Tyre wall damage: can it be repaired?

What is tyre sidewall damage?

There are severely different types of tyre sidewall damage. Here are four of the most common.

Bulges

Bubbles and bulges can occur in your sidewall if you overinflate a tyre. You may also experience them after driving through potholes or clipping kerbs. These imperfections will adversely alter the overall structure of the tyre and can potentially burst, making the car very dangerous to drive.

Cuts

Your car can develop a cut if you drive over a piece of glass or other road debris. The severity of these cuts will vary, but deep cuts can damage the carcass of the tyre. This creates a risk of sudden pressure loss, meaning the tyre needs to be replaced immediately.

Scratches

There are several causes of scratches to tyre sidewalls - clipping kerbs, scraping against walls and driving over debris are just three of the most common. Whilst this may seem like a minor issue, a scratch or nick can become pronounced and impact the overall tyre structure. If this happens, you need to have your tyre replaced as soon as possible.

Punctures

Tyre sidewall punctures are relatively rare, but they can happen as the sidewall of a tyre is less robust than the tread. A sidewall puncture is most commonly caused by running over a nail or other sharp object.

UK Tyre Law: what does it say about tyre sidewall damage?

To drive legally, your tyre sidewall (and the rest of the tyre) must be free from bulges, cuts and punctures. Cars with damaged sidewalls will automatically fail their MOT. You will also receive penalty points on your driving licence and a fine of up to £2,500. Just as importantly, driving a car with damaged tyre sidewalls is extremely dangerous, which puts yourself and all occupants of your car at risk.

Can sidewall tyre damage be repaired?

The simple answer is no. Whilst damage to tyre treads can sometimes be repaired, if you suffer tyre sidewall damage, you need to replace the tyre entirely. The main reason for this is that sidewall damage makes it impossible to identify if the tyre has any other problems. As such, a mechanic will not repair the sidewall damage, as there is a chance that this will not fully repair the tyre.

What to do if you suffer sidewall tyre damage

If you drive a car with standard tyres, you should stop driving as soon as you suffer the tyre damage. Pull over and immediately request roadside assistance. A mechanic will then change your tyre, ensuring that the new tyre is a suitable replacement.

If you drive with run flat tyres, the procedure is slightly different. The stiffer sidewalls on run flat tyres help to absorb the impact of tyre damage. This is especially useful if you suffer a blowout. Run flat tyres will help you stay in control of your vehicle and severely reduce the risk of an accident. You will also find that new cars with run flat tyres have Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) that alert you when you have damaged tyres.

But whilst run flat tyres help you stay in control with damaged tyres, you do still need to get the tyre replaced as soon as possible. A run flat tyre allows you to drive at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour for around 50 miles after suffering sidewall damage. In other words, enough time for you to reach a garage or another suitable place for your tyre to be replaced. A damaged run flat tyre will give you a somewhat bumpier and less controlled drive than normal, so don't drive on them for any longer than is absolutely necessary.

A run flat tyre always needs to be replaced with another run flat tyre. Using a standard tyre will compromise the performance of the vehicle and make it a lot harder to control.

Final thoughts

As you can see, tyre sidewall damage is a very serious issue and one that needs addressing immediately. It is neither safe nor legal to drive with tyre sidewall damage.

Of course, driving with run flat tyres makes sidewall tyre damage slightly easier to deal with. But do not think that it means you can carry on driving as if nothing has happened. Your car is still not roadworthy and a replacement needs to be fitted as soon as possible.

If you have any queries regarding tyre sidewall damage, make sure you talk to an expert and check out the Pirelli guides on the subject.

Nearest dealer

If you have questions about tyre rotation or other aspects of your tyres, get in touch with your nearest tyre dealer and stay safe on the road.