Hero Image

Sell Tires for Money: Fast, Safe Guide to Used Tire Sales

You can sell tires for money faster than you think.

This practical, safety-first guide shows you where to list locally and online, how to price realistically, what buyers check, and how to prep your set so it sells quickly without headaches.

1) Seller Intent & Readiness (When to Sell Now vs Wait)

Sell now if you’ve upgraded wheels/tires, sold the car, have seasonal sets taking up space, or you simply want quick cash. Tires are bulky, and the best time to turn them into money is before they sit so long that age becomes a deal-breaker.

You’re ready to list when the tires have safe tread depth, no major damage, and you know the exact size and brand/model. These three signals mean you can answer buyer questions confidently and move fast with a clean sale.

Think of this as a value + safety + speed decision: safe tires in good condition bring the best price quickly. If your tires are borderline (very old, cracked, or uneven), it’s usually smarter—and safer—to recycle rather than sell.

  • Sell now if: you upgraded, sold the car, need space/cash, or have snow tires out of season.
  • You’re ready if: tread is healthy, no sidewall damage or cords, and you can read the size (e.g., 225/65R17) and brand.

2) What Tires Can Be Sold (And What Usually Won’t Sell)

What sells best:

  • Matching sets of 4 (same brand/model/size) – easiest to sell and fetch the best price.
  • Name-brand tires with good tread (Michelin, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, etc.).
  • All-terrain/truck tires and LT sizes – high demand, often higher resale.
  • Snow/winter tires in season (list 4–8 weeks before winter).
  • Tires on rims – save buyers mounting/balancing time; easier local sales.

What’s hard to sell:

  • Dry-rotted or cracked sidewalls.
  • Plugged/patchy tires with unknown repair history.
  • Uneven wear (cupping, inner-edge wear).
  • Very old tires (check the DOT date code; age matters for safety).
  • Singles (unless a rare size or premium model with strong demand).

3) Where to Sell Tires for Money (Best Options Compared)

Local Selling (fastest cash, no shipping)

  • Facebook Marketplace – broad local reach; buyer messaging and public profiles help screen interest. See Marketplace safety tips.
  • Craigslist – simple listings; cash-focused buyers. Review Craigslist safety guidelines.
  • OfferUp – app-driven local sales with ratings and shipping options.
  • Local tire shops – some buy lightly used pairs/sets; call first, bring tread depth and DOT info.
  • Auto salvage yards – may buy usable sets or mounted combos.
  • Flea markets / swap meets – best for truck/off-road communities on busy weekends.

Online Selling (wider audience, more effort/fees)

  • eBay – great for rare sizes or premium brands; factor fees and shipping. Review eBay’s seller fees.
  • Specialized forums – brand/model-specific communities (e.g., off-road or performance forums) where buyers know exactly what they want.

Trade-offs: Local sales are faster with cash and no shipping. Online reaches more buyers (useful for rare sizes) but adds time, packaging, and fee considerations. Shipping mounted wheel/tire combos is heavy/expensive; local pickup is usually better.

4) How to Price Used Tires (Realistic Pricing Rules)

What drives price: remaining tread depth, brand/model, size (truck/LT often higher), seasonality (winter tires sell before winter), and whether rims are included.

  • Tread depth: New passenger tires start around 10/32". Buyers pay most for 7/32"+; below 5/32" sells but at bargain pricing.
  • Brand/model: Premium models (e.g., Michelin Defender, BFG KO2) retain value; budget brands depreciate faster.
  • Size/demand: Common SUV/truck sizes and popular performance sizes often move quickest.
  • Rims included: Mounted/balanced sets can add $100–$300+ in local value depending on wheel condition.

Quick pricing formulas:

  • Baseline: Start around 25%–50% of the new price for sets with 60%–90% tread remaining.
  • Rule of thumb: Price ≈ New price × (Remaining tread ÷ New tread) × condition factor (0.6–0.9).
  • Singles: 10%–25% of new price unless rare; sets command the premium.
  • Worn tires (≤4/32"): price to move or recycle; safety and seasonality limit demand.

Example: New set cost $800, remaining tread 7/32" out of 10/32" (≈70%). Good condition, matching set. $800 × 0.70 × 0.75 ≈ $420 asking; expect $350–$400 final.

5) What Buyers Look For (Evaluation Criteria)

  • Tire size: shown as width/aspectRwheel (e.g., 225/65R17).
  • Load and speed rating: letters/numbers after size; must meet or exceed vehicle spec.
  • DOT date code: last 4 digits = week/year (e.g., 1319 = week 13 of 2019). Learn more from the Tire Identification Number.
  • Tread depth measurement: show in 32nds; penny/quarter tests are rough checks. See NHTSA guidance on treadwear.
  • Even wear pattern: no cupping, feathering, or inner-edge bald spots.
  • Sidewalls: no bubbles, cuts, or cracking; no exposed cords.
  • Matching brand/model across the set for consistent handling and safety.

