top-end and budget rubber can be the difference between coming safely to a halt and crashing, with all the trauma that entails.

Below we’ve listed sample prices for that 215 55 R17 tyre size across the premium, mid-range and budget sectors. It’s worth being aware – as we explain our our guide to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/best-tyre-brands-and-how-to-save-money/n19437">best tyre brands</a> – that some mid-range brands are owned by premium players, such as Avon (Goodyear), Firestone (Bridgestone) and Uniroyal (Continental), and that means they benefit from oversight from their parent company, which might provide reassurance for some buyers.<h3 dir="ltr">Premium 215 55 R17 tyres</h3>(Prices quoted represent the lowest and highest we found from a handful of national retailers for a fully fitted single tyre)Continental EcoContact 6 £138 to £191Bridgestone Turanza T005 £124 to £139Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 £148 to £164<h3 dir="ltr">Mid-range 215 55 R17 tyres</h3>Avon ZV7 £103 to £116Kumho Ecsta PS7 £98 to £100 <h3 dir="ltr">Budget 215 55 R17 tyres</h3>iLink L-Zeal 56 £58 to £64Dynamo Street-H MU71 £74 to £76<h2 dir="ltr">How can I save money on tyres?</h2>

Knowing exactly what you want is a good start. That enables you to search online for specific tyres, comparing prices from the outset. Fitting two tyres at once on the same axle – as well as enhancing safety – can also reduce the unit price, with retailers offering money-off discounts, cashbacks, voucher codes and even incentives such as Amazon Gift Cards for multiple purchases. With high-street retailers, ordering in advance online generally secures a better deal than simply turning up on spec, as it gives them time to source tyres at the best price.<h3 dir="ltr">Should I pay for fitting separately? </h3>Most of the prices quoted on the major retailers’ websites are for fully fitted tyres, but it is possible to opt for delivery only and arrange fitting yourself. On a pair of Bridgestone Turanzas from eTyres, for example, this would save £37. But with prices for fitting per wheel starting from around £15, any savings would be minimal.<h2 dir="ltr">Should I use a mobile tyre fitter? </h2>

Using eTyres and the Turanza as an example again, you can opt to have these fully fitted at a garage or at home, via a mobile operator. While the latter might prove more convenient, it will cost extra, with prices starting at £30 for a fitter to come to your house – albeit with an appointment in a week’s time. Next day fitting saw the starting price double to £60.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">FAQs</h2>What are the best tyres for my car? Replacement tyres that match those supplied when the car was new are ideal. But if these are unavailable or too expensive, it’s acceptable to fit more affordable alternatives if they are of the same specification. Replacing in pairs across the same axle avoids potential dangers caused by uneven wear, while having two different sizes on the same axle will mean MOT failure.How do I find out what size my car’s tyres are?All tyres carry markings on their sidewalls that identify key characteristics. Their size is revealed by a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common size in Britain is 205 55 R16; the 255 relates to width in millimetres, the 55 is the aspect ratio or profile height (ie 55% of the width) and the 16 refers to the diameter in inches. If you’re not confident about reading the tyre, the car handbook should also contain this information, while some retailers have online tools that reveal vehicle manufacturers’ recommended tyre sizes by inputting your car’s number plate.Should I buy part-worn tyres?We wouldn’t recommend it. Part-worn tyres have been used previously, and must be identified as such. There are all sorts of other rules they are expected to comply with, but the reality is they often don’t because enforcement of the regulations in this sector is haphazard. Add in the fact that their source is generally impossible to trace – meaning you have no idea of their history – and buying part-worns is a gamble, even if they do offer cheap prices. On a critical safety item such as tyres, this is a risk you shouldn’t take.My car has a puncture: where can I find same-day tyre fitting? Many of the established national chains offer same-day fitting if you can get your vehicle to their branch, while some have mobile services that will come to you at home or if you are stranded. There also plenty of independents who provide this service too, although always check reviews before committing. Same-day fitting is, of course, subject to tyre availability. Obviously the more common sizes are more readily available.<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-small-car-tyres/n27922">What Car&gt; test reveals best small car tyres</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

Hatchback

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

PUMA

Tyre prices: How much should I pay for tyres?

best-tyre-brands-and-how-to-save-money

Most drivers appreciate the importance of tyres, but very few buy them with confidence. Little wonder, with literally hundreds of brands on sale in the UK and specific rubber offered for summer, winter and all-season driving.The availability of premium, mid-range and budget tyres muddies matters further, while the fact that some makers market different brands at the varying price points adds to the confusion. Spending more generally guarantees superior grip, durability and fuel efficiency, but who are the makers to be aware of?<h2 dir="ltr">What are the best premium tyre brands?</h2>The leading premium tyre makers are well-established brands with the biggest budgets for research and development (R&amp;D), and whose products are usually fitted as original equipment by car manufacturers or even used in motorsport. All will perform strongly, although some have specific areas of excellence. Among the most prominent are: Bridgestone

Second only to France’s Michelin in terms of global sales, this Japanese giant has an extensive range, including Turanza tyres for everyday driving and Potenza performance rubber, plus Blizzak winter tyres.Continental

This German powerhouse provides the tyres for one in every three cars made in Europe, including models from Volkswagen, Mercedes and Porsche. It also enjoys dominance among electric cars, with nine of the 10 highest-volume EV makers globally using its tyres. Its PremiumContact 7 won our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-small-car-tyres/n27922">tyre test for small cars</a> and our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-tyres/n27065">tyre test for family cars</a>.DunlopThis famous British brand is now owned by Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). It specialises in performance tyres that focus on delivering precise handling and grip.Goodyear

