How much does it cost to get a tyre repaired?

Discovering a flat tyre is a frustrating experience, whether you're heading to work, picking up the kids, or just returning to your parked car.

It’s one of the most common – and inconvenient – problems faced by motorists. However, a punctured tyre doesn’t always mean you’re facing the cost of a full replacement. In many cases, a professional repair can restore the tyre’s integrity and keep you safely on the road, saving both time and money.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how tyre repairs work, when a repair is possible, and what it’s likely to cost in 2025 based on the latest prices from major UK providers. We’ll also explain the strict safety rules that apply to repairs, so you know what to expect when you take your car in.

How much does a tyre repair cost?

Most tyre repair services are offered for a fixed price, regardless of the tyre size, although prices may vary depending on whether the repair is carried out at a garage or via a mobile service. The prices below are shown as a guide and may vary depending on the nature of the repair and if it is a mobile or on-site service. 

• Formula One Autocentres: £22
• Halfords: £25
• National Tyres: £25
• Kwik Fit: £29.95

Mobile services may cost more – typically between £35 and £45, depending on your location and provider. Independent garages often charge between £20 and £30 for a standard repair.

How did my tyre get a puncture?

The most common cause of a flat tyre is a puncture, often from nails, screws, or glass picked up on the road. Some punctures result in immediate deflation, while others may cause a slow loss of air over hours or days.

However, punctures aren’t the only culprit. Tyres can also deflate due to sidewall damage from kerbing or road debris, impact damage from hitting a pothole, valve or bead failure where the tyre meets the rim, or aging tyres with perishing rubber or cracked sidewalls.

It's very important to check the tyre thoroughly or have it inspected by a professional to determine the cause and whether it's safe to repair.

How can I get my tyre repaired?

Most national chains and independent garages offer puncture repair services, and they're often available on a walk-in basis – failing that, you can book an appointment. Many also provide mobile repairs, ideal if your vehicle isn’t safe to drive.

Once the tyre is removed, the technician will inspect it both internally and externally to assess whether it can be safely repaired according to British Standard BS AU 159.

Not all tyres can legally be repaired. For the technician to attempt a repair, the damage must meet the following criteria:

• The puncture is in the central three-quarters of the tread
• The tread depth is above the legal minimum (1.6mm)
• There’s no damage to the sidewall, bead, or shoulder
• The tyre has no exposed cords, cuts, bulges or cracks
• The tyre has not already been repaired in the same area

If these conditions are met, the repair process involves removing and cleaning the tyre, sealing the puncture from the inside with a rubber patch of plug, and then rebalancing, refitting and reinflating the tyre. Such repairs usually take around 30 minutes.

Why can’t my tyre be repaired?

Not all punctured tyres are suitable for repair. There are strict legal limits in place, and for good reason – a faulty tyre could serious compromise your vehicle's safety.

A tyre can't be repaired if:

• The puncture is in or near the sidewall or shoulder
• The tyre has structural damage or signs of internal failure
• The tread is below 1.6mm in depth (the UK’s legal minimum)
• There are multiple punctures or signs of ageing
• The tyre has been driven on while flat, damaging the sidewall
• It's a run-flat tyre, which many providers will not repair

If any of these conditions apply, a replacement is the only safe and legal option.