Just 3% of new cars sold in the UK have a spare wheel as standard, leaving more drivers stranded after a puncture, analysis finds
Just 3% of new cars sold in the UK have a spare wheel as standard, leaving more drivers stranded after a puncture, analysis finds
New analysis shows just 3 per cent of new car models sold in the UK have a spare wheel as standard, leading to more drivers being stranded after a puncture.
An RAC review of 313 models – ranging from the smallest superminis to the largest 4x4s – found only eight automatically come with a back-up wheel in the boot.
Its patrols went out to nearly 200,000 call-outs last year where drivers had a puncture and no spare wheel, up from 165,000 in 2018.
Many manufacturers have stopped including a spare wheel as standard to reduce the weight of their cars by up to 20kg.
This makes the vehicles more fuel efficient so they adhere to tougher emissions legislation.
Another reason for the decline in spare wheels is that electric vehicles often have battery packs in the place they would be.
The only car models identified as having a spare wheel as standard were the Fiat Tipo, Ford Focus (selected variants), Hyundai Sante Fe (PHEV), Land Rover Defender, Seat Ateca (selected variants), Suzuki Across, Volvo XC90 (not PHEV) and Toyota Land Cruiser.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘Getting a puncture on a journey has to be one of the most irritating breakdowns for drivers, especially if it’s as a result of hitting one of the plethora of potholes that currently characterise so many of our roads.
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