How to Sell Your Used OEM Wheels in 2026 (Without Getting Ripped Off)
So you've got a set of OEM wheels sitting in your garage. Maybe you upgraded to aftermarket. Maybe you bought a new car and the old wheels are just collecting dust. Either way, you're thinking — can I actually get money for these things?
Yes. Yes you can.
But where you sell them and how you go about it makes a HUGE difference in what you'll actually pocket. We've been buying and selling OEM wheels at Santa Ana Wheel since before the internet existed, and we've seen every mistake in the book. Let me save you some headaches.
Your OEM Wheels Are Worth More Than You Think
Most people drastically undervalue their factory wheels. They see aftermarket wheels selling for $200 a set on Craigslist and assume OEM is the same ballpark. Wrong.
OEM wheels hold value because they're engineered specifically for your vehicle. Body shops need them for collision repairs. Dealerships need them for CPO programs. Insurance companies require them for claims. That demand keeps prices up.
Here's a rough idea of what different OEM wheels fetch in 2026:
- Economy brands (Toyota, Honda, Nissan): $40-100 per wheel
- Mid-range (Ford, Chevy, Hyundai): $50-120 per wheel
- Premium (BMW, Mercedes, Audi): $100-300 per wheel
- Luxury/Specialty (Porsche, Tesla, Land Rover): $150-500+ per wheel
That dusty set of BMW wheels in your garage? Could be worth $400-1,200. Not bad for something you were thinking about tossing.
Option 1: Sell to a Wheel Buyer (Fastest and Easiest)
This is what we do at Santa Ana Wheel. We buy OEM wheels directly from people. Been doing it since 1958 — 68 years and counting.
How it works with us:
- You tell us what you've got (brand, model, year, wheel size, condition)
- We give you a quote — usually within 24 hours
- If you accept, we arrange pickup or you ship them to us
- You get paid. Done.
The pros? Zero hassle. No tire-kickers, no lowballers, no waiting around for someone who never shows up. We've done this over 47,000 times. Our 4.8 Google rating with 500+ reviews? That's not an accident.
The trade-off is you might get 10-20% less than selling privately. That's the convenience premium. Most people tell us it's absolutely worth it.
Option 2: Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
Ah, the classic DIY approach. And honestly? It can work. Sometimes.
The upside is you might get top dollar from someone who needs exactly your wheel for their car. Direct buyer-to-seller, no middleman cut.
The downside? Buckle up.
You'll deal with:
- People offering half your asking price "because I can get aftermarket cheaper"
- No-shows. So many no-shows.
- Strangers wanting to meet in parking lots
- Scam attempts — fake PayPal payments are rampant
- "Is this still available?" messages from people who never respond after you say yes
- Having to store the wheels for weeks or months until they sell
I'm not trying to scare you off — plenty of people sell successfully this way. But go in with realistic expectations. Budget 2-6 weeks for the sale and be prepared for the circus.
Option 3: eBay
eBay gives you access to buyers nationwide, which is great for rare or premium wheels. A set of Porsche Cayenne wheels will sell faster on eBay than on your local Craigslist.
But the costs add up quick:
- eBay takes about 13% in fees
- PayPal/payment processing: another 3%
- Shipping four wheels? $80-200 depending on size and distance
- Packaging materials and your time boxing everything up
So if you sell a set for $600, you might actually pocket $350-400 after everything. Plus you're on the hook if the buyer claims they arrived damaged. Shipping wheels is nerve-wracking — they're heavy, awkward, and easy to scratch in transit.
Option 4: Junkyards and Scrap
Just... don't. Unless your wheels are genuinely destroyed — cracked, severely bent, irreparable — scrapping them is throwing money away. Scrap aluminum pays maybe $0.50-0.80 per pound. A 20-lb wheel gets you $10-16. Each.
Your OEM wheels are worth WAY more than scrap value to someone who needs them. Even wheels with curb rash or minor damage have value to body shops that can refinish them.
