What to Have Ready Before your Mobile Tyre Fitter Arrives in Bristol

Our mobile tyre fitters come to you across Bristol, at home, at work or at the roadside, so a few minutes of prep helps us start the moment the van pulls up. Here’s the simple checklist, from your reg number and tyre size to your locking wheel nut key and a safe place to park.

Key Takeaways

• Keep your registration number and tyre size handy before you call. It gets you a faster, more accurate quote.
• Park somewhere flat, safe and with space around the car.
• Find your locking wheel nut key now, not when the van arrives.
• A quick look at your tyres tells you whether you need a repair or a replacement.
• Most mobile fittings take around 30 to 60 minutes, and you don’t need to leave home or work.

A flat tyre in Bristol never comes at a good time. It usually shows up before a school run, a shift, or a drive out to the M5. The good news is that a little preparation makes mobile tyre fitting quick and stress-free. This guide covers what to have ready, so our fitter can get you back on the road with the least waiting.

We come to you across Bristol, at home, at work or at the roadside, including nights and bank holidays. Whether you’re in Clifton, Bedminster, Redland or Bishopston, the steps below are the same.

Information to Have Ready When You Call or Book Online

The more you tell us up front, the quicker we can quote and bring the right tyre in the van. Keep these details close:

• Vehicle registration number, for example WX66 ABC. We use it to confirm your make, model and fitting details.
• Tyre size, found on the sidewall. It looks like 225/45 R17 94W.
• Exact location, with postcode and any landmark. “Outside the Co-op on Gloucester Road, BS7” beats “near the shops”.
• Number of tyres you need, and whether it’s one flat or a full set.
• Your preference: budget, mid-range or premium.

Can’t read the sidewall because of dirt or bad light? No problem. Send us your reg and we’ll work out the size from there.

Checking Your Tyres Before the Fitter Arrives

Five minutes with your tyres can save a lot of guesswork. Walk around the car and look for:

• Nails or screws in the tread.
• Bulges or cuts on the sidewall. These are serious and usually mean replacement.
• Tread depth. The legal minimum in the UK is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. If you’re close to it, it’s worth replacing the tyre while we’re there.
• Slow puncture signs, such as a tyre that keeps losing pressure over a few days.
• Pothole damage. Bristol’s roads are rough in places, and a bad hit can damage a tyre even when it still looks fine.

Take a quick photo of anything unusual and send it over. It helps us decide what to bring.

Choosing Between Puncture Repair and New Tyres

Not every flat means a new tyre. Under the British Standard for puncture repair (BS AU 159), a tyre can only be repaired if the damage is in the right place and small enough. Here’s a simple guide:

Situation	Usually repairable?
Small nail or screw hole in the central tread	Yes, in most cases
Damage on the sidewall or tyre shoulder	No, replace
Large cut, bulge or visible internal damage	No, replace
Tyre driven flat for some distance	Often no, as internal damage is likely
Tread worn near or below 1.6 mm	Replace, even if the puncture is repairable
Run flat tyre	Depends on the manufacturer’s advice

Our fitter will inspect the tyre properly before deciding. We won’t push a new tyre if a safe repair will do the job, and we won’t repair one that isn’t safe. For more on repairs, see our [puncture repair page].

Preparing a Safe Parking and Working Area

A mobile fitter needs room to work, and safety comes first. Before we arrive:

• Park on flat, firm ground. A slope or soft verge makes jacking unsafe.
• Leave about a car’s width of space on the tyre side if you can.
• Move bins, bikes and clutter out of the way.
• On narrow terraced roads, like many streets in BS5 and BS3, tell us about parking limits and permit zones when you book. We can plan where to park the van.
• If you’re at work, ask security or reception to let our van into the car park.

Busy road with traffic close by? Tell us. We’ll tell you what is safe, and sometimes it’s better to move the car a few metres first.

Access and Security

Mobile fitting only works if we can reach the car. Check:

• Gated car parks and private drives. Share the gate code or have someone meet us.
• Underground or multi-storey parking. Height limits can stop a van, so let us know early.
• Locked garages. Make sure the car can be moved out into the open.
• Your own contact number, so we can reach you if the entrance is hard to find.

