Key takeaways
- A run flat can sometimes be repaired: the hole must be in the central tread, no bigger than 6mm, the tyre must not have been driven any real distance flat, and the tyre maker must allow it.
- Makers disagree. Goodyear and Michelin allow one repair after an inspection inside the tyre; Pirelli and Continental advise against; Kwik Fit and Protyre will not repair run flats at all.
- Treat about 50 miles at no more than 50mph as the limit, not a minimum. TyreSafe says tyres marked RF are built to run at least that far with no air, but Pirelli and Continental give 50 miles at 50mph and Michelin says up to 80 km. Load, heat and the road shorten it, and your handbook gives the figure for your car.
- You can legally swap to normal tyres. Kwik Fit advises against it and TyreSafe notes the suspension is tuned for run flats, while Protyre accepts a switch if you do not mix types. If you do, fit all four, keep the pressure sensors working and carry a puncture plan.
Sometimes, but far less often than a normal tyre. A run flat can only be repaired if the hole is small and in the central tread, the tyre was not driven any real distance while flat, and the tyre maker allows a repair at all. If any one of those fails, it needs replacing.
The catch is the design itself. A run flat lets you keep driving after a puncture, so many have been driven on flat by the time anyone looks at them, and the damage that causes is inside the tyre where you cannot see it. This guide covers the checks a fitter makes, which makers allow a repair, how far it will take you, how to tell if your car is on run flats, and your options if it cannot be repaired, including swapping to normal tyres.
The four checks that decide a run flat repair
There is no single answer, because two sets of rules apply. The first is the British Standard for tyre repairs, BS AU 159, which covers any car tyre. The British Tyre Manufacturers' Association summary of the standard says the tyre must come off the wheel and be inspected inside and out (the BTMA summary is based on the 1997 edition of the standard). The hole must sit in the central repairable area of the tread. It must be no wider than 6mm. A tyre showing deflation damage must not be repaired. Our guide to the BS AU 159 puncture repair rules explains the repairable area in detail.
The second is the tyre maker's own policy, and that is where run flats differ. Michelin puts it plainly: each manufacturer is free to decide whether or not to repair its run flats. So a run flat is a repair candidate only when all four of these are true:
- Position. The hole is in the central tread, not the shoulder or sidewall.
- Size. The hole is no bigger than 6mm.
- Not driven flat. The warning was caught early, and inside the tyre there is no creasing, cracking, rubber crumb or rough, worn lining. These are the signs Goodyear, Bridgestone and Hankook name for a tyre that has run flat.
- The maker allows it. The brand permits a repair on that tyre, and it has not been repaired before if the maker allows only one.
An example: same screw, two outcomes
This is an illustration, not a real customer. A screw sits in the centre of the tread of a Goodyear ROF tyre, and the warning came on two miles ago on a 30mph road. Checks 1 and 2 pass from outside, and Goodyear allows one repair, so this tyre is a repair candidate until it is off the wheel and checked inside.
Now take the same tyre and the same screw, driven 40 miles at motorway speed after the warning. That is faster than the 50mph run flat limit, and Goodyear rules out a repair on a tyre driven at low or zero pressure for a substantial distance. Expect a new tyre.
Which tyre makers allow a run flat repair?
Read the brand on your sidewall, then find it below. Where the maker publishes its own UK page we link it. Where we could only find the maker's statement as reported by a UK tyre dealer, we say so, because those statements date from 2018 and may have changed.
