Buying Tyres Online in the UAE: A Checklist Before You Pay

Why buy tyres online

Buying online lets you compare brands and prices for your exact size without visiting several shops. In the UAE, many sellers also offer fitting at your home or office, which saves a trip to an industrial area.

The risk is that two listings that look the same are not. A different load index, an older production date or a price that excludes fitting can make the cheaper option worse value. This checklist helps you compare like with like.

At 800 Motor you can order online or by WhatsApp and choose where the tyres are fitted. Either way, the full fitted price and production date are confirmed before you pay.

Step 1: get the size and ratings exactly right

Copy the full marking from the sidewall of your current tyres, for example 235/45 R18 98W XL. The numbers after the size are the load index and speed rating. Check the door placard too, in case the car was fitted with non-standard tyres before you owned it.

If front and rear sizes differ, record both. If the car needs run-flat tyres or a maker marking such as a star for BMW or MO for Mercedes-Benz, note that as well. Our tyre size guide shows what each part of the code means.

• Width, profile and wheel diameter.
• Load index and speed rating (do not go lower than original).
• XL, run-flat or manufacturer marking.
• Front and rear sizes if different.

Further reading: Michelin Middle East: tyre markings explained

Step 2: check brand, model and production date

Brands make several ranges, from budget to high performance. Compare the full model name, not just the brand. A listing for "Hankook 205/55R16" could be any of several Hankook ranges with different purposes, so ask which one. Value-premium brands such as Hankook often have quite different comfort and sport ranges in the same size.

Ask for the production date (the four-digit DOT code) before you pay. In the UAE, fitters commonly replace tyres at about five years from that date, so a tyre that has sat in storage for a long time has less useful life. We state the production date with our quotes.

Step 3: understand what the price includes

The tyre price is only part of the total. Ask for an itemised fitted price so you can compare sellers fairly.

A lower tyre price with separate charges for fitting, balancing and valves can end up costing more than an all-in quote. Put the totals side by side for the same tyre model and quantity before deciding.

Step 4: choose delivery or fitting

Some sellers only deliver the tyres, leaving you to find a fitter. Others fit them at a partner centre or send a mobile van. Fitting at home or the office is convenient, but check the area is suitable: the technician needs safe, level space next to the car.

With 800 Motor you can choose fitting at your home or office or at a partner centre across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ajman. See buy tyres online in Dubai for how ordering works and our mobile tyre service for home fitting.

Step 5: warranty, payment and returns

Tyre makers cover manufacturing defects; the terms vary by brand and country. Ask who handles a warranty claim and what proof you need, and keep the invoice with the tyre model and DOT code on it.

Pay through a secure checkout or a payment method with buyer protection. Read the cancellation and return terms before paying, especially for tyres ordered specially for your size. The UAE government’s consumer protection guidance explains your general rights when buying goods.

Further reading: UAE Government: consumer protection

Red flags in online tyre listings

Most online tyre sellers are straightforward, but a few warning signs suggest you should ask more questions before paying.

• No model name, only a brand and size.
• No production date given, or a refusal to state it.
• A price far below every other seller for the same model.
• No clear statement of what fitting includes.
• No physical address, phone number or VAT details.
• Listings that describe tyres as "new" without saying they are unused and unrepaired.

Final check on fitting day

When the tyres arrive, check before they go on the car.

1. Size and ratings on the sidewall match the order.
2. Brand and model are the ones you paid for.
3. DOT date is as quoted.
4. Directional tyres are fitted the right way round.
5. Pressures are set to the placard and wheel nuts are torqued.

Further reading: Michelin Middle East: prepare your visit to the tyre shop