Headline price comparison
Quoted prices for fitting one mid-range 225/45 R18 tyre in Central London (2026):
- Kwik Fit (in-branch): £95–£110 fitted
- Halfords Autocentre: £90–£105 fitted
- ATS Euromaster: £85–£100 fitted
- Independent garage: £75–£100 fitted
- Mobile tyre fitter at your location: £95–£120 fitted
- Dealer (BMW, Mercedes, etc.): £160–£260 fitted
On the sticker price, garages look £5–£15 cheaper. But sticker price isn't total cost in London.
The hidden costs of going to a garage
Parking near the garage
Most Central London tyre branches don't have customer parking. Expect £6–£12 in pay-and-display while you wait — or a ULEZ-edge walk.
Congestion charge
If your nearest branch is across the zone boundary: £15 per day. ULEZ adds £12.50 if your car is non-compliant.
Your time
Average garage visit: 30 mins travel + 60-90 min wait + 30 mins travel back = ~2 hours. At London's median wage that's around £35–£50 of your time.
Getting a flat car there
If you can't drive on the tyre, you need recovery. AA/RAC callout: £75–£140 if you're not a member.
The 4 scenarios where mobile wins on cost
1. You have a flat right now
Recovery to garage (£75+) + garage fitting (£100) = £175+. Mobile fitter to you = £100–£120. Mobile wins by £55+.
2. You park in a controlled zone
If your only realistic garage trip costs you 2 hours plus £15 parking and CC, mobile is £15–£25 cheaper before counting your time.
3. You have 2+ tyres to do
Mobile fitters often discount the second, third and fourth tyre by £5–£10 each. Garages don't. On a full set of 4, mobile is usually £15–£40 cheaper total.
4. You drive a car requiring TPMS reset
Direct-TPMS cars (most BMW, newer Mercedes, recent Fords) often need a sensor relearn after fitting. Garages charge £15–£25 for this. Most mobile fitters include it.
When garage genuinely wins
- You're already going to the area for another reason.
- You have free parking nearby (rare in zones 1–2).
- You want a 4-wheel alignment done at the same time (mobile fitters don't carry alignment rigs).
- You want to choose from a wider stock of brands physically in front of you.
Need a tyre fixed right now?
Mobile fitter to your London location in under 35 minutes.
Speed comparison
- Mobile fitter, single tyre: 35 min arrival + 25 min fitting = ~60 mins from your phone call.
- Garage, single tyre, walk-in: 90–180 mins depending on queue.
- Garage, single tyre, booked appointment: 60–90 mins on-site (plus travel).
- Mobile fitter, full set of 4: 1.5 hours total at your location.
Quality difference: is there one?
Honest answer: no, when you choose a qualified mobile fitter. The equipment is identical (Hofmann, Corghi or Snap-on tyre changers and balancers fit in the back of a Mercedes Sprinter just as well as in a workshop). The tyres come from the same UK distributors. BS AU 159 puncture-repair standards are the same. The difference is the workshop has more space and more brand stock in physical form.