| Brand | Run flat repair position | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Goodyear | Yes, by a qualified professional after a thorough inspection and a look at the tyre's history. One repair in the tyre's life. Not if in doubt. | Goodyear UK |
| Michelin | Yes, once, under the same conditions as a normal tyre, unless the sidewall says the tyre cannot be repaired. | Michelin UK |
| Pirelli | Generally replace, not repair, though it depends on the individual case. | Pirelli UK |
| Bridgestone | Yes. Bridgestone says its DriveGuard run flats are repairable like a conventional tyre. For its other run flats, the reported rule is no repair if there is creasing, cracking or rubber crumb inside. | Bridgestone UK (DriveGuard); other run flats: maker statement reported by Bush Tyres (2018) |
| Dunlop | Yes, after a thorough inspection, unless the car's handbook says otherwise. | Maker statement reported by Bush Tyres (2018) |
| Hankook | Not if it was run below 15 psi or there is abrasion, wrinkling or separation inside. | Maker statement reported by Bush Tyres (2018) |
| Continental | No repair of its SSR run flats, because damage to the sidewall inserts may not be visible. | Maker statement reported by Bush Tyres (2018); Continental's own repair page rules out tyres with run flat damage |
Notice what decides it: the tyre brand, not the car. A BMW on Bridgestone run flats and a BMW on Continental run flats get different answers. Our BMW run flat guide covers the make-specific detail.
Why do so many fitters refuse to repair run flats?
Because the reinforced sidewall hides the evidence. Driving on a deflated run flat puts the structure under high stress and can damage it permanently, and even a qualified repairer may struggle to spot that damage. That is TyreSafe's explanation, and Pirelli makes the same point about minor secondary damage. For that reason, TyreSafe says, several industry associations do not recommend repairing run flats.
So some chains refuse as a policy. Kwik Fit says it does not repair run flats, because it can be impossible to tell how far or how fast the car was driven after the puncture. Protyre's short answer is also no. That is a business decision, not a legal one. We found no law that bans repairing a run flat, and BS AU 159 is a standard rather than a statute. If you are told no, ask whether it is the brand's rule, the damage, or the garage's policy. Only the first two are about your tyre.
One thing not to do: do not squirt sealant into a punctured run flat. Bush Tyres points out there is no need, because the tyre is designed to be driven while flat, and the BTMA does not recognise liquid sealant as a repair. In our view as fitters, sealant inside the tyre also makes it harder to inspect the inside, and every repair depends on that inspection.
How far can you drive on a run flat tyre after a puncture?
About 50 miles at no more than 50mph, then stop. Treat 50 miles as the limit, not a minimum. Your vehicle handbook gives the figure for your car, and that is the one to trust.
The sources frame it slightly differently. TyreSafe says tyres with "RF" in the size marking are built to run with no air for at least 50 miles at up to 50mph, while Pirelli and Continental give 50 miles at 50mph and Michelin says up to 80 km at 80 km/h. Michelin adds that your real range depends on the load in the car, the outside temperature and the road.
Treat the distance as a way to reach somewhere safe, not a target. Each mile driven flat stresses the sidewall, so the further you go, the less chance there is of a repair.
What happens when you get a puncture on a run flat?
Often, nothing you can feel. The tyre keeps its shape, so the tyre pressure warning light on the dashboard is usually your only clue. When it comes on:
- Slow to 50mph or less and drive smoothly.
- On a motorway, the Highway Code says to leave at the next exit or pull into a service area if you can. A run flat gives you the range to do that, which is the point of it.
- If you have to stop on the motorway itself, get out on the side away from traffic, wait behind the barrier and call 999 or National Highways on 0300 123 5000. We never work on a live carriageway, hard shoulder or slip road; we fit once the car is off the motorway. Our guide to a flat tyre on a smart motorway covers this step by step.
- Park somewhere safe off the road, at home, at work or in a car park, and note roughly how far you drove after the warning. The fitter will ask.
How run flat tyres work, and why that matters for a repair
A run flat has a reinforced, self-supporting sidewall. Pirelli describes reinforcements built into the sidewall that support the car's loads even with no pressure in the tyre, so the tyre does not collapse onto the rim when the air goes. It does not stop punctures: Goodyear notes its run flats do not make a puncture any less likely. That same stiffness is what hides damage from a fitter after a puncture. Because you might not feel the puncture, TyreSafe says a car on run flats must have a working tyre pressure monitoring system. If a sensor has failed, our TPMS sensor replacement service can fit a new one at the car.
