Brand new run flats are really pricey, which is why going used is a great option. You can find used run flat tires with over 70% of their tread life remaining at more then half off the retail price. There are a lot of places you can find them both locally and online. Below I will share where to buy them used, how to choose the right tire, cost and durability, how the places that sell used run flat tires near me operate.
Map of Used Run Flat Tires Near Me
For “Used Run Flat Tires Near Me”, see below for locations…
Who Sells Used Run Flat Tires Near Me
You can find second hand run flats for cars and trucks at a few different kinds of businesses. These include used tire shops, auto junkyards, tire repair shops, wholesale used tire suppliers, and online sellers (commercial and private sellers). Depending on where you go will depend on the deal and the quality you will find. For example a private seller can often have the best deal and no other options, but a salvage yard will have the most choice and the lowest price.
No matter where you decide to get your second run flats, only buy from someone you trust. Your safety depends on it. For more used tire buying tips, read this.
Buying Locally vs Buying Online
I personally prefer to buy any type of used tire in person. I like to put my hands on the rubber, feel for defects, roll it on the ground, and check for any repairs. Also getting to talk to someone else about the tire is helpful. You can ask them questions, make sure you are getting the right size, and if they recommend that tire for how you intend to use it. It is helpful before you shop used to know tire fundamentals so you can understand what you are buying and know how to inspect it. Also if you are buying from a used tire shop you may get a deal on installation and mounting.
While buying online is much easier in terms of effort, you need to consider shipping costs, plus mounting and installation. Online used tire sellers usually have a fairly thorough process to inspect the tires they sell. Despite the fact they do a good job only selling quality tires in my experience many misrepresent the amount of tread wear remaining. If you decide to purchase used run flats online read the reviews before you order.
How Much Do They Cost?
Used run flat tires are much more affordable then new ones. You can get almost 50% off on some run flats with 70% of their tread life left. The pricing tends to be dependent on the quality, manufacturer, age, tread depth, and if you are buying a set.
Every vendor will have slightly different prices, but everyone should be in the same ballpark. Some places that have inflated rates are because they do an inspection both when they buy the tire and when they sell it. You can find used run flats near me for as little as $60 to upwards of $160 for one tire. If you are buying a set you can find better deals. My local tire shop just quoted me $300 for 4 used tires 225 50 R 17 Continental ContiProContact SSR Run Flats with 65% of the tread wear left.
How Much Mileage Will I Get?
Several variable will affect how long your tires will go for. The life span will depend on how you drive, how well you maintain them, and the tread depth left on them. Any tire with 40 to 70% of it’s tread depth remaining will go for a considerable number of miles. If you are curious about how to do some quick math, you can find the manufacturers estimate of mileage and multiply by the percent of tread depth left.
New vs Used
If you are still considering going for new run flats, you need to compare the pros and cons versus buying used.
New tires have all the fine points like a warranty, full tread wear for long life, and the most safety and traction. Of course the price of new run flats on a premium brand can bang you about $400/tire. So getting 4 new rubbers on your car can be in the $1,600 range.
In most cases though going used on the same set of tires will take 4 tires down in the $700 range. The downside of course is no warranty and the won’t last as long as new tires. I tend to find going used makes sense if you only need to replace one tire or if you need tires at the need of a lease. Your ability to find the best used run flats, really comes down to your ability to shop for a deal and inspect the tires.
The Dangers of Second Hand Run Flats
The dangers of getting run flats used is about the same dangers as buying a standard tire. These just happen to be able to drive about 50 miles or so after sustaining a puncture.
Not everything that glitters is gold. Just because you find cheap used run flat tires, certainly doesn’t mean they are safe. The lower the tread depth, the longer your stopping distances are and the less your tire wicks away water. Even aside from tread wear there is a lot to consider when assessing a tire for safety. You need to make sure the tire is structurally sound, is free of blemishes, and has no repairs on it outside of the repairable area.
One of the scariest things about the second hand tire market is that there is little government regulation. There are no set inspection standards and not many places offer warranties or returns. If a used tire seller senses you are a little green, he may even try to sell you on less desirable tires.
What to Consider When Buying Used Run Flat Tires
If your mechanic or a tire shop is telling you need new tires, you should check them out yourself to make sure it’s time for a change. Some garages will tell you to change tires and then sell your used tires on the secondary market.
When you price out used tires you should think safety first and then price second. Most people look at price first and then safety as an after thought.
You also need to consider the requirements of your vehicle when choosing a tire. Size and load capacity are two of the most important metrics you need to look at for your vehicles minimums and then buy a tire accordingly. All 4 tires should have the same size and load capacity metrics, doesn’t matter if they are different brands though.
As far as run flats go specifically, you should never put run flats on a vehicle that does not have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Since a run flat never shows a loss of air pressure, you may be running at zero pressure. If you do that the tire can overheat or cause control loss. So don’t put run flats new or used on an older vehicle.
For Used Run Flates Look for Tores With Higher UTQG Ratings
UTQG is an acronym for “Uniform Tire Quality Grading”. It is a Department of Transportation developed grading system to aid consumers in understanding a tires quality. It rates how a tires tread wear will hold up, it’s traction, and ability to hold heat. While there is no independent 3rd party that sets each manufacturers UTQG, it is a good metric to consider when finding a used run flat.
A grade is listed as 300 A. In general A tire with a UTQG of 300 will last 3X longer then a tire with a UTQG of 100. The alpha letters are A, B, C, with A being the highest. The A,B,C refers to traction and tires ability to disperse heat. It is common that top tire brands have more competitive UTQG ratings, depending on the model of tire. For me personally for used run flat tires, I tend to stick to: used goodyears, used bridgestones, used michelins, and used continentals.
After You Buy Any Kind of Second Hand Tires You Should…
My general rule after getting used tires is to monitor them. Visually inspect and check air pressure once a week. If they need air then add it, if they have too much let some out. Paying attention to how the tires are behaving for the first few weeks will tell you if there is something wrong like a slow leak. After a few weeks you can check them every 4 to 6 months for any damage. Additionally you should be prepared to align, balance, and rotate them as part of your regular routine.
Who Will Buy Used Run Flat Tires Near Me
One of the best local used tire markets is an online market place called sell my tires. People in your area looking for used run flats near me will find your listing and email you. It’s sort of like posting your tires on Craigslist, but this is a more specific specialized marketplace. The amount you can charge for your used run flats will depend on tread depth, age, manufacturer, and the condition. You can also get more if you still have the rim with it.
Other places who buy used tires are salvage yards and used tire shops. Typically a car salvage will pay the lowest rates, a private buyer will pay the highest, and a used tire shop falls in the middle.
Used Run Flat Tires Near Me Conclusion
New run flats can get really pricey, so if you can find a quality pair used, you can save hundreds of dollars. Safety is the most important thing that you should consider though. Not every seller is upfront about repairs, quality, and tread depth so it is a buyer beware market. Know how to inspect them and identify quality tires. That’s what I have learned from buying used run flat tires near me.