How much does a tyre change cost in the UK?
Tyre fitting typically costs £5 to £25 per tyre in the UK. The price of the tyre itself varies far more: budget tyres start from around £40 fitted; mid-range from £70; premium tyres from £120. Your final cost depends on tyre size, brand, and where you have the work done.
Tyre prices by car type (fitted)
Prices below include the tyre and standard fitting for a single tyre. Larger wheels mean more expensive tyres and sometimes higher fitting fees.
| Car type | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small car (13 to 15 inch, e.g. Ford Fiesta, VW Polo) | £40 to £65 fitted | £65 to £95 fitted | £100 to £140 fitted |
| Family hatchback (16 to 17 inch, e.g. Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra) | £55 to £80 fitted | £80 to £120 fitted | £130 to £180 fitted |
| SUV or crossover (17 to 19 inch, e.g. Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage) | £70 to £100 fitted | £110 to £160 fitted | £160 to £240 fitted |
| Premium or executive car (18 to 20 inch, e.g. BMW 5 Series, Audi A6) | £85 to £120 fitted | £130 to £190 fitted | £190 to £300 fitted |
| Performance or supercar (19 to 22 inch) | N/A | £160 to £250 fitted | £300 to £600+ fitted |
Prices are typical UK market rates as of 2025. Premium brands include Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone and Pirelli. Budget brands include Nexen, Nankang and Roadstone.
Tyre fitting costs by UK city
The fitting fee (labour only, excluding the tyre) varies by location. London typically commands the highest rates.
| City | Fitting cost per tyre |
|---|---|
| Manchester | £8 to £20 per tyre |
| London | £12 to £25 per tyre |
| Birmingham | £8 to £18 per tyre |
| Leeds | £8 to £18 per tyre |
| Sheffield | £7 to £16 per tyre |
| Bristol | £9 to £20 per tyre |
| Glasgow | £7 to £16 per tyre |
| Liverpool | £8 to £18 per tyre |
| Newcastle | £7 to £16 per tyre |
| Cardiff | £8 to £18 per tyre |
What affects the price of a tyre change?
- Tyre size: Larger diameter and wider tyres cost more to buy and sometimes more to fit. A 20-inch SUV tyre is typically two to three times the price of a 14-inch city car tyre.
- Tyre brand and range: Budget tyres can cost half or less of a premium equivalent in the same size. Performance-focused tyres (labelled UHP or Ultra-High-Performance) cost more again.
- Fitting charges: Most garages include balancing in the fitting fee, but some charge separately. Mobile tyre fitting (where the fitter comes to you) typically costs £5 to £15 more per tyre than a traditional garage.
- TPMS valve replacement: Cars with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) may need the sensor valve replaced or recalibrated when a tyre is changed. This typically adds £10 to £30 per wheel.
- Disposal fee: Most garages include old tyre disposal in the fitting cost, but some add a small charge (£1 to £3 per tyre).
Budget vs mid-range vs premium tyres: which should you choose?
Independent tests by organisations such as TyreSafe, ADAC and Auto Express consistently show that premium tyres outperform budget alternatives in wet braking distance, often by 5 to 10 metres from 60 mph. On a car covering 15,000 miles a year, that difference in safety is significant. Budget tyres are a reasonable choice for low-mileage drivers or older city cars where performance expectations are modest. For any car used in mixed or wet conditions, mid-range or premium is worth the extra spend.
If you are comparing quotes from different garages, make sure the tyre brand and specification are the same before comparing prices. A quote using a budget tyre will always appear cheaper than one using a premium, even if the fitting fee is identical.
Tyre change FAQs
- What is included in a tyre change?
- A tyre change includes removing the wheel from the car, breaking the bead on the old tyre, fitting the new tyre onto the rim, inflating it, balancing the wheel, and refitting it to the car. Most garages include balancing in the fitting fee, but some charge it separately (£5 to £10 per wheel). If you supply your own tyre rather than buying through the garage, the garage charges a fitting-only fee (typically £5 to £15 per tyre).
