Used tires can save you a lot of money, especially when you need a second set for winter. Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji are full of them around Edmonton, from barely-used sets that came off a leased car to tires that should have been recycled years ago. This checklist helps you tell the difference before you hand over any cash.
Before you message the seller
Start with your own vehicle, not the listing.
- Know your exact size. Look at the sticker on the driver's door jamb or in your owner's manual. It looks like
225/45R18 95V. See How to read your tire size if that string means nothing yet. - Decide: tires only, or tires on rims? Tires already on rims make every spring and fall swap cheaper and faster. If you go that route, you also need to match bolt pattern, offset and centre bore. See Buying used tires already on rims.
- Decide the season. Winter tires carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall. All-seasons marked "M+S" are not the same thing.
Questions to ask in the first message
A good seller answers these easily. A vague answer is information too.
- What is the full size and load/speed rating printed on the sidewall?
- What is the four-digit date code on each tire? (Ask for a photo.)
- How much tread is left, and was it measured with a gauge?
- Have any of the tires been repaired, plugged or patched?
- Why are you selling them?
- How many seasons were they used, and how were they stored?
- If on rims: do they have TPMS sensors, and what is the bolt pattern?
Ask for clear photos of each tire's tread and both sidewalls, plus the date code. If the seller will not send them, move on. There are plenty of listings.
What to check in person
Bring a tread depth gauge (a few dollars at any parts store), your phone flashlight, and your door-jamb size written down.
- Size on every tire. Read all four sidewalls yourself. Mixed sizes or mixed models in a "set" are common.
- Date code on every tire. The last four digits after "DOT" are the week and year. See How to read a tire's date code.
- Tread depth in three places on each tire: inside edge, centre and outside edge. Big differences point to alignment problems on the old car.
- Sidewalls, inside and out. Look for bulges, cuts, cracking and scuffs down to the cords.
- Repairs. Plugs near the shoulder or sidewall are a deal-breaker.
Our full list is in Used tire red flags.
Red flags in the listing itself
- Photos only from far away, or only of the tread.
- "Lots of tread left" with no number.
- Price far below every similar listing.
- A brand-new profile with no history.
- The seller wants a deposit by e-transfer before you see the tires.
Meet safely
The Edmonton Police Service recommends meeting in daylight in a public place with video surveillance, bringing someone with you, and screenshotting the ad and your messages. EPS also has Buy and Sell Exchange Zones in the parking lots of several division stations, including the Southeast Division at 104 Youville Drive East, which is close to Laurel and Mill Woods. Check the EPS Online Classifieds Safety page for the current list.
A few tire-specific tips:
- Tires are heavy and dirty. Bring a tarp or old blanket for your trunk.
- Count the tires before you pay. Sets of four sometimes arrive as three.
- Ask for a simple written bill of sale, even a text message that lists the size, date codes and price.
Before you book the install
Once you have your tires, message our garage in Laurel, South Edmonton with the size, the date codes and a photo of each sidewall. We can often spot a fitment problem before you drive over. See Bought used tires online? Here's how we install them for what to expect on the day.
Bringing your own tires? You are responsible for making sure they are the right size and type for your vehicle. We check every tire before we mount it and we will tell you if something looks wrong, but the final call on what you bought is yours.