Spare tyre - RSA roadside testing

Atlantic Dawn · 19-10-2021 2:26pm #1

Does anyone know whether your spare tyre can be legally inspected at one of these roadside inspections that RSA do or can you refuse it? I'd rather refuse it as I don't want someone ripping half the boot asunder and having me go fix up their mess.

mickdw · 19-10-2021 2:28pm

I can confirm it is not wise to have a boot full of cocaine at an rsa checkpoint as it may be found

mgbgt1978 · 19-10-2021 2:39pm

Assuming they operate under the same rules as the NCT then they can only inspect the Wheels/Tyres actually fitted to the vehicle. You are not obliged to carry a Spare (only exception is Taxis, Hackneys, etc.).

19-10-2021 2:57pm

If you've to rip "half the boot asunder" to access the spare wheel, you're plainly doing something wrong.

19-10-2021 2:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118042407#Comment_118042407

Your first sentence is incorrect, they can advise you of any issues with the spare wheel. See the notes on section 5.2.3 of the NCT manual.

Atlantic Dawn · 19-10-2021 3:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118042584#Comment_118042584

I'm a little OCD, the spare is housed perfectly. I can see it being lashed back in and holder cross threaded with the foamed packaging smashed.

19-10-2021 3:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118042659#Comment_118042659

I'm sure they'd allow you to remove it yourself.

mgbgt1978 · 19-10-2021 3:13pm

@Phileas_Frog.

I have read the manual....more than once. My first sentence is totally correct.. I said that "they can only inspect the Wheels/Tyres actually fitted to the Vehicle". That is correct.

They can only look at the visible portion of the Spare and advise on any issues they see. They cannot (and do not) inspect the Spare fully.

You have stated that "they can advise you of any issues with the spare Wheel". That is incorrect. They can only advise you of any issues that are visible on the spare wheel without actually removing it. They will not even attempt to look at a covered spare wheel, as found on the Boot Door of many 4x4's, etc.

Gregor Samsa · 19-10-2021 3:42pm

They're not going to check the spare wheel, or even ask about it. You've no obligation to even carry a spare, but even if you had one, you've no obligation to keep it in any particular condition - until the point that you use it. At that point, it stops being a spare.

Think about it. You have a spare, you're driving along and you get a really bad puncture. Tyre gets ripped apart. You lash on your perfectly sound spare, put the wheel with the damaged tyre in the spare wheel well, and go off on your merry way. A bit further on, you get stopped at an inspection checkpoint. How could anyone say you're doing anything wrong by transporting the wheel with the damaged tyre under the floor of your boot?

Whocare · 19-10-2021 3:49pm

If tyre not touching road it won't be inspected it same with trucks with lift axle if axle is up tyre not looks at

mickdw · 19-10-2021 4:03pm

Is it all this week they are out?

Atlantic Dawn · 19-10-2021 4:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118043016#Comment_118043016

I think so, it began last week.

BrianD3 · 19-10-2021 6:27pm

Knew a fella who used to smuggle in fireworks in the spare wheel well. Given the time of year, I wonder is that what the OP is concerned about. Multi agency check point, RSA man asks to see spare wheel, sees something and calls over Gardai and Customs, oh sh1t!

No, a private motorist does not need a roadworthy spare wheel or a spare wheel at all.

Miscreant · 20-10-2021 9:22am

Or, you could just tell them the car doesn't have a spare? Plenty of cars on the road out there with just a pump and a can of tyre gunk instead of the spare wheel.

Spare tyre - RSA roadside testing

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