Can a Punctured Tyre Be Repaired?
The answer depends on where the puncture is and how large the hole is. According to British Standard BSAU 159, a tyre puncture can only be safely repaired if the damage is in the central three-quarters of the tread — the crown area. Damage to the sidewall or shoulder of the tyre cannot be repaired safely, and the tyre must be replaced.
The puncture must also be no larger than 6mm in diameter. Larger holes, or damage from nails that have moved significantly within the tyre, may cause internal structural damage that isn't visible from the outside. A proper repair involves removing the tyre from the wheel, inspecting it internally, and applying a patch from the inside — not simply using an external plug or sealant.
When Is Repair Not Safe?
A tyre cannot be repaired if: the damage is in the sidewall or shoulder; the tyre has been run flat (even briefly); the tyre has been previously repaired in the same area; the puncture is larger than 6mm; or the tyre shows signs of internal damage, bubbling, or belt separation. In all these cases, tyre replacement is the only safe option.
Temporary tyre sealants and foam-fill products (like the cans that come with some new cars) can get you to a safe location but are not permanent repairs. They must be professionally assessed as soon as possible, as sealant can damage TPMS sensors and may mask internal tyre damage.
Our Mobile Puncture Repair Service
Our technicians will attend your location, remove the tyre, inspect it fully, and advise whether it can be safely repaired or needs replacing. If a mobile puncture repair is viable, we carry out a proper BS-compliant repair including TPMS reset. If not, we can fit a new tyre from our van stock immediately. Call us.
- Repairs only in the central tread area — no sidewall repairs
- Maximum repairable puncture: 6mm diameter
- Run-flat tyres cannot be repaired
- Full internal inspection included with every repair