What you can and cannot repair on a flat tyre
- The tread depth is lower than the 1.6 mm legal limit.
- The rubber is cracked, worn, or deteriorated.
- If the size of the puncture is more than or equal to 6 mm in diameter.
- If the puncture is located outside the tread area and in the sidewall.
- The structural integrity of the tyre has been compromised or there is run flat damage.
So, you have got yourself a puncture in one or more of your tyres. It can happen. Tyre repair is an option to explore rather than buying a brand-new tyre, but drivers should know the full extent of what is legally permissible to have fixed.
The law in most countries has a strict definition as to the classification of repair materials, and the number of repairs permitted on a single tyre. Regulations like these are necessary to ensure safety for all road users.
In summary, tyre repair work is not permissible when:
- The tread depth is lower than the 1.6 mm legal limit.
- The structural integrity of the tyre has been compromised or there is run flat damage.
- The rubber is cracked, worn, or deteriorated.
- There’s damage caused by an external object.
- The cords are exposed.
- There is sign of faulty repairs made in the past.
The precise location of the puncture is also a deciding factor. The rules stipulate that tyre repairs must stay within the central three-quarters of the tread, known as the “minor repair area”.
Moreover, if the size of the puncture is more than or equal to 6 mm in diameter, a repair is not permitted at all. Drivers have no other alternative than to invest in a brand-new tyre.