To Repair or Not To Repair?

Discussion on the subject of run-flat tyres has once again heated up. Although this time, rather than questioning their price or the way they are being introduced, various parties have disagreed over whether or not dealers should repair them. The recent BRMA and TIC run-flat advice statements appear to agree on the subject. “The BRMA does not recommend repairs to a run-flat tyre,” the TIC statement read. Other voices, however, have questioned the motives behind advising against repairing run-flats.

For some dealers it comes down to a question of customer service. One business told Tyres & Accessories: “A customer got a flat run-flat on his BMW. When we told him that he had to fork out £200 to replace a two-week old tyre, he was not impressed.” In this case the dealership lost the sale, further business (the owner was a small business MD), not to mention Goodwill. “He’s only going to take it a disreputable dealer for a repair anyway, so why not get a better job done here?” the dealer added. So, should qualified tyre repairers be able mend run-flat tyres?