Tire Buying Tips: What to Look For and What to Avoid

When you're shopping for new tires, the rubber components that connect your car to the road and affect everything from handling to fuel efficiency. Also known as tyres, they're one of the few parts of your car you can't afford to get wrong. A bad set of tires doesn't just wear out faster—it can make braking longer, reduce grip in rain, and even cause blowouts. You don't need to spend the most to get the best, but you do need to know what matters.

Most drivers focus on price, but the real factors are tire tread depth, the grooves that channel water away and give you traction, tire pressure, how much air is inside, which affects wear, fuel use, and safety, and tire types, whether they're all-season, summer, winter, or performance models. A tire with 3mm of tread is fine for dry roads but risky in the UK’s frequent rain. Underinflated tires wear out on the edges and hurt your fuel economy. Overinflated ones wear down the center and make the ride harsh. And using summer tires in winter? That’s asking for trouble.

Every tire has a code stamped on the side—this tells you its load rating, speed limit, and when it was made. A tire older than six years, even if it looks new, can crack and fail. Look for the DOT code: the last four digits show the week and year. Avoid tires with uneven wear, bulges, or sidewall damage. Don’t assume all-season tires are good enough for all UK weather. If you drive in winter, winter tires make a real difference in stopping distance. And never mix tire types on the same axle—it throws off your car’s balance and can cause loss of control.

Brands matter, but not as much as the right fit for your car and driving habits. A family hatchback doesn’t need high-performance tires. A heavy SUV needs tires built for load, not just grip. Check your owner’s manual or the sticker inside the driver’s door for the exact size and pressure. And don’t forget alignment—bad alignment kills tires fast. Even the best tire won’t last if your wheels are out of line.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from drivers and mechanics who’ve been there. We’ve pulled together posts that break down how to check tread depth with a coin, why tire pressure changes with temperature, which tire brands actually deliver on their promises, and when it’s smarter to replace all four tires instead of just two. No fluff. No upsells. Just clear, no-nonsense advice to help you pick tires that last, perform, and keep you safe.