As SLO says, it's worth having a word with the RAC. It's possible the wording is intended to cover people with people who should have a spare wheel but don't. I'd also have a word with Motability.

my thoughts exactly but their response is that you should have a spare wheel. I cannot believe that Motability/RAC would institigate this, what would happen if the person driving was in a wheelchair

I’d call the RAC to verify this. Most modern cars don’t come with a spare wheel these days and I find it hard to believe the RAC wouldn’t assist a disabled customer in such a situation.

My understanding is that even with European cover for breakdowns in France both the RAC / AA do not provide the service themselves, but subcontract to local garages, who may well have restrictions on what they do.

I'll be interested to hear what RAC say if the OP has contacted them to query this.

Yes - the Mazda CX-3 was crossed off my shortlist for the same reason. It should be a deal-breaker, but for most buyers it isn't - because they just don't think. Some of them will find out the hard way - stuck on a country lane with a gash from a pothole, too big for the can of gunk to be any use.....and no mobile reception.

OK - the risk of that happening may be small, but it's one that I'm not prepared to take.

I think in way like mazda 3 it is the best their model. First of all it is price, the second it it engine force, and the third it is wonderfull inside stuff.

Am I not right in thinking that the Mazda 3 is built on the same chassis as the Ford Fiesta? I was under the impression that all the suspension parts, brakes and wheels were identical to the Ford - in which case a spare wheel off a Fiesta would be readily available and cheap.

now that certainly is a thought worth investigation, thank you

The previous-generations (two of them) Mazda 3 (up to 2013) was based on the same base platform as the Ford Focus, not the Fiesta, but there are enough differences to make a difference as to the specs. I can say though that the Mazda back then (I have a mk1 built in Oc 2005) does have a space-saver spare but the wheel well can only take that smaller size spare and not a full diameter tyre equivalent to the 4 on the car). I suspect many other cars, though not as many as today, have the same issue. I would rather pay a bit more for a full size wheel well and tyre/wheel combo, as my 1996 Micra had.

The new 3 is not related to the Focus as Ford and Mazda went their separate ways before the latest crop of models came out (the Mazda5 excepted perhaps, which might be stil based on those two cars). As such, the wheel well is unlikley to be the same as the Ford's (which now has a smaller boot size - it used to be the other way around on the Mk1 and 2/2.5 Focus).

Worth looking to see what can fit (get the old measuring tape out), or at the very least trying to secure a space-saver as part of any deal (given they certainly don't cost £400 to produce - some other makes only charge a third of that for the same sort of thing), but look around BEFORE you start negotiating. I'd rather have this than a set of mats etc, which can be picked up even at the main daler for £40 or so.

Am I not right in thinking that the Mazda 3 is built on the same chassis as the Ford Fiesta? I was under the impression that all the suspension parts, brakes and wheels were identical to the Ford - in which case a spare wheel off a Fiesta would be readily available and cheap.

Did some investigation on this and you were nearly right the Mazda 2 is built on the same chassis etc as the Ford Fiests - good thought