BeginnerFree7 minchecklist
Basic checks
How to check tyres before buying
Tyres reveal safety, alignment, suspension wear and how carefully the car has been maintained.
Learning goals
- ✓Measure tread and check legal/safety margin.
- ✓Spot uneven wear, cracks, bulges and old date codes.
- ✓Use tyre condition as a negotiation and inspection signal.
What to inspect
Check all four tyres, not only the visible front tyre. Look across the full tread, sidewalls and inside shoulders where wear is often hidden.
- Uneven inner-edge wear can suggest alignment or suspension issues.
- Cracks, bulges or exposed cord are safety warnings.
- Very old date codes matter even if tread depth looks good.
Common mistakes
- Only checking one tyre.
- Ignoring cheap mismatched tyres on a performance car.
Buyer actions
- Photograph each tyre and tread pattern.
- Ask why uneven wear has happened before accepting it as normal.