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uk Transport & mobility emergencies spare tyre missing • no jack in car • puncture kit missing • puncture kit failed • flat tyre no tools • can’t change a wheel • stranded with puncture • tyre blowout no spare • no wheel nut key • locking wheel nut missing • tyre sealant not working • compressor missing • breakdown on motorway • breakdown on a road • emergency area motorway • hard shoulder stop • roadside assistance needed • recovery truck help • mobile tyre fitter • tyre damaged can’t drive

What to do if…
your spare tyre, jack, or puncture kit is missing or unusable when you need it

Short answer

Get yourself and the car to the safest possible stopping place, then arrange recovery or roadside tyre help—don’t attempt a risky “make-do” repair at the roadside.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep driving on a flat or badly damaged tyre “just to get there” (it can destroy the tyre/wheel and make the car unstable).
  • Don’t try to jack the car in an unsafe spot (narrow verge, soft ground, bend, near fast traffic, poor visibility).
  • Don’t go back and forth across live lanes to reach a verge or hard shoulder.
  • Don’t put a warning triangle on a motorway.
  • Don’t accept pressure from strangers to do a quick roadside fix if you don’t feel safe.

What to do now

  1. Make a safety-first stop. Put hazard lights on and slow down smoothly. If you can, exit the road at the next junction or pull into a lay-by / car park / petrol station rather than stopping on a fast road.
  2. If you’re on a motorway (including a smart motorway):
    • Aim for an emergency area or motorway services, or leave at the next exit.
    • If you have to stop and a hard shoulder is clearly present and open, use it, stopping as far left as you can and turning your wheels left.
    • If you’re stopped in a live lane and can’t get to a safer place: stay in the car with your seatbelt on and hazards on and call 999.
  3. Get everyone into the safest waiting position.
    • If you can safely get out on the left, move behind a barrier if there is one and keep well away from traffic.
    • If it’s not safe to exit (for example, you’re in a live lane, there’s no safe space beyond the verge, or traffic is very close), stay belted in the car and call for help.
  4. Call the right help, and tell them the key fact: you can’t fit a spare.
    • Contact your breakdown provider, insurer’s roadside assistance, or a mobile tyre fitter.
    • Say clearly: “I have a puncture/tyre damage and the spare/jack/kit is missing or unusable—please send recovery or tyre assistance.”
  5. If you’re on a motorway or major A road in England and feel unsafe or can’t reach your breakdown provider, contact National Highways.
    • Call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 (24/7) for help on their network.
    • If you’re elsewhere in the UK, the road operator differs—your breakdown provider is usually the fastest route. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999.
  6. If you suspect the wheel can’t be removed (e.g., locking wheel nut/key missing), say so now.
    • Tell the provider: “Locking wheel nut key missing / wheel nuts won’t budge / no jack.” This helps them send the right equipment and avoid delays.
  7. While you wait, make the situation more visible without putting yourself at risk.
    • Keep hazards on. If it’s dark or visibility is poor and it’s safe to do so, turn on sidelights.
    • Stay focused on safety rather than “diagnosing” the problem by the roadside.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether to replace the spare, buy a new puncture kit, or change your insurance/breakdown cover.
  • You do not need to argue with a recovery provider about fault or cost while you’re in a risky location—get to safety first.
  • You do not need to work out whether the kit was missing before the journey or taken—leave that for later.

Important reassurance

This is a common situation (many cars don’t carry full spares anymore, and kits/jacks go missing). Calling for recovery or a mobile tyre service is a normal, expected solution—not a failure.

Scope note

These are first steps to keep you safe and get help moving. Once you’re off the roadside, you can deal with replacing missing equipment, receipts, and any follow-up.

Important note

This is general safety information, not legal or mechanical advice. Road and traffic conditions vary—prioritise personal safety and follow instructions from emergency services, road operators, or your breakdown provider on the scene.

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