How Much Does It Cost to Install Alloy Wheels?
“How much does it cost to install alloy wheels?”
The answer depends on exactly what you're having fitted.
There's a big difference between simply swapping a set of wheels over and fitting a complete new wheel and tyre package, particularly if your car uses TPMS sensors or requires additional parts.
At OMI Alloy Wheels, we regularly help customers choose wheels for their cars, and one of the biggest mistakes we see is looking at the price of the wheels without considering what is involved in getting them properly fitted.
Here's what you need to know.
Does It Cost More to Install New Alloy Wheels?
It can.
If you're replacing your existing alloys with another set of wheels that already have suitable tyres fitted, the installation can be relatively straightforward.
However, if you're buying wheels only, you'll need to factor in additional costs such as:
- Tyres
- Tyre fitting
- Balancing
- TPMS sensors
- Delivery
- Wheel nuts or bolts where required
The cost therefore depends on what you're actually buying.
How Much Does It Cost to Fit Alloy Wheels?
There isn't one fixed price because every installation is different.
For example, if you already have tyres mounted on your new wheels and they're correctly specified for your vehicle, fitting the four wheels is a relatively simple job.
If you're buying four brand-new wheels and tyres, however, the process can involve:
- Mounting the tyres onto the wheels
- Balancing each wheel
- Installing or transferring TPMS sensors
- Checking the wheel and tyre specifications
- Fitting the wheels to the vehicle
- Checking the wheel nuts or bolts are correct
- Checking the final fitment
This is why it's important to look at the total cost of getting the car on the road, rather than just the advertised price of the wheels.
Do Alloy Wheels Come With Tyres?
Not necessarily.
This is something we always recommend customers check when comparing prices.
At OMI, the example prices for our OEM-style wheels are wheel-only prices.
For example:
- 17-inch wheels — around £130 each inc. VAT
- 18-inch wheels — around £140 each inc. VAT
- 19-inch wheels — around £150 each inc. VAT
That means four wheels could cost around £520–£600, before adding tyres and other fitting requirements.
A customer may see a set advertised for £600 and assume that's everything they need to pay.
It isn't necessarily.
You need to consider the complete package.
What About Tyre Fitting?
If you're buying wheels without tyres, the tyres need to be mounted onto the new wheels before they can be fitted to your car.
The tyres are then balanced to ensure the wheel and tyre assembly rotates correctly.
This is an important part of the installation process.
A wheel that looks fantastic on your car isn't much use if the tyre isn't correctly fitted and balanced.
If you're buying a complete wheel-and-tyre package, ask whether tyre fitting and balancing are included in the quoted price.
Don't Forget TPMS Sensors
Modern cars increasingly use TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) sensors.
If your vehicle has TPMS, you need to consider what happens when you change your wheels.
Depending on the vehicle and the wheels being fitted, you may need:
- New TPMS sensors
- Existing sensors transferred to the new wheels
- Sensors programmed or paired with the vehicle
This is another reason why the cost of installing alloy wheels isn't simply:
Price of wheels + fitting
The exact requirements depend on the vehicle.
Why the Type of Alloy Wheel Matters
Something else customers sometimes overlook is that not all alloy wheels are made the same way.
You can have two wheels that are exactly the same diameter but have very different prices and construction.
For example, a typical OEM-style cast wheel may be considerably cheaper than a branded flow-formed wheel.
At the premium end, fully forged wheels can cost around £3,000 for a set of four.
The installation process might be broadly similar, but you're installing a very different product.
This is why we always recommend thinking about the wheel itself, rather than simply looking for the cheapest installation price.
Is It Worth Paying More for Better Alloy Wheels?
In our experience, yes — depending on what you're looking for.
If you're simply looking to change the appearance of your daily driver, an OEM-style alloy wheel can offer excellent value.
You don't necessarily need to spend thousands of pounds.
But if you're particularly concerned about the construction and strength of the wheel, paying more for a higher-quality product can be worthwhile.
