Before selling your car, it’s crucial to understand how your tires affect its value. At Bachman Buys, our buyers focus on three key aspects when evaluating your tires to determine your vehicle’s value and our offer:
1. Tread Depth: This is the quickest and easiest aspect for anyone to check and primary focus when assessing a vehicle’s value. Tread depth measures the distance between the top and bottom of the tire grooves. New tires typically have 10/32” to 11/32” of tread depth. In Louisville, where we encounter wet, icy, and snowy roads, some manufacturers recommend replacing tires at 5/32”. A new set of tires can cost between $500 to $1500, depending on various factors. When evaluating a vehicle, we consider the tread depth, knowing that tires with less than 5/32” tread may need replacement before resale.
2. Tire Treadwear: We look for even or uneven treadwear. Even treadwear suggests the tires are in good condition and have been well-maintained, potentially increasing your car’s value. Uneven treadwear can indicate issues like improper inflation, alignment problems, suspension issues, or poor maintenance, which can affect the vehicle’s value.
3. Tire Age: Tires have a shelf life, similar to a “Best By” date on food. The sidewall of the tire shows the week and year of manufacture in the DOT code. Regardless of appearance or performance, the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires after six years.
These three tips can help you determine if your tires need replacement and how they might impact your vehicle’s value if you’re planning to sell. For a quick tread depth check, you can use simple methods with a penny or a quarter, as described in this AutoZone article. Before spending money on new tires if you're considering selling your vehicle, get a trusted valuation of your car's value —it might save you time and money.
