Motor Crazy - Tracking an Obsession With Motor Vehicles

What to Do in the Event of a Puncture in Your Rental Car

28 August 2018

Johnny Richardson

Are you planning a nice holiday for you and your family, travelling across the country to a seaside destination? If so, you may be planning to explore some of the fabulous scenery in that general area, and to do so, you will undoubtedly want to hire a rental car. If you're not used to doing this, you will need to familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations and make sure that you have the right amount of coverage in place, but where do you stand when it comes to tyre damage? What happens if you pick up a puncture in your car hire?

Your Obligations

Usually, rental companies will insist that the renter of the car is liable for a tyre in this situation. Consequently, if the tyre needs to be replaced, then it is something that you should do whenever you encounter the puncture. Of course, the tyre may only be deflated as happens from time to time, and you should check to see if it is otherwise undamaged before simply adding some air. It there are any obvious signs of damage, such as a protruding nail, then you may still be able to get it fixed rather than replaced, but this is a question for your nearest tyre depot.

Roadside Options

In order to get to the expert, however, you may still need to change the tyre, or conduct a temporary repair by the roadside. You may have to select this second option if your rental car does not come equipped with a spare. Many manufacturers are opting to include an inflation kit instead, which you may be able to use in this case. This type of kit usually contains foam, which is pumped into the carcass of the tyre and is meant to temporarily block the source of the leak.

Replacement Rules

Sometimes, a tyre will be damaged beyond repair and you will need to consider a replacement. In this case, be careful to choose the right type of tyre and as a rule of thumb, the same specification as the other covers fitted to the vehicle. Some people may be tempted to cut corners and get a discount brand, but they may have to pay twice in this case as the rental company may insist that a "like-for-like" replacement is used. When in doubt, pick up the phone and talk with the car hire company directly, before you make a purchase.

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