Punctures always seem to happen at the worst possible time. The good news is that many can be repaired safely and quickly, as long as you stop driving on the tyre as soon as you notice.
First: get somewhere safe
- If you feel the car pulling, hear a flapping noise or see a tyre pressure warning light, slow down gently and pull over somewhere safe.
- Put your hazard lights on. On a motorway, leave at the next exit if you can, or stop in an emergency area and call for help. Don’t try to change a wheel at the roadside there.
- Avoid driving any distance on a flat tyre. It can damage the tyre’s internal structure (and sometimes the wheel), which usually means it can no longer be repaired.
Spare wheel, space saver or sealant?
- Full-size spare: swap it over and bring the punctured tyre to us to be checked.
- Space saver: fine to get you to a garage, but they usually have a lower speed limit (often 50mph, so check the sticker on the wheel) and aren’t designed for long distances.
- Sealant kit: a temporary fix to get you moving. Let us know if you’ve used one, as the sealant needs cleaning out and can sometimes make a repair impossible.
Can my tyre be repaired?
In the UK, car tyre repairs should follow British Standard BS AU 159. In simple terms, a tyre can usually be repaired if:
- The damage is in the central part of the tread (the “minor repair area”), not the shoulder or sidewall.
- The hole is no bigger than 6mm across.
- The tyre hasn’t been driven on while flat or badly under-inflated.
- There’s no other damage, such as bulges, cuts or a previous repair too close by.
- The tread is still above the legal limit.
Run-flat tyres
Run-flats are different, and some manufacturers don’t approve repairs at all. Bring it in and we’ll check what’s allowed for your tyre.
How we handle a puncture
We take the tyre off the wheel and inspect it inside and out. If it’s safe to repair, we carry out a proper repair, refit the wheel and set the pressure. If it isn’t, we’ll show you why and give you a clear price for a replacement. No pressure, no jargon.
Got a puncture right now?
Call us on 0116 403 0705 or send us a photo of the tyre on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you what we think. You’ll find us at 45 Carlisle Street, Leicester LE3 6AH.
