Is there a rule of thumb as to when you should have your wheels aligned?

The reason I ask is that I only do 6k miles a year and everytime the car is in having a service, new tyre etc I always get asked if I wantthe wheels realigning at £100+ a pop. ( I always so no thank you)

I have had Audi S3/S4s in the past so I am aware of the needs of wheel realignment for 4 wheel drive cars but would like to avoid having to pay for the realignment if its not needed and hate the thought that someone is just trying to make a quick buck by pulling the wool over my eyes.

Any feedback on peoples thoughts on this subject will be warmly received.

Many thanks.

 

If it drives nice and straight and not unevenly wearing the tyres then I dont see the point TBH.
Only have mine checked if I have any suspension work done or as said above if the car doesnt drive straight.

 

I think most garages try it on. As previously stated if you feel the car is pulling or vibration through the steering wheel then it is worth getting checked otherwise you are lining their pockets. I would never get a main dealer to do the alignment anyway as they do the standard figures not a setup suited to your driving like a Subaru specialist would do.