Last updated: April 2026. Disclosure: This guide is published by Royalty Tire. We've included ourselves and other options to help you make the best decision — not just to promote our shop.
Used tires can save South Jersey drivers 50–70% compared to buying new. But not all used tires — and not all places that sell them — are equal. A great used tire from a shop that inspects its inventory is a solid value. A sketchy used tire from a random online listing is a safety gamble.
This guide covers the realistic options available to drivers in Burlington and Camden Counties, including what to look for before you buy, a comparison of the different sources, and honest notes on the pros and cons of each. We serve Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, Maple Shade, and surrounding communities — so the specifics here are relevant to your area.
How to Inspect Used Tires Before Buying
Before we get to where to buy, you need to know what to look for. Any used tire you purchase — from any source — should pass these checks:
Tread Depth: The 4/32" Rule
The legal minimum tread in New Jersey is 2/32", but that's the floor, not the target. Used tires should have at least 4/32" remaining to give you acceptable wet-weather performance on South Jersey roads. At 2/32" your stopping distance on a wet road increases dramatically. Use a tread depth gauge (under $10 at any auto parts store) or the quarter test: insert a quarter into the groove with Washington's head pointing in — if you can see the top of his head, the tread is at or below 4/32".
DOT Code: Check the Age
Every tire has a DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits tell you the manufacture week and year — for example, "2419" means the 24th week of 2019. Avoid used tires older than 6 years regardless of how much tread remains, because rubber compounds degrade over time in ways that aren't visible. In South Jersey's climate, with hot summers and chemical road treatments in winter, age matters even more.
Sidewall Integrity
Run your hand along the sidewall and look carefully under good lighting. Cracks, cuts, bubbles, or bulges are disqualifying. A bulge or bubble means the internal structure has failed — that tire can blow out without warning. No tread depth reading saves a tire with a compromised sidewall.
Wear Patterns
Uneven wear tells a story. Center wear means the tire was chronically over-inflated. Edge wear means under-inflation. Cupped or scalloped wear suggests suspension or balance issues on the previous vehicle. Feathering indicates alignment problems. All of these conditions mean the tire has been stressed unevenly — even if tread depth looks acceptable, the structural integrity may be compromised.
No Prior Repairs in the Wrong Places
A properly patched puncture in the tread area (not the shoulder, not the sidewall) is generally acceptable. A plug-only repair, a sidewall repair, or multiple repairs close together are not. Reputable used tire shops will disclose repair history — if a seller can't or won't tell you, pass.
Used Tire Cost Comparison by Source
| Source | Typical Price per Tire | Inspection | Installation | Warranty | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local tire shop (inspected) | $40–$90 | Professional | Usually included | 30–90 days typical | Same-day, walk-in |
| Online used tire retailers | $30–$80 + shipping | Seller-described only | Not included (pay separately) | Varies, often none | 2–5 day shipping |
| Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist | $10–$50 | None — you inspect | Not included | None | Varies, often inconvenient |
| Salvage yards / junkyards | $15–$40 | Minimal or none | Not included | None | Limited selection |
1. Royalty Tire — Moorestown, NJ (Our Shop)
Full disclosure: This is our business. We're including ourselves in this roundup because we think we offer a genuinely competitive option for used tires in South Jersey — but you should weigh that context.
Address: 225 Chester Ave, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Phone: 856-600-5085
Hours: Monday–Saturday 8AM–6PM, Sunday 9AM–3PM
Walk-ins: Yes, welcome 7 days a week
We carry 200+ used tires in stock at any given time — one of the largest physical used tire inventories among local independent shops in Burlington and Camden Counties. Every tire we sell has been inspected by our team, which has over 30 years of combined experience. We check tread depth, DOT age, sidewall condition, and prior repair history before a tire goes on our sales floor.
Installation is included with used tire purchases. We mount, balance, and perform a visual check of your vehicle's wheel before we put tires back on. Same-day service for most sizes — if we have your size in stock, you can usually drive in and drive out within an hour.
Strengths: Large local used tire inventory, professional inspection, walk-in convenience, installation included, 7-day availability including Sundays, 30+ years serving Moorestown area.
Honest limitations: Our review count online is still building — we encourage customers to leave reviews but we're not yet at the volume of some established competitors. Prices are competitive but not always the cheapest compared to private sales.
2. Local Independent Tire Shops (General)
South Jersey has a number of independent tire shops beyond Royalty Tire that carry used inventory. The quality varies significantly from shop to shop. When evaluating any used tire shop, ask these questions directly:
- Do you inspect tires before putting them on the floor?
- What's the minimum tread depth you sell?
- Can you show me the DOT code before I commit to buying?
- Do you offer any warranty, even a short-term one?
- Is installation included in the price?
A shop that answers these questions clearly and confidently is usually a shop that takes its inventory seriously. A shop that hedges or can't answer is a shop to approach cautiously.
3. Online Used Tire Retailers (UTires, eBay Motors, etc.)
Services like UTires and eBay Motors listings let you search for specific tire sizes from sellers across the country. The appeal is price — you can sometimes find a matching set cheaper online than locally.
The significant catch: You cannot inspect the tire before it arrives. Photos can hide sidewall damage, uneven wear, and age. The DOT code may be listed or may not be. Shipping adds cost and time (typically 2–5 business days), and you'll need to pay separately for mounting and balancing at a local shop — adding $20–$40 per tire to the total.
