“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 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 purchase and/or installation. But satisfaction did vary, as reflected in the 40-point difference between the top- and bottom-rated retailers.
Ten name-brand retailers earned Consumer Reports’ recommendation, setting them apart from the competition.
Nineteen retailers, including independent shops and car dealerships, provided a respectable or first-rate experience, while 13 were rated 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 & Auto, 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 have a wide selection. Physical retail stores may be more limited, but they 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.”
Consumer Reports members get full access to ratings for 32 tire retailers—including installation quality, hidden fees, and model availability—and our independent tire test results.
