Helpful car tips - What you have to consider when repairing a tire

If you want to mend a car tire yourself, you should consider a few important technical and legal aspects. The costs for a professional tire repair in a workshop may be higher – but the effort pays off.

How much does it cost to repair a tire?
Which punctures can be repaired?
Is tire patching allowed?
Where can you mend car tires?
Which tires are not allowed to be repaired?
Conclusion: more safety through professional tire repairs

How much does it cost to repair a tire?

Tire repair costs can vary. Depending on the damage and the type of tire, a tire can be patched yourself or the help of a specialist workshop is required. But even if professional support may be a bit more expensive – it is an investment in your own security.

In the case of marginal and superficial damage to a tire, the assistance of a specialist workshop is not absolutely necessary. If you have some manual skills and dare to do it, you can mend the damage yourself. Breakdown kits are available from as little as 40 euros, repair sprays for around 10 euros. But beware: one Repair with kit, spray, glue and repair foam is for emergencies only. Once a car tire has been treated with it, it can no longer be repaired in the workshop. In addition, it depends on the severity of the damage and the type of tire whether the tire can and may be repaired by yourself.

For a reliable assessment of the damage, a Inspection in a specialist workshop necessary. As a rule, a damaged tire is repaired by what is known as vulcanization. Cold vulcanization costs around 20 to 25 euros. A standard tire repair in the form of warm and hot vulcanization costs around 40 euros. The experts in the specialist workshop can assess which approach makes sense.

Professional support in a workshop offers security

It should be noted that professional support in a workshop may be slightly more expensive than patching the tire yourself. But this investment can be worthwhile. she guarantees that the damaged tire will be repaired professionally and the repair meets the legal requirements. Irrespective of this, it is advisable to compare the prices of different workshops.

Which punctures can be repaired?

Whether a tire repair is possible depends, among other things, on the severity of the damage, the exact location and the type of tire. A professional inspection in the workshop provides clarity.

In principle, most damage to the tread of a tire can be repaired. Whether a repair makes sense depends, among other things, on the severity of the damage away. A check in a specialist workshop provides clarity.

Important: A repair must ensure that the tire recovers can be used in the same way as it was before the damage. In order to be able to ensure in advance that the damaged tire can be used again after repair, it must be dismantled and examined professionally.

When is a tire repair worthwhile?

There are numerous reasons why a tire repair is worthwhile. The prerequisite is that the car tire works perfectly again after the patch.

If the damage to the tire is not serious and only certain areas are damaged: cuts and tears up to a maximum of 6 mm can usually be repaired easily.
If the car tire has not been used for too long and has sufficient remaining tread depth.
If an emergency repair has not yet been carried out on the car tire, for example by using breakdown spray.
If the damage was discovered quickly enough and the vehicle was not driven for a long time with under-inflated tires.
If no suitable spare tire is available.

Tire Repair Guide

Numerous details must be observed for a professional repair. Here you will find instructions on how to do it yourself in 9 steps. All Checklist for car purchase & vehicle check

Remove the damaged tire from the rim
Remove balancing weights from the damaged area
Drill out the damaged area and thereby clean it
Patch the damaged area with suitable raw rubber
Vulcanize the base material with a vulcanizer
Completely fill up the drilled and cleaned area
Seal the inside of the wheel tread with the patch
Mount the repaired tire back on the rim
Reattach the balancing weight

Important: Anyone who has driven a screw or nail into the running surface should under no circumstances remove the object. This keeps the hole closed, further damage from pulling it out can be avoided.

Is tire patching allowed?

The Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) regulate in detail which tire damage may be repaired. If a tire repair is carried out yourself, the legislator automatically assumes that the repair was not carried out professionally. An exception is marginal damage on the tread.

Car tires must comply with the law. According to the StVZO, it is permitted to repair so-called puncture injuries – also known as drive-in damage – if they do not exceed a maximum extent of 6 mm and lie on the tread of the car tire. Damage to the side of the tire flanks must not be repaired. With regard to the procedure, so-called combined repair bodies must be used, for example heated raw rubber. In addition, only tires whose maximum permissible speed does not exceed 240 km/h may be patched.

Repair kits are for emergencies. If a car tire is repaired yourself, the legislator assumes that the repair was not carried out professionally. It is then considered inadmissible. It is therefore advisable to always have damaged tires repaired in a specialist workshop. In the case of marginal damage, on the other hand, a workshop visit is not legally necessary. But be careful: After using tire sealants, such as those contained in various breakdown assistance kits, professional repairs are no longer legally permitted. This also applies to other emergency seals.

Where can you mend car tires?

Car flat tire puncture nail

Puncture wounds on the tread – maximum 6 mm expansion – no high-speed tyres: the road traffic licensing regulations regulate precisely when car tires can be repaired by hand – and when not.

According to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) that is Repairing car tires is only allowed with puncture wounds on the tread that are no larger than 6 mm. Damage to the side of the tire flanks must not be repaired. Even so-called high-speed tires that are approved for a speed of 240 km/h or more may not be repaired.

Anyone who has driven a screw or nail into the running surface should under no circumstances remove the object. This keeps the hole closed, further damage from pulling it out can be avoided. Those affected should make an appointment with a tire workshop as soon as possible. The experts can clarify on site whether the tire can be repaired in a roadworthy manner and carry out the repair professionally.

In the meantime, should Tire pressures are checked regularly and kept at the recommended inflation pressure level. In this way, irreparable damage can be avoided. After the repair, it must be ensured that the tire can be fully used and loaded again and corresponds to the condition before the damage.

Which tires are not allowed to be repaired?

Whether a tire can still be repaired depends, among other things, on the type of damage and the type of tire. It is advisable to always have damaged tires repaired in a specialist workshop.

The Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) regulate in detail which tire damage may be repaired. Repairing car tires is only permitted if the tire has puncture wounds no larger than 6 mm. On the other hand, damage to the side of the tire sidewalls, for example if a nail is stuck in the sidewall, may not be repaired. Also so-called High-speed tires rated for speeds of 150 mph or more may not be repaired.

Once tires have been patched with tire sealant or comparable liquids, such as those contained in various breakdown kits, professional repairs are no longer legally permitted. This also applies to other emergency seals.

Conclusion: more safety through professional tire repairs

If you want to mend a car tire yourself, you have to comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). Repair kits are for emergencies. Marginal damage can be repaired yourself, a visit to the workshop is then not necessary. However, in most cases it is advisable to Professional repair of car tires in a specialist workshop. Because safety comes first.