Mobile tyre fitting flips the usual trip on its head: instead of taking the car to the tyres, the tyres and the fitter come to the car. For a lot of drivers it has quietly become the easiest way to get tyres changed.
How it works
The process is simple:
- Order the tyres and choose mobile fitting
- Pick a location and time, home, work, or a safe roadside spot
- A van and fitter arrive with the tyres and equipment
- They fit and balance on site and take the old tyres away
Everything that happens at a garage happens on the driveway instead. Tyres.co.uk runs a mobile fitting service of exactly this kind, bringing the tyres and a fitter to a chosen address or the roadside, which is what makes buying online a genuine alternative to a garage visit rather than just a delivery.
What's included
A mobile fit usually covers the same as a garage one:
- Delivery of the tyres
- Fitting to the wheels
- Balancing so the wheels run smooth
- A new valve and disposal of the old tyres
It is always worth confirming the inclusions when booking, so the price is clear and nothing is a surprise.
What it costs
Mobile fitting is sometimes a little dearer than a garage, to cover the fitter travelling to the car, though often it is comparable. Weighed against not waiting at a garage, or not driving on a tyre that should not be driven on, the small premium, where there is one, is easily justified for many drivers.
When it makes most sense
Mobile fitting is the obvious choice in a few situations:
- A car with no spare and a flat that cannot be driven to a garage
- Busy people who would rather it happened at home or work
- A roadside flat in a safe, accessible spot
- Anyone who simply values the convenience
The main requirement is a safe, level, accessible space for the van and the work. A tight street or an unsafe roadside may not suit, but a driveway or parking space is ideal.
Check the location before booking
Give the fitter an accurate postcode and describe the parking arrangement. A level, firm surface with space around the car is different from a narrow roadside bay or sloping driveway. Access restrictions, vehicle height limits and workplace permissions can also matter. The operator should confirm whether the location is suitable rather than expecting you to make a safety judgement about its equipment.
Scheduled fitting and roadside recovery are different
A mobile service booked for tomorrow is not necessarily an emergency breakdown service. If the car is stranded in a live traffic lane or another dangerous position, follow the appropriate breakdown procedure and contact assistance. Do not assume a routine mobile fitting van can work safely beside fast-moving traffic.
Confirm the job the van can complete
Tell the operator the full tyre size, whether it is run-flat, and whether the wheel has TPMS. Mention damaged wheels or a missing locking-wheel-nut key in advance. Ask about fitting, balancing, valve service, disposal, call-out charges and cancellation if the site proves unsuitable. Wheel alignment is not automatically included or available from a mobile van, so arrange that separately when required.
Common questions
How does mobile tyre fitting work?+
You order the tyres and choose mobile fitting, then a van and fitter come to your home, workplace or the roadside at a booked time. They fit and balance the new tyres on the spot and take the old ones away, so the car never has to visit a garage.
What is included in mobile tyre fitting?+
Usually the delivery of the tyres, fitting, wheel balancing, a new valve and disposal of the old tyres, the same as a garage fit, just at your location. It is worth confirming the inclusions when booking so the price is clear.
Is mobile tyre fitting more expensive?+
Sometimes a little, to cover the fitter coming to you, though often it is comparable. For the convenience of not waiting at a garage, or for a car that cannot safely be driven, many drivers find the small premium, if any, well worth it.
Do I need anything for a mobile fitter to come?+
A safe, level and accessible space for the van and the work, a driveway, a parking space or a hard shoulder in a safe spot. The fitter needs room to jack the car and use their equipment, so a tight or unsafe location may not be suitable.