How to Buy Tyres In Australia- 2026 Guide

Buying tyres in Australia shouldn’t be difficult. There are numerous avenues to source tyres, including in-store tyre sellers, online retailers and mobile tyre fitters. There are also multiple tyre brands selling quality products, so if you have the budget available, you can come away from a purchase with pretty reliable tyres. However with so much choice available when you want to buy new tyres, it can be hard to know which is the best option for you.

In this article we’ll look at the common ways to buy tyres in Australia and summarise the positives and negatives of each option. Hopefully this will make the decision of how to buy new tyres easier for you!

Common Ways to Buy Tyres in Australia

1. Mobile Tyre Services

Mobile tyre services, like Jim’s Mobile Tyres, bring the tyre store to you. Whether you’re at home, at work, or stuck on the side of the road, a Jim’s mobile technician can come directly to your location to install and balance new tyres.

Pros:

• Mobile tyre services are no doubt the most convenient option, as you can stay put while the service comes to you.
• You get to deal with tyre experts who can assess your vehicle and recommend exactly the right tyres for your driving needs. No research required.
• Because someone comes to you, they’ll advise you about whether or not you do in fact need to update all your tyres, or if some can remain. This can save you money you might otherwise spend on tyres you don’t need.
• They can perform a tyre fitting on the spot, and perform tyre rotations and wheel balancing if necessary.
• You save time and can keep to your schedule, rather than spend hours researching online tyres or visiting tyre shops.
• They offer competitive pricing, due to their low overheads.
• They can access a wide range of high-quality tyre brands, and can also order in specific tyres if they don’t have them on hand.
• They offer emergency tyre break down assistance, for if you need a new tyre in a hurry.
• They offer an easy online booking system, plus friendly customer service.

Cons:

• Mobile tyre services are primarily available in the city, and remote areas may have limited access.

At Jim’s Mobile Tyres, our technicians are fully trained, and we partner with leading tyre brands. Thanks to our buying power and lower overheads compared to traditional stores, we pass the savings directly onto you.

2. Online Tyre Retailers

Most tyre brands can be purchased online these days. You look up the tyre you want, read reviews, pay for it, and it’s delivered to your home. Let’s look at the pros and cons of this method of tyre purchase.

Pros:

• You have access to a very large selection of vehicle tyres, including tyres from overseas.
• You can easily compare prices between different providers.
• You can read online customer reviews of tyres, and find out detailed product information.
• You may be able to arrange for the tyres to be delivered to your home and installed by network installers.

Cons:

• You need to do your research and know your tyre specifications and how that relates to your driving requirements and the tyres available.
• The abundance of options can make things confusing, and it can be hard to know which to choose.
• The likely scenario is you will order tyres that match those you currently have (the Original Equipment or OE tyres). This is often a good choice, however in some scenarios, there might be tyres out there that better suit your driving needs and budget. For this reason, you might be better off talking to a tyre specialist to decide on which tyre to buy.
• Unless you plan to fit your new tyres yourself then you need to arrange a tyre fitter to come to you. This means that an online order ends up not being particularly convenient when compared to a mobile tyre fitting service that sources tyres and fits them for you.
• There’s a risk you might choose the wrong size of tyre, or a tyre that’s not designed for your vehicle. Returns are often only possible if the tyre remains in its packaging and is not fitted to the wheel, and unfortunately, people often don’t realise they have the wrong size tyres until they try to fit them.
• There’s the risk of choosing tyres of poor quality, especially if you aren’t receiving expert advice on tyres.

3. Tyre Stores

Brick-and-mortar tyre stores are a common choice for those who like to chat to a tyre seller and view and touch actual tyres before purchasing. Let’s consider the positives and negatives of this option.

Pros:

• Tyre stores usually provide quality, face-to-face advice on the best tyres for your vehicle.
• After your purchase, you can usually get your tyres fitted to your vehicle on the spot. Wheel balancing is also often an option.
• You get the chance to physically inspect the tyres you’re going to purchase, so that you get a sense of their quality.
• There are often multiple quality tyre brands available in store.

Cons:

• There may be limited stock available on the floor, so stores often still need to order tyres in, delaying your new tyre fitting.
• Pricing may not be as competitive as online tyres or mobile tyres services. Also, it’s more difficult to compare prices between different retailers.
• You have to take time out of your day to get to the store, wait around to chat to a shop attendant, and wait again for your new tyres to be fitted. It’s not the most convenient option.
• The sheer numbers of tyres on display can be overwhelming.

Buying New Tyres – Considerations

Whilst many of us focus on price when we’re choosing new car tyres, there are a number of other factors that are important to consider. Here’s what you need to think about when you buy new tyres for your vehicle:

1. The Conditions You Drive In

You need to factor in the environments you drive in when buying tyres. If you regularly drive on city roads, you might like to choose fuel-efficient, low-noise tyres, whereas if you drive off road, you might seek out 4WD or all-terrain tyres.

Similarly, if you need to drive in hot zones, you might need heat-resistant compounds in your tyres, and for driving in wet weather, you’ll need tryes with a good grip rating. You might also want to consider whether or not you require seasonal tyre changes, or if all-season tyres will suit you best. (A Jim’s Mobile Tyres specialist can help clarify what you need.)

