The price of the tyre is only part of what you pay to have new tyres on the car. Shops bundle the other costs differently: some include everything, some list each item, and some quote the tyre alone. Knowing what goes into the fitted price means you can compare quotes properly and won't get a surprise at the counter.

What goes into a fitted price

  • The tyre itself — set by size, type and the range it comes from.
  • Fitting — taking the old tyre off the rim and mounting the new one.
  • Balancing — spinning the wheel and adding small weights so it runs smoothly at speed. It should be done every time a tyre is fitted.
  • Valves — often replaced with new tyres, since they age too. Cars with tyre pressure sensors may need the sensor serviced.
  • Disposal of the old tyres.

The tyre stewardship fee

Since 1 March 2024, a stewardship fee has been paid on every new regulated tyre that comes into New Zealand. It funds the national Tyrewise scheme, which collects end-of-life tyres for recycling instead of letting them be dumped or stockpiled. The Ministry for the Environment set the fee at $6.65 plus GST for a standard passenger car tyre, with larger tyres paying more. Depending on the retailer it may be built into the tyre price or shown separately. Either way, it's a government charge, not a shop's margin.

Worth adding on the day

Wheel alignment isn't part of fitting, but new tyres are the best time to do it. A car that's out of alignment can wear the edge off a brand-new set within months, and an alignment costs a fraction of what that set did. Most alignments take 30 to 60 minutes and can be done in the same visit.

Questions to ask for any quote

  • Is that the price fitted, balanced and with the old tyres taken away?
  • Are valves included?
  • Does it match my car's load index and speed rating?
  • Roughly how many kilometres should I expect from it?
  • Can you do the alignment at the same time?

We'll give you the fitted, drive-away figure before we start, not after. Afterpay is available if you'd like to spread the cost. Call +64 29 777 7122 with your tyre size, or visit us at 151 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui.