Suspension, steering, brakes and tyresUrgency: Monitor

Uneven tyre wear: causes and the faults that trigger it

According to RACE (Spain's motoring club), each wear pattern points to a cause: a worn centre usually comes from over-inflation, both edges from low pressure, a single edge from incorrect alignment, and stepped blocks or loose patches around the circumference from badly adjusted toe or from worn dampers, suspension or wheel balance. Before replacing the tyres, the cause should be corrected, because new ones would wear the same way.^[1][2][3]

75 documented faults cause it in 75 cars. The most important:

Critical severity: Corrosion of the rear multi-link axle eccentric bolts · Audi A4 B9
Critical severity: Corrosion of the eccentric bolts on the multi-link rear axle · Audi Q5 II
Medium severity: Alfa Romeo 156 suspension bush and arm wear · Alfa Romeo 156

What it means

If the tyres wear more on one edge, in steps or on one axle only, something is wrong: alignment, pressures, shock absorbers or suspension parts. On some models, the design of the rear axle makes inner-edge wear more pronounced.

General explanation from MotorFiable. How it shows up in each engine, with sources, is in the list of faults.

What to do now

Monitor

Check the pressures and ask for an alignment. If the wear comes back, have the bushes, arms and shock absorbers checked.

Reviewed on 30 October 202688 sources How we work

Most common causes

From most to least likely according to the sources. Under each cause, the part and the related OBD codes.

1. Incorrect inflation pressure
Common cause
RACE associates wear in the centre of the tread with over-inflation and wear on both edges with low pressure. Autofácil adds that an under-inflated tyre deforms more, wears sooner (especially at the sidewalls) and lengthens braking distance, and recommends measuring pressure with the tyres cold.^[1][3]
Faults with with tyres and wheels
2. Alignment (tracking) out of specification
Common cause
RACE attributes wear on a single edge, inner or outer, to incorrect alignment, and stepped blocks to badly adjusted toe. Autofácil cites uneven wear, inner or outer, among the symptoms of geometry outside the manufacturer's limits.^[1][2][4]
Faults with with tyres and wheels Faults with with control arms, ball joints and bushes
3. Ball joints and bushes with play
Common cause
RACE explains that worn ball joints and bushes create play that changes the wheel angles, and lists uneven wear among the symptoms of a worn ball joint. Autofácil warns that with ball joints that have a lot of play, a good alignment is of no use.^[5][6][7]
Faults with with control arms, ball joints and bushes
4. Worn dampers and suspension
Possible cause
RACE links patches of uneven wear spread around the circumference to dampers, suspension or wheel balance, and cites the car bouncing as a sign of worn dampers on the rear axle.^[1]
Faults with with the shock absorbers
5. Unbalanced wheels
Possible cause
According to RACE, vibrations that appear mainly after changing tyres call for a check of the balance, and wear in isolated patches can be due to poor balancing.^[1]
Faults with with tyres and wheels
6. Dragging brakes
Uncommon
RACE says that if the car pulls to one side when braking or a wheel gets hotter than normal, the brakes should be checked.^[1]
Faults with with brake calipers and discs
7. Harsh driving and overloading
Possible cause
Autofácil points out that hard acceleration, heavy braking and aggressive starts wear tyres sooner, especially the front ones. RACE advises avoiding kerbs, needlessly hard braking and regularly carrying more than the manufacturer specifies.^[1][3]
Faults with with tyres and wheels

Depending on what you notice

Tyre worn on the inner or outer edge

RACE attributes it to incorrect alignment and advises checking the geometry and the suspension components. Autofácil and RACE agree that, once the cause is dealt with, alignment is done to the angles the manufacturer specifies.^[1][2]

Tyre worn in the centre

For RACE it is usually due to over-inflation, which concentrates the contact in the centre of the tread. It is corrected by adjusting the pressure to the manufacturer's values.^[1]

Tyre worn on both edges

RACE relates it to low pressure, which puts the weight on the tyre's shoulders. Autofácil adds that cold lowers the pressure and that it should be checked at least once a month.^[1][3]

Stepped or sawtooth blocks

RACE describes them as blocks at different heights that you can feel by running your hand over the tread and links them to incorrect toe.^[1]

