A tyre quote can look reasonable and still be padded. The trick is knowing what a fair fitted price for four tyres should contain, then spotting the mark-ups, the “mandatory” extras and the sticker-price bait that push it higher. Here’s how to sanity-check any Australian tyre quote before you hand over your card.

How can you tell if a tyre quote is overpriced?

There’s no single “correct” price for a tyre — brand, size, store and current deals all move it. But every fair quote is built from the same parts, so an overpriced one shows itself in how those parts are presented. Start by knowing what you’re actually paying for.

What a fair fitted quote contains

The number that matters is the fitted out-the-door price for four, not the price of one tyre. As covered in what’s included in a fitting price and our breakdown of fitting, balancing and valve costs, a fair quote covers:

• The tyre itself (four of them)
• Mounting and balancing — as a guide, ~$25–45 a tyre in 2026
• A new rubber valve per wheel (usually included)
• The disposal levy for your old tyres — ~$1–5 a tyre

Wheel alignment (typically $60–120) is a separate service, not part of fitting. Nitrogen fill, metal or TPMS valves and road-hazard warranties are optional add-ons. Once you know that, the red flags are easy to see.

The red flags of an overpriced quote

1. The tyre is charged at full RRP

Recommended retail is a ceiling, not the going rate. Most stores sell well under RRP, and online marketplaces can be 30–40% below it. If a quote prices the tyre at or above RRP with no discount, that’s your first flag — and grounds to ask for a keener number.

2. Alignment is bundled in as if it’s compulsory

A wheel alignment is often a good idea with new tyres, but it is not mandatory and it is a separate charge. If it appears baked into the “tyre price” with no option to decline, the quote is inflated. Ask for it as a line item you can accept or refuse.

3. “From $X” that doesn’t survive contact with your car

Advertised “from $89 fitted” prices are almost always the smallest size in the range, tyre-only or before some labour. The real total for your size, fitted, can be $100–180 more across four. Always ask, “What’s the out-the-door total for four, on my car?” A quote that dodges that question is hiding something.

4. Add-ons you never asked for

Nitrogen fill, premium valves, “tyre protection” plans and road-hazard warranties can all be worthwhile — but only if you chose them. Slipped onto a quote by default, they pad the total. Scan every line and query anything you didn’t request. See our list of hidden fees to watch for.

5. Vague, un-itemised totals

Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses must show a single total price that includes unavoidable charges (the ACCC sets out these single-price rules). A quote that’s one lump sum with no breakdown makes padding impossible to spot. Ask for it itemised — a fair store will hand it over without fuss.

What “overpriced” looks like on paper

Line on the quote	Fair	Red flag
Tyre price	Discounted below RRP	At or above RRP
Fitting + balancing	~$25–45/tyre, itemised	Unstated or inflated
Alignment	Optional line, ~$60–120	Bundled as compulsory
Valves	Rubber valves included	Premium valves added by default
Nitrogen / protection plan	Offered, you choose	Added without asking
Total	Single fitted price for four	Vague lump sum, no breakdown

How to sanity-check the number

Get a second fitted quote. One genuine written quote from a competitor is your strongest tool. Many chains run a price guarantee — Bob Jane T-Marts, for example, will match a like-for-like local quote and pay 10% of the difference (see Bob Jane T-Marts), while mycar runs a Tyre Price Beat on the fitted price. A quote that can’t or won’t get near a legitimate competitor’s is overpriced for that store.

Compare on the fitted total for four, not the sticker. Then take it one step further and think in cost per kilometre — a slightly dearer tyre that lasts far longer can be the cheaper buy, as our cheapest-quote guide explains.

Negotiate on value. If a store won’t move on price, ask them to include the alignment, valves or future rotations instead. Our negotiation guide walks through exactly how.

When a higher quote is fair, not a rip-off

A dearer quote isn’t automatically padded. A premium tyre, a large 4WD or low-profile size, a full-service store that does more thorough work, or a regional shop with higher freight can all cost legitimately more. What makes a quote overpriced is padding and opacity — RRP mark-ups, compulsory-looking bundles, unrequested add-ons and totals you can’t break down — not simply a bigger number. Don’t chase the lowest sticker at the expense of the wrong tyre; never drop below your car’s placard load rating, speed rating or the 1.5 mm tread floor to save a few dollars.

Bottom line: An overpriced tyre quote reveals itself in the presentation — full-RRP tyres, alignment bundled as if compulsory, “from $X” bait and add-ons you never asked for. Demand an itemised fitted price for four, hold it up against a competitor’s quote and any price-beat guarantee, and judge the tyre on cost per kilometre. A fair store will happily show its working.

Frequently asked questions

Is a tyre quote overpriced if it’s above RRP?

Almost certainly. Recommended retail is the maximum, and most stores discount below it while online sellers can be 30–40% under. A tyre charged at or above RRP is a clear sign to ask for a better price or shop elsewhere.

Should wheel alignment be included in a tyre price?

No. Alignment (typically $60–120 as a 2026 guide) is a separate service. It’s often worth doing with new tyres, but it should appear as an optional line item you can accept or decline, not be bundled in as compulsory.

How do I check a quote is fair?

Ask for the itemised fitted out-the-door price for four tyres, get one genuine written quote from a competitor, and use a store’s price-beat guarantee to test it. Then compare on the fitted total and on cost per kilometre, not the single-tyre sticker.

Are nitrogen and tyre protection plans a rip-off?

Not necessarily — they can add value for some drivers. They’re only a problem when they’re added to a quote without you asking. Query any line item you didn’t request and decide whether it’s worth it for you.

All prices here are 2026 guides only and vary by tyre, size, vehicle and store — confirm the current fitted total with your retailer.