6 Tire Scams and How to Spot Them

Consumer products are prime targets for fraudsters, and although tire and automotive-related scams are less common than, say, healthcare scams, there are a few we want you to know about. 

Here are a few links you can use for finding out about product safety and consumer fraud:

• NHTSA’s automotive-related product recalls list
• Report safety problems with automotive products to the NHTSA
• Report any type of suspected consumer fraud to FTC.gov.  

And now, here are six tire scams we know about in 2026. 

Tire Thinning/Regrooving

What is tire regrooving? Regrooving is when someone cuts into the base of existing tire grooves and removes strips of rubber so that the tread once again appears to meet the required depth. Regrooving passenger tires is illegal (see Cornell University). Tire regrooving is hard to spot because of how new it makes tires look. Unless the tire seller discloses that the tires are used and have been regrooved, you might not know it. Most modern tires have a tread wear indicator built into a groove. When the outer body of the tire is in line with the indicator, it means it’s time to get a new tire. 

Why is tire regrooving dangerous? Not all tires are marked as “regroovable,” as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains in Title 49, Part 569. Regrooving a tire produces a very thin, flimsy tire that will easily wear down and could blow out at high speeds. However, the tire could look brand new. To avoid this scam when buying used tires, inspect each tire for exposed cords. If there are exposed wires or cords anywhere in the tread, that tire is not safe.

Bottom line: Should you buy regrooved tires? No. 

Retreading Disguised as New Tires

What does tire retreading mean? Tire retreading is the legal manufacturing practice of removing a tire's old treads and applying a new tread. Retreaded tires are not a scam, nor are retreads illegal. However, when a seller disguises retreaded tires as new tires, that is a scam.

We have a separate article about retreaded tires, but if properly done, retreads can extend the lifetime of tires. Retreads are not common among passenger vehicles. They are primarily used by the commercial vehicle industry — trucks and buses — and, according to a 2024 retread report, 44% of commercial tires are retreads. Retreading is a legal practice, and legitimate retreaded tires will carry a DOT code on the casing confirming they meet NHTSA standards. If the DOT code isn't there, the tire doesn't meet NHTSA standards. You may even be fined if you're caught driving on a tire without one.

Retreaded tires aren't as safe as new tires and generally aren't seen as cost-effective alternatives for passenger tires because the risks of a blow-out, vehicle damage, and accidents outweigh the savings. You can spot retreaded tires by the DOT code. If you're concerned that a tire is retreaded without a DOT code, inspect the line between the "carcass" of the tire and the tread itself. If there is a seam where the inner liner has bonded with the outside rubber that doesn't have an even, manufactured look, it may be a retreaded tire.

Bottom line: Avoid retreads on passenger vehicles. If you can’t afford new tires, explore Tire Agent’s payment plans.

DOT Code Damage

What does DOT code damage mean? DOT code damage refers to a sketchy practice of deliberately altering or obscuring a tire’s code, especially to hide the tire’s age. Deliberately tampering with DOT tire codes is illegal.

The DOT tire code indicates a lot of things about tires. It not only shows the manufacturer identification number and size but also the age of the tire. At the end of the DOT code, a 4-digit number will be displayed. This number indicates the week and year that a tire was made. For example, a tire with the code 0325 was made in the third week of 2025. If this code is damaged or altered, you’ll be unable to see the age of the tire.

Why is code damage dangerous? Because it’s important to know how old your tire is to assess whether or not the rubber is in good condition. In general, if the DOT code is in any way damaged or rubbed off to where you can’t read the code, treat it as a red flag and walk away. 

If the tire looks brand-new but the DOT code is very old, it may be a sign that the tire has been recoated or otherwise altered to look new. Be careful buying tires that have a DOT code with an older manufacturing year on them. 

Counterfeit Tires

What are counterfeit tires? A counterfeit tire has been deliberately rebranded, typically with a well-known name and a below-market price, in order to trick consumers into thinking they’re getting a great deal.   

Any product that’s manufactured with a famous brand name runs the risk of someone producing counterfeit versions. This is possible with tires just as much as watches and fashion accessories. These tires may look just like a good brand of tire but not have the same build quality that’s expected with a name brand. 

Are counterfeit tires common? No, but a 2014 Consumer Reports article tells the story about how the organization was duped into thinking they were testing tires that were likely counterfeit, possibly made with stolen tire molds.      

Why are counterfeit tires bad? A counterfeit may have low-quality rubber or wear down much faster than the brand that it’s imitating. Be cautious when buying discount or bargain name-brand tires. If it sounds too good to be true …  

The best way to protect yourself against buying counterfeit tires is to do business with a reputable tire seller. 

Used Tires Sold As New

What is this scam? A tire shop or private seller installs or sells used tires while charging you for new ones. The tires may be cleaned up and mounted to look new, but the tread depth, age, and wear tell a different story.

Is selling used tires as if they were new common? Yes. It's one of the more common tire shop scams because it's hard to detect, especially if you're not inspecting the tires yourself before they go on your car.

How do you spot it? Check the DOT code on every tire before you leave the shop. If you're being charged for new tires, the manufacturing date should be recent. Also inspect the tread wear indicators — if the tread is close to or flush with the indicators, the tire is worn, not new. If a deal seems unusually cheap for new tires, that's worth a closer look.

Bottom line: Before you leave the shop, read the DOT code. A new tire should have a recent manufacturing date.

Tire Plug-Only Repairs

What does tire plug-only mean? You bring in a tire with a nail or puncture and the shop fixes it with a plug only, but charges you for a full plug-and-patch repair — or tells you that's what they did.

Why does it matter? The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association says the only approved tire repair is a combination plug and patch. A plug alone is not a permanent fix and can fail, especially at highway speeds. The problem is that once the tire is back on your car, you have no way to tell the difference from the outside.

How do you protect yourself? Ask the shop to show you the repair before the tire is remounted. A proper plug-and-patch repair is done from the inside of the tire. If a shop is unwilling to show you the work, that's a red flag. You can also ask upfront: "Do you do combination plug-and-patch repairs?" A reputable shop will say yes without hesitation.

Bottom line: A plug alone is not an approved repair. If a shop won't show you the work, take your tire somewhere else.

Avoid Scams: Shop From Trusted Sources

To reduce your vulnerability as a consumer, shop only from trusted tire and wheel sellers. In addition to asking friends and family for recommendations, check tire sellers’ reviews online.

When you buy tires online, make sure the seller is transparent about what they're selling — new vs. used, brand name vs. off-brand — and what the return and warranty policies are. If a price seems unusually low for a name-brand tire, that's worth a closer look before you buy. 

And yes, if you've been wondering — is Tire Agent trustworthy? Yes, Tire Agent is legit. We sell only new tires, so you never have to worry about the scams in this article when you shop with us.