How to Get the Best Price for Your OEM Wheels
Regardless of where you sell, do these things:
Clean them up. Spend 20 minutes with wheel cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Clean wheels photograph better and sell for 15-25% more. we've seen it over and over.
Take good photos. Show all four wheels, close-ups of any damage, the back side, and the center cap. Include a shot of the part number stamped on the back — serious buyers want to verify fitment.
Know your specs. Diameter, width, offset, bolt pattern, center bore. If you don't know these, check your owner's manual or look up your car on a wheel fitment database. This info helps the right buyer find you.
Be honest about condition. Curb rash on one wheel? Say so. Minor scratches? Mention them. Buyers respect honesty and you avoid returns and disputes later.
Include tires if they're decent. If your tires have 50%+ tread left, sell the whole package. Wheels with mounted tires sell faster because the buyer doesn't need to buy and mount new rubber.
What Affects OEM Wheel Value the Most?
From our experience buying tens of thousands of wheels, here's what actually moves the price needle:
Brand matters — a lot. German luxury wheels (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche) consistently command the highest prices. Japanese economy wheels (Corolla, Civic base model) are at the lower end. Supply and demand, pure and simple.
Size matters too. 18-inch and larger wheels are worth more than 15-16 inch wheels. The trend toward bigger factory wheels has been great for sellers.
Condition is king. A perfect set of wheels is worth 2-3x what a heavily curbed set fetches. Protect your investment — those parking garage pillars aren't going to move out of your way.
Rarity adds value. Limited edition or sport package wheels are worth more because they're harder to find. Think Mustang GT Performance Pack wheels or BMW M Sport wheels.
Age decreases value... slowly. Unlike aftermarket, OEM wheels depreciate slowly because demand stays consistent. Body shops will need 2018 Camry wheels for years to come — those cars aren't disappearing from the road anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell just one or two OEM wheels instead of a full set?
Absolutely. Individual wheels actually have strong demand because many buyers only need to replace one damaged wheel. We buy singles, pairs, and full sets at Santa Ana Wheel.
Do I need to include the tires when selling OEM wheels?
Nope. Wheels without tires are perfectly fine to sell. Some buyers actually prefer bare wheels so they can mount their own preferred tire brand. That said, if your tires have good tread, bundling them adds value.
What if my OEM wheels have curb rash or scratches?
They're still worth money! Minor cosmetic damage reduces value by 20-40%, but they're far from worthless. Body shops and wheel refinishers buy damaged wheels all the time. We buy them too — our refinishing team handles the rest.
How do I ship wheels safely?
Wrap each wheel individually in bubble wrap or moving blankets. Use a sturdy box — double-wall cardboard minimum. Fill gaps with packing material. Or better yet, sell to a buyer who arranges their own pickup. Hint: that's us.
Is it worth selling wheels from a really old car?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Wheels from popular models (Civic, Camry, F-150) hold value for a long time because those cars stay on the road for 15+ years. Wheels from obscure models with low production numbers? Might be tougher to sell. Give us a call — we'll tell you straight up if your wheels have market value.
Timing Your Sale Right
Quick tip that most guides won't mention. The used OEM wheel market has seasons.
Spring is your golden window — March through May. Everyone's replacing wheels damaged by winter potholes and road salt. Body shops are slammed with work and burning through inventory. Prices tick up 10-20% compared to the dead of winter.
Summer's decent too, especially for truck and SUV wheels. People gear up for road trips, realize their wheels are beat, and start shopping.
November through January? Slowest period. Fewer repairs, people spending money on holidays instead of wheels. If you can wait for spring, do it. Your patience will literally pay you.
Ready to Sell Your OEM Wheels?
Look, I'm obviously biased here — selling to us is the easiest option by far. But I genuinely believe it's also the smartest option for most people. You get a fair price, fast payment, and zero drama.
We've been in Anaheim doing this since 1958. We've built our reputation on honest deals and straightforward business — 4,900+ business customers and a 4.8 Google rating don't lie.
Get your free quote here → Takes about 60 seconds. What are those garage-shelf wheels doing for you right now? Exactly.