- What is the difference between budget, mid-range and premium tyres?
- Budget tyres from brands such as Nankang, Roadstone or Nexen are typically £20 to £50 cheaper per tyre than premium equivalents. They pass the minimum safety standards but often have longer braking distances and higher road noise. Mid-range tyres from Falken, Toyo, Firestone or Cooper offer a better balance of performance and price. Premium tyres from Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Pirelli or Goodyear consistently perform best in independent tests, with shorter wet-weather braking distances and lower rolling resistance. On a family car doing 15,000 miles a year, the difference in fuel savings and the reduction in braking distance often justifies mid-range or premium tyres over budget options.
- How do I know what size tyres I need?
- The tyre size is printed on the sidewall of your existing tyres in a format such as 205/55R16 91V. The three key numbers are: width (205 mm), aspect ratio (55%), and rim diameter (16 inches). You can also find the recommended size in your vehicle handbook or on the tyre placard inside the driver door frame. If you are unsure, a tyre specialist or garage can identify the correct size for your car.
- When should I replace my tyres?
- UK law requires car tyres to have at least 1.6 mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Most safety organisations recommend replacing tyres at 3 mm because stopping distances increase significantly below that point. You can check depth using a 20p coin: insert it into the tread groove and if you can see the outer band of the coin, the tread is at or below 3 mm. Also replace tyres if they show cracks, bulges, or impact damage, even if the tread depth is adequate. Tyres over 10 years old should be replaced regardless of tread depth.
- Do I need to replace tyres in pairs?
- The general advice is to replace tyres in pairs on the same axle so both tyres have matching grip and wear characteristics. This is especially important on the rear axle: mismatched rear tyres can cause oversteer in an emergency. If only one tyre is badly worn, it is acceptable to replace just that one, but match the brand and size to the other tyre on the same axle if possible. On four-wheel-drive vehicles, some manufacturers require all four tyres to be replaced at the same time to protect the drivetrain.
- Can I drive on a flat or damaged tyre?
- No. Driving on a flat tyre causes immediate damage to the tyre, the wheel rim, and potentially the wheel arch or suspension. Even at low speed you risk losing control of the vehicle. If you have a puncture, the safest course is to stop as soon as it is safe to do so and either use the spare wheel (if fitted), a tyre inflation kit, or call roadside assistance. Run-flat tyres (marked RFT or SSR) are designed to be driven on for a limited distance (typically 50 miles) at reduced speed after a puncture, but must still be assessed and replaced promptly.
- How much does it cost to repair a puncture rather than replace the tyre?
- A puncture repair costs around £10 to £30 at most garages, compared to £40 to £300+ for a replacement tyre. However, not all punctures can be repaired. British Standard BS AU 159 defines the repairable zone: a puncture in the central three-quarters of the tread, caused by an object no larger than 6 mm in diameter, with no sidewall damage, can be safely repaired with an approved plug and patch. Sidewall damage, large holes, or a tyre that has been driven on while flat cannot be safely repaired and must be replaced.
- Is wheel balancing included in the fitting cost?
- Most garages include wheel balancing in the standard tyre fitting fee, but it is worth confirming this when you get a quote. Balancing corrects small weight imbalances in the tyre and wheel assembly. An unbalanced wheel causes vibration through the steering wheel and floor, uneven tyre wear, and additional stress on wheel bearings and suspension. If a garage charges for balancing separately, expect to pay £5 to £10 per wheel.
- What is a tyre warranty?
- Tyre manufacturers typically cover defects in materials and workmanship for a set period, often the tread life of the tyre or a fixed number of years. This warranty does not cover damage from road hazards such as potholes, kerb strikes, or punctures. Some premium tyre brands and fitting centres offer a road hazard warranty as an add-on, which covers puncture repairs or replacement in the event of a road-damage failure for a set period after purchase. Always read the terms before buying.
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