“Most places will do at least an adequate quality installation and have at least acceptable sales help, which were the attributes that contributed the most to overall satisfaction,” says Tess Yanisch, a senior research associate at CR. “But if you really care about selection, the time it takes to install the tires, or the free perks a retailer might offer, the ratings table can help you identify the brands you want.”
Most shoppers were very or extremely satisfied with their last tire purchasing and/or installation experience. But satisfaction did vary, as reflected in the 40-point difference between the top- and bottom-rated retailer.
More than 1 in 5 respondents bought from an independent tire shop. They seem to know something: Independent shops ranked second only to Les Schwab Tire Centers, a 15-state regional chain that routinely tops our tire retailer ratings.
Nineteen retailers, including independent shops and dealerships, provided a respectable or first-rate experience, leaving 13 retailers rated as adequate. The lowest-ranked retailers were Mavis Discount Tire, Pep Boys, and Walmart Auto Care Centers—the same stores and ranking order as found in our previous survey.
At 70 points, car dealerships earned a strong Overall Score, making them a solid and convenient choice for many car owners.
When it comes to free perks, Costco, Dunn Tire, Les Schwab, and Sam’s Club stood out for top or near-top marks. Many retailers received low ratings for free perks.
“The tire buying experience looks quite positive for most shoppers, based on our latest member survey,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, Consumer Reports’ tire program manager. “But there are substantial differences in facets of the shopping experience that may drive customers to favor certain retailers. For instance, online retailers offer a wide selection, while physical retail stores may be more limited but may be able to get what you want if you can wait.”
Looking at the rating details, there are further distinctions, with notable variations in selections, installation time, and waiting area. Based on the ratings for model selection, and experience buying about 400 tires a year for testing, our tire experts recommend calling ahead or ordering tires online to save time.
“Most tire shops can get the model and size you need rather quickly,” says Gordon Gingras, a tire technician at Consumer Reports. “Unless you need to immediately replace a flat, build a little time into your buying process. This gives you that option to choose a highly satisfying tire shop with good prices and perks, like free tire rotation, rather than buying from the retailer that happens to have the tire in stock.”
