Spare Tyre?

[Guest rodneyp]

Ok i took my spare tyre out the other day to fit my rear valance, and didnt have time to put it back. The interior of my car is fairly bare (no rear seats), and with a lack of spare tyre hovering behind the rear wheels, theres a noticeable difference in handling/driving. Would i be a fool if i left the spare tyre out? is it illegal? its just alot nicer with it not there! ed

[cybernck 403 1 Cars]

you'll find out when you get a puncture .

 

some people carry a can of tyreweld instead of a spare wheel.

[Guest PacMan]

I never carry a spare tyre unless i know one of my wheels is running on canvas.

[Rob_the_Sparky 10]

Tyre weld instead of spare is fine. Pretty certain they can't repair a tyre that is full of this stuff though but then how often do you get a puncture?

 

Rob

[Guest saph]

Most of the time they won't repair the tyre after a punture any way so you may as well use a can of tyre weld.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

It's not illegal to have no spare, it is illegal however to have a bald spare tyre.

[Guest hd_andy]

Does that mean you can pass an MOT without the spare, but fail if it is bald?

[Guest PacMan]

yep.

[nick 3]

It is not illegal to carry a bald spare tyre.

 

Nick

[Guest Wiggs]

Both my 205's have pretty low tread on the spares, I know one is below the minimum, not failed an MOT though.

[Guest timH]

i've got a very bald spare - on the car.

 

come to think of it, it's got to be legal. - just illegal to fit it, and drive it on the road.

 

there's nothing to stop you carrying 10 bald spares if they'd fit in. - just can't fit them.

Edited September 11, 2003 by timH

[Guest hd_andy]

If you can carry a bald spare then it cant be a test point on the MOT, well I will find out on Saturday when mine goes for the MOT cos the spare is bald.

[Guest Pete95]

If you can carry a bald spare then it cant be a test point on the MOT, well I will find out on Saturday when mine goes for the MOT cos the spare is bald.

 

I'd certainly be interested to know, I only noticed recently that my stripped out 205TT has no spare wheel, and even the cage that holds the spare is gone!

 

MOT is the end of next month, so I need to know if I need to get hold of another wheel or not really.

Edited September 11, 2003 by Pete95

[Guest hd_andy]

I have just been looking it up on here MOTand it says:

c. presence and tightness of wheel fixing nuts, studs, bolts etc 

Note: The condition of the spare wheel is not included in the inspection.  However, if a defect is seen, inform the vehicle presenter.

Note: Removal of wheel hub caps etc is not required.

 

Good news

 

Cheers

Andy

[Guest Pete95]

The condition of the spare wheel is not included in the inspection

 

Thats a bit unspecific, it doesnt say they dont check the spare tyre, just the wheel...

[Wurzel 16]

Definately make no difference if the spare is bald.

 

My other car failed for worn front tyre. I took it off in their car park and replaced it with the spare. Got the guy back out and he passed it.

 

As has been said, the spare can be bald and makes no difference, it's just illegal to fit it.

[Pugnut 9 1 Cars]

did you know that the new focus rs comes brand new with no spare wheel . instead they supply a can of tyreweld.

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

Sadly tyreweld is pretty useless. My dad got a flat recently and had to use 2 cans of it and it still wasn't solid enough to drive after a few miles.

[Guest rodneyp]

c. presence and tightness of wheel fixing nuts, studs, bolts etc 

Note: The condition of the spare wheel is not included in the inspection.  However, if a defect is seen, inform the vehicle presenter.

Note: Removal of wheel hub caps etc is not required.

 

check tightness off wheel bolts... uh oh! One of my rear wheels is only running on 3 tight bolts as the 4th wont tighten, screws in, but just keeps turning when it gets too tight. What am i gonna do to fix this? am i gonna need a whole new rear drum/hub? its on an XS, help! ed

[nick 3]

I watch all my mot's being done, and I've never seen one check the tightness of the w/bolts.

 

Nick

[Guest rodneyp]

lol ok, well i guess ill just have to save about £400 for MOT, then if nothing bad happens, i can spend it all on something nice like getting a new gearbox or something! or some twin 40s now thats an idea!

[Guest Dino]

did you know that the new focus rs comes brand new with no spare wheel . instead they supply a can of tyreweld.

Same with Ferraris.....

[Guest dave364634]

mot;

 

spare wheel/tyre not checked. however it must be held secure.

 

 

also if there is no spare, then (205 wise anyway), the spare wheel holder must be secure (cable tie will do) or removed.

[Guest saph]

Legaly you don't have to carry a spare its just common sense.

 

On an Mot they don't check the condition of the spare tyre however:

 

If you get pulled over by the police and they check your tyres including the spare and any of them are bald you can get up to 3 points per tyre.

 

The polices argument for this is if you get a punture and put the bald spare on, the car is then illegal.

Edited September 15, 2003 by saph

[Guest turnip]

thinking outloud...

 

cheapest and easiest way to raise the rear ride height by 5-10mm, remove spare, hmmmmm

 

thanks for the inspiration.

 

"If you get pulled over by the police and they check your tyres including the spare and any of them are bald you can get up to 3 points per tyre.

The polices argument for this is if you get a punture and put the bald spare on, the car is then illegal."

 

I'm sure this could be successfully argued against in court. Unless you are actually using it how can it be illegal?

Edited September 19, 2003 by turnip