Only the tyres on one axle wear

Autofácil reminds us that the front ones work harder and wear sooner. RACE points out that a rear axle with incorrect geometry wears only one side and that worn rear dampers cause bouncing and uneven wear.^[1][3]

Wear with vibrations or with the steering wheel off-centre

RACE advises taking the car to the garage if the wear comes with vibrations, noises, bouncing or difficulty keeping a straight line, and checking the alignment if the steering wheel sits crooked when driving straight.^[1][5]

What to check first

Measure the pressure with the tyres cold and to the manufacturer's values (driver's door or manual), at least once a month and before long journeys.^[1][3]
Look at the whole tread, including the inner side, and run your hand over it to feel for steps. Note where the wear is concentrated: centre, edges, one side only or loose patches.^[1]
If the car drifts, the steering wheel sits crooked on the straight or a single edge wears, ask for an alignment, but have the ball joints checked first, because with play the alignment won't hold.^[1][5][7]
Ask for the dampers, bushes and ball joints to be checked if the wear returns after aligning. Also ask about balancing if there are vibrations.^[1][5]
Rotate the tyres every 10,000-15,000 km unless the manufacturer says otherwise; RACE reminds us that rotation does not correct wear that is already uneven.^[1]

Can I keep driving?

Urgency: Monitor

RACE considers uneven wear an early warning that should not be ignored, especially if the tread has reached the legal limit, there are bulges or cracks, the vibrations are strong or stability is noticeably affected. Autofácil and RACE warn that geometry outside specification reduces safety, lengthens braking distance and wastes tyres and fuel. No source sets a number of kilometres you can keep driving with the wear.^[1][2][5]

How much it costs to fix

Indicative prices published by the sources cited; they depend on the car and the garage.

Repair	Price
Alignment or tracking (RACE and Autofácil give around €40-50 on average in Spain; RACE puts it at €40-90 when it follows a ball joint replacement)^[2][4][6][7]	€40 – €90
Steering ball joint on its own (part and labour, according to RACE)^[6]	€100 – €250
Suspension ball joint on its own, according to RACE^[6]	€120 – €300

