They may all look the same, but there's a lot more to car tyres than you'd expect. Here's our guide to buying new rubber for your car…
When should I replace my tyres?
The UK legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. There are tread wear indicators on most tyres which look like raised bumps in the groves - when these bumps are at the same height as the tread your tyre is on the limit!
Tyres seldom wear evenly, so look at the whole width of the tyre to ascertain whether it's worn out or not. If it's less than 1.6mm across the centre two thirds it's illegal, and could get you both a fine and points on your licence!
It's good practice to replace the tyres when they get to around 3mm, any lower and braking and handling in the wet will be compromised. A good way to test this is with a 20p coin.
The outer band of a 20p is just less than 3mm thick so insert the 20p into the tyre tread and if the outer band is obscured by the tread the tyre is fine.
Any less and it's time to consider a replacement. Incidentally the width of a 20p is 1.7mm, so you can also use that as a gauge.
Where is the best place to buy tyres?
There are three main options when it comes to buying tyres -
Online
The online options are increasingly popular, mainly as the prices are more competitive. Always compare more than one website, as prices can vary by quite large margins.
You'll normally be able to get a quote for the tyres delivered to your door, or a fully fitted price. Bear in mind that tyre fitters can charge as much as £25 per tyre if you take them to be fitted, so it's usually more cost effective to opt for the fully fitted price.
Once you've settled on a tyre (or tyres) you'll be directed to book an appointment at a local tyre fitters at a convenient time. The tyres will be delivered there, and fitted while you wait
Tyre fitter
Surely if you have to go there anyway, why bother buying them online first? Firstly you will be given more choice as tyre fitter simply can’t stock all tyres in all sizes, and secondly you're more likely to pay more for the tyre if you buy directly from a fitter.
Never simply turn up and ask for a quote - many fitters will load the price as by that point you're a 'captive audience'.
Always ring around a few fitters first and ask for quote over the phone, making it clear that you're ringing several companies - that way you're more likely to get their best price.
When you ring up ALWAYS check that the price includes fitting, balancing, and tyre disposal - Some fitters have been known to sneak that cost on at the end.
Mobile Tyre Fitter
This is a convenient option for many as they come to you, either at home or your place of work. Their van has the capability to fit new tyres and balance wheels.
You're more likely to pay more for a mobile fitter (so again, always ring for quotes first) but the convenience often outweighs the extra cost.
Should I consider part-worn tyres?
While some people swear by them due to them being so much cheaper there are inherent risks with buying part worn tyres that may not make them as good value as they appear.
There are strict guidelines when it comes to selling part worns, and many sellers don’t adhere to these guidelines.
Bear in mind also that a tyre with 4mm of tread left has already exceeded 62% of it's legal tread life, and coupled to the fact that many tyres wear more quickly once they're half worn - it soon becomes obvious that there's not such a cost saving.
But more importantly than that, there are safety implications: ask yourself why the tyre was removed from the original car in the first place? Was it in an accident? Was the tyre damaged in the accident?
Ultimately your tyres are an area where safety should be paramount, they are the only thing actually keeping your car on the road, and it's never worth taking any risks, even if you do get to keep a few extra pounds in your pocket.
Are more expensive premium tyres worth it
Tyres not only come in a range of sizes, but also a range of prices often referred to as budget, intermediate (or mid range) and premium. In reality the average driver is unlikely to notice the difference, particularly if the majority of your driving is done at low speeds around towns.
One way to help you decide is to look at the EU Tyre Label. This relatively new directive means that all tyres have to be tasted and rated. All new tyres come with this label, and if it's not present you can ask the tyre supplier.
They are tested for efficiency, wet grip, and noise. Efficiency and wet grip are scored from A-G (with D not being used for efficiency, and neither D nor G being used for wet grip).
With regard to wet grip the braking ability is tested from 50mph and each grade is equivalent to roughly one full car length - so an F rated tyre will take 18m longer to stop than an A rated one!
We'd suggest checking the rating to judge the quality and performance of the tyre, rather than the brand name or price.
Can a slow tyre puncture be fixed?
If you've got an annoying slow puncture that only needs topping up every so often there may be a cheaper solution than buying a new tyre - particularly if there's plenty of tread left on the tyre.
Tyre fitters can 'plug' the tyre and this usually costs around £20-30. The tyre can only be fixed if the leak is within the centre two thirds of the tyre tread.
Punctures that are on the shoulder, or sidewall are not suitable for repair, and in this instance the tyre needs to be replaced. If the tyre fitter tests the tyre and say's it's not suitable for repair always ask to see where the puncture is