Locking Wheel Nut Key Missing or Lost

Can’t find your locking nut key? Don’t panic. It’s one of the most common reasons a fitting gets delayed, so it’s worth looking for before we turn up.

Check the glovebox, boot, under the spare wheel or space saver, door pockets and the toolkit tray. Some cars keep it in the centre armrest. If it’s gone, tell us when you book. Fitters carry removal tools, but removing a locking nut can take extra time and may damage the nut, so a heads-up helps. Your dealer can also order a replacement key using the code card that came with the car.

Tools, Keys and Vehicle Equipment

Our van is fully equipped, so you don’t need to find any tools. Do keep these handy:

• Locking wheel nut key, as above.
• Wheel bolt covers, if your car has them. Pull them off before we arrive if you can.
• Key fob, so we can move the car or release an electronic handbrake.
• Space saver or spare, if you have one fitted. Tell us, as it affects the job.

We use a calibrated torque wrench when refitting wheels, so every nut is tightened to the manufacturer’s setting. That’s something a simple wheel brace can’t guarantee.

Preparing Your Vehicle

A few vehicle details make the job smoother:

• Electronic handbrake. Know how to release or disengage it, or keep the key fob close.
• EV and hybrid cars. They are heavier and often use specific tyres. Let us know when you book so we can bring the right tyre and use the correct jacking points. Our [EV tyre guide] has more.
• TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system). It has been standard on new cars since November 2014. If your dashboard warning light is on, mention it. We can check the sensors and valves while the wheel is off.
• Empty the boot if it’s packed. It can make it easier to reach the spare or jacking points.

Running a business with several vehicles? Our [fleet service page] explains how we handle multiple cars in one visit.

Roadside and Motorway Breakdowns in Bristol

If a tyre goes at the roadside, your safety matters more than speed. For ordinary roads such as the A38 or the Portway, pull in somewhere safe, switch on your hazards, and get everyone out and away from traffic where it’s safe to do so.

On the M4, M5 or M32, do not try to arrange a tyre fitter yourself first. Call National Highways or your recovery provider and follow their instructions. Motorway hard shoulders are dangerous, and work should only take place somewhere safe, such as a lay-by or after leaving at the nearest exit. Once you’re safe, call us and we’ll meet you there.

Documents and Paperwork to Keep Handy

You don’t need much, but a few details are useful:

• Your registration number and the name on the booking.
• The tyre details from the old tyres, if you want the same brand and size.
• Your MOT or service paperwork, if a recent advisory mentioned a tyre.
• Any warranty information, if the tyre was fitted recently.

Payment and Aftercare

We’ll confirm the price before any work starts. After fitting, we recommend:

• Re-check wheel nuts after the first 50 miles or so, as many manufacturers advise.
• Check tyre pressure monthly. The correct figures are in your owner’s manual or on the door frame.
• Keep an eye on slow punctures. If a tyre loses pressure again, get it checked.
• Rotate and balance as needed. Wheel balancing at fitting helps prevent vibration and uneven wear.

Our [pricing page] shows what to expect for budget, mid-range and premium tyres.

What to Expect When We Arrive

Our fitter will greet you, confirm the details, and inspect the tyre or tyres. From there it goes like this:

• The wheel is removed and the tyre is checked inside and out.
• The tyre is repaired or replaced, then balanced.
• The wheel is refitted and torqued to the correct setting.
• Pressure is set, and we check that everything is tidy before leaving.

Most jobs take about 40 to 60 minutes, depending on how many tyres and what’s involved. You don’t have to stand over the van, but we’re happy to explain anything you’d like to know.

Before We Arrive Checklist

Save or screenshot this box:

• ☐ Registration number ready
• ☐ Tyre size noted (for example 225/45 R17 94W)
• ☐ Exact location and postcode shared
• ☐ Car parked on flat, safe ground
• ☐ Space cleared around the car
• ☐ Locking wheel nut key found
• ☐ Key fob and handbrake sorted
• ☐ Gate or access details shared

Frequently Asked Questions