Puncture Repair or New Tyre: When Can a Tyre Be Repaired?

Where the damage is matters most

The part of a tyre that can usually be repaired is the central area of the tread, the section that runs flat against the road. Damage there is generally a candidate for repair if it is a small, clean puncture.

Once the damage reaches the shoulder, where the tread curves round into the sidewall, or the sidewall itself, repair is not normally possible. These areas flex constantly as the tyre rolls, and a patch cannot be relied upon to hold. A tyre with this sort of damage needs replacing.

Nails, screws and what they leave behind

A nail or screw often seals its own hole while it stays in place, which is why a tyre can lose air very slowly for days. Leave the object where it is if you can drive carefully to a garage, and keep an eye on the pressure on the way. If the tyre is dropping fast, stop in a safe place and use the spare or call for help.

Once the object is out, the tyre should be removed from the wheel and inspected inside and out. The hole is only part of the story. What matters is the angle it went in, whether it has cut cords inside the tyre, and whether anything else is hiding beside it.

• Small, straight punctures in the central tread are the strongest candidates
• Large holes, cuts and slashes are normally not repairable
• Several punctures close together may rule out a repair
• Damage near the shoulder or sidewall means replacement

What a proper puncture repair involves

A sound repair is done with the tyre off the wheel. The inside is inspected for damage, the hole is prepared and sealed with a repair that fills the puncture channel and also covers the inner liner. A plug pushed in from the outside alone, or a can of foaming sealant, is only a temporary fix.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we can inspect a punctured tyre and tell you whether it is suitable for repair before anything is done. The wheel will normally be refitted and balanced afterwards, because a repair or refit can upset the balance.

Driving on a flat tyre ruins the tyre

Even a few hundred metres on a deflated tyre can destroy the inner sidewall. The tyre is squashed between the wheel rim and the road and the internal structure breaks down, often without leaving any obvious sign on the outside. A tyre that has been driven flat should be taken off and checked inside before anyone decides to repair it, and it is frequently beyond saving.

Run-flat tyres are designed to be driven for a limited distance at reduced speed after losing pressure, as set out by the manufacturer. Whether one can be repaired depends on its maker's guidance and how it has been driven, so ask for it to be inspected rather than assuming either way.

Repair or replace: how to decide

If the tyre is repairable but already worn close to the legal limit, or old and cracked, putting money into a repair may not make sense. A new tyre can be the better choice. Ideally the two tyres on the same axle should be similar in wear, so if one is replaced the garage may suggest changing the pair.

Cost depends on the tyre size, type and make as well as whether a repair is possible, so ask for an estimate once the tyre has been looked at.

Frequently asked questions