Are used tires a good way to get cheap tires?
A straight answer: when a used tire is a smart buy, when it is not, and what a fair price looks like.
The short answer
Yes, if you can see the actual tire and its measured tread before you pay. A good used tire with 6/32 to 8/32 of tread has most of its life left and usually costs far less than the same tire new.
No, if the seller shows stock photos, will not state the tread depth, or will not take the tire back.
When a used tire makes the most sense
You need one tire to replace a damaged one, and you want it to match the other three.
You need two tires for one axle and do not want to pay for a new pair.
You are selling or returning the car soon, or you want a full-size spare.
You want a better brand than your budget buys new.
What makes a used tire good
Enough tread: 2/32 is worn out, about 10/32 is typical for a new passenger tire. Most good used tires fall between 5/32 and 9/32.
Even wear across the tread face, which you can check in the tread photo.
A clean sidewall with no cuts or bubbles, which you can check in the sidewall photo.
A reasonable age. The last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall are the week and year the tire was made.
What a fair price looks like
Price follows brand, size and tread. The same model with 8/32 should cost more than one with 5/32. Compare the price per tire, with shipping included, against the same brand and model at the same tread.
How Bellhobb Tires sells them
Every listing has three photos of the actual tire and a tread depth measured with a gauge. Shipping is free from Nashville, Tennessee, and you have 30 days to return a tire with return shipping paid.