Faults that cause it

Suspension, brake, electronics and other faults on specific cars, from most to least important.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A4 B9Corrosion of the rear multi-link axle eccentric boltsUneven wear of the rear tyres due to loss of axle geometry.Repair: €0
Source for the symptom in the Audi A4 B9^[8]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q5 IICorrosion of the eccentric bolts on the multi-link rear axleUneven wear of the rear tyres because of the loss of axle geometry.Repair: €0
Source for the symptom in the Audi Q5 II^[9]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonAlfa Romeo 156Alfa Romeo 156 suspension bush and arm wearUneven tyre wear caused by play in the suspension.
Source for the symptom in the Alfa Romeo 156^[10]
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi e-tronUneven rear tyre wear caused by changes in the rear axle toe and camberGreater and uneven wear of the rear tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Audi e-tron^[11]
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4MUneven rear tyre wear due to changes in rear axle toe and camberFaster and uneven wear of the rear tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Audi Q7 4M^[12]
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q8Uneven rear tyre wear due to changes in rear axle toe and camberFaster and uneven wear of the rear tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Audi Q8^[13]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCitroën C4 IWear of shock absorbers, ball joints and wheel bearings on the front axleWorn ball joints and shock absorbers can upset the geometry and speed up uneven wear of the front tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Citroën C4 I^[14]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCitroën XsaraWear of the rear axle and its bearings on the Citroën XsaraTyres that wear unevenly, squeaks and an unstable rear end.
Source for the symptom in the Citroën Xsara^[15]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonDacia Sandero IIPremature wear of the front suspensionUneven wear on the front tyres once the bushes or ball joints have developed play.
Source for the symptom in the Dacia Sandero II^[16]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonDS DS 4 ISteering wheel vibrations and uneven tyre wear caused by the front axlePremature wear of the front tyres (13,000 km in one case) and a car that drifts to the right (2,700 km in another).
Source for the symptom in the DS DS 4 I^[17]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFiat Ducato IIIWear of the upper shock absorber mounts and front axle ball jointsBody roll in corners and more tyre wear with shock absorbers tired by permanent loading.
Source for the symptom in the Fiat Ducato III^[18]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord C-Max IUneven tyre wear caused by wheel bearings and suspension geometryTyres may wear quickly or unevenly, with wear on the inner edge or "feathering".
Source for the symptom in the Ford C-Max I^[19]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Fiesta VWear of wheel bearings, shock absorbers, springs and ball joints in the running gearfiches-auto.fr documents 3 cases of abnormal tyre wear linked to the condition of the running gear.
Source for the symptom in the Ford Fiesta V^[20]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Focus IPremature wear of wheel bearings and anti-roll barsfiches-auto.fr documents 12 cases of abnormal tyre wear, linked to deterioration of the suspension.
Source for the symptom in the Ford Focus I^[21]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Focus IIPremature wear of shock absorbers, suspension bushes and wheel bearingsThe tyres may wear unevenly when the suspension loses its geometry through wear of its bushes.
Source for the symptom in the Ford Focus II^[22]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Mondeo IIIWorn front suspension and tyresPremature and often uneven wear on the front tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Ford Mondeo III^[23]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 206Wear of the rear axle and suspension ball jointsThe tyres wear unevenly when the rear axle or the ball joints have play.
Source for the symptom in the Peugeot 206^[24]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 407Wear of suspension and steering ball jointsThe tyres wear unevenly, especially on the inner edge, when the ball joints have play.
Source for the symptom in the Peugeot 407^[25]
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Cayenne IIIRear axle arm nuts out of specification and resulting rear geometry misalignment (recalls AMA9 and ANA1)Greater, and uneven, wear on the rear tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Porsche Cayenne III^[26][27]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonRenault Laguna IIPremature wear of front and rear axle bushes and ball jointsAbnormally fast wear of the front tyres due to the loss of alignment caused by worn ball joints and drop links.Appears at around 80,000 km
Source for the symptom in the Renault Laguna II^[28]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonToyota Corolla VersoPremature front tyre wear caused by misaligned geometryFront tyre shoulders worn before their time, sometimes with the car pulling to one side.
Source for the symptom in the Toyota Corolla Verso^[29]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Passat B7Premature wear of the front suspension bushesAccelerated, uneven (feathered) tyre wear, especially on the rear axle.Repair (garage): €400Appears at around 56,000 km
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Passat B7^[30][31]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Touareg IPremature wear of the front bushes and tyresTyres worn out within a few kilometres.
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Touareg I^[32]
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonVolkswagen Touran IWear of suspension bushes and shock absorbers with uneven tyre wearAccelerated, uneven tyre wear, which sometimes means the geometry has to be checked or corrected.Appears at around 6,500 km
