How Much Do Tyres Cost in the UK? (2026 Price Guide)
Tyre prices in the UK vary enormously — from under £40 for a budget tyre on a small car to over £300 for a premium performance tyre on a large SUV. Knowing what to expect before you shop stops you from overpaying or being pushed towards something you don’t need.
Average Tyre Prices by Category (2026)
| Category | Typical Price Range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £35 – £70 | Infinity, Nankang, Radar |
| Mid-range | £70 – £130 | Kumho, Falken, Hankook |
| Premium | £100 – £220 | Michelin, Continental, Pirelli |
| Performance / SUV | £150 – £350+ | Bridgestone, Goodyear, Dunlop |
These are per-tyre prices. Most cars need all four replaced at some point, though in practice many people replace two at a time — the two most worn axle tyres together.
What Affects the Price?
Tyre Size
This is the biggest factor. A 175/65 R14 on a small city car costs a fraction of a 255/40 R20 on a premium SUV. Larger diameter, wider tyres and lower profiles all push the price up. If you’re upgrading your wheels to a larger size, factor in the higher ongoing tyre costs.
Brand Tier
Premium brands — Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Goodyear — charge more. You’re paying for genuine improvements in wet grip, fuel efficiency, noise levels and longevity that show up in independent testing. For most drivers on UK roads, a mid-range tyre from a reputable manufacturer hits the sweet spot between performance and cost.
Season Type
All-season tyres typically cost 10–20% more than equivalent summer tyres. Winter tyres are similar in price to premium summer tyres. The logic for all-seasons makes sense for UK drivers who want one tyre for all year round — the price premium pays for itself if you’d otherwise need two sets.
Retailer
Online retailers consistently undercut high street fitting centres on tyre price alone. The fitting cost is separate. Buying online and booking a fitting at an independent garage is usually cheaper than buying and fitting at Kwik Fit or Halfords, though the gap has narrowed.
Fitting Costs
On top of the tyre price itself, you’ll pay for fitting. Typical costs per tyre in the UK:
- Supply and fit (standard car): £10 – £20 per tyre
- Balancing: usually included, or £5–£10 extra
- Valve replacement: £2–£5 per tyre (worthwhile when fitting new tyres)
- TPMS reset (if applicable): £10–£30 for the set
- Old tyre disposal: usually £2–£5 per tyre
Budget vs. Premium: Is It Worth Paying More?
Independent tyre tests consistently show meaningful differences between budget and premium tyres in wet braking distance — often 5 to 10 metres at 80 km/h. That’s the length of two cars. On UK roads, where it rains frequently and stopping distances matter, this is a real-world safety consideration, not just marketing.
That said, mid-range tyres from established manufacturers (Hankook, Kumho, Falken, BFGoodrich) perform very close to premium brands in most tests, at 20–40% less cost. They represent excellent value for most UK drivers.
Budget tyres from unknown brands are where the risk lies. Some are fine; others have poor wet grip, shorter tread life and higher road noise. If you’re buying budget, stick to brands with verifiable EU tyre label ratings.
How to Get the Best Price
- Know your tyre size before you shop (check your door jamb sticker or existing tyres)
- Compare prices across multiple online retailers — prices vary by 20–30% for the same tyre
- Check the EU tyre label rating alongside price — a cheap tyre with an E wet grip rating is a false economy
- Consider mid-range brands over budget unknowns for better value long-term
- Look for cashback deals — major retailers frequently run promotions
Compare tyre prices across UK retailers now.
Same tyre. Same size. Best price.
Find the Best Price →Tyre Prices by Car Type: What to Budget in 2026
Tyre prices vary considerably depending on your car’s size and the type of tyre. Here’s a realistic guide to what UK drivers are paying in 2026 for mid-range tyres from brands like Hankook, Falken and Kumho — not the cheapest unbranded options, but not premium either.
