Flat tyre
Flat Tyre and No Spare? We'll Get You Sorted
Plenty of newer cars come with a tyre repair kit or a space-saver instead of a full-size spare, which is fine until you actually need it and the sealant doesn't hold or the space-saver isn't suitable for the road you're on. A blowout or a slow puncture with nothing usable to replace it leaves you needing a hand.
We deal with flat tyres across Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and the Black Country whether or not you've got a spare, a working jack, or the right kit — from fitting a spare where one exists to recovering the car if it doesn't.
When you do have a usable spare
If there's a full-size or space-saver spare and the wheel nuts aren't seized, we can usually get it swapped on scene fairly quickly, provided you're parked somewhere safe and level enough to jack the car up.
When a sealant kit hasn't worked
Tyre sealant only works on smaller punctures in the tread and won't do anything for a sidewall tear, a large hole, or a wheel that's come off the rim. If the sealant hasn't sealed the hole, or it's inflated but still losing air, the tyre needs replacing rather than topping up again.
Space-saver limitations
Space-saver spares are only meant for short distances at reduced speed, usually up to 50mph and for around 50 miles, just enough to get to a tyre garage. If your destination is further than that, or the space-saver itself is damaged or missing, recovery is the safer option rather than pushing it beyond its limits.
- Space-savers are speed and distance limited, not a full fix
- Sidewall damage means the tyre can't be sealed or safely driven on
- A wheel that's come off the rim needs recovery, not a jack
- Seized wheel nuts on the roadside can need specialist tools
When there's no spare at all
If your car has no spare and only came with a sealant kit that hasn't fixed the problem, or the tyre's too badly damaged to seal, we'll recover the car to a tyre fitter of your choice. This is often quicker and safer than trying to source a matching tyre at the roadside.
Questions we get asked
Can you fit a new tyre at the roadside?
We don't carry stock tyres to fit on the spot, but we can recover your car straight to a tyre fitter, or fit your spare if you have one.
My tyre sealant worked but the tyre keeps going down — what now?
Sealant is a temporary fix. If it's slowly losing pressure again, the tyre needs replacing rather than repeated top-ups, and we can get you to a fitter.
Is it safe to drive slowly on a flat to the nearest garage?
No, driving on a completely flat tyre can damage the wheel and sometimes the suspension, so it's best not to risk it even for a short distance.
What if my wheel nuts are seized and won't budge?
This happens, particularly if a garage over-tightened them. We carry breaker bars and can usually shift them, or we'll recover the car if not.
Flat with nothing to fit?
Call 07402 666 687 and we'll fit a spare where possible or recover you to a tyre fitter across Birmingham and beyond.