Can a punctured tyre be repaired?

One of the most common questions on this topic is “Can you repair a punctured car tyre, or does it always need to be replaced”? The answer to this question depends on a number of factors.
 
At Protyre, we offer a comprehensive tyre puncture repair/replacement service. As well as being able to drop-in to your nearest Protyre garage, we also offer a mobile tyre repair/replace service for those times when you can’t get to a garage.

If a puncture occurs on the central portion of the tyre (i.e. the middle three-quarters of the tyre), there is a good chance that it can be repaired. This is because this area is away from the sidewall. Consequently, this means that if a puncture occurs outside the central portion i.e. near to the sidewall, it cannot generally be repaired. This is because the sidewall bears the major part of the load when you drive, and the repair process usually used to fix punctures can potentially weaken the structure of the sidewall. The sidewall also flexes when the vehicle is in motion, and any repairs that are applied in this area would be quite likely to fail.

As we mentioned above, if the puncture is in the central three-quarters of the tyre (also known as the minor repair area), it is quite likely that it can be repaired. However, the size of the damaged area also impacts on the probability. If the size of the damaged area is greater than the maximum area stipulated by British Standard BSAU159, the punctured tyre cannot legally be repaired and will have to be replaced. The maximum areas stipulated is 6mm in diameter so anything larger than this will mean replacement is the only option. Punctures that are caused by driving over nails or similar small, sharp objects can often be repaired because the damaged area is usually small (far below the 6mm maximum).

Standard tyres have the potential to be repaired rather than replaced if the puncture is not too large, and is in the centre of the tyre.
 
Some manufacturers now offer Runflat tyres. These tyres are designed to allow the car to be driven for a short period of time even after a puncture occurs, enabling the driver to get home, to a garage, or another convenient location (rather than waiting at the side of the road for assistance). This is a clearly very helpful and reduces the potential for being stranded. However, because of the way they work, a punctured Runflat cannot be repaired because it may not be safe to use. This is essentially because it is not possible to tell whether the structure of the Runflat tyre has been damaged by the puncture or, more commonly, through driving afterwards.

A puncture can be the final nail in the coffin (sometimes literally) for a tyre. This is especially the case if the tyre condition is already generally poor. Any experienced/reputable mechanic will always check the tyre’s general condition (tread depth, signs of wear and tear etc.) before deciding whether a repair is possible or if a replacement is the safest option.

There are many causes of punctures, but the main ones include foreign objects piercing the tyre (i.e. nails, glass, screws etc.), wheel rim rubbing/split rim, careless driving, leaking valves, and overall degradation of the tyre.

Some punctures are unavoidable but there are ways to reduce the chances of having one. Be careful where you drive (avoiding places in which debris is commonly found), checking your tread, regularly checking your tyre pressure, avoid bumping into kerbs when parking, not overloading your vehicle, and considering using a tyre puncture sealant.

In summary, yes it is possible for punctures to be repaired - but it depends on several key factors. It is always best to check with an expert.

All Protyre garages are staffed by experienced and qualified fitters who repair/replace tyres on a daily basis. Our garages stock a wide range of tyres from well-known manufacturers including Pirelli, Bridgestone, and Falken so you can choose the tyres that best suit your needs when you have to replace them.
 
We also offer a number of free safety checks including tyre checks, exhaust checks, brake checks, and battery checks. To find your nearest Protyre garage, simply enter your postcode into the search function here on our website.