The biggest tire fraud risks online aren't usually outright scams. They're listings that are technically accurate but leave out information you'd want to know before paying — wear depth, age, sidewall condition. Here's how to vet a tire listing before you click buy.
Four things every honest used-tire listing shows
- Measured tread depth in 32nds for that specific tire (not 'great tread')
- DOT date code — the four-digit week/year stamp
- Photos of both sidewalls AND the tread face, not just one stock photo
- The exact size string (the listing should match your sidewall character-for-character)
If a listing is missing any of these, ask. If they refuse to provide it, walk away. We post all four on every listing because there's no reason not to.
Read the return policy before you read the price
Used tires can have issues that don't show up until they're mounted. The seller's return policy is your insurance. Look for:
- At least 30 days to return for any reason (we offer 1 year)
- Coverage for road hazards, sidewall damage discovered after mount, and beadleaks
- Clarity on who pays return shipping if the tire was misrepresented
Shipping time and weight
Tires are heavy — a passenger tire is 25 to 35 pounds, a light truck tire 45 to 60. Shipping is real money, and a seller who quotes 'free shipping' on a $39 tire is either making it up on the tire price or shipping by truck freight (slow, 5-10 business days).
We ship via UPS Ground from Cahokia Heights, IL. Most U.S. addresses receive in 2-3 days.
Seller reputation
Look for off-platform reviews — Google reviews of the actual business address, not just on-platform feedback. A tire seller with hundreds of off-platform reviews and a physical warehouse is harder to fake than someone with only a website.
Mounting and balancing
Online tire purchases don't include mounting — you'll need to take the tires to a local shop. Most tire shops charge $20-30 per tire to mount, balance, and dispose of the old tire. Factor that into your cost-per-mile math. Even with mounting, a $75 used premium tire beats a $145 new mid-tier tire by a wide margin.
Photographs, measurements, and a written return policy. Those three things separate a real used-tire seller from everyone else.