Used Tires?

[Bob W]

All tires are "used" after the first 15 miles of usage.   I used to buy used.  Now I buy new tires and drive them until they're done.   

If your selling in a short time frame used makes sense.   It also makes sense to put new tires on the day you start advertising.  People like new tires on used cars for some reason and it is a big selling point.   

For some reason my tires never seem to come close to their 40 or 50K ratings?  Yes I do balance and rotate. 

[retired?]

Curious.....where do used tires come from?  Are they essentially from people who replaced their tires too soon?

I have never bought used, so this concept is new to me.  I am not surprised there is a market for them, but I am surprised that, perhaps, so many people ditch decent tires.  I don't, but.....

[Primm]

I've bought used tyres before that still had nobbies on them. The guy at the shop said they were sometimes from people who bought new cars and didn't like the brand or style of tyres they came with, so they pulled them off and replaced them. Immediately. Like on the way home from the car yard.

[Goldielocks]

Curious.....where do used tires come from?  Are they essentially from people who replaced their tires too soon?

I have never bought used, so this concept is new to me.  I am not surprised there is a market for them, but I am surprised that, perhaps, so many people ditch decent tires.  I don't, but.....

People who use winter tires, then sell car with only winter on them..  Or car is destroyed.  Then don't need the other set.
Car accidents and wrecker yards. Where tires are nearly new and replaced but the body damage or other maintenance is write off
People who return tires within 30 days for whatever reason...
People who buy used cars and want to change to different rims...
Etc.

[BlueMR2]

I would think that used tires are in fact the logical choice for mustachians.  We shouldn't be driving our vehicles enough to warrant new tires that will rot before the tread wears out.  We should be buying 1-2 year old used tires with a decent amount of tread.  That way, by the time the tire starts to rot, it will also be worn out.  Seems like that would be most optimal.  Maybe you guys that are wearing out new tires before they rot need to re-examine your clown driving habits.

Excellent point!  I think many of us deserved that facepunch!

[MN]

I've been getting my used tires from the dump for free. It's not uncommon to find 3 that match with great tread and the 4th to the set with a sidewall puncture or something similar. A lot of people seem to replace all 4 tires if 1 gets damaged beyond repair.

$20 for a couple tire irons and you can mount them yourself. Wal-marts will usually balance them for $5 each.

[cjottawa]

I've had nothing but bad luck with used tires, most recently undisclosed problems with one tire in a set of winters I bought.

I'm getting rid of them and doing what I should have done from the start: buy a new set. Lesson learned.

Considering how long new ones last and the consequences of a tire failure, this is one area on which I've decided to spend a bit more, upfront.

I agree with okashira: there are hidden costs such as "labour" that can make used tires (on passenger cars) a false economy. "Penny wise, pound foolish." http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/used-tires-20473/msg341403/#msg341403

[BlueMR2]

Considering how long new ones last and the consequences of a tire failure

This is an area where proper vehicle selection can make a huge difference.  The consequences of a tire failure on a small car are minimal.  Big tippy SUVs can be catastrophic.  Select small non-tippy vehicles.