Why it matters: These factors affect safety, handling, blowout risk, and trust. Clear evidence of age, tread, and condition helps buyers decide quickly and pay a fair price.

6) Preparing Tires to Sell Faster

Clean: Quick wipe-down with mild soap/water and a towel. Avoid greasy shines that hide flaws—buyers want honest condition.

Photos to include:

  • Full set photo and each tire individually.
  • Close-up straight-on tread shot (use a tread depth gauge if you have one).
  • Sidewall with size and load/speed rating visible.
  • Clear DOT date code (four digits).
  • Any flaws or repairs—honesty builds trust and prevents wasted trips.

Write a strong listing:

  • Title: “4x 225/65R17 Michelin Defender – 7/32, 2019 DOT, $380 OBO – [Your Town]”
  • Body: Size, brand/model, exact tread depth or % estimate, DOT year, whether mounted on rims, price, location, pickup times.
  • Price strategy: Mark “Firm” for hot-demand items; use “OBO” if you want activity and are willing to negotiate.

7) Discounts, Negotiation & Timing

  • Expect negotiation: Many buyers open 20%–30% below ask. Decide your minimum beforehand and counter once with data (tread, brand, new price).
  • Handle lowballs: Reply politely with your lowest acceptable number or invite serious local pickup. Don’t feel pressured to respond to every message.
  • Best times to sell: Weekends, early evenings, and around paydays. List snow tires 4–8 weeks before winter; off-road tires before peak trail seasons.
  • Bundle value: Sets of 4 move faster than singles; tires + rims can justify a higher price and easier sale.

8) Payment Options & Scam Prevention

  • Best: Cash in person for local pickup.
  • Payment apps: Accept only in-person, confirmed payments you can see cleared in your account. Avoid “overpayment + ship the difference” scams.
  • Checks: Avoid personal/cashier’s checks from strangers; counterfeits are common.
  • Shipping rule: Never ship until payment is fully cleared and verified in your account—no screenshots.
  • Safe meetups: Choose public, well-lit locations (police station lots are ideal), meet in daytime, bring a friend, and keep items in your vehicle until you’re ready to transact. Review general marketplace safety tips from the FTC.

9) Local & Real-World Considerations

  • Used tire laws: Some areas restrict sale of unsafe used tires. Check local/state rules; see USTMA’s overview on used tire safety legislation.
  • Disposal fees: If a tire is not sellable, many shops/municipal sites will take it for a small fee ($2–$7 per tire in many areas).
  • Transport: Four loose tires usually fit upright in most SUVs with seats down; use a tarp and stack clean-to-clean to avoid mess.
  • If mounted on rims: Confirm bolt pattern, center bore, and offset for the buyer; include lug nuts only if agreed in writing.

10) Mistakes & Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Not checking DOT date: Buyers will ask. Photograph the code and include the year. Very old tires (often 6–10+ years) are tougher to sell.
  • Hiding damage or repairs: Disclose plugs/patches and price accordingly. Surprises kill deals and reviews.
  • Selling mismatched sets without saying so: Always list exact brand/model for each tire if mixed.
  • Overpricing: Tires depreciate. If you get no messages in 48–72 hours, drop 10%–15%.
  • Unsafe meetups: Choose public locations, daylight, and bring a friend; keep conversations on-platform.

11) Decision Support Tools

Used Tire Selling Checklist

  • Size and ratings visible (e.g., 225/65R17 102H)
  • DOT date photographed (week/year)
  • Tread depth measured (in 32nds)
  • No sidewall bubbles/cracks; no exposed cords
  • Even wear across the tread
  • Matching set of 4 (ideally) and same brand/model
  • Clean photos: set, each tire, tread, sidewall, DOT, any flaws
  • Compelling title and accurate description
  • Price set using new price × tread remaining × condition factor
  • Safe payment and meetup plan

“Are My Tires Sellable?” Self-Assessment

  • Age: Under ~6–8 years? If older, expect lower demand or recycle.
  • Tread: 5/32"+? Under that, price to move or recycle.
  • Condition: No cracks, bulges, cords, or severe patches?
  • Match: A complete, matching set of 4?
  • Market: Is it the right season (e.g., winter tires before winter)?

Concise Decision Summary

  • Sell now if tread is strong, age is reasonable, and the set matches.
  • Bundle sets of 4 (and rims when possible) for the best price and fastest sale.
  • Don’t sell unsafe tires—dispose responsibly at a shop or local facility.

Quick Case Study

A seller had 4 Michelin Defender 225/65R17 tires with ~7/32" tread, DOT 2019, off a sold SUV. New replacements were ~$760 installed. They listed on Facebook Marketplace at $420 OBO with clear DOT/tread photos and weekend pickup only. After two days and multiple offers, they accepted $360 cash from a local buyer who needed a matching set before winter—fast, safe, and fair for both sides.

Sources