How to tell if you have run flat tyres before you call
There is no single run flat symbol. Each maker prints its own code or wording on the sidewall, usually near the size. Look for one of these:
| Sidewall marking | What it means |
|---|---|
| RF in the size | Run flat; TyreSafe says these run at least 50 miles at up to 50mph |
| ZP | Michelin (Zero Pressure) |
| EMT | Extended Mobility, used by Michelin and Goodyear |
| ROF | Goodyear Run On Flat |
| RFT | Bridgestone RunFlat Technology; DriveGuard is Bridgestone's run flat range |
| SSR | Continental Self Supporting Runflat |
| DSST | Dunlop Self Supporting Technology |
| HRS | Hankook Runflat System |
| Run Flat | Pirelli prints the words, as reported by Bush Tyres |
| MOE or AOE | Mercedes or Audi original fit run flats (Goodyear lists both as ROF) |
Two traps. The star on a BMW tyre is a BMW approval mark, not a run flat code, according to Goodyear's sidewall guide, so a starred tyre may or may not be a run flat. And MO on a Mercedes tyre, without the E, is a standard original fit tyre. Other clues: no spare wheel in the boot, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a mention of run flats in the handbook. If you are still not sure, read us the full sidewall marking when you call.
Are run flat tyres worth it if they are hard to repair?
That depends on what you value. Run flats cost more to buy, according to both Kwik Fit and Protyre, and Kwik Fit says most technicians will replace rather than repair a punctured run flat. In return, you can drive to a safe place instead of changing a wheel at the roadside.
| Factor | Run flat | Normal tyre |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to buy | Higher | Lower |
| Ride | Firmer; Protyre calls it stiff and bumpy | More comfortable |
| Wear | Kwik Fit says they can wear faster and less evenly | Usual wear |
| After a puncture | Drive on gently, about 50 miles at up to 50mph | Stop, then spare, kit or a call-out |
| Repairable? | Sometimes, depending on the maker and the damage | Often, under BS AU 159 |
| Spare wheel | Usually none | Spare, space saver or kit |
Can you replace run flat tyres with normal tyres?
You can, and we found no law or MOT rule against it, but the advice is split. Kwik Fit says you should avoid fitting normal tyres to a car set up for run flats, mainly because the car has no spare or tools for a roadside wheel change. TyreSafe notes that on cars built for run flats, the suspension is tuned for them. Protyre accepts a switch, as long as you do not mix run flats and standard tyres. If you still want to switch, for the ride or the choice of tyres, sort out three things first:
- A puncture plan. A sealant kit, a space saver that fits your wheel studs and clears your brakes, or a mobile fitter's number. Our guide to what to do with no spare tyre covers the options.
- Working pressure sensors. Keep the TPMS working so you know when a tyre is losing air. On cars first used from 1 January 2012 it is also checked at the MOT, according to the MOT inspection manual.
- All four at once. Do not mix the two types. The MOT manual allows mixing on the same axle but does not recommend it; TyreSafe goes further and says run flats should never be mixed with standard tyres on any vehicle.
Check the handbook for anything the car maker says about tyre types before you switch.
What to tell us when you call
A run flat call goes faster when we know these four things, because they help us judge on the phone whether it is likely to be a repair or a new tyre:
- Where the car is, and that it is parked somewhere safe off the road.
- The full sidewall marking: the size, the brand and any code such as RFT, SSR, ROF, ZP, MOE or a star. A photo on WhatsApp is ideal.
- How far and how fast you drove after the warning came on. Be honest; it is the biggest factor in whether a repair is possible.
- Whether you have the locking wheel nut key, and where the nail or damage is if you can see it.
Nights, weekends and bank holidays cost the same: there is no out-of-hours surcharge.
Mobile run flat call-out across London and the surrounding counties
If the warning is on and you do not want to drive any further on it, our 24/7 emergency tyre call-out comes to the car, typically within 30 to 60 minutes across London and the surrounding counties. The fitting itself takes 20 to 30 minutes. We inspect the tyre and tell you straight whether it can be repaired or needs replacing before any work is done. Repairs are to BS AU 159, and our tyres carry a 2-year warranty.
For a nail you have spotted early, start with our mobile puncture repair, and our guide to a nail in your tyre explains what to do in the meantime. For new tyres on a planned date, see tyres fitted at home or work; we also fit tyres you have bought yourself.