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Touran I^[33]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 147Wear of the front suspension bushes, arms and ball jointsPlay in the front geometry caused by worn bushes and arms leads to uneven, premature wear of the front tyres.Appears at around 100,000 km
Source for the symptom in the Alfa Romeo 147^[34][35]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 159Wear of the front suspension bushes, wishbones and ball jointsPremature, asymmetric wear of the front axle tyres, in some cases with deformation before 20,000 km.
Source for the symptom in the Alfa Romeo 159^[36]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 166Uneven tyre wear and misaligned suspension on the Alfa Romeo 166Tyres wearing unevenly on one side or on the inside edge.
Source for the symptom in the Alfa Romeo 166^[37]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo BreraWorn rear lower bush and tyres that wear quickly on the BreraFront or rear tyres that wear faster than normal or unevenly.
Source for the symptom in the Alfa Romeo Brera^[38][39]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo Spider 939Worn rear lower bush and tyres wearing quickly on the SpiderFront or rear tyres that wear faster than normal or unevenly.
Source for the symptom in the Alfa Romeo Spider 939^[38][39]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A7 C8Rear axle arm nuts and realignment of toe and camberHeavier or uneven wear on the rear tyres if the axle geometry has been altered.
Source for the symptom in the Audi A7 C8^[40]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A8 D5Rear axle arm nuts and wheel alignment and camber readjustmentGreater or uneven wear on the rear tyres if the axle geometry has been altered.
Source for the symptom in the Audi A8 D5^[41][42]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45Worn front bushes and tyres/brake pads that wear out sooner than expectedFront tyres worn prematurely.
Source for the symptom in the BMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45^[43]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 G01Springs and shock absorbers with more issues than averageUneven tyre wear linked to play in the suspension arms.
Source for the symptom in the BMW X3 G01^[44]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Berlingo IWear of the rear axle arm bearingsUneven wear of the rear tyres and knocking over bumps.
Source for the symptom in the Citroën Berlingo I^[45][46]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalDS DS 7 CrossbackAbnormal rear tyre wear on the E-Tense version (built February 2019-May 2021)The rear tyres can wear abnormally, sooner than expected, which forces you to replace them more often than usual.
Source for the symptom in the DS DS 7 Crossback^[47]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat StiloPremature, uneven wear of the front tyresThe front tyres wear unevenly (more on one side of the tread) and in fewer kilometres than normal.
Source for the symptom in the Fiat Stilo^[48]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Ioniq 5Premature and uneven tyre wearThe tyres, especially the front ones, may wear sooner than expected or unevenly (more on one side than the other).
Source for the symptom in the Hyundai Ioniq 5^[49]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Micra IIINoise from wheel bearings and CV jointsMisaligned geometry caused by worn bushes and bearings can speed up tyre wear.
Source for the symptom in the Nissan Micra III^[50]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Note IRapid and uneven tyre wearThe tyres, especially the rear ones, lose tread sooner than normal or unevenly between the inside and the outside.
Source for the symptom in the Nissan Note I^[51]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Mokka AWear of shock absorber mounts and front suspension bushesTyres worn unevenly.
Source for the symptom in the Opel Mokka A^[52][53]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira Tourer CPremature wear of the front bearings and steering column faultsWear on the inner edge of the tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Opel Zafira Tourer C^[54]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 406Rear suspension play and power steering wearUneven tyre wear.
Source for the symptom in the Peugeot 406^[55]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Partner IWear of the rear axle arm bearingsUneven wear of the rear tyres and knocking over bumps.
Source for the symptom in the Peugeot Partner I^[45][46]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault ModusUneven tyre wear caused by the rear axle geometryThe tyre wears more on one side than the other or loses tread sooner than normal, especially on the rear axle.
Source for the symptom in the Renault Modus^[56]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault TalismanPremature wear of the front tyresFront tyres wearing much faster than normal.
Source for the symptom in the Renault Talisman^[57]
- High severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIIncorrect rear axle toe and camber: uneven rear tyre wear on the A5Greater and uneven wear of the rear tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Audi A5 II^[58]
- High severityFrequency: RareAudi A6 C8Incorrect rear axle toe and camber: uneven rear tyre wear on the A6Greater and uneven wear on the rear tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Audi A6 C8^[58]
- Low severityFrequency: CommonDacia Duster ISteering wheel and wheel vibrations from 110 km/hIn several cases uneven tyre wear (often on the factory-fitted Continental tyres) turns out to be the cause.
Source for the symptom in the Dacia Duster I^[59]
- Low severityFrequency: CommonFord S-Max IPremature front tyre wear on the S-MaxAbnormal wear of the front tyre shoulder; the source cites misaligned geometry and worn bushes as possible causes.
Source for the symptom in the Ford S-Max I^[60]
- Low severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot Partner IIFast tyre wear, especially on the rearThe tyres, especially the rear ones, wear quickly; sometimes the front ones too.Appears at around 15,000 km
