Flat tyre repair guide: plug, patch or replace?

A punctured tyre isn't always a write-off. Whether it can be repaired depends on where the puncture is, how big it is, and whether you kept driving on it.

When a plug is fine

Straight nail or screw in the tread area, hole under 6 mm, and you stopped as soon as you noticed. A roadside plug will get you moving safely and can be a permanent fix in many cases.

When you need a proper patch

Larger holes, angled punctures, or if the tyre was driven on flat for more than a few hundred metres. A tyre shop removes the tyre from the rim and applies a patch-plug combo from the inside.

When the tyre must be replaced

Any damage to the sidewall or shoulder, cuts wider than 6 mm, or a tyre that was driven flat for a long distance. Sidewall damage can't be safely repaired — replace it.

What to do right now if you're flat

1. Pull off the road onto a firm, level shoulder.
2. Turn on hazard lights.
3. Don't drive on the flat — you'll destroy the wheel.
4. Book a mobile tyre pro through HelpsOnRoad and stay in the car if you're near traffic.