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How to buy a good used tire

Check five things: enough tread left, how old the tire is, where it's been repaired, any sidewall damage, and that it matches the tire on the other side. A good used tire saves you real money. A bad one costs you a second trip.

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A stack of used tires with deep tread
A stack of used tires with deep tread

1. Tread depth

NHTSA says a tire should be replaced when the tread is down to 2/32 of an inch, so a used tire should have plenty more than that. Quick check: put a penny upside down in the groove. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, the tread is too low.

2. The date code

On the sidewall, after the letters DOT, the last four numbers are the week and year the tire was made. "2321" means the 23rd week of 2021. Rubber dries out with age, so a very old tire can crack even with deep tread.

3. Old repairs

A repair in the middle of the tread, patched from the inside, is fine. A plug near the edge of the tread or in the sidewall is not. Those spots can't be safely repaired.

4. Damage

Pass on any tire with:

  • A bulge or bubble in the sidewall
  • Cuts or deep cracks
  • Cords or wire showing
  • Uneven wear, bald on one edge

5. Size and matching

Buy the size on your door jamb sticker. Tires on the same axle should be the same size and close in tread, ideally the same model, so the car pulls straight and brakes evenly.

Buying used at our shop

Used tires are sold as is, so look them over with us before they go on. Ask to see the tread and the date code. If a tire isn't right for your car, we'll tell you straight.

Tread guidance from NHTSA.

Questions

Are used tires safe?
A used tire with good tread, no damage, no bad repairs and a recent date code is a safe way to save money. Skip any tire that fails one of the five checks above.
Can I buy just one used tire?
Yes. Bring the car in or send us the size so we can find one close in tread to the tire on the other side.

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