Having provided the tyres for the Ford Model T, this American company has been one of the industry’s most recognisable names for more than 100 years. It’s currently the third-biggest seller of tyres globally.HankookJust as Hyundai and Kia have become serious players in the car world, Korea’s Hankook is now a respected force in tyre development, with a strong line-up that generally undercuts leading Western brands on price.Michelin

With a reach spanning more than 170 countries, this French firm is the world’s biggest tyre maker, recognised for its innovation, performance and all-round quality. Its Primacy 5 was best for fuel efficiency in our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-small-car-tyres/n27922">2025 tyre test</a>.Pirelli

This Italian company has supplied the tyres for Formula One since 2011. Away from the track, it offers a comprehensive selection, with its Cinturato All Season SF 3 and P Zero performance tyres performing strongly in recent independent tests.<h2 dir="ltr">What are the best mid-range tyre brands?</h2>Mid-range tyres offer a balance between cost and quality, performing reliably in tests, but generally trailing premium offerings in certain areas. Many leading mid-range tyre brands are owned by familiar names, such as Avon (Goodyear), Firestone (Bridgestone), Barum and Uniroyal (Continental) and BF Goodrich (Michelin). Others worth considering are Korea’s Kumho and Nexen, Japan’s Falken, Yokohama and Toyo, Germany’s Fulda, the Netherlands’ Vredestein, and Finnish winter tyre specialist Nokian.

<h2 dir="ltr">What are the best budget tyre brands?</h2>Here, the focus is firmly on value, and there is likely to be a drop-off in both durability and performance. Budget brands sold by some of the UK’s most trusted tyre retailers include Nankang (Taiwan), Tomket (Czech), Pace (China), Accelera (Indonesia), Radar (Singapore) and Dymano (Vietnam).<h2 dir="ltr">What tyre brands should I avoid?</h2>There’s been an explosion in very cheap tyre brands in recent years, many from China, where R&amp;D has traditionally not been as thorough as the established brands. While that is changing, and not every tyre from China should be avoided, we’d advise buyers to exercise extreme caution when considering unfamiliar names at rock-bottom prices from budget retailers or Amazon.<h2 dir="ltr">How can I save money on tyres?</h2>For a start, research online tests of all potential purchases carefully. Once you have identified the brand and tyre you want, you can <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/tyre-prices-how-much-should-i-pay-for-tyres/n28647">save money on tyres</a> by comparing prices online at the leading retailers to see who offers the best deal.Availability can play a part here; the more common sizes from the major makers are most likely to come with a discount. Ordering online generally affords better deals, even at the big fast-fit chains, although remember to factor in fitting. Buying in bulk can also help – if you can afford to buy two (or even four) tyres at one time, the unit price will often be less.

If you have a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/how-to-use-a-tyre-repair-kit/n28644">punctured</a> tyre, don’t automatically assume it needs replacing – a specialist may be able to fix it, which will be much cheaper.And remember, while buying ultra-cheap replacement tyres is tempting to keep costs down, it’s often a false economy as they simply won’t last as long – meaning you face the prospect of shelling out again sooner.<hr /><h2 dir="ltr">FAQs</h2>Should I use a mobile tyre fitter?For many, using a mobile fitter makes sense. It’s a convenient solution for those who don’t have time to take their vehicle to a garage (and a necessity if you’re stranded with an unexpected puncture). But buying tyres only from a retailer – rather than having them fully fitted – and then arranging fitting yourself may well be more expensive. ‘Out-of-hours’ emergencies, at night-time for example, will be even more pricey, and it’s worth bearing in mind that some mobile operators may not have the same extensive selection of tyres as established garages.Should I consider part-worn tyres? These are tyres that have been used previously, and they must be clearly marked as PART-WORN. While new tyres typically have tread depths of 8mm-9mm, part-worns will have a few millimetres less, and possibly other flaws. That doesn’t make them inherently unsafe, but the problem is you don’t know what you’re getting, as enforcement of regulations in the part-worn industry can be slack.The appeal for many is affordable pricing, but buying is a risk and we wouldn’t recommend doing so. Road safety charities, such as <a href="https://www.brake.org.uk/" target="_blank">Brake</a> and <a href="https://www.tyresafe.org/" target="_blank">TyreSafe</a>, strongly oppose the sale of part-worn tyres.When should I replace my car’s tyres? The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but when a tyre’s tread depth reaches 3mm you should consider replacement because its grip and ability to stop can be markedly reduced below this level. In terms of age, once a tyre is around six years old, it should be monitored carefully. However, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-makes-your-cars-tyres-illegal/n28646">damaged tyres</a>, with issues such as cuts, bald patches or bulges, should be replaced as soon as you spot the damage even if they are fairly new.Should I replace two tyres at once? Replacing two tyres on the same axle (either both front or both rear tyres) at the same time is strongly recommended for optimum performance. A new tyre paired with an older, worn one on the same axle can cause an imbalance in grip, affecting the steering and braking. Industry testing has consistently shown that uneven tyre pairings can compromise safety. <hr /><h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-tyre-inflators/n22925">Next: Best tyre inflators &gt;</a></h3>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals from What Car? sign up to our weekly newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Graham Hope

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