Steering wheel not centered before and after alignment

[Ricey]

I bought a Boxster recently and when driving straight the steering wheel is pointing to the left. I took it to get the wheels aligned as there was wear on the inside of the front tyres. After centering the steering wheel and aligning the wheels I took the car up the road and the steering wheel was still off to the left. I actually sat in the car holding the steering wheel straight when they aligned it! How could this occur? I was reading somewhere where it could be the control arm? The guy centering the wheels said it would go away after replacing the tyres but its not that small of a turn in the steering wheel?

[RFM]

The alignment procedure is as follow: Full fuel tank - NOBODY in the car - correct tyre pressure. Only a GOOD PERFORMED 4 wheel alignment with in the straight possition locked steering wheel, and pressed brake pedal (both performed by special alignment tools), handbrake on, can give fully satisfaction. If the car shows shortcomings after the alignment done as described, then search the error elsewhere (tyres, shock absorbers, etc.)

[demick]

Could be:

1. alignment - if they didn't properly align the car, this could still be the problem. Did they perform a complete 4-wheel alignment?

2. tires - even with a perfect alignment, if the tires are unevenly worn (as you say they are), then the car can still pull to one side

3. suspension or frame damage. Sounds like it is a used car. There can be suspension or frame damage that throws the suspension out-of-wack.

Let's hope for #1 or #2.

[Ricey]

Thanks for the feedback guys, might try the tyres and hope for the best :)