13 replies to this topic

[Mini Manannán]

We hired a car (gert big galoot of a Peugeot 2008, horrid thing) last week from Europcar at Liverpool airport.

  While we were driving down the motorway we could hear a clunking, rattling coming form the boot area.  When I had a look I found it was the plastic tray that normally bolts into the spare wheel rattling around in the spare wheel well (yes, space enough for a real spare!) but there was no spare wheel.  I had a good look round the car thinking they must have replaced the spare with a can of spray goo but I couldn't find anything.

  When I brought the car back, after dreading having  a puncture all week, I asked the geyser at the desk about the spare where he told that "most of their cars don't have spare tyres".

  As far as I knew this isn't legal, is this ok these days? 

[nicklouse]

interesting question. Most cars do not now have a spare wheel as having one reduces the efficiency of the car. But as to there being no means of self help like the can of goo and a pump. I don't know the details.

 

but saying that the goo will not fix all damage.

[rich_959]

Runflat or self repair tyres negate the legal need for carrying a spare or a repair kit I believe. Someone more knowledgeable than me will be along soon no doubt!

 

I need to suss this out myself as we've just bought a used VW sharan and it seems to have no wheel, no kit, and normal tyres (though the original spec was some sort of run-flat). 

[Tommyboy12]

Well for an MoT the spare tyre is only tested (tread and inflation) if present. It doesnt have to be present and neither does any form of repair kit. My Minis go in without spare wheels every year.

[rich_959]

Yes, just seen that the original spec of our car was to have Continental 'Conti-seal' self-sealing tyres but they must have been replaced with normal tyres. So I either carry a space-saver in the boot or a can of goo. As Nick says, the issue is that the latter is only good for minor fixes and no good if you get a tear or major blow-out. 

[rich_959]

And yes, seems it's not law to have a spare or a repair kit of any sort (in the UK anyway). Never knew that. 

[Mini Manannán]

Runflat or self repair tyres negate the legal need for carrying a spare or a repair kit I believe. Someone more knowledgeable than me will be along soon no doubt!

 

 

That could explain it.

[nicklouse]

no legal requirement in the UK to have one.

 

not so in all of Europe as they have their own rules per country.

[DeadSquare]

RIGHT !

 

At the up-coming EU election, I shall ask our candidates what they intend to do about sorting out these independent rules.

 

Furthermore, I shall inform Mr. Corbyn of the resulting job losses that this has caused to the "Spare Wheelmakers Union"

[Mikey205]

Well for an MoT the spare tyre is only tested (tread and inflation) if present. It doesnt have to be present and neither does any form of repair kit. My Minis go in without spare wheels every year.

A spare tyre is only in the mot if it’s stored under the vehicle. It must be secure and you can only advise the tread if you can see it. Spares in the boot wheel well are not even looked at by many testers as they are not permitted to remove anything.

[r3k1355]

 

Well for an MoT the spare tyre is only tested (tread and inflation) if present. It doesnt have to be present and neither does any form of repair kit. My Minis go in without spare wheels every year.

A spare tyre is only in the mot if it’s stored under the vehicle. It must be secure and you can only advise the tread if you can see it. Spares in the boot wheel well are not even looked at by many testers as they are not permitted to remove anything.

 

 

Half the time they don't even bother when they can see it.

 

My 306 had an spare stored under the car, the tyre was mullered but it passed regardless.

Swapped it for a decent one when I got a new set of alloys.

[mab01uk]

I have an E90 BMW 320D and it does not even come with a spare wheel well or space for a spacesaver tyre but it does have runflat tyres.

[Cooperman]

We took the horrible run-flats off of my wife's E90 and fitted normal tyres (much better ride) then put a space-saver spare in the boot togetherwith a wheelbrace and jack.

[mab01uk]

We took the horrible run-flats off of my wife's E90 and fitted normal tyres (much better ride) then put a space-saver spare in the boot togetherwith a wheelbrace and jack.

 

Swapped them off my R50 MINI a while back and have now replaced the runflats on our E90 BMW with normal tyres, much cheaper tyres even with a good brand and much better ride, etc.