If you buy tires online and bring them to us for installation, we'll mount and balance them. We will also do a quick visual check before mounting — and if we see a tire we wouldn't sell ourselves (visible damage, sidewall issues, suspect age), we'll tell you. We'd rather have that conversation than put a bad tire on your car.
Best use case: You need a specific size that's hard to find locally, or you're buying a matching set for a vehicle with an uncommon tire size.
4. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
Private sales are the cheapest option and the highest-risk option. You'll find listings for used tires at $10–$40 each, sometimes for tires that were barely used (someone switched to a different size, or replaced all four after a sidewall hit on one).
The risks are real:
- No professional inspection — you're on your own
- No warranty of any kind
- No installation — you need to get them mounted separately
- Harder to verify accurate tread depth claims or DOT codes without seeing the tire in person
- No recourse if a tire fails shortly after purchase
If you go this route: Bring a tread depth gauge. Inspect sidewalls under good light. Take photos of the DOT code. Meet somewhere you can look at the tires properly. Never buy sight-unseen.
Best use case: Picking up a spare tire for emergencies, or a set for a vehicle you're selling in the next few months and genuinely don't want to invest much in.
5. Salvage Yards and Junkyards
Auto salvage yards (sometimes listed as junkyards or pull-a-part operations) sell tires pulled from totaled or scrap vehicles. Prices are rock-bottom — sometimes $10–$25 each — but selection is random and inspection is essentially nonexistent.
You're buying tires that came off a vehicle that ended up in a salvage yard. The tires themselves may be perfectly fine, or they may have internal damage from the accident that isn't visible. You won't know.
Best use case: Temporary spare only. We'd hesitate to recommend salvage yard tires as primary tires for everyday driving.
6. Seasonal Tire Swap Events
Some communities and auto clubs organize seasonal tire swaps, particularly in spring when drivers switching from winter tires offload their all-season sets. These can yield good deals on tires in excellent condition — often barely used.
The hit-or-miss nature is the main drawback: you need a specific size at the right time, and availability is unpredictable. But if you happen to find your size at a local swap, it's worth inspecting carefully. Apply the same checks you'd use for any used tire purchase.
When to Buy Used Tires — and When Not To
Used tires make sense when:
- You're on a tight budget and need tires quickly
- The vehicle is a secondary car or a teenager's first car that doesn't do heavy highway miles
- You're planning to sell the vehicle within the next year or two
- You need to replace a single tire (a matching used tire can be more cost-effective than buying one new tire at full price)
- You're looking at a used tire from a reputable shop with professional inspection and a short-term warranty
Used tires are not the right call when:
- The vehicle is your primary family car, used for highway commuting with passengers
- You drive frequently in heavy rain or have safety concerns about wet-weather traction
- You can't verify the tread depth, age, or inspection history of the tire
- The "deal" is from an unverifiable source with no recourse
- The tires are for an all-wheel-drive vehicle where mismatched tread depths can damage the drivetrain
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Tires
Are used tires safe?
Yes — when they meet proper safety standards. A used tire with 6/32" tread, a manufacture date within the last 4–5 years, no sidewall damage, and a clean inspection history is a safe tire. The risk comes from used tires that don't meet those standards. This is why where you buy matters: a professional inspection at a reputable shop removes most of the guesswork. A tire bought from an unknown private seller with no inspection is a different proposition entirely.
How long do used tires last?
It depends on the remaining tread depth and the tire's age at the time of purchase. A used tire with 6/32" remaining and a 3-year-old manufacture date might give you another 20,000–35,000 miles under normal driving conditions. A tire with 4/32" and a 5-year-old date might give you 10,000–15,000 miles. These are estimates — actual lifespan depends on your driving habits, tire pressure maintenance, and road conditions. South Jersey's warm summers will age rubber faster than milder climates.
Can I bring my own used tires to Royalty Tire for mounting?
Yes. We'll mount and balance tires you purchased elsewhere. We charge a standard mounting and balancing fee per tire. As noted above, we'll do a quick visual inspection before mounting — if we see something concerning, we'll let you know before we put it on your car.
What's the difference between a plug repair and a patch repair?
A plug is inserted from outside the tire without dismounting it — it's a quick fix but not a permanent one. A patch is applied from inside the tire after dismounting, providing a more reliable seal. The industry standard for a proper repair is a patch-plug combination applied from the inside after inspection. We only perform proper patch repairs at Royalty Tire — not plug-only repairs — because a plug alone in a tread puncture isn't a permanent solution and we won't do half measures on something that affects your safety.
How do I find my tire size?
Your tire size is printed on the sidewall of your current tire — it looks something like "225/60R16." You can also find it on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb or in your owner's manual. When you call or visit us, having that number ready speeds up the process of finding a matching used tire in our inventory.
Visit Royalty Tire for Used Tire Help
If you're in South Jersey and weighing your used tire options, we're happy to walk you through our current inventory and let you see the tires before you commit. No pressure — if we don't have the right tire for your needs, we'll tell you. Our goal is to earn your business by being straight with you, not by talking you into something that isn't right.
Walk in at 225 Chester Ave, Moorestown, NJ 08057 or call us at 856-600-5085. We're open 7 days a week, including Sundays 9AM–3PM.
