Passed NCT (twice) without spare wheel

wandererz

I was replacing the battery on one of the cars today, which is located in the boot.
I noticed that the spare tyre is missing and probably wasn't there since we purchased it.

The car does not have run flats.

It passed the NCT last month and the previous one 2 years ago.

I thought that a spare wheel is a requirement.

How is it possible that it passed twice without one?

CiniO

It is possible, as spare wheel is not a requirement for NCT.

coolisin

If the spare wheel is there they will check it! Not a requirement.

visual

Not required but if you have one they will check it

on a separate note all cars should be forced to have one instead of a can of gunk

CiniO

visual wrote: »

Not required but if you have one they will check it

on a separate note all cars should be forced to have one instead of a can of gunk

Why?

visual

CiniO wrote: »

Why?

Because 20 mins on the side of the road trying to inflate a flat tyre then giving up and calling a recovery truck isn't progress, and that is most people's experience when they are faced with a flat.

What ever about space saver not being ideal at least it gets you on your way.

CiniO

visual wrote: »

Because 20 mins on the side of the road trying to inflate a flat tyre then giving up and calling a recovery truck isn't progress, and that is most people's experience when they are faced with a flat.

What ever about space saver not being ideal at least it gets you on your way.

Well that's true that those puncture repair kits are far from being great, but I'd say it should be up to the owner to decide if he want's more boot space of spare wheel.
Many people wouldn't bother with changing wheel anyway, but just ring recovery truck to tow them to the garage.

Del2005

CiniO wrote: »

Well that's true that those puncture repair kits are far from being great, but I'd say it should be up to the owner to decide if he want's more boot space of spare wheel.
Many people wouldn't bother with changing wheel anyway, but just ring recovery truck to tow them to the garage.

Not much good if you are in an area with poor coverage. The bare minimum for passing a B licence test is you should be able to change a wheel, top up the oil and replace a blown bulb.

Of course to bring in the one for bulbs manufacturers should be forced to make cars which don't require disassembling half the front of the car to replace a bulb, it's ludicrous that they are allowed sell a product that once a bulb blows is illegal but impossible to replace.

Odyssey 2005

Top marks to the OP for observation. Has had the car for over two years and only now notices that there is no spare !. Then blames the NCT for passing the car with no spare

KERSPLAT!

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

Top marks to the OP for observation. Has had the car for over two years and only now notices that there is no spare !. Then blames the NCT for passing the car with no spare

Blaming them for what? All he said was he thought it was a requirement

Odyssey 2005

"How is it possible to have passed twice with out one"
To me that's blaming
The main thing is the lack of observation though.

micks_address

cant be an NCT requirement.. a lot of new cars dont come with spares as standard any more.. just a tube of gunk and a mini compressor.. has anyone had to use the kit? i havent thankfully with either of my last two cars but surely there will come a day.. i think ill be lazy and use breakdown assist.. have it both with the car and on the car insurance..

Bio Mech

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

"How is it possible to have passed twice with out one"
To me that's blaming
The main thing is the lack of observation though.

To me that's a question, it even had a question mark that you left out.

You are just nitpicking and stirring for no reason IMO.

The Backwards Man

Always always always check for a spare wheel when buying a car. If there's none there or it's a wheelbarrow wheel get the seller to throw one into the deal or a couple of hundred of the price. If the tyre is in bad condition, a hundred of the price.

Volvoair

so the the lesson learned today is....
if you have a spare tyre in the boot check it out before the test.
if said tyre is bald/dodgy remove from boot.
after car is has new cert, replace (dodgy)spare tyre into boot.
Mmmmm.....something a bit fishy going on here :-)

WildWater

visual wrote: »

Because 20 mins on the side of the road trying to inflate a flat tyre then giving up and calling a recovery truck isn't progress, and that is most people's experience when they are faced with a flat.

What ever about space saver not being ideal at least it gets you on your way.

I've had three punctures in the last 18 months. Two in a car without a spare and one in a car with.

