Do not attempt roadside repairs. If you cannot reach safety and leave safely, remain belted in, switch on hazards and call 999 for the police. When it is safe to leave, move away from traffic. Follow the Highway Code breakdown guidance.
First, find a safe stopping place
A tyre problem needs attention before continuing the journey. Do not drive on a visibly flat conventional tyre to reach a cheaper or more convenient repair. If stopping exposes you to fast traffic, follow the emergency guidance above.
Only inspect the wheel from a safe position. Do not kneel in the carriageway, crawl beneath the car or attempt a tyre change on a motorway hard shoulder. Keeping people safe comes before finding the tyre size or taking photographs.
Our breakdown guide explains how to share a location and arrange collection.
Do you have a spare, kit or run-flat tyres?
Check the owner’s manual and the supplied equipment when safe. Some cars have a compressor and sealant instead of a spare. A compressor on its own is not a repair for tyre damage.
| Repair kit available | Say whether it is complete, whether sealant has been used and whether the tyre holds pressure. |
|---|---|
| Run-flat tyre claimed | Confirm the tyre marking and the exact vehicle and tyre instructions. Do not assume every tyre on that model is run-flat. |
| No kit or spare | Request a tyre-assistance assessment or recovery; explain any visible wheel damage. |
If a run-flat tyre is confirmed, its permitted distance, speed and conditions come from the manufacturer. There is no single safe limit for every car and tyre.
When a repair kit may not be suitable
Sealant is a temporary measure subject to the kit’s instructions. Do not treat it as a way to repair a torn sidewall, a damaged wheel or any defect outside the kit’s permitted use. Michelin explains that damage location and internal condition affect whether a tyre can be repaired.
A tyre that has been driven with insufficient pressure can need internal inspection. A photo of the outside cannot establish that it is safe. Tell the technician how far it was driven and whether sealant was added.
If the kit does not achieve or maintain the pressure specified by its instructions, stop and request assistance. Do not invent a driving distance or speed to “test it”.
Mobile tyre assistance or recovery?
Mobile tyre fitting may be an option if the vehicle is accessible, there is a suitable working area, and the required tyre and technician are available. Recovery may be needed if roadside work is unsafe, there is wheel or suspension damage, or a suitable tyre cannot be supplied.
Send the pickup point, vehicle details, affected wheel and tyre size if it can be read safely. Include load and speed markings when available, any locking-wheel-nut key, damage description and access restrictions.
Baloch Recovery Services can review your enquiry and confirm the available option and price. Do not assume a replacement tyre is in stock or a truck is dispatched simply because the form was submitted.
For recovery, give the destination and tell us the tyre is flat before loading arrangements are made. Our cost calculator offers a budget illustration; the confirmed job needs an individual quote.
Common questions
Can I drive a short distance on a flat tyre?
Do not continue on a visibly flat conventional tyre. Only a confirmed run-flat system may permit limited travel under its manufacturer’s exact conditions.
Does sealant make a permanent repair?
Treat the kit as a temporary measure under its instructions and arrange a professional tyre inspection.
Will I definitely need a recovery truck without a spare?
Not necessarily. Suitable mobile tyre assistance may be possible, but location, damage, tyre stock and availability need to be checked.
Need roadside assistance or recovery?
Tell Baloch Recovery Services where the vehicle is, what has happened and where it needs to go. We check suitable assistance and availability before confirming a booking.
Request a recovery quoteAn enquiry does not dispatch a truck. Price, equipment and arrival time must be confirmed.
More help for drivers
Open the Driver Help Centre: choose your problem →
- Car won’t start: battery or another fault?
- Flat tyre and no spare wheel
- Electronic parking brake stuck
Automatic car stuck in Park: Neutral guidance · How to arrange recovery
Sources and further reading
- Michelin: whether a tyre is repairable
- Michelin: temporary tyre sealant
- The Highway Code: tyre and vehicle safety
References checked 27 September 2026. Use your exact vehicle’s owner’s manual and follow emergency-service instructions.