Source for the symptom in the Peugeot Partner II^[61]
- Low severityFrequency: CommonRenault Koleos IPremature wear of the front tyresThe sidewalls and tread of the tyres wear out sooner than expected; one case cites the front tyres replaced at 20,000 km.
Source for the symptom in the Renault Koleos I^[62]
- Low severityFrequency: CommonTesla Model 3Tyre wear faster than usualWear is not always even: in the km77 test the inner grooves of the rear tyres were the first to reach the legal limit of 1.6 mm.Repair (garage): €650–€750Appears at around 46,963 km
Source for the symptom in the Tesla Model 3^[63]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliaUneven tyre wear and alignment problems on the Alfa Romeo GiuliaRapid or uneven tyre wear, linked in the reports to the suspension alignment.
Source for the symptom in the Alfa Romeo Giulia^[64]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 Gran Turismo F07Uneven tyre wear and damaged alloy wheelsAbnormal or cupped wear on the tyres, sometimes with vibration.
Source for the symptom in the BMW Serie 5 Gran Turismo F07^[65][66][67]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C5 IIFast, uneven tyre wear, especially on the front tyresThe tyres, especially the front ones, wear unevenly and sooner than expected.Appears at around 15,000 km
Source for the symptom in the Citroën C5 II^[68]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C8Premature tyre wear caused by the front axle geometryWear on the front edge of the tyre, from around 20,000 km in one case.
Source for the symptom in the Citroën C8^[69]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalDS DS 5Premature wear of the front tyresTyres worn out between 17,000 and 35,000 km.
Source for the symptom in the DS DS 5^[70]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Galaxy IIPremature tyre wear on the GalaxyUneven tyre wear, especially on the front tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Ford Galaxy II^[71]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Accord VIIUneven wear of the rear tyres on the Honda Accord VIIOwners describe rear tyres with uneven wear and a car that 'eats tyres'.
Source for the symptom in the Honda Accord VII^[72]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IPremature wear of the rear tyres and need for alignmentAbnormal wear on the rear tyres and a need to readjust the wheel alignment.
Source for the symptom in the Mazda 6 I^[73]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase B W246Wear of the front suspension bushes and ball jointsUneven wear of the front tyres when the bushes or ball joints already have play.
Source for the symptom in the Mercedes-Benz Clase B W246^[74]
- Medium severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz GLK X204Premature wear of suspension arms and ball jointsAbnormal wear on a tyre (one report cites the rear right) or the car drifting to one side.
Source for the symptom in the Mercedes-Benz GLK X204^[75]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Insignia APremature or uneven tyre wearTyres that wear out sooner than normal or unevenly, with deformation, mostly on the rear ones.
Source for the symptom in the Opel Insignia A^[76]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira BRear tyres wearing somewhat faster than usualThe rear tyres show more advanced wear than expected for their mileage, according to the owners collected by fiches-auto.fr.
Source for the symptom in the Opel Zafira B^[77]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 308 IVibration and uneven tyre wear caused by the suspensionThe tyres wear more on one side or on the inner part of the tread.
Source for the symptom in the Peugeot 308 I^[78]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 807Premature tyre wear due to weight and suspension geometryThe tyres, especially the front ones, wear out sooner than usual, sometimes unevenly.
Source for the symptom in the Peugeot 807^[79]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Captur IINoises and vibrations from the front endThe front tyres wear faster or more unevenly than expected according to several reports.
Source for the symptom in the Renault Captur II^[80]
- Medium severityFrequency: RareRenault Espace V2016 recall: front lower arm and alignmentPremature and uneven wear of the front tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Renault Espace V^[81]
- Medium severityFrequency: RareRenault Scénic IVPremature, uneven wear of the front tyresThe inside of the front tyres wears much sooner than the rest of the tread, in some cases from 20,000 km.
Source for the symptom in the Renault Scénic IV^[82]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Golf PlusWear on bearings, suspension bushes and dampersUneven tyre wear.
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Golf Plus^[83]
- Medium severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen Scirocco IIIUneven rear tyre wear and wheel bearing wear on the Volkswagen SciroccoRear tyres that wear unevenly and bearing noise.
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Scirocco III^[84]
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Tiguan IUneven tyre wear, especially on versions with wide wheelsUneven tyre wear, or wear faster than normal, especially on the rear axle.
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Tiguan I^[85]
- Low severityFrequency: RareOpel AdamPremature wear of the rear shock absorbersNoise or a loss of firmness in the rear axle and uneven tyre wear, according to the owner reports.
Source for the symptom in the Opel Adam^[86]
- Low severityFrequency: RareRover 75Factory-misaligned suspension geometry causing uneven tyre wear, mainly on the rear tyresThe tyres wear unevenly, mainly the rear ones.
Source for the symptom in the Rover 75^[87]
- Low severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen ArteonAbnormal wear on the inner edge of the front tyres and vibrationsAbnormal wear on the inner sidewall of the front tyres.
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen Arteon^[88]