In the case of the car with a spare I got the car jacked up, bolts undone no problem as I carry a cross brace and I've change plenty of wheels in my time. But could I feck get the wheel off the car! Pulling, kicking, cursing (that didn't help much) hitting it with the spare etc. I should add that while doing this I was afraid I was going to knock the car off its flimsy jack. As a last option before calling the breakdown service I got a big rock (after walking some distance to find one). Hit it with that and finally I had it off. So I was at least 30 minutes at the side of a busy road changing the wheel and I was fecking exhausted (I'm not as young as I used to be).

In the case of the car without the spare. On both occasions I took out my can of Holts Tyre Weld followed the instructions and in less than 5mins I was on my way. The stuff worked brilliantly. [Note the car came with its own gunk and compressor but I would have no faith in that.]

I now carry Tyre weld in my car that has a spare and will use that as my first option in future.

pippip

Does that tyre weld stuff in a can render the tyre useless causing the tyre to be replaced no matter what the puncture?

kirving

I'm well able to change a wheel, but a driver side wheel on the side of a motorway, at night maybe, I'd prefer a can of gunk every time.

dodzy

pippip wrote: »

Does that tyre weld stuff in a can render the tyre useless causing the tyre to be replaced no matter what the puncture?

Nope, the stuff can be washed away using warm water at puncture repair time (according to the manufacturer, that is). Never used it, so can't comment for sure. On another note, somebody mentioned that it should be a requirement for passing a test, being able to change a wheel. I've had to literally dance on some wheel nuts over the years. A slight female would have absolutely no chance of changing a wheel in this case.

jca

dodzy wrote: »

Nope, the stuff can be washed away using warm water at puncture repair time (according to the manufacturer, that is). Never used it, so can't comment for sure. On another note, somebody mentioned that it should be a requirement for passing a test, being able to change a wheel. I've had to literally dance on some wheel nuts over the years. A slight female would have absolutely no chance of changing a wheel in this case.

A slight female....:pac: If a slight female is ever driving your car get one of those extendible wheel braces in Lidl, they're a great job.

Del2005

dodzy wrote: »

Nope, the stuff can be washed away using warm water at puncture repair time (according to the manufacturer, that is). Never used it, so can't comment for sure. On another note, somebody mentioned that it should be a requirement for passing a test, being able to change a wheel. I've had to literally dance on some wheel nuts over the years. A slight female would have absolutely no chance of changing a wheel in this case.

Carry a bigger lever if you can't undo the bolts.

As for the wheel being stuck on. A thin layer of copper grease will stop the metals binding and only takes a couple of seconds to apply when you are practicing changing a wheel in a safe place.

dodzy

jca wrote: »

A slight female....:pac: If a slight female is ever driving your car get one of those extendible wheel braces in Lidl, they're a great job.

Yeah, I was watching the wording and was unsure If it was an AH thread, I'd just have said a skin....... Ah forget it

Agree totally, a breaker bar is handy for anyone.

jca

:

dodzy wrote: »

Yeah, I was watching the wording and was unsure If it was an AH thread, I'd just have said a skin....... Ah forget it

Agree totally, a breaker bar is handy for anyone.

:D. Great reply...

micks_address

WildWater wrote: »

I've had three punctures in the last 18 months. Two in a car without a spare and one in a car with.

In the case of the car with a spare I got the car jacked up, bolts undone no problem as I carry a cross brace and I've change plenty of wheels in my time. But could I feck get the wheel off the car! Pulling, kicking, cursing (that didn't help much) hitting it with the spare etc. I should add that while doing this I was afraid I was going to knock the car off its flimsy jack. As a last option before calling the breakdown service I got a big rock (after walking some distance to find one). Hit it with that and finally I had it off. So I was at least 30 minutes at the side of a busy road changing the wheel and I was fecking exhausted (I'm not as young as I used to be).

In the case of the car without the spare. On both occasions I took out my can of Holts Tyre Weld followed the instructions and in less than 5mins I was on my way. The stuff worked brilliantly. [Note the car came with its own gunk and compressor but I would have no faith in that.]

I now carry Tyre weld in my car that has a spare and will use that as my first option in future.

