How much does it cost to get a tyre repaired?

We take a look at the types of tyre repair and associated costs that you may encounter should a screw or nail find its way into your future.

Lawrence Minnie

27 Jun 2022 · 10:36Car Ownership

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Air Tight

There is no argument that getting a puncture is the bane of every motorist. Tyres are expensive and having to replace one can quickly drain one's bank account. If you do find yourself with a foreign object firmly wedged in the tread of your tyre there is some hope.

If the damage is not too extensive, you may be able to have the offending item removed and the tyre repaired. Below we've found the options you have available to you and what they may cost to have done. Repairs and costing are approximate as different wheel and tyre shops do things differently and may charge accordingly.

Tyre Plugs

This is the first option you have, and we cannot stress this enough, it is TEMPORARY, and you should have it repaired properly as soon as you can. This is a roadside fix and comes in the form of a kit containing a repair tool, repair plugs, and a small blade. These kits cost approximately R350 and can be carried in your car or can be found at most service stations. We have a video here of the repair process.

Vulcanised patches or mushroom plug

This is the recommended repair method and is the one used by most tyre shops. This involves the tyre being removed from the rim, inspected, the repair area buffed and the patch or plug inserted from inside and cemented in place. The tyre will then be remounted and balanced. Depending on the tyre shop, a repair of this type can cost anywhere from R450 - R1000, depending on the vehicle, tyre size/type, and extent of the damage.

Complete replacement

This is of course the worst-case scenario and that is if the puncture damage is too extensive to repair or has occurred on the sidewall or shoulder of the tyre. Tyre manufacturers do not endorse repairing tyres that have punctures or damage in these areas as this is where the tyre flexes at its most and repairs won't hold and may result in further damage or risk to life or limb. The cost here is whatever a new tyre will be or the shop may try to help with a second-hand casing but as this is an unknown and you will most likely be in for some new rubber.

Written by Lawrence Minnie

Lawrence has been involved with motorsports for almost 30 years. Whether it's two wheels or four, if it has an engine, he will try to race it. This love of motor vehicles has led him to ride, drive, film, photograph, and write about his passion. Freelance for a while but now a permanent fixture on the AutoTrader team for over 7 years, Lawrence contributes written, photographic, and video content for AutoTrader and AutoTrader Bikes.Read more