Car wheel tracking and alignment

Compare tyre tracking quotes and specialists near you

Mechanic changing tyres

What is tyre tracking?

Tyre tracking is the process of ensuring your vehicle's wheels are set to the optimum position, as per the car manufacturer's specifications. Tyre tracking can also be referred to as wheel alignment. The mechanic will check that the direction and angle of the wheels are perpendicular to the road and parallel to one another.

Car wheel tracking costs and prices

Tyre tracking costs around £43.28 usually for front wheel tracking as it is a quick and easy procedure. It can also save you paying for more expensive repairs because of unaligned wheels such as broken suspension or worn tyres. Below you will find the average costs for some of the top car models.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£42.77
BMW£44.14
Citroen£42.61
Ford£43.61
Mercedes£44.33
MINI£44.88
Nissan£43.35
Peugeot£42.58
Renault£42.32
Toyota£43.31
Vauxhall£43.06
Volkswagen£42.69
Volvo£43.22

Top warning signs your car requires tyre tracking

Have you found that your steering wheel doesn’t feel straight? Does your steering wheel tend to vibrate when driving? Or does your car squeal when you are turning a corner? All these signs might mean you need to check your wheel alignment or wheel balancing.

  • Mismatched tyre wear

  • Car pulling left or right

  • Crooked steering wheel, not in centre position when neutral

  • Tyres making a squeaking sound when you turn

Car tyre close up

  • Wheel alignment

    The average cost of a wheel alignment booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £43.28.

    If you want the full package of wheel alignment, then this is the service for you. Wheel alignment is needed for stability and to ensure the four wheels of your car are tracking straight. If 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
    • Steering and suspension diagnostic
    • Computer assessment
    • Steering and suspension adjustments
  • 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. Tyre puncture repair is a relatively cheap and simple job but must be done quickly to avoid damage to the car wheels or a breakdown. Often, a puncture repair is a temporary fix before getting new car tyres fitted.

    Can include
    • Wheel check
    • Puncture analysis
    • Puncture repair

Which tyre tracking service do you need?

Standard front wheel tyre tracking

The front toe can be adjusted back to the manufacturer's original settings by a tyre tracking specialist. This will decrease the likelihood of premature tyre and suspension wear, enhance car handling, and save you money by reducing fuel consumption. 

Rear wheel tyre tracking

A garage technician can give your car a rear tyre tracking which will extend your car’s tyres’ lifespan and ensure road safety. However, not all vehicles can get their rear toe adjusted, as recommended in their vehicle’s manufacturer’s handbook.

4-wheel tyre tracking

If you require four-wheel tyre tracking, then you will be looking to balance all your wheels for optimum driving conditions. Front and rear axle tracking is offered often with toe adjustments included to guarantee complete precision for your entire vehicle.

The garage technicians will measure numerous angles and compare them to the manufacturer’s alignment data giving precise readings.

Is tyre tracking necessary?

Without the correct tyre tracking or alignment, the wheels can suffer significant wear and tear. It can cause your tyres to wear away unevenly and even prematurely. This is the biggest factor for getting your tyre tracking  booked as soon as possible.

If you leave your tyre tracking to chance, there are other significant issues that can arise. These will most likely be a lot costlier than having your wheels aligned from when you notice there is an issue. 

Get your tyre tracking repair done at home

Sometimes life gets in the way, and getting to a garage can be a huge inconvenience. The good news is that mobile mechanics exist and some of them offer tyre tracking services. A mobile technician will meet you and your vehicle at your home or place of work and set to work.

Mobile mechanics are often cheaper because they don’t have any overheads for their shop or dealership. However, if your problem is specific or needs specialist equipment or machinery, you might find there’s more that can be done at a fully kitted out garage.

Find local tyre tracking services, mechanics, and garages

Looking for reputable garages for tyre tracking services near you? You will find trusted tyre tracking mechanics and garages in your area with WhoCanFixMyCar. We work with a network of over 15,513 mechanics and garages across the UK so we can find competitive tyre tracking prices for you.

What is tyre tracking?

Wheel alignment (or 'wheel tracking') is the process of aligning all four wheels of the car to the manufacturer's specifications, so that the car drives straight and true, has maximum stability, fuel efficiency and minimum tyre wear.

How is tyre tracking done?

Wheel alignment requires dedicated equipment: a special clamp is attached to each wheel and, with the steering wheel centred, a computer uses the reflections from the clamps to calculate necessary adjustments - for alignment and for camber ('lean' angle of the wheels when viewed front-on) and 'toe in' / 'toe out' (deliberate, slight angling of the wheels inwards when viewed from above, to improve handling and stability.) The garage will give you a print-out of the results.

How do I know if my car requires tyre tracking?

If your car is pulling to the left or right when driving on a flat road without crosswinds, or if your tyres are wearing unevenly, or if your steering is shaking, you may need wheel alignment. Start by checking your tyre pressures first, though.

How long does tyre tracking take?

Typically, a garage can align your car's wheels and provide you with a printed record of their actions between 30 minutes and 3 hours, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Is tyre tracking covered by insurance?

This depends. Car insurance companies will cover tyre tracking issues if they are caused by sudden impact due to a pothole. These accidents and their damages can be covered with collision cover insurance. However, if the alignment issue is due to general wear and tear then the policy will not cover you.

How much does tyre tracking cost?

Front-only wheel alignment is available from £43.28, with 4-wheel alignment a little more. Many garages will include it as part of a full service though.

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