Key takeaways
- Many new cars now come with a tyre repair kit or run-flats instead of a spare wheel, to save weight and boot space.
- A repair kit (sealant and a compressor) can get you moving after a small tread puncture, but not after a sidewall cut or blowout.
- If you have no spare and cannot use a repair kit, the safest option is a mobile fitter who brings a new tyre to you.
- On a motorway, get behind the barrier and call for help rather than trying anything at the roadside.
Open the boot of many modern cars and there is no spare wheel — just a tyre repair kit, or nothing at all because the car runs on run-flats. It saves weight and fuel, but it leaves drivers unsure what to do at the roadside. This guide explains why spares are disappearing, your real options after a puncture, and what to do when nothing works.
Why do new cars not have a spare?
Carmakers increasingly leave out the spare wheel to save weight and boot space and to help meet fuel-economy and emissions targets. In its place you typically get a tyre repair kit — a bottle of sealant and a small compressor — or the car runs on run-flat tyres designed to be driven on after a puncture. Both are lighter than a full spare.
It is worth checking your own boot now, before you ever need it. Knowing whether you have a spare, a space-saver, a repair kit or run-flats tells you exactly what your options will be at the roadside.
The trade-off is real. Leaving out the spare shaves weight that helps fuel economy and frees up boot space, but it also removes the one option that works for almost any puncture. A repair kit cannot fix a sidewall cut or a blown tyre, so a car without a spare can still leave you stranded with no roadside fix at all if the damage is severe.
What are your options with no spare?
Your choices depend on what the car came with and the type of damage. A repair kit handles small tread punctures; run-flats let you drive on, briefly, after a puncture; and for anything more serious — a sidewall cut, a blowout or a large hole — you will need a mobile fitter or recovery. Here is how they compare.
| What you have | Good for | Not suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre repair kit | Small tread punctures | Sidewall cuts, blowouts, large holes |
| Run-flat tyres | Limited drive after a puncture | Long trips at speed; severe damage |
| Space-saver | Short, slow trip to a fitter | Motorway speeds, long distances |
| Nothing fittable | — | Anything — call a mobile fitter |
How to use a tyre repair kit
A repair kit injects liquid sealant into the tyre and re-inflates it with the built-in compressor, plugging small holes in the tread well enough for a slow, short drive to a fitter. It only works for minor tread punctures, not sidewall damage or blowouts, and the tyre must still be on the wheel. Follow the kit's instructions carefully.
- Read the instructions and check the kit is in date — sealant has a shelf life.
- Remove the object only if the instructions tell you to; many say leave it in.
- Attach the sealant bottle and compressor to the valve as directed.
- Inflate to the recommended pressure, then drive gently for a short distance to spread the sealant.
- Recheck the pressure, then head straight to a fitter — the repair is temporary.
What to do at the roadside with no spare
First get to safety: stop somewhere firm, level and clear of traffic, switch on your hazard lights, and get everyone out on the side away from the road. Then assess the damage. If it is a small tread puncture and you have a kit, you can try it; otherwise call for a mobile fitter or recovery rather than driving on a flat.
- Stop safely, handbrake on, hazard lights on.
- Get all occupants out and well clear of traffic.
- Look at the damage — tread puncture, sidewall cut or blowout.
- Use a repair kit only for a minor tread puncture.
- Otherwise, call a mobile tyre fitter or recovery service.
Whatever you do, do not drive on a fully flat tyre to find help — see why in our guide to whether it is safe to drive on a flat tyre.
Stay with your phone and somewhere you can be found easily. If you are unsure of your location, look for a marker post on a major road, the nearest junction number, or use the what3words app, which pinpoints you to a three-metre square. Giving a clear location to a fitter or recovery operator is often the slowest part of getting help, so it pays to sort it early.
When to call for help instead
Call for help whenever the damage is beyond a repair kit, you are not confident, or the location is unsafe. On a motorway or fast road, do not attempt anything: National Highways advises getting out of the left-hand door, standing behind the safety barrier, and calling for assistance. A mobile fitter or recovery service is the right call there.
A mobile fitter is often the most practical answer even off the motorway, because they bring the correct new tyre to you and fit it on the spot — no recovery truck, no trip to a garage on a temporary fix, and no guesswork.
When you call, have a few details ready so the right tyre arrives first time: the tyre size from the sidewall, the make and model of the car, and your exact location. The tyre size is the string of numbers and letters on the tyre wall, such as 205/55 R16. Reading it out saves a wasted trip and gets you back on the road faster.
Getting a new tyre brought to you
When you have no spare and no usable repair, the simplest fix is to have a fitter come to you. Fast Tyre carries a wide range of stock and our mobile tyre fitting service covers London and central England 24/7, usually arriving within 30–60 minutes to fit a new tyre at your home, work or roadside. For urgent breakdowns, use our emergency callout.
Frequently asked questions
Carmakers leave out spares to save weight and boot space and to help meet fuel-economy and emissions targets. In their place you usually get a tyre repair kit or run-flat tyres. Check your boot now so you know exactly what you have before you ever need it.
No. A repair kit only handles small holes in the tread area. It cannot fix a sidewall cut, a large gash or a blowout, and the tyre must still be on the wheel. After using one, treat it as temporary and get to a fitter for a proper repair or replacement.
Yes, there is no legal requirement to carry a spare in the UK. Many cars are sold without one. What matters is that all the tyres fitted to the car are legal and roadworthy. If you have no spare, it is wise to know your repair-kit or callout options.
Only briefly — sealant is a temporary get-you-going fix, not a repair. Drive gently and head straight to a fitter, ideally within a short distance and well under any limit stated in the kit instructions. The tyre should then be inspected and properly repaired or replaced.
Get to safety, switch on your hazards, and call a mobile tyre fitter or recovery service rather than driving on a flat. A mobile fitter can bring the correct new tyre to your location and fit it on the spot, saving a tow and a temporary fix.