Does the WBAC checklist care about wheels/tyres?

[Truckosaurus]

Now then Comrades,

I am having thoughts of changing my car, and as I'm sure most people do have stuck my reg number into 'We Buy Any Car' to see what it suggests.

£2200 is what they suggest.

Now, one complication is that the car is currently on some high quality aftermarket alloys fake 18" Enkei F1 wheels (on Pirelli P-Zeros with plenty of tread left).

I have the standard 17" to hand as well.

I could get the local part worn tyre place to put something dreadful but legal on the 17s for £40 a corner. (£160 total)

If I am lucky I might get £10-20 per tyre and £100-200 for the wheels on ebay if I have the energy to do that.

(We can assume there is some minor scuffing on both lets of wheels)

TL:DR Will the likes of WBAC (or a dealer part ex) care what wheels are on it, do they just go on tread depth (the non-standard tyres would no doubt have more tread than any cheap part-worn), or none of the above?

[SuperPav]

they'll care if they're round, have kerb marks, and that the tyres are the same/correct size, and have legal tread.


If the wheels are OBVIOUSLY modified they will note that but I don't know what/if anything they take off in terms of value for it. I've sold a Toyota which had Audi wheels (2" smaller than std), and they didn't blink, but the wheels just looked OEM-ish...

[Mark V GTD]

When you say ‘care’ do you mean will they reduce their valuation? If the tyres are legal tread depth they will be fine. If the wheels have any kind of damage that differentiates them from brand new then you need to declare the damage, however minor, or they will reduce the valuation when you present the car. As for the type of wheels - if they look reasonably OEM style then all may be OK but if they are more obviously aftermarket then this may be a red flag and will depend on the individual inspection person at the WBAC branch you take it to. Same goes for any other aspect of the car. Their benchmark for condition appraisal is ‘ as new condition’. Any damage that is visible, however minor, regardless of the cars age, must be declared.

[mcflurry]

From some of the previous responses, won't they knock off some money if there aren't 8 wheels and the vehicle isn't chauffeured there by Aloysius Parker

[Truckosaurus]

Very good. Sounds like it might be worth just presenting the car 'as is' and seeing what they say - for the sake of £100-odd either way.

[Mark V GTD]

Glad it was helpful and good luck!

[Hoofy]

I've dealt with them several times. They look at the condition of the wheels but they won't check things like pressure, how it rolls etc. It's a bit odd really but they just want to see 6 months' MOT (which I guess proves the brakes work?). They don't bother taking it for a test drive. That said, they will pay the lowest possible price which I guess covers the risk.

[Mark V GTD]

I have dealt with them several times. Sold them two of my cars in last year and helped a mate deal with them too. Paid top money in all cases and no quibbling.

[GeniusOfLove]

It's a training issue for WBAC that their buyers aren't equipped to spot modified cars, but the subsequent buyers at BCA certainly are and the trade buyers seem to avoid anything remotely modified as if it has bubonic plague.

You'll be fine, send it off with the wheels you want least.