Just 3% of latest vehicles bought within the UK have a spare wheel as normal

New evaluation exhibits simply 3 per cent of latest automotive fashions bought within the UK have a spare wheel as normal, resulting in extra drivers being stranded after a puncture.

An RAC evaluation of 313 fashions – starting from the smallest superminis to the most important 4x4s – discovered solely eight routinely include a back-up wheel within the boot.

The breakdown rescue firm stated that is inflicting an increase within the variety of incidents the place drivers want assist in the occasion of an unrepairable flat tyre.

Its patrols went out to just about 200,000 call-outs final 12 months the place drivers had a puncture and no spare wheel, up from 165,000 in 2018.

Many producers have stopped together with a spare wheel as normal to scale back the burden of their vehicles by as much as 20kg.

An RAC evaluation of 313 fashions – starting from the smallest superminis to the most important 4x4s – discovered solely eight routinely include a back-up wheel within the boot (file picture)

This makes the automobiles extra gas environment friendly so that they adhere to more durable emissions laws.

Another cause for the decline in spare wheels is that electrical automobiles usually have battery packs within the place they’d be.

The solely automotive fashions recognized as having a spare wheel as normal had been the Fiat Tipo, Ford Focus (chosen variants), Hyundai Sante Fe (PHEV), Land Rover Defender, Seat Ateca (chosen variants), Suzuki Across, Volvo XC90 (not PHEV) and Toyota Land Cruiser.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis stated: ‘Getting a puncture on a journey must be one of the crucial irritating breakdowns for drivers, particularly if it is on account of hitting one of many plethora of potholes that at present characterise so lots of our roads.

‘In the previous, a driver might have reached for the spare wheel within the boot however this new evaluation exhibits that these at the moment are just about a factor of the previous, with a miniscule variety of new vehicles bought within the UK coming with one as normal.

‘It’s comprehensible due to this fact that drivers are more and more calling on us to assist them out of a good spot, and it is a pattern we totally anticipate to proceed as electrical automobiles are even much less prone to include a spare.

‘Fortunately, we’re persevering with to innovate to make sure our members get one of the best service doable ought to they breakdown on account of a puncture, having simply rolled out a four-stud model of our pioneering multi-fit spare wheel, that is carried by each single considered one of our patrols.

‘In many circumstances, drivers ordering a brand new automotive can nonetheless purchase a spare wheel – whether or not that is a full-size one or the extra widespread light-weight house saver kind – as an elective further.

‘This would possibly grow to be a smart funding if you’re one of many many drivers who sadly suffers a puncture.’

RAC vans beforehand solely carried five-stud spare wheels, however a four-stud model has been added as they’re changing into more and more widespread with new vehicles, significantly smaller ones.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which represents automotive makers, declined to remark.