Hidden costs
Tyre fitting costs in the UK
The tyre itself is only part of the bill. Here is every charge you might face on a 2026 quote, what is genuinely required, and what counts as an upsell.
The full breakdown
| Service | Cost | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitting | £8-15per tyre | Yes | Removing the old tyre, mounting and inflating the new one. |
| Balancing | £5-10per tyre | Yes | Stick-on weights so the wheel runs true. Always have it done. |
| Valve replacement | £2-3per tyre | Recommended | Rubber valves perish. Cheap insurance against slow leaks. |
| Disposal | £2-3per tyre | Yes | Old tyres must go to a licensed handler. Fly-tipping is illegal. |
| TPMS reset / sensor service | £5-10per tyre | If fitted | Cars from 2014 onwards have tyre pressure sensors. Reset after fitting. |
| Wheel alignment (2-wheel) | £30-50service | Recommended | Adjusts toe to manufacturer spec. Stops uneven wear. |
| Wheel alignment (4-wheel) | £50-80service | Recommended for full sets | More thorough, recommended when you replace all four tyres. |
| Locking wheel-nut removal | £20-40service | Only if key lost | Specialist tooling needed. Keep your key in the glove box. |
| Run-flat surcharge | +40-60%per tyre | If car requires it | Reinforced sidewall. More expensive to make and fit. |
Worked examples: 4 tyres, 205/55 R16
Same tyres, two different ways to buy. Online retailers usually bundle most extras into one headline price; supplying your own tyres to a local fitter usually means itemised charges.
Scenario A
Buy online, fit at partner garage
- 4 x mid-range tyres
- £380
- Fitting + balancing + disposal
- Included
- Valve replacement (4)
- £10
- TPMS reset (4)
- £30
- 2-wheel alignment
- £40
- Total
- £460
Scenario B
Supply your own tyres, fit independently
- 4 x mid-range tyres (online)
- £360
- Fitting (4 x £12)
- £48
- Balancing (4 x £8)
- £32
- Valves (4 x £2.50)
- £10
- Disposal (4 x £2.50)
- £10
- TPMS + alignment
- £70
- Total
- £530
What is bundled
What is included when you buy online?
Most online retailers include the basics. They differ on valves, TPMS and disposal. Always read the order page, not the homepage.
| Retailer | Fitting | Balancing | Valve | Disposal | TPMS | Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackcircles | Y | Y | - | Y | - | - |
| Halfords | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | - |
| ATS Euromaster | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | - |
| Tyre Shopper | Y | Y | - | Y | - | - |
| Asda Tyres | Y | Y | - | Y | - | - |
| Kwik Fit | Y | Y | - | - | - | - |
Based on standard online ordering, April 2026. Promotions vary.
Mobile fitting costs
Cost premium
£5-15
per tyre over standard fit
Asda Mobile starts from £6 per tyre. Most independents charge £10-15 above their garage rate.
Time on driveway
30-60 min
for a full set of 4
They bring everything: machine, balancer, weights, valves. You just hand over the keys.
Limitations
2-3 things
to watch for
Cannot always do alignment. Need a flat hard surface. Some fitters won't do run-flats on-site. Confirm before booking.
Alignment
Do you actually need wheel alignment?
Wheel alignment (also called tracking) sets the angle of your wheels to manufacturer spec. When alignment is off, tyres wear unevenly, the car may pull to one side, and fuel consumption creeps up. The cost-saving argument is the strongest reason to do it.
The maths
A £40 alignment can prevent hundreds of pounds of premature tyre wear. Misaligned wheels can wear out the inner or outer edge of a tyre in 5,000 to 10,000 miles, halving its lifespan. If you replace four tyres without checking alignment and the car is misaligned, you may be back in 18 months.
Symptoms of misalignment
- +Car pulls to one side on a straight road
- +Steering wheel off-centre when driving straight
- +Uneven wear on inner or outer edge of a tyre
- +Steering feels loose or wandery
See the dedicated wheelbalancingcost.com guide for the difference between balancing and alignment.
Garage vs main dealer
Independent / national chain
£15-25 / tyre
Fitting, balancing, valve, disposal
Competitive pricing. The same product, fitted by the same kind of equipment, for most standard cars.
Main dealer
£25-45 / tyre
30-50% premium for the same job
Worth it for specialist vehicles, warranty concerns, or cars with complex TPMS systems. Not worth it for an everyday Focus or Astra.