New tires are subject to a fuzzy definition. Technically, once you’ve installed a set of tires on a car, they’re no longer new. But in common usage, when a dealer or seller lists a car with “new tires,” the tires are probably in the first 10% of their useful lifespan or warranty period. If a manufacturer covers a tire for 40,000 miles, a tire under 4,000 miles of use could be considered “new.”
Buying a car with new tires can delay the expense of tire replacement, which can run from $75 per tire up to $500 per tire or more, depending on the size and specification of the tire. Ask the seller for documentation to determine whether the car you’re looking at has new tires and a transferrable warranty, as this could be a money saver in your purchase.
