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The rim is the outermost part of the wheel, and therefore is easily scraped or scuffed. While merely scraping your rim may be bothersome or leave it with an eye soring scrape or scratch, light damage to the outer surface may not always affect your car’s safety.

Apart from superficial markings, however, rims can also be damaged in a way that impacts the performance of your vehicle. So, if you find yourself with a damaged rim, it may be vital to address the problem.

Signs of damage to the functionality of the rim or wheel include loud thumping noises as the marred portion makes contact with the road, vibrations in the steering column and difficulty steering or handling. A bent or damaged rim may also result in lower gas mileage, affect tire alignment, cause a slow leak of the tire and may eventually lead to a blowout of the tire if not addressed. 

Depending on the circumstances, some rims can be repaired. Some slight dents, for example, can be hammered out by a mechanic. So, it may be worthwhile to take your rim to the mechanic before purchasing replacements.

However, significant damage to the rim often warrants replacement.

Since custom rims are often added to vehicles as an add-on purchase, it may be possible to find used wheels in great condition. But due to the wide variety in the sizes and shapes of wheels on various makes and models, it may be difficult to find the right replacement to fit your ride. What’s more, many vendors only sell rims in sets of four.

Luckily, regardless of whether you have to replace one or all four rims, and whether you choose new or used replacements, the wide variety of options means that you will likely be able to find the perfect fit to match your price point.