Tires tell you how a car was driven and maintained. We check tread, age, and wear patterns before you buy.
Tires are a budget item and a clue.
A new set of tires can cost hundreds of dollars, and on some performance and luxury cars much more. Tire wear also points to other problems: uneven wear can mean bad alignment, worn suspension, or a bent part. We check all four tires and the spare, plus the wheels, so you know what you’ll need to spend.
Tip: Florida heat ages rubber. Tires can look fine and still be too old to trust, so we check the date code on every tire.
How We Check It
1. Measure the tread
Tread depth on each tire, across the inside, center, and outside.
2. Read the date codes
Every tire has a four-digit code that shows the week and year it was made.
3. Look at wear patterns
Edge wear, center wear, cupping, and feathering point to alignment, air pressure, or suspension problems.
4. Check the wheels
Bends, cracks, curb damage, and missing or mismatched lug nuts and locks.
What We Check on Tires and Wheels
Every inspection includes all four tires, the wheels, and the spare where the car has one.
- Tread depth on all four tires
- Tire age from the DOT date code
- Matching brands and sizes
- Uneven or irregular wear
- Sidewall cracks, bulges, and cuts
- Patches and plugs, where visible
- Spare tire and jack, where equipped
- Tire pressure warning light
- Bent or cracked wheels
- Curb rash and corrosion
- Lug nuts and the wheel lock key
- Vibration on the test drive
Warning signs you can spot yourself
- Tread at or near the wear bars
- Different tire brands on the same axle
- Cracks in the sidewalls
- Inside edges worn more than outside
- Tire pressure light on
Red flags that mean slow down
- A bulge in a sidewall
- Tires that are many years old, even with good tread
- Cupped or scalloped tread
- A bent wheel
- No wheel lock key
Inspection Pricing
This check is part of every PPI Mechanic inspection. Pricing is flat: $199 for cars, SUVs, and trucks, $279 for luxury and sports cars, and $399 for exotic and collector cars. We confirm the price before you book. See pricing.
Why Tampa Buyers Choose PPI Mechanic
A mechanic comes to the car, checks it before you pay, and tells you what they found in plain language.
- Based in Tampa, serving Tampa Bay
- We come to the car: dealership, private seller, or auction lot
- We don’t sell cars, so our opinion is independent
- Flat prices: $199, $279, or $399
- Findings you can use to negotiate or walk away
- Book online in a couple of minutes
Tires & Wheels FAQ
How do I read a tire’s age?
Find the DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits are the week and year it was made. For example, 2321 means the 23rd week of 2021.
What tread depth is too low?
2/32 of an inch is the common minimum, and the tread wear bars show it. For wet Florida roads, many experts recommend replacing tires well before that.
Does uneven wear mean something is wrong?
Often. It can point to alignment, air pressure, or worn suspension parts. We check those as part of the inspection.
Do you check the spare?
Yes, where the car has one, along with the jack and tools if they’re there.
Where do you inspect the car?
Wherever the car is in Tampa Bay: at the dealership, the seller’s home, or an auction lot. The seller needs to agree to the inspection.
How much does an inspection cost?
$199 for cars, SUVs, and trucks, $279 for luxury and sports cars, and $399 for exotic and collector cars. We confirm the price before you book.
Know what the tires will cost you.
Book online in a couple of minutes. Tell us the year, make, and model and where the car is, and we confirm the inspection with you.
Serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, and the rest of Tampa Bay. See all service areas.