Budget
£40-70
per tyre
- Lifespan
- 15,000-20,000 mi
- Wet grip
- C to E
- Cost / mile
- 0.25-0.35p / mile
Example brands
Linglong, Sailun, Nankang, Wanli
UK / 2026 EditionUpdated 28 April 2026
How much do tyres costin the UK?
An independent register of 2026 tyre pricing. No "enter your reg" funnel, no retailer affiliation. Just real numbers for sizes, brands, fitting, EU labels and tread-law penalties so you can quote a garage with confidence.
Worked example
What does a full set of 4 tyres actually cost?
Mid-range tyres for the UK's most popular size (205/55R16), fitted at an independent garage with a 2-wheel alignment.
4 x mid-range tyres @ £95
£380
Fitting (4 x £12)
£48
Balancing (4 x £8)
£32
Disposal (4 x £2.50)
£10
2-wheel alignment
£40
Worked-example total
£510
Tier comparison
Budget vs Mid-range vs Premium
Mid-range
£70-130
per tyre
- Lifespan
- 25,000-35,000 mi
- Wet grip
- B to C
- Cost / mile
- 0.28-0.32p / mile
Example brands
Hankook, Falken, Avon, Toyo, Nexen
Premium
£100-250
per tyre
- Lifespan
- 35,000-50,000 mi
- Wet grip
- A to B
- Cost / mile
- 0.30-0.40p / mile
Example brands
Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Dunlop
Pricing Tool
Tyre Cost Calculator
Pick a size, brand tier and quantity. We'll show you the total fitted cost plus an estimated cost-per-mile based on typical lifespan.
Find your size on the sidewall (e.g. 205/55R16 91V) or in the door-jamb sticker.
Total fitted cost
£368to£528
4 x tyres£280 to £440
Fitting + balance + valve + disposal£48
2-wheel alignment£40
Per tyre£70 to £110
Estimated cost per mile
0.30p /mile
Based on typical mid lifespan of 30,000 miles.
Estimates use UK averages from major retailers (Blackcircles, Halfords, ATS Euromaster, Kwik Fit) for the chosen size and tier. Actual quotes will vary by retailer, location and exact tyre model.
Hidden costs
What else does a tyre change cost you?
The tyre itself is only part of the bill. Most retailers will add fitting, balancing and disposal. Some bundle them in. Here's every line you might see on a quote.
Full fitting cost breakdown →| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting | £8-15per tyre | Removing old, mounting new, inflating to spec |
| Balancing | £5-10per tyre | Weights so the wheel spins evenly. Always have it done. |
| Valve replacement | £2-3per tyre | Cheap insurance against slow leaks |
| Disposal | £2-3per tyre | Legal requirement, licensed handler |
| TPMS reset | £5-10per tyre | Most cars from 2014 onwards have it |
| Wheel alignment (2-wheel) | £30-50service | Recommended at every set change |
| Wheel alignment (4-wheel) | £50-80service | If swapping all four tyres |
| Run-flat surcharge | +40-60%per tyre | Only if your car requires them |
| Locking nut removal | £20-40service | If you have lost the key |
Price drivers
What makes one tyre cost more than another?
Six factors explain almost every price difference you'll see between two tyres of the same size.
01
Size and load rating
A 255/35 R20 uses far more rubber and has a higher speed rating than a 195/65 R15. Bigger tyres can cost 3x to 4x small ones.
Prices by size →02
Brand tier
Premium brands invest heavily in compound R&D and EU label ratings. Budget brands skip most of that and price accordingly.
Brand comparison →03
Seasonal type
Summer, all-season, winter and run-flat tyres each carry a different price for the same size, with run-flat usually 40-60% premium.
Specialist tyres →04
EV-specific build
Electric cars are heavier and need reinforced sidewalls plus low-rolling-resistance compounds. EV tyres run 30-50% above ICE equivalents.
EV tyre pricing →05
Where you buy
Online retailers (Blackcircles, Tyre Shopper, Asda Tyres) typically run 15-30% below high-street chains for the same tyre.
Retailer comparison →06
EU label rating
An A-rated wet-grip tyre stops 18m shorter than an E-rated one from 50mph and usually pays back its price premium in fuel within a year.
EU labels explained →FAQ
Tyre cost questions, answered
How much do 4 new tyres cost in the UK?+
A full set of 4 mid-range tyres for the most popular UK size (205/55R16) typically runs £320-£550 fitted, including balancing and disposal. Add £40 for a 2-wheel alignment. Premium brands push that to £500-£800. Budget sets can be done for as little as £230.
Are budget tyres safe?+
Budget tyres are legal and pass UK type-approval, but their EU wet-grip ratings are typically C to E. From 50mph in the wet, an E-rated tyre stops up to 18 metres later than an A-rated one. For a low-mileage second car driven mostly in dry conditions they can be fine. For UK motorway driving year-round, mid-range or premium is safer.
How long should new tyres last?+
Budget tyres typically last 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Mid-range last 25,000 to 35,000 miles. Premium tyres often go 35,000 to 50,000 miles. Driving style, wheel alignment, tyre pressure and road conditions all affect lifespan. Front tyres on front-wheel-drive cars wear roughly twice as fast as rears.
Can I mix brands or sizes?+
Never mix sizes on the same axle. Mixing brands across axles is legal, but for best handling, fit matching pairs (same brand, same model) on the same axle. Replace in pairs where possible.
Where is the cheapest place to buy tyres in the UK?+
Online retailers (Blackcircles, Tyre Shopper, Asda Tyres) consistently undercut high-street chains by 15 to 30 percent. Costco often beats them on premium brands if you have a £35/year membership. Independent garages can be competitive but quality varies. Main dealers are 30 to 50 percent more expensive for the same product.
What is the legal tread depth limit?+
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around the full circumference. Below that, you face a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points per illegal tyre. Most tyre experts and the RAC recommend replacing at 3mm because wet braking distance increases sharply below that point.
TyreCost.com is an independent information resource. We are not affiliated with any tyre retailer, manufacturer, or fitting service. Prices shown are UK averages and estimates, gathered from publicly listed pricing across major retailers. Always get a quote from your chosen supplier for exact pricing.