[josefmikel]

Hi all,
Bit of a random one, but what do you actually do if you get a flat tyre while the car is parked at home and you don’t have a spare?
A lot of newer cars don’t come with spare wheels anymore, and I’m not sure what the best option is in that situation recovery, mobile tyre fitter, or something else?
Just trying to be prepared in case it happens.
What would you guys recommend based on your experience?

[Rolebama]

At the moment I have a space saver. So no problem. But I have no doubt that I could find someone available to take me and my flat to a tyre place. I have 4 in a 10 minute drive.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by josefmikel

Hi all,
Bit of a random one, but what do you actually do if you get a flat tyre while the car is parked at home and you don’t have a spare?
A lot of newer cars don’t come with spare wheels anymore, and I’m not sure what the best option is in that situation recovery, mobile tyre fitter, or something else?
Just trying to be prepared in case it happens.
What would you guys recommend based on your experience?

1. Best option is to buy a space-saver (and a jack!), if there is room. I've managed to fit one on most of the cars that came without. Lots of them (new and used) on ebay.

2. Join the RAC (other operators are available) with "At Home" cover. They should be able to sort you out, but read the Ts and Cs before you join.

3. I suspect a mobile fitter would always sell you a tyre, not attempt a repair, but I could be wrong.

[NMNeil]

I have a couple of these; one in the truck and one in my toolbox.
https://www.harborfreight.com/tubele...ece-62611.html
Along with a 12V air pump in the truck.
They are supposed to be temporary but so far the one I put in about 3 years ago is still working fine and holding air. 😎

[olduser]

I am not sure they are legal in the UK.
Then there are the insurers to contend with.

[NMNeil]

@olduser 2am in the middle of the desert 100 miles from home with a flat tyre and the means to fix it; the insurers would be the last thing on my mind.
Transpose to the UK and make it 2am on a motorway in the pi**ing rain and freezing cold when the RAC gives you an estimated date; not time to arrive to fix the puncture.😎

[Santa]

I am not fit to change my own tyres. One morning last year, I got up to find I had a flat tire and called the RAC to fit the space-saver spare. They turned up about three hours after my call, which I thought was pretty good seeing that I was at home.

If the tyre had been in need of replacement, I would have called a mobile fitter and had them replace it.

[Seal]

Originally Posted by josefmikel

Hi all,
Bit of a random one, but what do you actually do if you get a flat tyre while the car is parked at home and you don’t have a spare?
A lot of newer cars don’t come with spare wheels anymore, and I’m not sure what the best option is in that situation recovery, mobile tyre fitter, or something else?
Just trying to be prepared in case it happens.
What would you guys recommend based on your experience?

Most if not all new cars sold come with a temp repair pack in place of a spare, ie a can of water based sealant that you attach to the valve and it then pumps the repair mix into the tyre and inflates it at the same time. This is now the standard kit supplied, one is told to save weight and thus meet higher mpg figures. Anyway it is accepted by the DVLA and as long as you replace it once used your vehicle will not fail an MOT. Just remember that it is not a permanent fix it is designed to get you back home or to a tyre repair shop. The good news is that because it is now water based it doesn’t ruin your tyre so allowing the tyre repair shop to insert a proper plug and not replace the tyre, unless it has sidewall or other major damage. Hope that helps.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Seal

Most if not all new cars sold come with a temp repair pack in place of a spare, ie a can of water based sealant that you attach to the valve and it then pumps the repair mix into the tyre and inflates it at the same time. This is now the standard kit supplied, one is told to save weight and thus meet higher mpg figures. Anyway it is accepted by the DVLA and as long as you replace it once used your vehicle will not fail an MOT. Just remember that it is not a permanent fix it is designed to get you back home or to a tyre repair shop. The good news is that because it is now water based it doesn’t ruin your tyre so allowing the tyre repair shop to insert a proper plug and not replace the tyre, unless it has sidewall or other major damage. Hope that helps.

The MOT is irrelevant. The MOT manual says "You only need to inspect the road wheels fitted to the vehicle at the time of the inspection. If you notice a defect on a spare wheel, you should tell the vehicle presenter about it."

[Seal]

Well I don’t really care what the MOT manual says about old vehicles!

I was referring to NEWER VEHICLES and if they don’t have a spare included with the vehicle at manufacture then you are not obliged to go out and buy one at a later date but you are obliged to have the repair item I mentioned as a ‘repair option’

Are you suggesting that you are required by law (the MOT manual ) to retro fit seatbelts to pre seatbelt vehicles? Perhaps you expect that to happen with a 1908 Rolls Royce or any pre MOT vintage Vehicle?

I don’t exactly know what point you are trying to make or perhaps you just didn’t bother to read my comment !

The original question by the author was, as I read it, concerning the fact that, and I quote, ‘newer cars don’t come with a spare’ and ‘what can he or she do about that if a flat tyre was encountered’
ALL I DID WAS OFFER A SOLUTION.

Nobody at any stage mentioned older vehicles or MOTs apart from you. I’m terribly sorry if that offended you, no actually I’m not. Have a nice day.

[Beelzebub]

I didn't mention older vehicles.

Let me enlarge. There is no requirement in law to carry a spare wheel: that is why it has never been examined in the MOT.

There is also no requirement to have a a can of gunk or any other substitute for a spare wheel, and the same logic applies to the MOT

BTW I am not so easily offended. Have a good Easter!

[Seal]

@Beelzebub
I very much doubt I will have a good Easter but thanks for the thought.

[Tricia]

@NMNeil oohh

[Tricia]

good to hear that