Fleet & maintenance
Reducing tyre costs and avoidable courier breakdowns
A tyre-management routine covering pressure, wear, alignment, damage and replacement decisions.
In brief
What an operator should know.
Tyres affect safety, fuel, downtime and service. The cheapest purchase price rarely identifies the lowest whole-life tyre cost.
Build tyres into normal operations
Drivers should look for pressure loss, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, sidewall damage and uneven wear. Use an accurate gauge and the vehicle or tyre manufacturer's specification for the operating condition.
- Check visible condition before use
- Measure during planned maintenance
- Forecast replacements before critical routes
Treat unusual wear as evidence
Shoulder wear, one-sided wear or rapid loss can indicate pressure, alignment, suspension, loading or route conditions. Replacing the tyre without correcting the cause repeats the cost. Map damage by route and customer site.
- Record removal reason
- Check alignment after relevant damage
- Brief drivers on repeated site hazards
Buy on whole-life value
Compare suitable tyres on expected life, wet performance, availability, warranty and downtime as well as price. Standard approved specifications can simplify stock and emergency replacement. Never keep an unsafe tyre in service to reach a target date.
- Approve specifications by vehicle class
- Include callout and availability
- Use warranty evidence
Practical action plan
What to do next.
- 01Create a tyre register
Record fitment, mileage, tread, damage and removal reason.
- 02Set pressure ownership
Provide equipment, correct values and checking frequency.
- 03Investigate early removal
Code every replacement by cause.
- 04Review suppliers
Compare availability, warranty, callout and whole-life performance.
Operator measures
Figures worth monitoring.
Compare spend across similar vehicles and work.
Counts tyres removed before expected life.
Shows vehicle hours lost to tyre events.
Source notes
Guidance used for this article.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency — Guide to maintaining roadworthiness.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency — Commercial vehicle tyre defects and damage guidance, 2026.
- GOV.UK — Making sure a commercial vehicle is roadworthy.
Sources are cited by name without external links. This article provides general operational guidance and does not replace legal, HR, tax or safety advice for a specific situation.
Direct answers
Common questions.
Can tyre pressure be checked visually?
No. Visual checks identify obvious damage, but an accurate gauge is needed for pressure.
Why do vans suffer uneven wear?
Possible causes include pressure, alignment, suspension, loading, kerb contact and route conditions.
Is the lowest-price tyre the cheapest option?
Not necessarily. Consider safe suitability, life, fuel effect, availability, warranty and downtime.