Keep it gentle and get the car somewhere safe. Send us the sidewall marking and tell us how far you have driven, and we will tell you what to expect. The fitter confirms once the tyre is off the wheel and checked inside.
Sources
Checked on 2 October 2026. Repair rules, distances and MOT points come from the primary sources below. The BS AU 159 rules come from the BTMA summary, which is based on the 1997 edition of the standard; BS AU 159 itself is a paid publication. Brand positions for Dunlop and Hankook, Bridgestone's rule for its non-DriveGuard run flats and Continental's SSR-specific line are as reported by a UK tyre dealer in 2018, as marked in the table; we could not reach the makers' own UK pages for those points. The advice on what to tell us and the sealant point are our own practitioner view, built on those sources.
- Minor repairs to passenger car and light van tyres (BS AU 159 summary) (British Tyre Manufacturers' Association)
- What are run flat tyres (TyreSafe)
- Tyre punctures and puncture repairs (TyreSafe)
- Can run flat tyres be repaired? and How to read your tyre sidewall markings (Goodyear UK)
- What are runflat tyres? (Michelin UK)
- Tyre puncture repair and Run Flat technology (Pirelli UK)
- DriveGuard (Bridgestone UK)
- Tyre repair and Self-supporting runflat tyres (Continental UK)
- MOT inspection manual, section 5: axles, wheels, tyres and suspension (DVSA)
- The Highway Code, rules 275 to 287: breakdowns and incidents (GOV.UK)
- Can run flat tyres be repaired? 7 tyre manufacturers gave us the answer (Bush Tyres, a UK tyre dealer)
- Can a run flat tyre puncture be repaired? and Run flat tyres (Kwik Fit, a tyre retailer)
- Can you repair a run flat tyre with a nail in it? (Protyre, a tyre retailer)
How we check our guides: every legal, MOT and safety point is checked against the source linked beside it, and the date above shows when. If you spot something wrong or out of date, ring or WhatsApp us on 07717 389637 and we will check it and correct the guide.
Photo: Artem Podrez on Pexels
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes. If the nail is in the central tread, the hole is no bigger than 6mm, the tyre was not driven far while flat and the brand allows repairs, it can be repaired to BS AU 159 after the tyre is taken off the wheel and checked inside. A nail in the shoulder or sidewall, or any sign inside that it ran flat, means a new tyre. Leave the nail in until the tyre is checked.
It depends on the tyre brand, not the car. Bridgestone says its DriveGuard run flats are repairable like a conventional tyre; for its other run flats, a UK dealer reported in 2018 that Bridgestone allows a repair only if there is no creasing, cracking or crumb inside. Goodyear and Michelin allow one repair after an inspection. Continental advises against repairing its SSR run flats and Pirelli generally says replace. Read the brand and code on the sidewall, and see our BMW run flat guide for the make-specific detail.
It depends first on whether it can be repaired at all, which needs the tyre off the wheel and checked inside, and Kwik Fit says the vast majority of technicians will replace rather than repair a run flat. If it cannot be repaired, a run flat costs more to replace than a normal tyre, according to Kwik Fit and Protyre. There is no out-of-hours surcharge for nights, weekends or bank holidays.
About 50 miles at no more than 50mph. TyreSafe says tyres marked RF are built to run at least that far with no air, while Pirelli and Continental give 50 miles at 50mph and Michelin says up to 80 km, so treat 50 miles as the limit, not a minimum. Load, outside temperature and the road change it, so check your handbook. Drive gently and get the tyre seen to soon: the further you go, the less chance of a repair.
They are better at one thing: letting you drive to a safe place after a puncture without changing a wheel. Against that, they cost more to buy, ride more firmly, can wear faster, and are more often replaced than repaired. Whether that trade is worth it depends on how and where you drive.
Yes, it is legal. Kwik Fit advises against it because the car has no spare or tools for a roadside wheel change, and TyreSafe notes that on cars built for run flats the suspension is tuned for them. Protyre accepts a switch as long as you do not mix run flats and standard tyres. If you switch, change all four, keep the pressure sensors working and carry a sealant kit or suitable space saver.