Used tires?
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Kestas
Staff member
I believe Tirerack lists the tread depth for each tire. You can compare the present measurements with a new tire to judge wear.
What's the date code say? Are you willing to run them past 5-7 years?
Get the date code, look for cracking, uneven wear, look inside for a line on the sidewall or rubber dust or crumbs which means it was run low long enough to make that tire not safe to use. Bring your own tread depth gauge, and check them all.
I buy used pretty often and have never had a problem, other than seller only taking pictures of the best tire and not showing the one with terrible wear... Which is just a waste of your time, so don't drive to far to look them.
I buy used pretty often and have never had a problem, other than seller only taking pictures of the best tire and not showing the one with terrible wear... Which is just a waste of your time, so don't drive to far to look them.
I only use used tires in an emergency, or to use as a full-size spare. But I wouldn't buy a set of four used tires.
Otherwise, if money is tight, just get brand new cheaper tires.
Otherwise, if money is tight, just get brand new cheaper tires.
Like others said, the manufacture dates are going to be very important here. The remaining tread looks decent from the photos.
Why not? If the price is right and they are a relatively recent manufacture date, I don't see a problem with it.
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As we all know, new cars can be totalled within minutes of leaving the dealer lot, so not all used tires were on cars uses for Paris-Dakar Rally. As mentioned above, the date codes are very key to deciding.
If the price is right....
I buy used tires on occasion. I have 6 rules:
1. Name brands only (no Ling Longs, VeeRubber, etc)
2. No more than 3.5 years old
3. remaining tread not less than 2/3 of what was when new
4. no cracks on sidewall, no tire dust inside (which are evidence it was run very low on air)
5. never been patched or plugged
6. wear is even across the whole tread, shoulder to shoulder
If possible and seller agrees, I want to meet him in an indie tire shop so I can have 'em mounted on my wheels immediately and check for out of round and balance.
I never buy sight unseen. Too risky.
I buy used tires on occasion. I have 6 rules:
1. Name brands only (no Ling Longs, VeeRubber, etc)
2. No more than 3.5 years old
3. remaining tread not less than 2/3 of what was when new
4. no cracks on sidewall, no tire dust inside (which are evidence it was run very low on air)
5. never been patched or plugged
6. wear is even across the whole tread, shoulder to shoulder
If possible and seller agrees, I want to meet him in an indie tire shop so I can have 'em mounted on my wheels immediately and check for out of round and balance.
I never buy sight unseen. Too risky.
Same price? Any plugs or patches? Any odd ball wear pattern?
They have to be from a friend, otherwise used tires are insultingly overpriced.
A guy I knew selected tires from his "work flow". They were a bargain.
EVERY other used tire I ever saw for sale was a joke (meaning ridiculously overpriced compared to new).
A guy I knew selected tires from his "work flow". They were a bargain.
EVERY other used tire I ever saw for sale was a joke (meaning ridiculously overpriced compared to new).
Most are, but the odd deal comes up. Used tires already on rims for your vehicle can be a great deal, I got a set of nearly new Xice for $400 a few years back.
Or the used tire shops here are around $50/tire mounted and installed, and I just make it clear it can't be too old or a mystery brand, and usually they have something in the size I need.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
I've sold some trailer tires real cheap but never bought used tires. Except when I've bought a used car like 2 months ago I bought some used Michelins attached to an Equinox. 
I would buy take-off wheels&tires from the right place.
I would buy take-off wheels&tires from the right place.
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I would buy used tires if the price is right. I would say probably 1/3 to 1/2 of the new price? IDK, though, as I have bought them from a tire shop and they mount and balance too.
They'd have to be a LOT cheaper in order to be worth it, and there is no guarantee on used tires
You have no idea how they were driven before they were dumped, any damage, holes, etc.
Someone bought a used tire in order to match the remaining set on an AWD car that was being lease returned, same model of tire with the same tread depth. That is the only other situation I can think of where used is worth it.
Otherwise, I'd rather have 4 new tires with a warranty and all that.
They'd have to be a LOT cheaper in order to be worth it, and there is no guarantee on used tires
You have no idea how they were driven before they were dumped, any damage, holes, etc.
Someone bought a used tire in order to match the remaining set on an AWD car that was being lease returned, same model of tire with the same tread depth. That is the only other situation I can think of where used is worth it.
Otherwise, I'd rather have 4 new tires with a warranty and all that.
Yeah, I hear ya... but in fairness, isn't that the case with anything you buy used?
Im looking for a set for our FJ. No way am I paying $1300 for tires.
Just buy a tread depth gauge for $2 and check them correctly. Those wear bars are probably 3/32 so, for example, if you measure 8/32 and started at 12/32 then you have at least 60% left.
Yeah, I hear ya... but in fairness, isn't that the case with anything you buy used?
Yeah, but tires are one of those things where it's the least worth it to buy used, except in a few very specific circumstances.
You don't have to spend $1300 on a set of new tires, even for your FJ Cruiser
Is your tire size 265/75-16? I assume you have the TRD edition
At Walmart, you can get a set of tires as low as $500
Landsail tires under $100 each, so even with installation it should be under $500
If you want more off-road oriented tires, these Crossmax tires are $118, so the set of 4 installed would be around $600
Plenty of tires in the $150 range, so $700 installed
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