How Often Should You Get a Wheel Alignment?

Published 2026-04-11 · Park Royal Tyre & Alignment Centre

Wheel alignment is one of those jobs that quietly protects your tyres, your fuel bill and your safety, yet it rarely makes it onto anyone's to-do list. Most drivers only think about it when the steering wheel sits crooked or the car starts pulling to one side. By then, the damage to your tyres has often already begun. So how often should you actually book an alignment check? The honest answer depends on how and where you drive, but there are clear guidelines that work for almost everyone. In this guide, we explain the sensible intervals, the events that knock your wheels out of line, and the warning signs worth acting on quickly.

Key takeaways

Have your alignment checked roughly once a year or every 10,000 to 12,000 miles as a baseline.
Always check alignment when fitting new tyres, and after hitting a pothole or kerb.
Pulling, uneven tyre wear and an off-centre steering wheel mean book sooner rather than later.
London's potholed roads and tight kerbs mean city drivers often need checks more frequently.

How often should you get a wheel alignment as a general rule?

As a sensible baseline, most drivers should have wheel alignment checked once a year or every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Many vehicle manufacturers suggest a similar interval in their service schedules. Think of it as routine maintenance, much like an oil change. A yearly check catches small misalignments before they wear your tyres unevenly or affect your steering. If you cover high mileage or drive on rough roads, you'll want to check more often than the annual minimum.

What knocks your wheels out of alignment?

Alignment usually shifts gradually, but sudden impacts cause most problems. Potholes, kerbs, speed bumps taken too quickly and minor collisions all jolt the suspension and steering components out of their set angles. Even a single hard knock can be enough to skew your tracking. After any of these events, it's worth getting a quick check, especially if the car feels different afterwards.

Everyday hazards that cause misalignment

The usual culprits are easy to recognise once you know them. Watch out for these common causes:

Hitting a pothole at speed or clipping a deep drain cover
Scuffing or bumping a kerb while parking
Driving over debris or crossing a high speed bump
General wear to suspension parts, bushes and ball joints over time
Carrying heavy loads regularly, which alters ride height and angles

What are the signs you need a wheel alignment sooner?

Your car will usually tell you when something's wrong, so it pays to listen. The clearest sign is the vehicle pulling to one side when you're driving straight on a level road. Other red flags include a steering wheel that sits off-centre, uneven or rapid tyre wear, and steering that feels loose or vague. If you notice any of these between scheduled checks, don't wait for your annual service. Book an inspection promptly, because misalignment only gets worse and more expensive the longer it's left.

How to spot uneven tyre wear

Run your hand across the tread now and then. If the inner or outer edge is noticeably more worn than the rest, that's a classic alignment symptom. Feathering, where the tread feels smooth one way and sharp the other, is another telltale sign worth checking.

Do you need an alignment with new tyres?

Yes, fitting new tyres is one of the best moments to have your alignment checked. New rubber is a significant investment, and driving on misaligned wheels can chew through the tread far faster than normal. Getting the angles set correctly from day one protects that investment and means your tyres wear evenly across their full life. Whenever you replace a pair or a full set of tyres, ask for an alignment check at the same time so you start with everything pointing the right way.

How does driving in London affect alignment frequency?

London's roads are notoriously hard on suspension and steering. Frequent potholes, raised kerbs, tight parking spaces and endless speed bumps all conspire to knock wheels out of line more often than gentler rural routes would. If you drive regularly around the capital, an annual check may not be enough. We'd suggest having alignment looked at every six months, or any time you feel a heavy jolt. City driving simply accelerates the wear and tear that affects your tracking angles.

Why precision matters on busy roads

Accurate alignment keeps your steering predictable in stop-start traffic and helps the car respond cleanly when you need to react quickly. A modern Hawk Eye wheel alignment measures all the angles precisely, so even small deviations get corrected before they become a problem.

What does ignoring wheel alignment cost you?

Putting off an alignment check rarely saves money in the long run. Misaligned wheels scrub against the road at the wrong angle, which wears tyres unevenly and shortens their lifespan considerably. That means buying replacements sooner than you should. Poor alignment also creates extra rolling resistance, which can nudge your fuel consumption up, and it makes the car harder to control. So a check that costs relatively little can save you the price of premature tyres and unnecessary fuel.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a wheel alignment take?

A standard alignment check and adjustment usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your vehicle and how far out the angles are. Modern laser and camera systems work quickly, so you're rarely waiting long. If extensive adjustment is needed, it may take a little more time.

Can I check my own wheel alignment at home?

You can spot the warning signs yourself, such as pulling, an off-centre steering wheel or uneven tyre wear. However, measuring and correcting the actual angles needs specialist equipment. A proper alignment relies on precise readings that simply aren't possible to achieve accurately with DIY methods at home.

Is wheel alignment the same as wheel balancing?

No, they're two different jobs. Alignment adjusts the angles of your wheels so they point correctly relative to the road and each other. Balancing corrects the weight distribution around the wheel and tyre to stop vibration. Both matter, and they're often done together during tyre fitting.

Will alignment fix a steering wheel that's off-centre?

In most cases, yes. An off-centre steering wheel when driving straight is a common symptom of misalignment, and a proper adjustment usually corrects it. If the problem persists afterwards, there may be a separate steering or suspension issue worth investigating further.

If your car is pulling, your tyres are wearing unevenly, or it's simply been a while since your last check, book an alignment with the team at Park Royal Tyre & Alignment Centre in Park Royal, London NW10 7TR. Call us on 020 3886 2355, message us on WhatsApp at 07476 586 589, or get in touch here to arrange a convenient time.