Last updated: 14 September 2026
This page explains what is covered when you buy tyres or alloy rims from City Wheels, or have work done in our workshop. The short version: manufacturing defects are covered by the manufacturer and we handle the claim for you; our own fitting and repair work is guaranteed by us; and damage from the road is not a defect.
Manufacturer warranty on new tyres and rims
New tyres and new alloy rims carry the warranty provided by their manufacturer. Terms differ between brands and between product lines, so ask us for the specific terms of the product you are buying before you pay — we will tell you what applies.
A manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials or manufacture: for example tread separation, a bulge that is not the result of an impact, or a casting flaw in a rim. If you believe a product has a defect, bring it to us with your receipt. We inspect it, and where it appears to be a genuine defect we submit the claim to the manufacturer or distributor on your behalf. The final decision on a manufacturer claim rests with the manufacturer.
Used tyres
Used tyres are sold as inspected, with the tread depth and DOT manufacture date stated at the point of sale. They do not carry a manufacturer warranty. We inspect every used tyre inside and out before selling it, and we do not sell tyres that have been run flat, badly repaired or show internal damage. If a used tyre fails to hold pressure shortly after fitting because of a fault we should have found, bring it back and we will make it right.
Our workmanship guarantee
We stand behind the work our workshop does. If something we did was not done correctly, we fix it at no charge. That includes:
- Tyres fitted by us that lose pressure because of how they were mounted, sealed or valved.
- Wheels balanced by us that develop a vibration traceable to the balancing.
- Puncture repairs by us that leak from the repair itself.
- An alignment by us where the steering still pulls under normal driving and the readings show our settings are out.
Please come back to us first rather than having another workshop redo the work — once someone else has disturbed it, we can no longer see what went wrong.
What is not covered
- Damage from potholes, kerbs, road debris, nails, glass or accidents — this is road damage, not a defect.
- Wear from under- or over-inflation, overloading, or running a tyre flat.
- Uneven wear caused by worn suspension or steering components, or by alignment that has since been knocked out.
- Tyres or rims fitted, repaired or modified by another workshop.
- Use outside the product's load index or speed rating, racing, or off-road use of road tyres.
- Cosmetic marks on rims from normal use, cleaning chemicals, or tyre changes elsewhere.
- Normal tread wear.
How to make a claim
- Stop driving on a tyre that is bulging, vibrating badly or losing pressure quickly.
- Bring the tyre or wheel — ideally still on the car — and your receipt or order number to our shop.
- We inspect it with you and explain what we find.
- Workmanship issues are fixed on the spot. Manufacturer claims are submitted by us, and we keep you updated.
Questions before you buy? Call 0333 3996060 or read our returns policy.