Run-flat tyres have reinforced sidewalls that allow you to continue driving for up to 50 miles at up to 50mph after a complete loss of pressure. Originally standard on many BMW and Mini models, they are now available across a wide range of vehicle types and are growing in popularity among West Yorkshire drivers.
The main advantage is obvious: if you get a puncture on the M62 or a remote Pennine road, you can drive to a safe location or even home without having to change a wheel at the roadside. This is a significant safety benefit, particularly for drivers who are uncomfortable changing tyres or who drive alone regularly.
Run-flat tyres also eliminate the need for a spare wheel, which saves weight and frees up boot space — a meaningful advantage for families and frequent travellers.
However, there are genuine drawbacks. Run-flat tyres are more expensive — typically 20-40% more than equivalent standard tyres. They also provide a firmer ride due to the reinforced sidewalls, which some drivers find uncomfortable, particularly on rough West Yorkshire roads. Perhaps most importantly, run-flat tyres cannot generally be repaired after a puncture and require full replacement.
Run-flat tyres can only be used on vehicles equipped with a TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system), as you would not know the tyre had lost pressure without one. Fitting run-flats to a vehicle without TPMS is dangerous.
Our verdict: if your vehicle comes with run-flats as standard, stick with them. If you are considering retrofitting run-flats to a standard vehicle, discuss it with our technicians first — it is not always straightforward and the additional cost needs to be weighed carefully against the benefits for your specific driving patterns.