What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Will my car fail its MoT if the spare does not have the same size tyres as the rest?
My 2009 car has just failed its MoT for having different sized tyres on the same axle. The spare wheel (steel, but not a space saver with a speed restriction painted on it) was fitted, with the original alloy fitted to the other side. All are the original wheels and spare that came with the car when new. Can spare wheels like this be used now or in an accident with the spare wheel fitted would I risk be held responsible for not having a roadworthy car?
Asked on 20 November 2019 by Andy Podmore
Answered by
Dan Powell
Having different sized tyres on the same axle is very dangerous because it has the potential to destabilise the car and cause an accident. I'm not sure why your car has the wrong size spare, but it is not recommended to use a tyre that's 10-years-old as the sidewalls may be cracked. I would recommend fitting the appropriately sized tyre immediately and replacing the mismatch spare with something that's suitable for your vehicle.
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
The Good Garage Guide
From choosing the right tyre to what to do when it goes wrong - we have the answers.
Tyre News And AdviceSimilar questions
Will a 16-inch rim space saver be acceptable on my Mazda MX5 with 17-inch wheels?
Yesterday at its first MoT, my BMW M240i received an 'advisory' re cracking to all four Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. Is this unusual and should I be concerned? The car has covered only 15,000 miles.
Should a reputable car dealer sell a car with 3 different brands of tyres on. The two on the front are identical but the two on the rear different from the front and each other. The sealer says that the...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