Uneven wear: causes in your car

75 cars have several documented faults that cause this symptom. Choose yours to see only those that affect it, by engine and by year.

Alfa Romeo 7

Audi 9

BMW 3

Citroën 5

Dacia 2

DS 3

Fiat 2

Ford 7

Honda 1

Honda Accord VII

Hyundai 1

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Mazda 1

Mazda 6 I

Mercedes-Benz 2

Nissan 2

Opel 5

Peugeot 7

Porsche 1

Porsche Cayenne III

Renault 7

Rover 1

Rover 75

Tesla 1

Tesla Model 3

Toyota 1

Toyota Corolla Verso

Volkswagen 7

Uneven wear by brand

Frequently asked questions

Why do tyres wear more on the inside edge?

RACE attributes it to incorrect alignment, and reminds us that worn ball joints and bushes add play and change the wheel angles. Autofácil lists among the causes hitting potholes and wear of the suspension mounts.^[1][5][7]

Does aligning the car fix uneven wear?

Only if the cause is the geometry. RACE warns that, if the wear already exists, the cause (pressure, geometry, suspension) must be corrected first, and Autofácil asks for the ball joints to be checked first because with a lot of play the alignment is useless.^[1][7]

How much does it cost to align the car?

RACE and Autofácil speak of around €40, Autofácil of €50 on average in another article, and RACE gives €40-90 when the alignment follows a ball joint replacement. The price depends on the garage and the car, and these are prices in Spain.^[2][4][6][7]

How often should tyres be rotated?

RACE recommends doing it roughly every 10,000-15,000 km to even out wear between axles, checking with the manufacturer first because directional tyres or different sizes front and rear limit it.^[1]

Can I keep driving on an unevenly worn tyre?

The sources set no mileage limit. RACE asks you not to ignore it, even more so if the tread has reached the legal limit, there are bulges or cracks or the car vibrates, and Autofácil warns that incorrect alignment reduces safety.^[1][2]