This is particularly relevant when comparing conventional cast wheels with flow-formed or forged wheels.
The manufacturing process is one of the reasons premium wheels cost more.
You're paying for more than just the design.
Can I Fit Alloy Wheels Myself?
Technically, changing a wheel is straightforward for someone who knows what they're doing.
However, when you're fitting a completely new wheel and tyre package, there is considerably more involved.
Tyres need to be correctly mounted and balanced, the correct wheel nuts or bolts need to be used, and the wheel needs to be correctly suited to the vehicle.
There are also important considerations around:
- PCD
- Offset (ET)
- Centre bore
- Wheel width
- Tyre size
- Load rating
- Brake clearance
- TPMS
That's why we'd recommend having new wheels and tyres professionally fitted unless you have the correct equipment and knowledge to do the job properly.
What Should I Budget for When Installing Alloy Wheels?
Rather than thinking about one single “installation cost”, think about the complete package.
Your total cost could include:
. Tyres
Your choice of tyre can make a significant difference to the final price.
. TPMS
Your car may require TPMS sensors or the transfer of existing sensors.
. Fitting and balancing
The tyres need to be mounted and balanced before the wheels are fitted to the car.
. Delivery
If you're ordering wheels online, don't forget to factor delivery into your overall budget.
The Cheapest Wheel Isn't Always the Cheapest Option
This is something we've learned from years of selling alloy wheels.
A customer might initially look at the cheapest possible set of wheels.
But once you add tyres, TPMS, delivery and fitting, the overall package can be very different.
It's therefore worth comparing like-for-like packages.
For example, don't compare:
£600 wheels only
against:
£900 wheels + tyres + TPMS + fitting
and assume the £600 option is cheaper.
They're completely different packages.
How We Help Customers Choose Alloy Wheels
One of the easiest ways to start is to send us a picture of your car.
Tell us:
- What colour wheels you're interested in
- What size you want to run
- Whether you have a particular style in mind
We can then recommend designs that work with the car.
Sometimes customers come to us thinking they want one particular design, only to find another style looks much better once they see it against their vehicle.
That's where experience matters.
We're not just selling four circles of aluminium — we're helping you choose a wheel that works with the car, the fitment and the budget.
So, How Much Does It Cost to Install Alloy Wheels?
There's no single price that applies to every car.
The cost depends on whether you're buying:
Wheels only → You'll need to add tyres, fitting/balancing, TPMS where applicable and delivery.
Wheels + tyres → You'll still need to establish whether fitting, balancing and TPMS are included.
A complete package → This is usually the easiest way to understand your actual total cost.
The important thing is to ask what is included in the price before comparing quotes.
And remember, the wheel itself is only part of the equation.
The size, design and especially the construction of the wheel can make a significant difference to the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install alloy wheels?
There isn't one universal price. The total depends on whether you're fitting wheels only or a complete wheel-and-tyre package, as well as whether TPMS sensors, fitting, balancing and delivery are required.
Do I need new tyres when I buy alloy wheels?
Not necessarily. Your existing tyres may be suitable for your new wheels if they're the correct size and specification, although this needs to be checked.
Do new alloy wheels need balancing?
If tyres are being fitted to the wheels, the wheel and tyre assemblies should be properly balanced before they're installed on the vehicle.
Do I need TPMS sensors with new alloy wheels?
It depends on your vehicle. Cars equipped with TPMS may require sensors to be transferred, replaced or programmed when changing wheels.
Can I buy alloy wheels without tyres?
Yes. Many alloy wheels are sold as wheels only. Just remember to factor the cost of tyres and fitting into your overall budget.
Are more expensive alloy wheels better?
Not automatically. However, higher-priced wheels may use more advanced manufacturing methods, such as flow forming or forging, which can offer different strength and weight characteristics.
Looking for New Alloy Wheels?
If you're not sure what wheels will suit your car, send OMI a picture of your vehicle and tell us what size and colour you're looking for.
We'll help you find designs that suit the car and your budget.