AA Zone

With more and more new cars now being supplied without a spare wheel what is the AA's position on assisting members who suffer a puncture with such a vehicle.

I have just traded in my 2007 peugeot 207 for an 09 model that does not have a spare tyre but a repair kit. I was not aware of this until I got a puncture, a nail ripped the tyre, repair kit was not capable of repair, car had to be towed to garage and new tyre fitted, cost 120 euros. I am extremly annoyed that this change in spec was not pointed out to me when I traded in. Is it legal to drive a car without a spare? Have I any recourse with Peugeot? I will have to get a spare wheel , waht happens if i am on my own in the car at nightime in the country and the repair kit will not fix a punture?I was lucky that the first puncture I got was in the daytime in the city.Would wellcome some advice on this .

If you have the option of carrying a spare wheel then my advice would be to purchase one.

The repair kits supplied with vehicles are really only suitable for small punctures and will not seal anything bigger than a few millimeters. They, in common with any repair system, will not fix rips, tears or sidewall damage.

If you have a puncture which is more than just a nail in your tyre or similar, you may be best to call the AA rather than using the kit supplied. Patrols carry a kit which can do a successful temorary repair on holes up to 4mm.

If a repair is unsuccessful you will either need to be recovered or go with the patrol to a tyre shop to have a new tyre fitted. The AA also currently offer a Tyre assist service where a technician can come to a location of your choice and fit a new tyre, however this works on an appointment system and you will be unlikely to get service on the same day.

But as I said at the beginning, if your car can physically carry one then get a spare wheel then do so as it will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run.