lightwave Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Just wondering about removing the spare wheel for an ICE install or whatever reason... how legal is this? I may have just made this up, but I thought that if you carry a spare wheel that it has to be fit for purpose. If it ISN'T fit for purpose (damaged, or flat tyre etc) then it was illegal. But I thought if you don't carry one at all then that's ok. How much crap have I just made up? Is it just plain illegal to not have a spare wheel? If so - what do you guys do come MOT time? Chuck it on the back seat? I think it has to be securely fastened too, doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Fully legal to remove it - if it's there it has to be legal tread etc, if it's not there the only person bothered is you when you get a flat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Originally posted by mcanny Fully legal to remove it - if it's there it has to be legal tread etc, if it's not there the only person bothered is you when you get a flat I'm pretty sure that (if it's there) it has to be legal to pass an MoT test but that it's not actually illegal to have a bald spare, as long as you don't use it on the highway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 I was told by my MOT centre that if you have a spare it has to be legal because you have the intent to use it. I replaced mine with a can of tyre weld when I had the brakes fitted, not much point having a spare you can use... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightwave Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 Originally posted by Nick not much point having a spare you can use... "...can't use"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightwave Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 Don't worry y'all - I've answered my own question: Spare Wheel Motorists assume that the spare wheel is part of the MOT when it isn’t. VOSA cover this by their statement in the Manual which says “Note: The condition of the spare wheel is not included in the inspection. However, if a defect is seen, inform the vehicle presenter.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 Originally posted by lightwave "...can't use"? They only *just* clear under 18" Blitz rims, let alone a 17" space saver the width of a bicycle wheel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 even some standard cars now come withouth spares. can't remember which now, it was a yaris/fiesta kinda thing i'm sure. so yeah, if it's there it's gotta be legal, but you don't have to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 Must save a little weight too ! But, I guess you will replace this with the ICE install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightwave Posted June 24, 2004 Author Share Posted June 24, 2004 Hells yeah! But I could always get the carbon tailgate when I get my carbon bonnet - I think that'll help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRACHRIS Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 But the spacesaver is such a good wheel why do you want to loose it 50 mph yeah then it falls apart best off without, at least you can have some tunes to listen to waiting for the AA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 Originally posted by Supragal even some standard cars now come withouth spares. can't remember which now, it was a yaris/fiesta kinda thing i'm sure. so yeah, if it's there it's gotta be legal, but you don't have to have one. The Lotus Elise has no spare wheel. They used to have a can of tyre weld on some clips under the bonnet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_TC Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 Some Beemers, and the 206 cabriolet are spareless, and the range of Smart cars, and TVR I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Laing Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 Yep if you have a spare wheel it has to have legal tread, but if you take the wheel out thats perfectly legal. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 add my lil Alfa GTV to the list of puncture-repair-kit cars At least I had a deep boot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Man Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 Last year I had a golf and I remove the spare wheels to save some weight. The week after that I had a tyre puncher and I have to call the AA because I had no spare in the boot. They do not repair tyres on site and once they got to me after waiting for 2 hours they told me that having no spare wheels void the policy of breakdown cover!!! At the end I pay the full cost of towing my car back to my house and I changed the wheels myself on my driveway. China Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt B Posted June 25, 2004 Share Posted June 25, 2004 My Elise, Tuscan and the Mini I'm using at the moment all had either tyre weld or in the Mini's case it has run flat tyres instead... No spares in sight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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