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The importance of your wheels

The wheels of your car are integral and, quite literally, keep your vehicle going. It's easy to think that the only maintenance needed for them is changing a flat tyre. In reality, your wheels are made up of complex components that extend beyond just the tyre itself. Car wheels take a lot of impact and can wear quite easily. So, if you encounter an issue with one, or all four of them, it helps to know a bit about common car wheel problems and the right services you need to resolve them.

How to maintain wheels?

Problems & warning signs

Alloy Wheel

Choose the right wheel repair

To give you all the information you’ll need on what each type of wheel repair involves, and how much it will cost, our helpful wheel repair cards summarise the most common services you can expect to receive at the garage.

  • Alloy wheel refurbishment

    The average cost of an alloy wheel refurbishment booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £119.95. Alloy wheels need to be refurbished over time due to natural wear and tear. An alloy wheel refurbishment can be done 2-3 times before a replacement is necessary.

    Can include
    • Wheel cleaning and sandblasting
    • Scratch and gauge removal
    • Paint and lacquer
    • Crack and dent repair
  • Wheel alignment

    The average cost of a wheel alignment when booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £38.83. Wheel alignment ensures the four wheels of your car are tracking in a straight line and with stability. If you find your vehicle veers to the left or right whilst driving or your tyre treads are wearing unevenly, your car may need a wheel alignment.

    Can include
    • Wheel diagnostic
    • Computer assessment
    • Wheel adjustments
  • Mobile alloy wheel repair

    The average cost of a mobile alloy wheel repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £84.78. If you cannot drive your car to the garage, a mobile mechanic will visit you at your home or workplace and carry out an alloy wheel repair. If the damage is severe, the mechanic may need to take your car into a garage to replace the wheel or rim.

    Can include
    • Wheel inspection
    • Alloy wheel repair
  • Wheel bearing replacement

    The average cost of an alloy wheel bearing replacement booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £257.63.

    Over time, your wheel bearings can become worn. If you hear any unusual noises coming from your wheels, they're likely damaged. To keep your wheels moving smoothly and safely, you may need to get your wheel bearings replaced.

    Can include
    • Wheel inspection and testing
    • Bearing replacement on 1-4 wheels
  • Car tyre puncture repair

    The average cost of a tyre puncture repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £22.50.

    Can include
    • Car tyre puncture repair
  • Car tyre fitting

    The average cost of a car tyre fitting booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £75.07. If your car needs its tyres changed and you’re not confident doing it yourself, a mechanic can fit new tyres at a local garage. They’ll also make sure that they’re well secured and tracking correctly.

    Can include
    • Tyre change
    • Tyre fitting
    • Tyre tracking check
    • Wheels balanced

How to maintain your car wheels?

Alloy wheel refurbishment

Most modern cars now have alloy wheels, which are wheels made from a combination of metals, mostly aluminium and magnesium, giving them greater strength than steel wheels whilst remaining lightweight. Alloy wheel refurbishment brings them back to near-perfect condition by removing any scratches, stains, or peeling. The process involves a deep clean, removing any scratches or gouges, and respraying the wheel with multiple layers of paint to get it looking as good as new. 

Front-wheel alignment

Wheel alignment involves correcting any issues to make sure your wheels are tracking straight, are correctly secured, and are fitted as per the manufacturer's recommendation. If your car often veers to one side, or you're worried about damage caused by a hole in the road, you may need to book a front wheel alignment to get them moving back on track.

Mobile alloy wheel repair

If damage to your alloy wheels means you're unable to drive your car to a garage, a mobile mechanic can come to you instead. If you notice any cracks in your wheels or are worried they're not safe to drive on, you should book a mobile alloy wheel repair as soon as possible.

Wheel bearing replacement

Wheel bearings are vital for your car's safety as they allow for the smooth spinning of the wheels but can become worn over time or damaged. If you notice grinding, knocking, or scraping sounds coming from your wheels while driving, you may need a wheel bearing replacement.

Common signs of wheel bearing problems

Alloy wheel corrosion is inevitable. When wear and tear persists, it leads to rusting, also described as corrosion. The longer you've had your vehicle and the more miles you drive, the more likely it is to happen. Problems with wheel bearings are often the most common, and there are a few easy-to-spot signs that suggest you need them replaced.

Wheel bearing noise

One of the most common signs of wheel bearing problems is growling or rumbling noises coming from the wheels. It's easy to mistake this as an engine noise, so listen carefully to figure out which car component is creating the sound. You may notice the sound gets louder when you accelerate.

Turning steering wheel makes noise

Another key symptom is a distinct noise when you turn your steering wheel. Because your wheel bearings play an essential role in changing direction, you may likely notice a difference in pitch or intensity of the noise when you turn the wheel.

Scraping noise from wheel bearing

Often, the unusual noise you hear is described as scraping. A scraping noise from your wheels that sounds like metal rubbing across metal indicates that your wheel bearings are no longer in the correct position, and parts of them are damaged.

Knocking noise from front wheel

A knocking noise coming from your front wheel is a typical sign of wheel bearing issues. Because your front wheels take most of the impact when you drive, these wheel bearings are quicker to become worn or damaged than your back wheels. A knocking noise suggests that the bearings have become loose and are no longer functioning correctly.

Grinding noise from wheel

A grinding noise in your wheel suggests that there is friction within your wheel bearings where there shouldn't be, and it's likely they are worn or damaged. You're more likely to hear this type of sound when turning, and you may also notice that your tyres are wearing unevenly.

Wheel alignment issues

If you notice that your tyres are wearing unevenly, make a squeaking sound, or your car pulls left or right while driving, then you may be experiencing wheel alignment issues. It's crucial to get your wheels realigned as soon as possible to ensure your car is safe to drive.

How much does it cost to repair alloy wheels?

The cost of an alloy wheel repair depends on several factors. The most obvious is how many wheels need attention. Repairing just one wheel will be a lot cheaper than repairing all four.

Another key factor is the type of repair you need. A simple alloy wheel refurbishment can cost as little as £50 per wheel. However, if you need a more complex repair like fixing deep cracks or replacing wheel bearings, this will cost more. 

Finally, the make and model of your car will impact how much it costs to repair or replace parts. You can find the best local garages, get a quote, and book an alloy wheel repair online using our handy comparison tool.

Car wheel repairAverage priceGet quotes
Alloy wheel refurbishment£167.58Get quotes
Front wheel alignment£38.83Get quotes
Mobile alloy wheel repair£84.78Get quotes
Wheel bearing replacement£262.56Get quotes

Frequently asked questions

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