Does Your Car Have a Spare Tyre? Here's What You Need to Know

A survey by the RAC found that approximately a third of new cars no longer come with any form of spare tyre. Instead, manufacturers fit tyre inflation kits, run flat tyres, or simply leave the spare tyre bay empty to save weight and create more boot space. Understanding what your vehicle carries — and its limitations — is essential preparation for dealing with a tyre emergency.

Types of Spare Tyre

Full-size spare: Identical to your other tyres. Can be used indefinitely. Takes up significant boot space. Space-saver spare (skinny spare): A narrower, smaller wheel designed for short-distance, low-speed use only. Usually marked with a maximum speed (typically 50mph) and maximum distance (50 miles). Temporary spare: Similar to a space-saver but even more restricted in use.

Tyre Inflation Kits

If your car was supplied with an inflation kit rather than a spare, it contains a sealant canister and a compressor. This only works for simple tread punctures — it cannot fix sidewall damage, blowouts, or large holes. The sealant also contaminates the tyre, meaning it will need replacing once the sealant has been used. Critically, sealant can damage TPMS sensors.

Why Mobile Tyre Fitting Matters More Than Ever

With no full spare tyre available, drivers are entirely dependent on either fitting a run flat spare for a short distance, or calling for immediate emergency tyre repair or mobile tyre fitting. Response Mobile Tyres provides exactly this service — fast 24 hour call out across Scotland, bringing the right tyre directly to you wherever you are.

Check now what your vehicle carries. If it's an inflation kit or nothing at all, save the Response Mobile Tyres number for your area in your phone before you need it.