A plain guide to buying used tires
What to look for, how many to buy, and how to match the tires already on your car.
Start with the exact size
Match the full size on your door sticker: width, sidewall and wheel size. Then check that the load index and speed rating are at least as high as the sticker says.
One, two or four?
Replacing one tire works when the other three still have similar tread. Try to match the brand, model and tread depth of the tire on the same axle.
Two tires on the same axle should match each other. That is why matching tires here are sold as pairs.
All-wheel-drive cars are the strict ones. Many makers want all four tires within a few 32nds of each other. Check your owner's manual before mixing tread depths on an AWD car.
Look at the real tire
Stock photos tell you nothing about a used tire. Look for photos of the actual tire: the full tread face, the sidewall, and a gauge reading.
Check the age
Every tire has a DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits are the week and year it was made: 2321 means the 23rd week of 2021. You can read it in the sidewall photo.
Know the return terms
Buy where you can send the tire back if it is not what you expected. Check who pays for return shipping before you order.