Universal spare wheel keeps you on the road

We rolled out the RAC universal spare wheel to all patrol vans in 2014 in response to the number of new cars being sold without a spare wheel. To date they have been used more than one million times to help get our members back on the road and avoid the need for recovery.

In 2019 our patrols dealt with almost 206,000 ‘puncture no spare’ breakdowns which is nearly double the number we saw in 2012.

Once fitted, the member can complete their journey or drive unaccompanied to a local approved tyre specialist to get a repair or replacement. They then leave the universal spare wheel at the tyre specialist for us to collect later.

A simple solution to a modern problem which saves drivers time and inconvenience.

RAC Universal Spare Wheel and battery tester

An RAC first: All of our patrols carry a universal spare wheel which fits 80% of cars on the road.

Innovation

Today, vehicles are changing faster than ever before. And so are we. Here’s how we’re developing new innovations, so we can continue to rescue our members.

Find out more