Tyre invoice charges explained
16th September 2026
Ever received a garage invoice for tyres that contains unexplained charges? Fuzz Townshend breaks down exactly what goes into a tyre invoice and what you’re paying for…
Wheel weights
These are important for balancing your wheels when the new tyres are fitted, to avoid uneven wear, vibration and a smooth rotation.
New valves
Valves have a limited lifespan – the rubber can harden over time, causing them to crack, so it’s most cost effective to replace them at the same time as having new tyres fitted. This ensures an airtight seal, preventing any slow leaks.
TPMS sensor
The tyre valves are connected to the TPMS sensors attached to each tyre, so when replacing the valves, you also want to make sure your sensors are all in working order. If your TPMS sensors don’t need replacing, which is usually the case, the mechanic will recalibrate your old TPMS sensors to the brand new tyres. Although cheaper than complete replacements, this will come with its own charge, showing up on your bill, usually as the labour costs of the job.
Recycling the old tyres
The tyre or tyres that have been replaced will need disposing of, so the cost of this to the garage may be passed onto the customer and listed separately on the invoice. This may be clearly stated as ‘tyre disposal fee’ or ‘environmental charge.’
Check out Fuzz’s video on the most common invoice charges below.
