"Cheap tyres" is one of the most common things people ask us for, and it's a fair thing to want. Tyres are a big bill to land on top of a WOF or a service. But a cheap tyre is only cheap if it does the job you need for long enough. The aim is the lowest cost per kilometre, not the lowest price on the day.

Three ways to spend less on tyres

  • Budget new tyres — new rubber at a lower price, usually with a shorter tread life or less wet grip than the premium options.
  • Mid-range new tyres — often the best value for everyday commuting, giving most of the premium performance for noticeably less.
  • Used tyres — the lowest price up front, and sometimes the right call (see our guide to second-hand tyres), but you're buying whatever tread is left.

Work it out per kilometre

A tyre that costs a little more but lasts much longer is the cheaper tyre. The same goes for a used tyre with 4mm of tread against a new one with 8mm or more: you might be paying half the price for well under half the life. When you get a quote, ask roughly how long each option should last on your car with your driving, and compare on that.

Ask for the fitted price

A tyre price on its own isn't what you'll pay. Fitting, balancing, a new valve where it's needed and disposal of the old tyres all add up, and different shops include different things. Ask for the total to have the tyres on the car and driving away, so you're comparing like with like. We fit, balance and take the old tyres away in the same visit, and we'll give you the full figure up front.

The cheapest way to save is to make them last

  • Keep the pressures right — an underinflated tyre wears its shoulders and costs you fuel.
  • Get the alignment checked when new tyres go on — a car that's out can wear a new set unevenly within months.
  • Have them balanced — an imbalance wears tyres in patches and shakes the suspension too.
  • Fix a slow leak early — a puncture that's repairable today may not be after a week of running soft.

Where not to cut corners

If you do a lot of wet-road or motorway driving, carry heavy loads, or tow, wet grip and load rating matter more than price. That isn't a reason to buy the dearest tyre. It means the very cheapest option may not be the right one for your car. Tell us how you drive and we'll quote the sensible options, not the dearest.

We're at 151 Totara Street in Mount Maunganui, a few minutes from Tauranga. Afterpay is available if you'd rather spread the cost. Call +64 29 777 7122 with your tyre size, or just bring the car in and we'll read it off the sidewall.