A tire inspecting apparatus for automatically detecting the presence of at least one excessive indent or defect on one or both side walls of the tire comprises supply inspection and delivery conveyors arranged in line with each other. The apparatus includes contact detectors adapted to contact the side walls of the tire and to detect the presence of the excessive indent on the side wall of the tire while the tire in an inflated condition is rotated relative to the contact detectors at a position above the inspection conveyor. These contact detectors generate an electrical signal indicative of the presence of the excessive tire.