For many van owners, late November is one of the busiest stretches of the year.
You've either got parcels piling up, or jobs that need finished on site before Christmas. Plus, the roads are getting wetter and colder every week.
It's also when Black Friday lands. This year the 'day of deals' falls on Friday 27 November. So now is a good time start thinking about sorting out a new set of tyres.
Buying van tyres isn't quite the same as buying for a car. Two tyres can share the same size printed on the sidewall, but be constructed for different requirements.
Pick the wrong one and a good price stops being a good deal.
When do Black Friday van tyre deals start?
Black Friday itself is Friday 27 November 2026, and Cyber Monday follows on 30 November.
In practice, a lot of retailers start releasing offers from mid-November, so the fortnight before Black Friday is when it's worth keeping an eye out.
At the time of writing we haven't announced our 2026 Black Friday offers. The best places to catch them are:
Get ready before the offers land
Deals can come and go quickly. Do the groundwork now.
- Note down the full size, load index and speed rating from the tyres currently on the van.
- Check the handbook to make sure they're what the manufacturer specifies.
- Work out whether you need two tyres or four
- And when the van can realistically be off the road.
If the answers are ready, you can order when you see a deal - without second-guessing the details.
It's also worth thinking about fitting.
Late November and December are busy for most trades. Picking a date and a garage or mobile fitting slot in advance saves trying to squeeze it in later.
Can I put car tyres on my van?
We would not recommend this.
TyreSafe says vans "usually require specific tyres which are designed to cope with the payload". Most car tyres are not suitable.
The difference is in the construction. A van tyre marked with a C (for commercial) has a reinforced carcass. This allows the tyre to carry more weight than a standard passenger tyre.
Michelin explains that on its
guide to reinforced van tyres, where it also says panel vans must run on C-marked tyres.
There's one exception worth knowing. Small car-derived vans, the Citroën Berlingo and Renault Kangoo for example, don't have to use C tyres.
They still need a tyre with the load index the manufacturer specifies, which is in the handbook. If you're not sure which camp your van falls into, the tyre currently fitted is a good clue, but the handbook is the one to trust.
On Blackcircles, van-specific tyres show a van logo in the listing. Along with a ply rating such as 6P, 8P or 10P.
How to read a van tyre sidewall
Take a typical marking used in
Michelin's van tyre size guide: 225/65 R16 C 112/110 R.
- 225 is the width in millimetres.
- 65 is the profile, the sidewall height as a percentage of the width.
- R16 means a radial tyre for a 16-inch wheel.
- C marks it as a commercial tyre.
- 112/110 is the load index, given twice.
- R is the speed rating, 170km/h in this case.
The double load index is the bit that catches people out. The first number applies when the tyre runs on its own on an axle. The second applies when it's one of a pair of twin wheels, as on some rear-wheel-drive vans and chassis cabs. Each number links to a maximum weight per tyre:
| Load index
| Maximum load per tyre (kg)
|
|---|
| 103
| 875
|
| 105
| 925
|
| 107
| 975
|
| 110
| 1,060
|
| 112
| 1,120
|
Are all-season tyres worth it on a van?
If your van works through the winter, buying tyres in late November is good timing. It's the point where a lot of drivers weigh up summer tyres against all-season. Or winter ones.
For most UK van work, all-season tyres are a sensible middle ground. They're made to cope with cold, wet and occasionally icy roads without a seasonal swap.
Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall. That indicates that the tyre has passed a recognised snow performance test.
It'll still need the C marking and the right load index. Check those first and the season second.
Van tyre checks once the new set is on
New tyres only stay at their best if they're looked after. Generally speaking vans are harder on tyres than cars.
DVSA's latest MOT figures, for the 2025 to 2026 financial year, show tyre defects in 5.22% of initial MOT tests on
class 7 goods vehicles (3,000kg to 3,500kg, which covers most large panel vans).
Among the dangerous defects found at those tests, tyres came second only to brakes.. It's worth noting that smaller vans are tested alongside cars in class 4, so their figures can't be separated out.
Pressures: laden or unladen
Most vans have two sets of recommended pressures. One for running light and one for a full load.
You'll find them in the handbook, inside the fuel filler flap or on a plate in the driver's door frame. We recommend that you check the tyre pressures at least once a month and before long trips. Always with the tyres cold.
Loading a van without adjusting pressures makes tyres wear out much faster. Even if you are running 1 bar under the correct pressure - this can raise the risk of a blowout. On top of that, the braking distances can also be longer.
Weight
Overloading a van is one of the most common offences found at roadside checks. With fines of up to £800.
An overloaded tyre flexes more and builds up heat. If your load varies a lot from job to job, it's worth knowing your van's payload and roughly what your usual kit weighs.
Tread and condition
The legal limit for vans up to 3,500kg is the same as for cars: 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round.
Each illegal tyre can bring a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points.
It's important to also check over the sidewalls as well. Kerbs, site entrances and potholes on delivery rounds can cause cuts and bulges. If you spot a bulge, this means you have some internal damage and the tyre will need replaced.
Buying and fitting van tyres with Blackcircles
Enter your registration on Blackcircles and we'll show tyres that fit your van, or search by the size on your current sidewall. Then choose fitting at a local garage or with a mobile fitter. A mobile fitter can come to your yard, site or home, so the van isn't off the road for longer than the fitting itself.
We work with over 2,200 fitters across the UK, so there's usually a garage or
mobile tyre fitting slot that fits around your working week.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday falls on Friday 27 November 2026, with Cyber Monday on 30 November. Many retailers start their offers from mid-November, so it's worth checking our Black Friday page in the run-up.
What does the C mean on a van tyre?
C stands for commercial. It shows the tyre has a reinforced construction designed to carry heavier loads than a passenger car tyre of the same size.
Why does my van tyre have two load index numbers?
The first number is the maximum load when the tyre runs on its own on an axle. The second, lower number applies when it's fitted as part of a twin-wheel pair.
What tyre pressure should my van be at when fully loaded?
It depends on the van. Most manufacturers give a separate, higher figure for a full load, which you'll find in the handbook, inside the fuel filler flap or on the driver's door frame.
What is the legal tread depth for van tyres?
For vans up to 3,500kg it's 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the full circumference. Vans above 3,500kg follow the 1mm limit for truck tyres.
Is it safe to drive a van with a bulge in the tyre?
No. A bulge usually means the internal structure has been damaged, and the tyre can fail without warning, especially under load. Replace it before using the van again.
