At best, a puncture can be just a change of wheel (providing you have a spare), some time and inconvenience and the cost at the tyre shop of having the puncture repaired.
Unfortunately, an increasing number of cars do not carry a spare wheel and rely on a can of emergency sealer to get to a tyre shop (if it works!). The true cost of a puncture can mount up in a number of ways.
For example, a gentleman I know was traveling on the motorway for a business appointment when he noticed a tyre warning light. When he pulled in to the services to investigate, his tyre was under inflated probably due to a puncture.
His car has expensive tyres and he knows that if he uses the can of emergency sealer the tyre shop will tell him he will need a new tyre. He is also not keen to figure out how to install the repair fluid especially in his suit and on the way to a meeting. He decides to call the breakdown service out to assist him but unfortunately there will be a 2 hour wait. He reluctantly decides to install the fluid himself.
The temporary repair works, the tyre remains inflated and he is able to continue his journey albeit at a 50mph limit and make his way to a tyre shop to get the problem rectified.
At the tyre shop, his near £200 tyre will need replacing due to use of the emergency fluid. It is late Friday and the new tyre will not be available until Monday requiring another visit and more disruption to work.
When the tyre is finally sorted out, the fitter mentions that a replacement can of fluid will be required and depending on the manufacturer and type of can this will be in the region of £30-50.
It is clear to see how the additional costs of time and money add up and this can be the true cost of a puncture.