2. Expected Tyre Lifespan and Warranty Period

Check both the expected mileage for a tyre and the warranty period before you buy new tyres. Whilst one tyre may look more affordable than another, it might not last as long, and the warranty period may be shorter. So, in the long term, spending a bit more upfront may save you.

3. Your Tyre Size and Fit

It’s crucial your vehicle is fitted with the right sized tyres, as tyre size affects fuel economy as well as vehicle handling and safety. A Jim’s Mobile Tyre Service technician can recommend the appropriate tyres, however if you want to find out for yourself, just check the vehicle placard in your driver side door, and you’ll be able to find out the correct tyre size for your car. You can also find this information in your vehicle owner’s manual, or look it up online.

Having the wrong sized tyre has a bunch of drawbacks, including:

• Compliance and Insurance Issues: Roadworthy regulations in Australia require that you have tyres matching the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications (within a small margin). If you fit the wrong size of tyre to your vehicle, it may fail to be roadworthy, as well as attract fines or penalties for driving with the inappropriate tyres. Also, your vehicle insurance may be void.

• Safety Issues: Having the right size tyres is essential for vehicle safety and handling. The wrong size tyres:
  • Reduce braking performance, increasing braking distance and placing you at risk
  • Offer poor stability and handling, especially whilst braking and when tackling corners
  • Offer reduced traction on the road, which is particularly hazardous in off-road or wet conditions.

• Errors with Speedometer & Odometer: Speedometer and odometers are set to operate when your vehicle is using the correct size of tyre. When a tyre is too small or large, distance and speed readings will be inaccurate, and you may end up speeding without realising it.

• Extra Wear on Suspension and Drivetrain: Tyres that are too large or small put extra strain on your suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components. Over time, this can lead to premature wear and costly repairs.

• Poor Fuel Efficiency: Oversized tyres are heavier and increase rolling resistance, which makes your engine work harder and use more fuel.

• Fitment Problems: When fitting tyres, it’s essential they aren’t too wide, as this may cause them to rub against the wheel well or suspension. Also, if they’re too tall, they may not clear the body during turns or over bumps.

• Wasted Money: Tyres can be expensive. Fitting tyres that don’t match your vehicle means you could be throwing money down the drain, as you can’t necessarily get a refund for them, and it can be difficult to sell used tyres. Plus, you then need to fork out for tyres that actually fit your vehicle.

4. Brand Reviews

When searching for new tyres, you’ll come across a range of tyre brands, and some will suit your vehicle better than others. It’s certainly a wise idea to stick to brands with a good reputation for performance and safety. Customer reviews can be helpful, but speaking to a tyre expert with an unbiased viewpoint on tyres is even better.

5. Mobile vs. In-Store Installation

Decide whether you prefer the convenience of at-home installation or want to visit a store. This will likely impact the price, and how much energy and effort you need to put into getting those new tyres.

Average Tyre Costs in Australia (2026)

The price of new tyres can vary depending on the size of tyre, the brand, and the tyre type. Here are some ballpark prices:

• Passenger Cars: $120 – $250 per tyre
• Luxury Cars: $200 – $500 per tyre (especially for low-profile or performance tyres)
• 4WDs & SUVs: $180 – $400 per tyre
• Utility Vehicles (Utes): $150 – $300 per tyre
• Light Trucks (up to 5T): $250 – $500 per tyre

When purchasing new tyres through Jim’s Mobile Tyres, you get to take advantage of lower prices on tyres, due to our direct partnerships with tyre manufacturers and low overhead model. Our prices are often lower than brick-and-mortar tyre retail stores, and yet, you still get a high-quality tyre and fitting service.

Why Choose Jim’s Mobile Tyres?

Jim’s Mobile Tyres is a nationwide service provider bringing high-quality tyre fitting and expert service directly to your door. Australians are choosing our service because of:

• Convenience: No need to spend your day at a workshop. We come to you.
• Price Advantage: Lower operating costs mean lower prices passed onto you.
• Expert Technicians: Every technician is trained, insured and uses state-of-the-art equipment.
• Range: We stock a wide variety of brands and tyre types to suit all vehicles.
• Emergency Support: Need help roadside? We’re just a call away.

Buying New Tyres – The Final Decision

It needn’t be a hassle to buy new tyres in Australia. With options like online purchasing, in-store service, and mobile tyre fitting, you can choose what suits your budget, schedule and lifestyle best. However, for the ultimate blend of competitive prices, expert service, quality tyres and unbeatable convenience, Jim’s Mobile Tyres is your answer.

To arrange a new tyre fitting, book online or give us a call to arrange your mobile tyre service. We sell tyres for passenger and luxury cars, 4WDs, utility vehicles, and trucks of up to 5 tonne capacity. We also offer tyre rotations, tyre pressure checks and tyre puncture repairs.

Our tyre services are available in:

• Ballarat
• Brisbane
• Canberra
• Darwin
• Hobart
• Melbourne
• Newcastle
• Sydney
• Greater Western Sydney
• Townsville