"Sell used tyres" is searched about 50 times a month in Australia, according to Ubersuggest, with "where to sell used tyres", "can you sell used tyres" and "how to sell used tyres" about 10 each. The terms are small and cheap to advertise on, about A$4 a click. Rims and wheels have almost no direct searches, but the same people ask. A set of tyres can be sold whole, kept as a spare or sent for recycling, and alloy wheels are worth something even when the tyres are not. This guide covers what makes a tyre sellable, what to do with the ones that are not and how to sell wheels. It is part of our guide to selling an old, broken or unwanted car or its parts. There are no prices below because we could not find a trustworthy source. ScrapTrade is a scrap marketplace with its own interest in this trade.
Can you sell used tyres?
Yes. Retailers say it is not illegal to sell part-worn tyres in Australia, provided they meet the standards, and tyre sellers refer to the national design rule for tyres, ADR 23. The practical test is condition. Transport Victoria's tyre standard sets a minimum tread depth of 1.5 mm in the principal grooves, except at the tread wear indicators. Many online sources say 1.6 mm, which appears to be an outdated or European figure. It also says tyres with tread or casing separation, exposed bead wires, or cracks or cuts that reach the fabric should not be repaired. Safety experts quoted by retailers suggest replacing tyres well before the legal limit, around 3 mm for wet weather. We are not lawyers or tyre fitters, so check the rule for your state and have a fitter inspect anything you plan to sell.
Step 1: Check each tyre
Measure the tread in several places, look at the sidewalls for bulges, cuts and cracking, and check the date code. Do not sell a tyre you would not fit to your own car. Set aside tyres that are below the limit, damaged or very old, because they belong in recycling, not in a listing. Describe the rest by size, brand, tread depth and age.
Step 2: Separate tyres from rims
A tyre and a rim are different sales. A good tyre on a good rim is a wheel set that a buyer can bolt on. A worn tyre on a good rim is a rim with a recycling cost attached. An alloy rim has a scrap value of its own. See Where an Old Alloy Wheel Goes After You Scrap It for how rims are recycled, and note that scrap buyers often ask for tyres to be removed. Photograph each rim, note the size, bolt pattern and offset if you know them, and list kerb damage.
What happens to the ones you cannot sell
Australia generated about 537,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres, or about 67 million equivalent passenger units, in 2023-24, according to Tyre Stewardship Australia figures as summarised in search results. About 34 percent, 184,000 tonnes, was not recovered, a category that includes landfill, burial, stockpiles and illegal dumping. The recovery rate has fallen in recent years, and older figures such as 56 million units are outdated. The sources use different measures, so treat the numbers as a guide. The practical point is to take worn tyres to a retailer or collector that takes them through the stewardship scheme, and not to a dump or a burn pile. Tyres are also bulky and often carry a fee for disposal, so ask first. For what happens afterwards, see Rubber and Tyre Scrap Trading.
Where to sell
- To a consumer. Online classifieds and local groups suit sets of good tyres. Be ready to give size, tread depth and age.
- To a tyre shop or wrecker. Some buy used sets and wheels. Ask what condition they want.
- To a scrap yard. For alloy rims. Yards generally want tyres removed, and some pay by weight.
- To a recycler. For worn tyres, usually at a cost.
Where ScrapTrade fits
Single tyres rarely justify a trade listing. The case is lots: a tyre shop with a stack of removed alloy wheels, a wrecker with a yard of rims, a fleet changing a whole set across vehicles, or a retailer with surplus stock. Alloys sell as scrap metal, and clean, sorted, tyre-free wheels are easier to describe and price. Free listing, no commission, and verified traders from over 50 countries make up the buyer pool. You post photos and a count, add weights or sizes, negotiate in real time and agree collection or shipping terms. The buyer's 5 percent deposit goes into escrow when a bid is accepted. Verified businesses and individuals can sell. We could not confirm how many ScrapTrade buyers want rims or used tyres, so ask cs@scraptrade.com.au before you plan a large lot.
What we could not verify
- What used tyres, rims and wheels sell for. We found no reliable price source.
- The current tread depth rule in every state. We relied on Transport Victoria's standard as summarised in search results.
- Tyre Stewardship Australia's latest figures. We relied on search summaries and the measures differ.
- How many ScrapTrade buyers want these items.
- ScrapTrade's verification steps. Ask support at cs@scraptrade.com.au.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to sell used tyres in Australia?
Yes, if they meet the standards. Transport Victoria's minimum tread depth is 1.5 mm in the principal grooves.
What tread depth should I sell at?
Above the legal minimum, and ideally with enough tread that a fitter would be happy to use them. Say the depth in the listing.
Are old alloy rims worth selling?
They have scrap value even when the tyres are worn. Remove the tyres first.
What do I do with worn-out tyres?
Take them to a retailer or collector that recycles them. Do not dump or burn them.
Sources
- Ubersuggest keyword data for Australia, queried November 2026.
- Transport Victoria, "Tyre maintenance and repair", as summarised in search results.
- Tyre Stewardship Australia and Productivity Commission figures on end-of-life tyres, as summarised in search results.
- Tyre retailer pages on second-hand tyres, as summarised in search results.
- ScrapTrade website, accessed November 2026.
This is general information, not safety or legal advice. Have a qualified fitter inspect any tyre before it is sold or fitted. ScrapTrade has a stake in scrap trading.