Key takeaways

Tyre replacement costs in the UK range from £80 to £500 per tyre, and prices are rising due to inflation, supply chain issues, and poor road conditions. Factors like vehicle type, tyre size, and premium materials can increase costs.

Tyre insurance can help cover unexpected tyre damage from potholes, punctures, and blowouts saving UK drivers from expensive out-of-pocket repairs. Eligibility criteria include vehicles under 8 years old, with less than 80,000 miles, and policies must be purchased within 90 days of vehicle acquisition from a VAT-registered dealer or leasing broker.   

 

Why Are Tyres More Expensive in 2025?

There are several factors that are contributing to rising costs for tyres. These include:

• Rising raw material costs – The cost of rubber and production materials has significantly increased. It was reported that the raw cost of rubber increased 33% between April and September 2024.

• Inflation and supply chain issues—Brexit, shipping delays, inflation, and rising employer costs are all factors that can drive up tyre prices.

• Poor road surfaces and conditions – Potholes and road debris are causing more frequent tyre damage, increasing the demand for replacements. Whilst this does not necessarily increase the cost of each tyre, it does increase the amount you must spend repairing and replacing them. The problem can be particularly bad in the early months of the year. The car insurer Admiral recently reported that 48% of their pothole-related claims came between January and April in 2024. The BBC also reported that the cost of repairs for pothole damage to vehicles rose to £579 million in 2024.

 

The Average Cost of Tyre Replacement in the UK

As we all know, the cost of a tyre can vary. The tyre brand, size, construction type, and where you buy the tyre can all be factors that contribute to its cost.

However, we have looked at some tyre claims and researched online to provide broad ideas on the cost of a replacement tyre.

Tyre Type	Typical Cost Per Tyre
Standard Tyre	£80 – £300
Run-Flat Tyre	£150 – £400
Premium Performance Tyre	£200 – £500
All-Season & Winter Tyre	£100 – £350
Electric Vehicle Tyre	£150 – £450+

 

Further factors and costs to consider

The average repair bill for your tyres can be affected by many factors and costs.

• Wheel alignment & balancing fees – Typically £50–£100 extra to balance and align your wheels.

• Loss of vehicle use – Delays in getting tyres can mean alternative transport costs and making alternative arrangements for your day-to-day activities. 

• Multiple tyre replacements – If one tyre is damaged, some vehicle manufacturers may advise drivers that the opposite tyre on the axle has to be replaced too. This can double your repair bill.

 

The Hidden Risks of Driving on Damaged Tyres

The result of severe pothole impacts can provide a number of issues. Drivers suffering damage to their tyres may not understand the real cost of tyre damage, which is why UK drivers are paying more than ever.

Additional factors that can come into play include:

• Reduced braking efficiency – A damaged tyre can increase stopping distances and risk accidents, compromising road safety. This can be even more apparent with poor road surfaces due to heavy rain, ice or snow.

• Increased fuel consumption—Poorly maintained or damaged tyres lead to inefficient fuel usage, which is again a hidden consequence that adds to driving costs.

• Potential fines & penalty points—Driving on illegal tyres can result in a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points per tyre. Adding points to your driving license can also impact your annual insurance premium.

 

 

How Tyre Insurance Can Save You Money

Tyre Insurance can help you avoid the costs of unexpected vehicle repairs. It can also help you avoid getting cheaper or part-worn tyres, as the insurance can provide the 'like for like' premium tyre you had when you first bought your car.

• Covers accidental tyre damage, pothole damage, and blowouts.

• Has two claim levels for the maximum cost of a replacement tyre, either up to £150 or £350 per claim.

• Can cover a range of tyre types like run flat, standard, low profile or N-Rated.

• NO Excess per claim (at the time of writing in February 2025)

 

A real life example – How Tyre Insurance Helped James Save £500

• James hit a deep pothole while driving home from work. The damage caused two tyres to need urgent replacement, costing £520 (£260 each). Thankfully, his tyre insurance policy covered the full amount, and he was reimbursed within five days.

   

Who Is Eligible for Tyre Insurance?

Like all insurance products, the tyre protection from Total Loss GAP does come with some eligibility criteria. The key amongst these are:

• Your vehicle must be new to a maximum of 8 years old when purchasing the policy.
• The vehicle must have less than 80,000 miles on the clock at the time of the tyre insurance purchase.
• You must buy the policy within 90 days of purchasing (or leasing) the vehicle from a VAT-registered motor dealer or leasing broker.

 

If your vehicle does not meet these criteria, tyre insurance may not be available to you.

 

Is Tyre Insurance Worth It for You?

The question of whether Tyre Insurance is worth it to you can come with many considerations. 

• Tyre insurance is worth it if:

  • You frequently drive on roads with potholes or rough terrain.

  • You own a vehicle with expensive or high-performance tyres.

  • You want to avoid unexpected repair costs and keep your vehicle roadworthy.

• You may not need tyre insurance if:

  • Your tyres are cheap to replace or rarely get damaged.

  • Your vehicle is over 8 years old or has more than 80,000 miles.

  • Your car finance or lease agreement already includes tyre coverage.

 

FAQ's

1. Can you claim back the cost of pothole damage from your local council or government? - Yes, you can apply to get reimbursed. How easy that is to do is open to question. Which? magazine revealed that only 15% of claims are upheld when a claim is made.

2. Can you claim for tyre damage from your motor insurance policy? - Yes, possibly. However, remember that nearly all motor insurance policies have an excess to pay first. This is the amount you have to contribute to the cost of the claim first, before the motor insurers will pay the rest. In many cases, the cost of minor repairs, like pothole damage, may not be higher than the excess contribution.

3. How much is the average repair bill from pothole damage incidents? - In the same Which report linked above, they stated that the RAC had revealed that the average claim cost was £460.

4. Why are raw material costs so impactful on the cost of a tyre? - Basically, only a handful of materials are used to make a tyre. The four main ones are natural rubber, butadiene, oil, and carbon black. A rise in the costs of any of these components can dramatically impact the cost of producing tyres.

5. Can I claim for more than one tyre in a single claim? - Sort of. Although unlikely, you could damage more than one tyre at a time. However, each new tyre claim or repair would count as a separate claim. If you damage two tyres in one go this would count as two claims.

6. Does tyre insurance cover electric cars? - Yes, indeed tyre insurance could be more important on electric cars. It is reported that electric cars are more likely to suffer tyre damage due to their greater weight compared to a vehicle with a traditional ICE power unit.

7. Can I transfer my tyre insurance policy if I sell my car? - Possibly. We do have the option to transfer the balance of cover to another qualifying vehicle. An example would be where you part exchange your current car for a new one. The new vehicle and the circumstances of the purchase must be eligible for a transfer to be granted.

8. Can I claim for alloy wheel damage under tyre insurance? No, however, you can purchase a combined Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance policy (aka Complete Wheel), which can add cosmetic repair insurance for the alloy wheels to the benefits of a tyre insurance policy.