Tire Sourcing & Condition Guide

Where Our Tires Come From

GOV Tire Co. sources new, surplus, and used tires through a network of verified commercial and government channels. Our inventory includes:

• Military Surplus — Tires released from U.S. military contracts and government fleet programs. These tires are often low-mileage or unused, stored under controlled conditions, and built to demanding specifications.
• Fleet Off-Lease — Commercial and municipal fleet tires returned at end-of-lease. These come from trucking companies, government agencies, and large fleet operators with documented maintenance histories.
• Dealer & Distributor Overstock — New or near-new tires from manufacturer overruns, discontinued lines, or distributor closeouts. These are full-tread tires that have never been mounted or run.
• OTR & Agricultural Returns — Off-the-road, agricultural, and construction tires sourced from equipment operators and dealers. Condition varies and is graded accordingly.

How We Grade Tire Condition

Every tire in our inventory is physically inspected and assigned a condition grade before listing. We use the following grading scale:

• New / Unused — Full tread depth, never mounted. May include surplus or overstock tires with original manufacturer markings.
• Like New — Mounted but with minimal use. Tread depth typically 90–100% of original. No repairs, no visible sidewall damage.
• 90% Tread — Light use. Tread depth at or near 90% of original. Structurally sound with no repairs or damage.
• Used — Good — Serviceable tires with moderate tread remaining. May show normal wear patterns. No structural damage, bulges, or repairs to load-bearing areas.
• Used — Fair — Functional tires with lower tread depth or minor cosmetic wear. Suitable for specific applications where new tires are not required. Condition is clearly noted in the listing.

Condition grades are reflected in product titles and descriptions. If you have questions about a specific tire's condition, contact us before purchasing.

Our Inspection Process

Before any tire is listed for sale, our team performs a multi-point inspection covering:

• Tread depth measurement — Using calibrated gauges across multiple points on the tread face.
• Sidewall inspection — Checking for cuts, cracks, bulges, weather checking, or impact damage.
• Bead and mounting surface check — Verifying the bead area is undamaged and suitable for remounting.
• Structural integrity — Visual and tactile inspection for internal damage indicators, including deformation or unusual wear patterns that may suggest prior overloading or underinflation.
• Repair assessment — Any prior repairs are identified, evaluated against industry standards, and disclosed in the listing.

Tires that do not meet our minimum standards are not listed for sale.

What to Expect When You Order

• Condition is accurately described in every listing. What you see is what ships.
• Tires are shipped with appropriate protection to prevent transit damage.
• If a tire arrives in a condition materially different from the listing, contact us immediately — we stand behind our descriptions.
• For large orders or fleet purchases, we can provide additional photos or measurements on request before you commit.

Questions?

If you have questions about a specific tire's sourcing, condition, or suitability for your application, contact our team. We're here to help you make a confident, informed purchase.