How Long Does a Tyre Change Take at Kwik Fit?

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, efficiently changing your tyres is one of the most crucial tasks to ensure safety and performance on the road. Properly maintained tyres are essential for a safer driving experience, as they play a key role in connecting your vehicle to the road and ensuring a smooth ride.

You may understand how important it is for your tyres to be changed, but may still be wondering how long it actually takes to change a tyre at Kwik Fit? Although the answer can vary depending on the exact service, and any other requirements, we understand that time is precious. That's why we focus on delivering a fast, efficient service while ensuring our experts perform each task to the highest standard, prioritising both quality and safety.

Read on and we'll walk you through the factors that can influence the time it takes to change your tyres, and what you can expect during your visit.

Factors that influence tyre change time

When it comes to fitting a new tyre, there are several factors that can affect how long it takes. While tyre fittings are typically efficient, specific conditions may extend the process. Depending on the condition of the vehicle, and even the type of wheel and tools available, each aspect plays a role in determining the overall time needed. At Kwik Fit, we pride ourselves on having experts fit for the job. We understand how valuable your time is, whilst ensuring safety on the road is at the forefront of our experts minds.

Below are some of the key factors that can influence the time it takes to change a tyre at your local Kwik Fit centre.

Age of the vehicle & last maintenance

Older vehicles, or those that haven’t had their tyres removed in a while, may encounter issues with wheels becoming stuck due to rust or corrosion. When a tyre hasn’t been replaced in a while, it can become difficult to remove due to the wheel bonding to the hub. This is particularly common in older vehicles or even cars exposed to harsher weather conditions than usually experienced in the UK. Removing a stuck wheel requires extra time and effort, potentially delaying the overall tyre change. Equally, if your vehicle and wheels/hub are heavily corroded, and haven’t been cleaned for a while, this can pose more issues and result in a longer tyre removal process, as extra time will be needed to clean and prepare the components for proper fitting./p>

Wheel hub condition

If there is heavy corrosion or rust present on the wheel hub, removing the wheel becomes much more challenging than if it was kept clean. The cleaning process takes an extra 5-10 minutes on top of the tyre removal, so is something to consider prior to getting your tyres changed.

Other factors that also have an impact on the time it takes include:

• Larger Wheel Sizes – Wheels 20 inches and above are heavier and take more time to handle.
• New Alloy Wheels – High-performance cars with newer alloy wheels may require careful, longer handling.

Availability of equipment

The equipment available at each centre also plays a significant role in determining how fast a tyre change can be completed. If there is already a vehicle on a ramp it may take longer, or a wheel-free lift, allows for quicker access and tyre removal. However, if the vehicle is being serviced on the floor, the job may take longer. The use of advanced equipment can streamline the process, but when limited, it naturally extends the time required.

Inspection time

At Kwik Fit, a tyre change also includes a full inspection to ensure both the new tyres and the vehicle’s overall condition are satisfactory. If the technician needs to inspect the spare tyre in the boot, it can add extra time to the job, especially if the spare is located in a hard-to-reach area. For instance, if the car boot is full of belongings, the technician may need extra time to access and check the spare tyre.

How long does a Kwik Fit tyre change take?

When it comes to the time it takes to change or fit a new tyre at Kwik Fit, we know there are a number of factors that can have an impact. While we always strive for efficiency, we know that the condition and type of tyre can have a significant effect on the time it takes, as well as any other additional services that may be required. On average, a tyre change at Kwik Fit takes our expert technicians around 20-30 minutes per tyre to complete, however, if you're having all four tyres replaced, the process tends to be quicker per tyre, with the total time typically falling between 45-60 minutes.

For customers in a rush, Kwik Fit also offers express tyre-fitting services at many locations, ensuring a swift turnaround while maintaining our high standards. To book your express tyre-fitting slot, visit our website and book online.

What to expect during a tyre change - The process

Prior to visiting your local Kwik Fit centre to have your tyres changed, you may be curious about the actual process and what to expect during a tyre change. Once you arrive, our expert technicians do an initial inspection of your vehicle's tyres to assess their condition, they may also check for other issues like corrosion or damage. The old tyres are then removed, and the wheels and hubs are cleaned if necessary. The new tyres are then fitted, balanced, and aligned as required. There is a final check to ensure all is in order before you are sent on your way.

Additional tyre services to consider

When it comes to tyres, rest assured, we provide a wide range of tyre-related services, extending beyond just tyre fitting. When having your tyres fitted, and throughout the year, we offer proper alignment of your wheels. This improves the overall handling and safety of your vehicle, while also preventing premature tyre wear, ensuring your tyres last longer and your vehicle stays roadworthy. Another similar offering is wheel balancing, this service ensures your tyres are evenly balanced, preventing vibrations while driving and promoting even tyre wear, which enhances driving comfort and prolongs tyre life.

Even though you can easily check your tyres’ pressure regularly yourself, we do also offer correct tyre pressure services, which in turn improves fuel efficiency, enhances safety, and reduces the risk of tyre damage. Finally, tyre rotation; by rotating your tyres regularly, you distribute wear evenly across all tyres, helping them last longer and improving vehicle performance. All of these services, although minor in themselves in terms of time taken, are all essential to ensuring your vehicle and tyres’ overall safety.

Book your tyre services at Kwik Fit today

At Kwik Fit, we understand that you want quality services quickly, whether you're looking for a tyre replacement, or a more detailed tyre service, we aim to help you get back on the road swiftly. While we know there are a number of factors that have an impact on the time it takes for the tyre fitting process, rest assured that our expert team are equipped to handle the job!

Ready to book your tyre fitting with Kwik Fit? Schedule your appointment today using our tyre fitting service, or if you can’t come to us, a mobile tyre fitting! Plus, for any other tyre or vehicle maintenance related information, check out our blog section on our website.