That's an interesting experience. I spoke to a dealer recently an older genuine guy and asked if he thought having a spare wheel was a good thing or bad thing... He reckoned you were better off without one for avoiding exactly the experience you outlined. Question re the tyre weld. Is it expensive? If you use it is they tyre still OK for repair?

dodzy

micks_address wrote: »

Question re the tyre weld. Is it expensive? If you use it is they tyre still OK for repair?

1. A tenner for a large can. 8 quid for a smaller one.
2. Tyreweld wont damage the tyre but i'd say the puncture repair guy will be cursing you well after you're gone.

Just thinking, maybe some would refuse to work on it bearing in mind the mess might make it difficult to ascertain if (all) punctures are repaired ??

micks_address

dodzy wrote: »

1. A tenner for a large can. 8 quid for a smaller one.
2. Tyreweld wont damage the tyre but i'd say the puncture repair guy will be cursing you well after you're gone.

Just thinking, maybe some would refuse to work on it bearing in mind the mess might make it difficult to ascertain if (all) punctures are repaired ??

So the can just connects to the tyre valve and it's pressurised enough to pump the tyre with the gunk? Off to Halfords tomorrow so

WildWater

micks_address wrote: »

That's an interesting experience. I spoke to a dealer recently an older genuine guy and asked if he thought having a spare wheel was a good thing or bad thing... He reckoned you were better off without one for avoiding exactly the experience you outlined. Question re the tyre weld. Is it expensive? If you use it is they tyre still OK for repair?

Well as I said even if you have a spare I think €10 invested in a can of tyre weld is money well spent.

dodzy wrote: »

1. A tenner for a large can. 8 quid for a smaller one.
2. Tyreweld wont damage the tyre but i'd say the puncture repair guy will be cursing you well after you're gone.

Just thinking, maybe some would refuse to work on it bearing in mind the mess might make it difficult to ascertain if (all) punctures are repaired ??

I go to a local tyre guy that I know quite well. Each time I told him that I used the tyre weld and he made no comment.

micks_address wrote: »

So the can just connects to the tyre valve and it's pressurised enough to pump the tyre with the gunk? Off to Halfords tomorrow so

Yep, that is it. Very simple. Halford often have them on offer at 2 for 1 or buy one get the other half price.

Del2005

Del2005 wrote: »

Carry a bigger lever if you can't undo the bolts.
.

There is no way changing a tyre should be part of the test. I know very few women who would be physically able to change a tyre. It's extremely difficult to loosen bolts nowadays as they are tightened extremely tight. Then there is actually lifting the wheel itself which can be very heavy if it's a big wheel then there is using the jack which if you aren't used to it is quite dangerous (for either men or women). It's much safer for a lot of people to ring someone they know for help or ring a recovery (isn't that why people pay for it).

Being able to change a wheel isn't really necessary nowadays, yes it handy and I like that I'm able but it's not vital.

CJhaughey

Depends if the sidewall is damaged or not as to the effectiveness of a can of tyre spray.
Small punctures are fine, big damage won't be repaired by an aerosol and a change of tyre may be required.

Voodoomelon

Davian Nice Machinist wrote: »

There is no way changing a tyre should be part of the test. I know very few women who would be physically able to change a tyre. It's extremly difficult to loosen bolts nowadays as they are tightened extremly tight. Then there is actually lifting the wheel itself which can me very heavy if it's a big wheel then there is using the jack which if you aren't used to it is quite dangerous (for either men or women). It's much safer for a lot of people to ring someone they know for help or ring a recovery (isn't that why people pay for it).

Being able to change a wheel isn't really necessary nowadays, yes it handy and I like that I'm able but it's not vital.

Have to say i'd agree, I have male friends who wouldn't even be able to lift my spare wheel out of the boot, let alone mount is successfully on the hub.

Stinicker

My car is converted to LPG and has a donut sparewheel well tank, it has passed its NCT twice previously without a spare wheel. It is in tomorrow again for NCT so I expect no difference.

dodzy

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Have to say i'd agree, I have male friends who wouldn't even be able to lift my spare wheel out of the boot, let alone mount is successfully on the hub.