Other symptoms: suspension, steering, brakes and tyres

All symptoms

Has this happened to you? Tell us which fault it was, at how many kilometres and how much you paid: it helps other owners know what to expect. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Desgaste irregular de los neumáticos: causas habituales y solucionesRACE · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Paralelo o alineación de las ruedas del cocheAutofácil · Motoring press · published 11 September 2020 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Cómo alargar la vida de los neumáticosAutofácil · Motoring press · published 22 December 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Hacer el paralelo al coche: para qué sirveRACE · Motoring press · published 17 July 2023 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
¿Por qué se desalinea la dirección de mi vehículo?RACE · Motoring press · published 16 September 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
¿Qué es la rótula de un coche?RACE · Motoring press · published 25 September 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
¿Conviene hacer el paralelo al coche?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 October 2024 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Audi A4 : pannes, rappels et témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Audi Q5 II : pannes, rappels et témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Alfa-romeo 156 (1997-2005)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Audi e-tron (2019-2021): recall por convergencia y caída del eje traserocar-recalls.eu (datos Safety Gate) · Other source · published 1 April 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026
Audi Q7 (2019-2021): recall por convergencia y caída del eje trasero (neumáticos)car-recalls.eu (datos Safety Gate) · Other source · published 1 April 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026
Audi Q8 (2019-2021): recall por convergencia y caída del eje trasero (neumáticos)car-recalls.eu (datos Safety Gate) · Other source · published 1 April 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026
Fiabilité Citroën C4 : témoignages de pannesFiches-Auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara 1997-2004 (495 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Dacia Sandero de segunda mano, ¿es también una gran opción de compra? Debilidades a tener en cuentaAutopista · Motoring press · published 7 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Tous les problèmes sur Ds DS4 2011-2018 (314 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiat Ducato als Wohnmobil-Basis: typische ProblemeKfz-Dietrich · Other source · published 17 April 2026 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford C-Max (2003-2010)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Fiesta (2002-2008)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Focus 1 (1998-2004)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Focus 2 (2004-2010)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Ford Mondeo (2000-2007)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Peugeot 206 : pannes et fiabilitéfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Peugeot 407 : pannes et fiabilitéfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Porsche Cayenne (2020): rear axle wheel alignment recallcar-recalls.eu (a partir de Safety Gate/RAPEX) · Other source · published 10 April 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026
Porsche Cayenne: Probleme mit der Hinterachse nach einer RückrufaktionÖAMTC · Other source · published 14 February 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 2 : tous les problèmes et vices révélésfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad del Toyota Corolla Verso (2004-2009) según testimoniosfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité de la Volkswagen Passat 7: la maxi fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Used Volkswagen Passat reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Touareg 2002-2010 (233 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Volkswagen Touran (2003-2010): pannes et témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de l'Alfa Romeo 147 (2000-2005)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de l'Alfa Romeo 147 restylée (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de l'Alfa Romeo 159Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Alfa Romeo 166 - vételi tanácsadóAutonavigator.hu · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
Alfa Romeo BreraAlfa Workshop (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Alfa Romeo Brera SpiderAlfa Workshop (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Audi A7 (2019 – 2021): reajuste del eje trasero (campaña 42L5)Car-Recalls.eu (a partir de EU Safety Gate) · Other source · published 1 April 2022 · consulted 29 October 2026
Audi A8 (2019 – 2021): reajuste del eje trasero (campaña 42L5)Car-Recalls.eu (a partir de EU Safety Gate) · Other source · published 1 April 2022 · consulted 29 October 2026
Audi - Probleme mit der Hinterachse nach einer RückrufaktionÖAMTC · Other source · published 14 February 2022 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité BMW Série 2 Active Tourer (2014-2022): pannes et avis de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité BMW X3 (2017-2024): pannes et avis de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Citroën Berlingo 1996-2008: tous les problèmes (323 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Peugeot Partner 1996-2008: tous les problèmes (250 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité DS7 Crossback (2018) : pannes et rappelsfiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Fiat Stilo (2001-2007) - pannes et problèmes recensésFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Hyundai Ioniq 5 2021 (47 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Nissan Micra III : pannes et fiabilitéfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Nissan Note : pannes et fiabilitéfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Mokka (2012-2016): pannes et problèmes (228 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Opel Mokka X (2016-2020): pannes et problèmes (76 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Opel Zafira Tourer (2011-2019): pannes et problèmes (108 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot 406: pannes et problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
Renault Modus : pannes et fiabilitéfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Renault Talisman 2015 (265 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Alerta A12/00504/22 – eje traseroEU Safety Gate (Rapex) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
Fiabilité Dacia Duster (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Ford S-Max (2006-2014): 204 témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Peugeot Partner Tepee : témoignages de pannesFiches-Auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Renault Koleos (2008-2015): averías y testimoniosfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Los neumáticos del Model 3 llegan a su finkm77 · Motoring press · published September 2019 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes de l'Alfa Romeo Giulia (2016)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Pannes et fiabilité de la BMW Série 5 GT (2009-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo (2009 - 2017) used car reviewRAC Drive · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo hatchback owner reviewsCarbuyer · Owners' forum · consulted 29 October 2026
Fiabilité Citroën C5 : témoignages de pannesFiches-Auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Citroën C8 (2002-2015): averías y testimoniosfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Ds DS5 2011-2018 (290 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Ford Galaxy (2006-2015): 76 témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Honda Accord 2003-2008 (154 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Mazda 6 2002-2008: fiabilidad, averías y testimonios (206 testimonios)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mercedes Classe B (2012-2018) : pannes recensées et avis propriétairesFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Mercedes GLK 2009-2015 (92 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Opel Insignia 2009-2017 (344 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Zafira 2 (pannes recensées par les propriétaires)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Peugeot 308 : pannes et fiabilitéfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Peugeot 807 (2002-2014): averías y testimoniosfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad y averías del Renault Captur II (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Espace (2015): recall for the front lower suspension arm and alignmentcar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 20 May 2016 · consulted 29 October 2026
Fiabilité Renault Scénic 4 : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf Plus (2005-2013): tous les problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen SCIROCCO 2008-2017 (208 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Volkswagen Tiguan (2007-2015) : pannes recensées et avis propriétairesFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Toutes les pannes Opel Adam 2012-2019 (64 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Rover 75: llamadas a revisión, conector SRS y suspensión (apartado de fiabilidad)Auto Express · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026
Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen Arteon 2017 (28 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French