| Car Type | Common Size | Mid-Range Price (each) | Budget (each) | Premium (each) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small city car (Corsa, Polo, Yaris) | 195/55 R15 or 195/65 R15 | £45–60 | £30–45 | £80–110 |
| Family hatchback (Focus, Golf, Corolla) | 205/55 R16 or 225/45 R17 | £60–80 | £40–55 | £100–140 |
| SUV / crossover (Qashqai, Kuga, Tucson) | 225/55 R18 or 235/60 R18 | £75–100 | £50–70 | £120–165 |
| Large SUV / 4×4 (Discovery, X5, Defender) | 275/40 R20 or 255/50 R20 | £110–145 | £75–95 | £170–250 |
| Performance / sports car | 225/40 R18 or 255/35 R19 | £90–130 | £60–85 | £140–220 |
Prices above are per tyre and exclude fitting. Add £10–20 per tyre for fitting at a garage or mobile tyre fitter. Online retailers such as Blackcircles, Halfords, and Tyre Shopper typically include fitting when you book an appointment.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace All 4 Tyres?
For a typical UK family hatchback (Ford Focus, VW Golf, Toyota Corolla) in a common size like 205/55 R16, replacing all four tyres typically costs:
- Budget all four (unknown brands): £160–220 fitted
- Mid-range all four (Hankook, Falken, Kumho): £280–360 fitted
- Premium all four (Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone): £440–600 fitted
Most drivers replace tyres in pairs (both fronts or both rears) rather than all four at once, unless all four are worn. Replacing in pairs ensures even handling balance on each axle.
Hidden Costs to Factor In
Beyond the tyre price itself, factor in:
- Fitting: £10–20 per tyre — some online retailers include this in the package price when you book a fitting appointment
- Wheel balancing: £5–10 per wheel — usually included with fitting but worth confirming
- Valve replacement: £2–5 per tyre — recommended when fitting new tyres; often included
- TPMS recalibration: £15–25 per visit — if your car has tyre pressure monitoring sensors (most cars from 2014 onwards), these may need recalibrating after tyre changes
- Old tyre disposal: £1–3 per tyre — legitimate garages dispose of old tyres safely; this cost is usually included
Where to Buy Tyres in the UK: Price Comparison
The cheapest way to buy tyres in the UK is usually to buy online and book fitting through the retailer’s garage network. The main options are:
- Online tyre retailers (Blackcircles, Tyre Shopper, National Tyres) — typically 15–30% cheaper than high street garages. You order online, choose a fitting centre, and pay one inclusive price.
- Halfords — competitive online pricing with a large fitting network. Good for convenience.
- Kwik Fit / ATS Euromaster — walk-in convenience but usually higher prices than online retailers. Better for urgent replacements.
- Independent garages — prices vary widely. Some are cheaper than chains, especially for older or less common tyre sizes.
The simplest way to find the best UK price for your exact tyre size is to use a comparison tool that searches multiple retailers simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tyre Costs UK
How much does a new tyre cost in the UK?
A single new tyre for a typical UK family car costs £45–160 depending on brand and size. Mid-range tyres (Hankook, Falken, Kumho) for a common 205/55 R16 size cost around £60–80 each fitted. Premium tyres (Michelin, Continental) run £100–140 each fitted. Add £10–20 per tyre for fitting if purchasing separately.
How much does it cost to replace 2 tyres?
Replacing two tyres on a typical UK family car costs £130–200 for mid-range brands fitted, or £200–300 for premium brands fitted. Always replace tyres in pairs on the same axle to maintain balanced handling and braking.
Are cheap tyres worth it?
Genuinely cheap tyres from unknown brands with no EU tyre label data are not worth the risk. However, mid-range tyres from tested brands like Hankook, Kumho and Falken offer genuine value — they typically cost 20–40% less than premium tyres while delivering safe, reliable performance for everyday UK driving. The key is checking the EU label wet grip rating: aim for A or B.
How long do tyres last in the UK?
Most tyres last 20,000–40,000 miles depending on driving style, car weight, road surfaces, and tyre quality. The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Many tyre manufacturers recommend replacing at 3mm for safety. At average UK mileage of around 8,000 miles per year, a typical tyre should last 3–5 years. Regardless of wear, tyres over 10 years old should be replaced.
Can I buy one tyre or do I need to replace in pairs?
You can legally replace a single tyre, but it’s recommended to replace in pairs on the same axle. Mismatched tyre wear on an axle can affect handling and braking. If one tyre is significantly more worn than its pair, consider replacing both. For AWD and 4×4 vehicles, the manufacturer may recommend replacing all four to protect the drivetrain.