Any male friends that cannot lift a wheel from a car boot need to be replaced as a matter of urgency:D

28064212

1. Put car in for NCT with bald spare wheel
2. Car fails solely on spare wheel
3. Walk out to car park, remove spare wheel
4. Walk back in to centre, request visual re-check
5. ...
6. Profit!Pass!

Bizarre

dodzy

dodzy wrote: »

Any male friends that cannot lift a wheel from a car boot need to be replaced as a matter of urgency:D

They could have a bad back or other injuries. Lifting a whee from deep in the boot puts a lot of pressure on your lower back.

dodzy

"Any male friends that cannot lift a wheel from a car boot need to be replaced as a matter of urgency:D"

Davian Nice Machinist wrote: »

They could have a bad back or other injuries. Lifting a whee from deep in the boot puts a lot of pressure on your lower back.

The post of mine above had a just touch of intended sarcasm.

wandererz

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

Top marks to the OP for observation. Has had the car for over two years and only now notices that there is no spare !. Then blames the NCT for passing the car with no spare

No need for that.

This is not my car but rather my wife's.
My car does have a spare wheel, i always check when purchasing.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that this car did have a spare wheel.
I would have noticed it missing the last time i disconnected the battery (spring/summer last year).

So it seems to have disappeared during one of the trips to the mechanic or tyre place. All four tyres where replaced in December last year, it could have been then. But then that would be pure speculation. I didn't post that bit in the original post due to that (speculation).

My previous Volvo did not have a spare but had a can of tyre weld and a compressor instead. I was ok with that, i just made sure i had a spare/fresh can of tyre weld rather than the original shipped with the car.

Now i know theres no spare in this car, i will be placing in a can of tyre weld.

CJhaughey

wandererz wrote: »

Now i know theres no spare in this car, i will be placing in a can of tyre weld.

Price breakdown recovery insurance as well, if you split the tyre tyreweld won't work and your only option will be recovery.
I'd always prefer a spare over a can of tyre repair spray.

Odyssey 2005

wandererz wrote: »

No need for that.

This is not my car but rather my wife's.
My car does have a spare wheel, i always check when purchasing.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that this car did have a spare wheel.
I would have noticed it missing the last time i disconnected the battery (spring/summer last year).

So it seems to have disappeared during one of the trips to the mechanic or tyre place. All four tyres where replaced in December last year, it could have been then. But then that would be pure speculation. I didn't post that bit in the original post due to that (speculation).

My previous Volvo did not have a spare but had a can of tyre weld and a compressor instead. I was ok with that, i just made sure i had a spare/fresh can of tyre weld rather than the original shipped with the car.

Now i know theres no spare in this car, i will be placing in a can of tyre weld.

So what you are saying is that the tyres were changed 11 months ago and you haven't checked them since,and checking the tyres includes the spare.
You also say that you are"pretty sure" the car had a spare when you bought it.
I'm sorry wanderez but I stand by my 10/10 for observation point.

UnknownSpecies

28064212 wrote: »

1. Put car in for NCT with bald spare wheel
2. Car fails solely on spare wheel
3. Walk out to car park, remove spare wheel
4. Walk back in to centre, request visual re-check
5. ...
6. Profit!Pass!

Bizarre

Did something similar. Failed on one tyre. Replaced said tyre with the spare, walk back in, pass on visual recheck.

Odyssey 2005

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

So what you are saying is that the tyres were changed 11 months ago and you haven't checked them since,and checking the tyres includes the spare.
You also say that you are"pretty sure" the car had a spare when you bought it.
I'm sorry wanderez but I stand by my 10/10 for observation point.

In fairness I think checking the spare when checking the other tyres is rare. I check my tyre pressures very regularly but have never checked the spare in the 3 years I've had the car ( I mean I've checked its there and I see it when getting the lock nut or screwdriver but that's it).

Odyssey 2005

Davian Nice Machinist wrote: »

In fairness I think checking the spare when checking the other tyres is rare. I check my tyre pressures very regularly but have never checked the spare in the 3 years I've had the car ( I mean I've checked its there and I see it when getting the lock nut or screwdriver but that's it).

Likewise,I would be a liar if I said I checked the pressure of the spare every week to forthright like the other tyres.I do however always check that it's inflated and hard enough to get me out of trouble if needed.