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I'm looking to scratchbuild a few models, both for 40k and for mordheim, and wanted to know what sorts of tricks people have used to make wheels for stuff like chariots, wagons, bikes, etc.

I've cut slices from plastic pipes for metal wheels and plasticard circles with some holes drilled into for spokes.

Cheap toys are often cheaper than any raw materials.
Take a look in a dollar store or target or wherever and see what you can find?

For Mordheim and other olden-days stuff, consider making solid 'wooden' wheels from plasticard. Only really suitable for wagons and similar 'heavy' vehicles though.

Toys are definitely worth a look, although quality is wildly variable. And don't forget LEGO

Seconded for scavenging toys

I've sculpted goblin chariot wheels from greenstuff before, it's not too hard assuming you want solid wheels rather than spoked wheels, but if you can scavenge wheels from elsewhere that's obviously easier

I used a round 40k base as the basis for my wheels, simply so I had a perfect circle to start from. I was just struggling to find something the correct diameter and width and a 40k base happened to be close to ideal, but you could use anything round.

Granted, if I were making wheels again, I probably wouldn't use that method again, lol.

Buttons.

You can get some wonderful buttons in various sizes and with the addition of some gubbins to them - they make passable cart/chariot wheels.

Some round shield also serve this purpose.

Third the scavenging toys

also, you can find wheel like circles in some hobby stores, in the wood craft section. I often get small button type things, barrels, wheels etc there.