A puncture is one of the most common tyre problems drivers face. The good news is that many punctures can be safely repaired rather than requiring a full tyre replacement — but only if the damage meets certain criteria. Here is what our technicians check when assessing your tyre.
When a Puncture Can Be Repaired
A puncture repair is possible when the damage is located in the central three-quarters of the tread, the hole is no larger than 6mm in diameter, and the tyre has not been driven on while flat. British Standard BS AU 159 sets the accepted guidelines for tyre repairs, and our fitters follow these precisely. A proper repair involves removing the tyre from the wheel, fitting a mushroom plug-patch from the inside, and re-balancing the wheel — not simply inserting a string plug from the outside.
When You Need a New Tyre
If the puncture is located in the sidewall or shoulder of the tyre, a repair is not safe and a replacement is required. Sidewall damage compromises the structural integrity of the tyre in a way that cannot be reliably fixed. Similarly, if the tyre has been driven flat — even for a short distance — internal damage may have occurred that makes repair unsuitable. Damage larger than 6mm, cuts, or multiple punctures also require a new tyre.
Our Mobile Puncture Repair Service
Our technicians assess every puncture honestly before recommending repair or replacement. We will never push for a new tyre if a safe repair is possible — equally, we will always be clear if a repair is not appropriate. Call us on 0141 673 6841 and we will come to you in Glasgow or Bradford the same day.