It was once expected that when you bought a new car, you would get a spare tyre as part of the deal. But times have changed, and fewer new cars than ever now come with spare tyres. Which? Magazine’s recent survey on the topic revealed that of 8,755 sampled cars, only 29.5 per cent came with a spare tyre.
So why are manufacturers so reluctant to give you a spare tyre when you buy a new car? The main reason is that carbon requirements have forced carmakers to cut weight. At the same time, they have had to add more safety equipment.
Being able to offer customers generous boot sizes is another reason for ditching the spare.
As a replacement, car makers tend to provide a puncture repair kit, which is designed to get a car to the nearest garage. The main element of such a kit is a special sealant, which is applied to the damaged area.
However, critics argue that the sealant is only of use with small holes, and won’t work with larger gashes. It has also been pointed out that garages are unable to fix tyres that have had sealant applied to them, meaning car owners are compelled to buy an entirely new tyre. Additionally, once used, the puncture repair kit must be replaced, at a cost of around £50 – approximately the same as a new tyre.
Proponents of puncture repair kits, however, say that it is a better alternative to changing a tyre by a busy roadside. Additionally, many new cars come with vehicle recovery breakdown cover as part of the package, meaning owners can get assistance if required. Do not forget if you are a driver driving on the road without breakdown cover, go to www.startrescue.co.uk for a quote today.
Breakdown Cover from 
