HOW TO HIRE · VEHICLES & TRANSPORT

How to hire a tyre repairer in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Many punctures can be repaired, some cannot. Here is what a proper repair involves.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a tyre repairer in five steps

  1. Do not drive on it flatDriving on a flat damages the sidewall and usually ends the chance of a repair.
  2. Ask where the puncture isIn the central tread it may be repairable; near the edge or sidewall it is not.
  3. Ask for an inside inspectionThe tyre should come off the rim to check the inner wall.
  4. Get the price per repairInspection, repair, refit and balance.
  5. Check the pressure laterA day later, cold.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

The law sets no licence and no register for tyre repairers, in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland alike. The repair must be done with reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Ask the repairer to show you where the puncture is before agreeing to a repair. citizensadvice.org.uk →

Tyres and the MOT standard

In DVSA's rules, for a car with up to 8 passenger seats, or a van up to 3,500 kg, the inspection manual requires at least 1.6mm of tread. Any tyre repair should be judged against that, as well as against damage to the sidewall.

Ask the fitter to measure and write down the tread on each tyre. gov.uk →

Trader status and a written quote

Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 apply when you deal with a trader. For a tyre repairer, settle the price up front: where none was agreed you need pay only a reasonable sum, and Citizens Advice says a repairer may keep the vehicle over a disputed bill but not sell it.

Check the trader badge on the Locufy profile and keep the quote message. citizensadvice.org.uk →

VAT

Tyre repair is standard-rated at 20%. Tyre repairers with more than £90,000 of taxable turnover must register for VAT, charge it, and itemise it on every quote and invoice.

Ask the tyre centre for its VAT number and for the 20% under the repair. gov.uk →

“Can this puncture be repaired, and why?”

A good answer: An answer based on where it is and the inside of the tyre.

“Will you take the tyre off the rim to inspect it?”

A good answer: Yes — a plug from the outside alone is not a proper tyre repair.

“Is it a plug-and-patch repair?”

A good answer: A combined plug and patch from inside is the usual method.

“Will the wheel be rebalanced after the tyre repair?”

A good answer: Yes.

“Can a run-flat tyre be repaired?”

A good answer: Many makers say not after it has been driven flat; ask.

“What if the tyre cannot be repaired?”

A good answer: A replacement priced, with the same size and rating.

“Is there a guarantee on the tyre repair?”

A good answer: In writing.

Getting the quote right

  • Inspection off the rim
  • Repair method
  • Refit, balance and valve
  • The tyre centre's VAT number, and the total with and without VAT
  • Call-out, if mobile
  • Who actually attends to the tyre, and whether a mobile fitter is employed or subcontracted

Walk away if

  • A sidewall puncture "repaired"
  • A plug pushed in from outside without removing the tyre
  • No balancing
  • Pressure to buy two new tyres for one puncture
LOW
£20
TYPICAL
£25
HIGH
£45

What a tyre repairer costs: £20–£45 per repair

Tyre repair is priced per repair — inspection, plug-and-patch, refitting and balancing — with mobile call-outs costing more. Tyre Repair price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Tyre repairers near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. LocatePuncture found and its position checked.
  2. RemoveTyre taken off the rim.
  3. Inspect insideInner wall checked for damage from running flat.
  4. RepairPlug and patch fitted from inside.
  5. Refit and balanceTyre refitted, balanced and inflated.

Plug and patch
A combined repair sealing the hole from inside.
Repairable area
The central part of the tread where repairs are allowed.
Sidewall
The side of the tyre; damage there is not repairable.
Run-flat
A tyre designed to be driven briefly when deflated.
Tread
The part of the tyre that meets the road.
Balancing
Weights added so the wheel runs smoothly.

AFTER

When the job is done

Check the pressureAfter a day and a week, cold.
Keep the invoiceDate and method of the repair.
Watch for vibrationIt means a balance or fitting problem; go back.
Write the reviewSomething wrong? Use make-it-right first and give the repairer a fair chance to sort it before you review.

STEP 1Tell the repairer, in writingDescribe the problem with the tyre repair and what you want. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 holds the tyre repairer to reasonable care and skill.
STEP 2Let Locufy follow it upRate the tyre repairer under four stars and Locufy asks if you want the repairer to have the chance to fix it before the review is published; we follow it through.
STEP 3The Motor Ombudsman or Trading StandardsIf the repairer is accredited to The Motor Ombudsman, it can decide the dispute once the business has had eight weeks to reply. If not, take the tyre repairer complaint to the consumer helpline, which can pass it to Trading Standards: Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, and Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Money still in disputeA claim over a tyre repairer can go to the small claims track in the county court up to £10,000 in England and Wales, to simple procedure in the sheriff court up to £5,000 in Scotland, or to the small claims court up to £5,000 in Northern Ireland — no solicitor needed.

Hiring a tyre repairer: questions people ask

No. No UK nation licenses tyre repair. Reasonable care and skill is still owed under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

The MOT standard is 1.6mm for cars with up to 8 passenger seats and goods vehicles up to 3,500 kg.

A receipt describing the repair; there is no certificate.

£20–£45 per repair, typically around £25. The tyre repair price guide explains what moves the figure; enter your postcode above for prices from tyre repairers near you.

The shoulder and sidewall flex too much for a repair to hold safely.

Go back to the repairer and follow up in writing. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 faulty work must be put right.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in vehicles & transport

How to hire: Mobile Tyre FittingHow to hire: Wheel AlignmentHow to hire: Alloy Wheel RefurbishmentHow to hire: Vehicle Recovery & BreakdownHow to hire: Mobile MechanicHow to hire: Car ServicingHow to hire: MOT / NCT ServiceHow to hire: Brake RepairAll 701 hiring guides →

Tyre repairers near you

Tyre repairers in LondonTyre repairers in ManchesterTyre repairers in BirminghamTyre repairers in GlasgowTyre repairers in BelfastAll tyre repairers on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Citizens Advice — problems with a car repair
  2. The Motor Ombudsman — Garage Finder
  3. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  4. gov.uk — MOT inspection manual: axles, wheels, tyres and suspension
  5. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  6. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  7. nidirect — small claims process
  8. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  9. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register