The importance of tyres from a performance, safety and handling perspective means that when it comes to vehicle maintenance, drivers should invest in the best tyres they can afford.
Now, that’s not to say that you have to choose the most expensive premium brand, or the most prolific tyre model. However, selecting tyres that are compatible with your vehicle and well suited to your climate and surroundings is key. And while the tyre brand and model you choose plays a role in overall cost, it’s not the only contributing factor to cost and budget.
What Impacts the Cost of Tyres?
The first thing you need to know when buying tyres is whether you require one or two replacement tyres, or a full set of four fitments.
Buying four tyres is undeniably more expensive than just buying one or two. But this is countered by the variable durability of those tyres - that is, replacing all four at once means they wear at a steady rate, while replacing specific tyres can cause a discrepancy in tread depth and overall wear. It is always strongly recommended that drivers replace tyres in pairs, fitting new tyres to the rear axle and moving rear tyres forward to the front of the vehicle, to ensure an even rate of wear and prolonged tyre lifespan.
Another factor that influences the cost of tyres is tyre type. From seasonal designs to all-season solutions, standard tyres, tyres with extra features, and tyres of different sizes and material structures, the type of tyres you choose impacts the price and how much you can expect to spend.
Let’s take a closer look at what this means…
What is the Cheapest Type of Tyre?
If you were to compare the price of an all-season tyre with that of a summer or winter tyre, you would find that the all-season tyres are overall more expensive.
But let’s break this down and consider the value of what you are paying for.
When you choose all-season tyres, you pay more upfront - but you benefit from the convenience of a single tyre that can be used all-year round. This tyre is versatile and can handle changing conditions and variable climates, with drivers only needing one set of tyres for a year’s worth of driving.
Conversely, while summer and winter tyres are cheaper at first glance, the fact that you need more than one set of tyres for a year of driving means you ultimately pay more. Summer tyres and winter tyres are both only suitable and safe between certain temperatures before they need replacing for the next season - elevating the price for drivers and the need for regular monitoring.
Moving away from seasonal design, other tyre types to explore include terrain compatibility and any extra features. Tyres such as those with run-flat capability and extra load weight bearing come at a premium, while the distinction between highway tyres, performance tyres, off-road tyres and all-terrain tyres varies from one brand to the next.
