If you’re looking for a way to save money on car maintenance, buying used tires is a great option. However, there are a few things you need to know before you make your purchase.
In this blog post, we will discuss the top 10 tips for buying used tires. We’ll help you find the best deals and ensure that you get quality tires for your vehicle!
Top 10 Tips for Buying Used Tires
Purchasing new tires can be very expensive, especially if you own a truck or performance vehicle with large tires. Used tires are a great way to save money, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind when making your purchase.
Here are the top ten tips for buying used tires.
Check the tire size
The first thing to known before searching for used tires it to know the size of the tires you need.
To determine this, look at the sidewall of your current tires. This is where you will find all the information about your current tires, including your tires size and the size you will need to purchase.
If you don’t know how to interpret this information, take a look at our guide on tire size. Once you know the size of tires you need, you can begin your search for used tires.
Look for tire brand and original new retail price
When searching for used tires, there will be a huge range of different tire types and brands to choose from.
To narrow down your options, it is best to look for a tire brand that you are familiar with and that offers the features and benefits that you are after. This means picking a tire that is suitable for your needs, be that a summer, winter or all-season tire.
It also helps when you have in mind a budget you are looking to spend. By knowing this, it will be easier for you to narrow down tires that fit your price range. We always recommend spending as much as you can comfortably afford on your tires. More expensive tires nearly always reflect a better tire with better levels of performance.
This is another reason why used tires are so popular as they allow you to buy more expensive tires that you may not usually be able to afford thanks to the discounted price when used.
Check the condition of the tire
When you have found some used tires that look like they could be a good fit, it is important to inspect them to check their condition.
The first thing you should do is look at the tread depth. You can do this by using a tread depth gauge or by inserting a Lincoln head coin or quarter into the tread. If the top of Abe’s head is visible, then the tire has less than the legal minimum tread depth in the US, so you will want to avoid buying tires with less than this.
We would recommend buying used tires with at least 5-6mm of tread left as this will allow you to get a good number of miles out of the tires remaining life. this will offer you a safe level of grip in all weather conditions.
You should also check the sidewalls of the tires for any cuts as well as the tire bead for any damage from curbing or accidental damage.
Check for any uneven tread patterns
When checking the tread depth, you should also be looking for any uneven wear patterns. If you notice any bald spots or excessive wear in certain areas, it is likely that there is an issue with the alignment or suspension of the vehicle.
In this case, we would avoid tires with any uneven tread wear as they will not provide the best level of grip or safety.
Check for any previous repairs or defects
Another thing to look for when checking the condition of used tires is any previous repairs or defects. These will be easy to spot as a plugged tire will be obvious once looking on the inside of a tire
If you do spot any repairs, it is important to check that they are properly sealed. A plugged tire can be just as safe as a new tire providing that the repair as been carried out properly and can also reduce the asking price of the tire.
Ask the UTQG or Treadwear rating
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading or UTQG is a system that was put in place by the US Department of Transportation. It rates tires on three main areas; treadwear, traction and temperature resistance.
The UTQG system uses a numerical rating to show how well a tire performs in each of these areas when compared to other tires. The higher the number, the better the tire performs.
This treadwear rating can help you know how long the tire will last and how many miles you can expect the tire to last. This is why it is worth checking before choosing your used tire.
Check the Date Code
All tires have a date code stamped on them. This code will tell you when the tire was manufactured. The date code is made up of four digits. The first two digits represent the week of manufacture and the last two digits represent the year.
Because tires are made of rubber, they slowly degrade as they age. Studies have shows that tires expire around six years after they are manufactured, regardless of how much tread they have left.
This is why it is important to check the date code when buying used tires. If the date code on the tire is more than six years old, then we recommend avoiding that tire, no matter how good condition it appears to be in.
If you can’t find a date code on the tire, then this is another reason to avoid purchasing that tire as it may be too old.
Check the online buyer
Another important check you can do when purchasing used tire online is to check the buyer. There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the best is to check their feedback score. If they have a high feedback score, then this is a good sign that they are a reputable seller.
This is especially important if you are buying the tires after only seeing pictures of the tire online as you won’t be able to check the tires as thoroughly as you would be able to in person.
You should also check to see if the buyer is selling any other items. If they are only selling used tires, then this is another good sign that they are a reputable seller.
Look for local sellers to save time and money on shipping
When looking at buying used tires, it is always worth looking for local seller on craigslist or facebook marketplace. Not only will this save you money on shipping, but it will also mean that you can go and inspect the tires in person before purchasing them.
Purchasing from a local seller will also mean that you are able to find good deals sooner and faster than others who live further away. This is another way to save money when buying used tires.
Haggle for the best price
When you have found the perfect set of used tires, the final tip is to try and haggle for the best price. Most used tire sellers will be open to negotiating on price as they want to get rid of the tires.
If you are able to haggle the price down, then this is a great way to save money and put it directly into your pocket, so it is always worth trying.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips have been helpful and that you are now able to find the perfect set of used tires for your needs. Remember to always check the condition of the tire, the UTQG rating, the date code and the feedback score of the seller before making your purchase.
If you are able to do all of these things, then you are sure to find the best deals on used tires and save yourself a lot of money in the process.
We hope this article was helpful in your search for your next tire purchase. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!
How much saving can I expect with used tires?
The condition and the amount of tread left on a tire will determine the reduction in price. However for a typical used tire you can expect to save between 20-30% off the retail price of a used tire.
Are there any risks with used tires?
As long as you do the checks on this list and ensure they are free from damage, they should be just as safe as new tires. The downside with used tires is that they wont last as long as new tires, but if you care for them they should still last a number of years.