Tire-fitting prices vary by up to 22,475 kroner

Tire fitting for passenger cars can cost as much as 22,475 kroner more at one tyre shop than another, according to a survey by the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ), reported by mbl.is. The biggest difference was for 22-inch rims, with prices ranging from 13,900 to 36,375 kroner. The most expensive service was 161.7% more than the cheapest.

ASÍ surveyed 29 businesses in 10 locations around the country from October 13 to 26, recording more than 1,000 prices for tire fitting and wheel changes across different vehicle and rim sizes.

For passenger cars with 14- to 16-inch rims, prices ranged from 10,990 kroner at Fastparts in Hafnarfjörður to 16,990 kroner at N1, a difference of 6,000 kroner, or 54.6%. For 17-inch rims, the lowest price was 12,900 kroner at Bílaverkstæðið No22 in Reykjavík. The highest was 19,990 kroner at N1, Betridekk and Klettur.

For larger rims, the lowest price in the survey was 13,900 kroner at Pitstop in Selfoss, which listed the same price for passenger-car tire fitting regardless of tyre size. The highest price for 20-inch rims was 31,760 kroner at Dekkjahöllin, while MAX1 Bílavaktin charged the highest price for 22-inch rims, at 36,375 kroner.

For a household with two passenger cars on 16-inch rims, choosing the most expensive rather than the cheapest provider could add 12,000 kroner to the cost of one round of tire fitting. If both cars are serviced twice a year, the difference would total 24,000 kroner at current prices.

Prices also varied considerably for crossovers and jeeps. For an unmodified jeep or crossover with 16-inch rims, the cheapest price was 10,990 kroner at Fastparts and the highest was 19,990 kroner at Betridekk, a difference of almost 82%. For 20-inch rims, prices ranged from 15,490 kroner at MN Bílaverkstæði to 31,760 kroner at Dekkjahöllin, a 105% difference.

Fitting tyres on a modified jeep with 35-inch tyres cost at least 20,490 kroner at MN Bílaverkstæði. The highest listed price was 29,990 kroner at N1 and Klettur.

The survey also found that having separate sets of summer and winter wheels can reduce costs, since changing complete wheels is cheaper than fitting tyres onto rims each time. A wheel change including balancing cost 9,990 to 12,490 kroner for passenger cars with 16-inch rims, and 10,490 to 14,490 kroner for 17-inch rims.

At BL Hraðþjónusta, MN Bílaverkstæði and N1, wheel changes for these rim sizes were 5,000 to 7,000 kroner cheaper than tire fitting. With two changes a year, the saving could be 10,000 to 14,000 kroner per car. ASÍ noted that the cost of buying an extra set of rims, storage and maintenance should also be considered.

The survey compared listed prices and did not include conditional discounts. Dekkjahöllin offers a 12% discount when customers buy tyres, while MAX1 offers 15% off tire fitting when four tyres are purchased. Prices may also depend on whether rims are aluminium or steel and whether extra charges apply for low-profile tyres or larger vehicles. Balancing was included in all the tire-fitting prices compared.