Should I fit budget tyres?

Sometimes, when you need replacement tyres the concern at the forefront of your mind is cost. You know your vehicle needs new tyres but you just can’t warrant, or afford, the price tag that comes with buying premium quality brands.

What you use the vehicle for and how long you intend to keep it will also have a factor on how much you want to spend on your tyres.
Thankfully, budget tyre brands manufacture tyres in a wide range of sizes to fit the vast majority of vehicles. They even make tyres with run-flat technology, so if you own a BMW or Mini there are alternative options to help keep tyre replacement costs down. Whilst these lower priced tyres may not offer everything high quality performance tyres deliver, they will ensure you’ll be safe and legal on the road.

Here, we’re going to look at the pro’s & con’s of buying budget tyres and what to expect when you choose to fit a cheaper tyre.

Budget tyres

All new tyres sold in the UK have to meet industry standards. New budget tyres must have passed all legal requirements & safety tests in order for them to be sold by tyre retailers in the UK.

New budget tyres have the same tread depth of 7-8mm as premium tyres
They must meet the tyre safety standards to be sold in the UK
They each have an EU tyre label with tyre performance ratings
They are much safer than buying part worn tyres

Why are budget tyres cheaper?

So why are budget tyres cheaper than mid-range & premium quality tyres? It’s understandable to ask this question, after all they all look very similar!

Premium tyres cost more because premium tyre manufacturers invest more heavily in:

Tyre technology & design
The compound (the rubber blend the tyre is made from)
Tyre testing & development

So you do get what you pay for, and although tyres may all look black & round there is a distinct difference between tyres from different manufacturers. However, depending on your vehicle & what you use it for you may not need to fork out for premium tyre technology and a low cost, budget tyre may be more than suited to your needs.

Advantages of budget tyres

They’re cheaper than branded tyres
They have the same mm of tread as other new tyres
They’re made in sizes & specifications to suit the majority of vehicles
They meet the British safety standards necessary to sell them in the UK
Much safer & better value than buying a part-worn tyre

Disadvantages of budget tyres

Don’t have a recognisable brand name
May not last as long as premium tyres
Tend to have a higher road noise level
Often have a lower fuel economy rating
Can be more difficult to match up to when replacing

What you need to know about budget tyres

As with most things in life, if you opt to spend less you will have to make a few compromises. Whilst budget tyres are a popular & suitable option for many drivers, there’s a few things you should be aware of before parting with your hard earned cash.

Knowing the facts about budget tyres will help you make an informed decision based on your vehicle, driving style & mileage.

Longevity. Budget tyres tend to wear more quickly than premium quality tyres.
Grip. Budget tyres generally don’t provide as much grip as high quality tyres. Especially in wet conditions, they won’t stick to the road quite as well as a premium quality tyre.
Handling. Premium quality tyres are more expensive due to the investment that goes into their design & materials. They do tend to provide better handling & a better driving experience than budget tyres.
Noise. Budget tyre compounds usually produce more external noise than higher quality tyres. Many drivers wouldn’t notice this but it may bother owners of very quiet vehicles such as Jaguars.
Replacement. One of the main drawbacks of choosing budget tyres is that it can be difficult to purchase exactly the same tyre repeatedly. This is because budget tyres are often imported from countries such as China. It’s not always possible for us to guarantee stock in every size (as they’re ordered in mixed size containers). Branded tyres have warehouses in the UK – which makes matching up to a specific tread pattern much easier.

Budget tyres are recommended for:

Builders/tradesmen who work on sites and often get punctures
Drivers on a budget who are looking for the cheapest option
Drivers who only do very low mileage on minor roads
Companies who own a fleet of vehicles will often have a policy to only fit budget tyres
Vehicle owners selling the car on

Budget tyres aren't recommended for:

Owners of high performance vehicles
Electric Vehicles
Drivers with an aggressive driving style who enjoy getting the most from their vehicle performance.
Drivers who do high mileage on fast roads such as motorways
Vehicle owners looking to get a long lasting, quality tyre might be more suited to a mid-range or premium tyre.

Budget Tyre brands

We’ve been supplying & fitting tyres to vehicles for over 40 years now and have years of experience when it comes to supplying the best budget tyres. The budget tyre brands we stock are ones we trust to give reliable performance at the best value prices.

Our budget tyre brands include Radar, Accelera & Tracmax. We fit hundreds of these tyres every single week and they’re a popular choice with customers as they represent great quality at value prices.

For customers wanting the next step up from a budget tyre, Zeta tyres offer fantastic value and a higher quality tyre.