A complete guide to spare tyres

Q: Is it illegal to drive without a spare tyre?

No, it?s not a legal requirement to have a spare tyre in the UK, but it?s recommended. If you have a spare tyre stored in your car, you'll save yourself the hassle of waiting for a roadside recovery service if you have a puncture or if one of your tyres becomes damaged.

Q: Do you need a spare tyre to pass an MOT?

No, you don?t need a spare tyre to pass an MOT. If you have one, your spare tyre won?t be checked either ? only car tyres that are physically fitted are checked. The only time a spare tyre could affect your MOT is if it is fitted to your vehicle during the test, in which case your car is likely to fail.

26^th February 2023

Can you remember the last time you fitted a spare tyre? And do you know the rules surrounding spare tyres in the UK? If you're unsure, have never had to use a spare tyre or don't know if your vehicle even has one, this is the guide for you. Keep reading to get up to speed with how long spare tyres last, whether or not they affect your MOT, and much more.

Spare tyre FAQs

Do new cars have a spare tyre?

No, not all new cars have a spare tyre. In fact, many vehicle manufacturers are now choosing to supply tyre repair kits or fitting models with run flat tyres, which saves on weight and space. The saved weight makes a small difference to fuel economy and emissions, which can help lower your car's CO2 emissions and potentially reduce your road tax too. If your car is fitted with a spare tyre, you will usually find it underneath the floor panel in your boot, along with your tyre repair equipment.

Is it illegal to drive without a spare tyre?

No, it's not a legal requirement to have a spare tyre in the UK - but it's recommended. If you have a spare tyre stored in your car, you'll save yourself the hassle of waiting for a roadside recovery service if you have a puncture or if one of your tyres becomes damaged.

If you don't have a spare tyre or have one that's damaged, this could reduce your car's value when you're finally ready to sell. Moneyshake recently analysed 210 webuyanycar.com quotes and found that if your spare tyre is missing or damaged, you could reduce the average value of your car by £335.

Do you need a spare tyre to pass an MOT?

No, you don't need a spare tyre to pass an MOT. If you have one, your spare tyre won't be checked either - only car tyres that are physically fitted are checked. The only time a spare tyre could affect your MOT is if it is fitted to your vehicle during the test, in which case your car is likely to fail.

How long can a spare tyre last?

Think of your spare tyre as a temporary fix and not a permanent solution. Spare tyres are not designed to last as long as standard ones - they are designed to help you get home, or to your local tyre specialists in order to get a regular tyre fitted.

How long can you drive on a spare tyre?

There are a number of types of spare tyres - and one of these is a space saver tyre. As the name suggests, a space saver tyre is designed to save space and weight in your car and is thinner and lighter than standard tyres. You shouldn't drive for more than 50-70 miles on space saver tyres, or at more than the restricted speed on the sticker attached to the tyre.

Can you use a breakdown kit to repair the tyre instead?

You can use breakdown kits, also known as tyre inflation kits, to fix minor punctures to your tyres by squirting sealant liquid into the tyre valve and using an air compressor to inflate the flat tyre. However, like with your spare tyre, you should think of this as a temporary solution. Using sealant tends to make the tyre unrepairable, so you should get a replacement tyre fitted as soon as possible in order to drive safely on the road.

How do you care for your spare tyre?

To ensure your spare tyre is roadworthy, you should perform the same essential safety checks that you would on your other four tyres:

Tyre tread - ensure your tyre is gripping the surface of the road and enhances control, which is essential during wet weather conditions. Learn more about tyre tread depth and the minimum tyre tread your tyres should have from our guide.
Tyre condition - before you fit your spare tyre to your vehicle, check it for signs of damage including tears, cuts and lumps.
Tyre pressure - ensure your spare tyre meets the recommended pressure in your vehicle handbook and adjust if necessary.

Find out more about caring for your spare tyre and learn how to change a tyre in our helpful guides.

Now that you're familiar with spare tyres, why not buy yours online from The Tyre Group? Simply find the correct tyre size for your vehicle and choose from a wide range of premium manufacturer or quality budget tyres. Alternatively, head to your local Tyre Group branch and our experienced, trained staff can help you find the tyre you're looking for.

BACK TO ARTICLES