Tesla worst for tyre wear according to new study

Tesla has come out on top as the car brand most likely to need frequent tyre changes, according to new research from the UK’s leading tyre fitter, Kwik Fit.

Using data from millions of tyre changes at over 600 Kwik Fit centres across the country, the Tesla Model 3 was ranked as the car that needed the most frequent replacements. The electric saloon topped the list in 54 different locations throughout the UK – more than two times as many as the runner-up Citroen Berlingo. Third place was taken by the Tesla Model Y – the bigger, SUV twin to the Model 3.

The study took into account the number of vehicles registered in a given area and how frequently each model required new tyres. This allowed the researchers to assign each vehicle a ‘maintenance index’ figure, meaning more popular models could be compared with less popular models fairly. The data can be viewed using Kwik Fit’s interactive map.

As a brand, Tesla was the most disproportionately likely car maker to need frequent tyre changes in 70 different regions, from Aberdeenshire to Devon. That’s significantly more than the next worst offender, Citroen, which came out on top in 24 regions. In London, Tesla topped the table in 14 out of 32 boroughs. Looking at just Enfield, the Tesla Model 3 had a maintenance index figure of 9.4, meaning it was over nine times more likely to need new tyres compared to other cars in the area.

The Mercedes CLA and BMW 4 Series also made appearances in the list, with each topping the table in several areas in the UK. As a whole, BMW was found to be the third most likely manufacturer to need frequent tyre replacements across the UK, with 2 Series, X1, X3 and X5 also ranking highly. Volvo's XC40 also made the top five models, highlighting that the brand’s popular small SUV is more demanding on tyres than other cars in its class.

Kwik Fit’s communications director, Roger Griggs, said: “We have more than 600 Kwik Fit centres across the country and see more than two million of the UK’s cars each year, covering EVs and hybrids as well as petrol and diesel models.  As a result we have a huge sample of data on tyre changes and other repairs on every make and model for our expert team to analyse. This, along with being independent of any one manufacturer, provides our analysts with a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the current condition of the UK car parc than almost anyone else in the motor industry.”

“Of course, while the Maintenance Index has highlighted those models which are most likely to have had new tyres fitted, our advice is consistent across all vehicles when it comes to tyre care. Keeping tyres at the correct pressure and regularly checking wheel alignment will both help prolong the life of the tyres and also ensure they hold the road effectively. Drivers neglect tyre care at their peril. It’s always vital to remember that regardless of all the other safety features on a car, they all rely on the tyres performing as expected.”

What does this mean for car buyers?

The results from the study suggest that excess tyre wear could be a genuine concern for Tesla drivers. While EVs typically offer drivers lower running costs, thanks to affordable home charging tariffs, more frequent tyre replacements could add hundreds of pounds to your motoring bills over a few years of ownership.

Still, we wouldn’t use this study as a reason to dissuade buyers from taking the plunge on a new Tesla, Citroen or BMW. Instead, it highlights the importance of looking after your tyres to ensure your car is both safe and that your tyres last as long as possible.

To learn how to take care of your car’s tyres, you can read our guides to checking your tyre treads and checking your tyre pressures.