My Octavia has just been serviced and it’s been noted that the tyre sealant has expired. Certainly not going to drop £73.00 for a replacement bottle if I can use an alternative.

 

Any recommendations for a specific replacement or will any off the shelf tyre sealant be fine.

I don't like to derail discussions when I can help it...but.

Have you thought about a noodle kit and inflator instead? Much less hassle getting the tyre replaced after an incident. Less mess. A bit more know how needed but plenty of vids online if needed.

 

Otherwise I imagine any known product for canhohgunge would be fine.

Never heard of a noodle kit. Will research.

 

Edit:

 

can’t really find much on kits for cars. Lots about bikes. Any hints please.

Edited 24 July, 20223 yr by FrankNicklin

My can has also expired. I am thinking that maybe a space saver spare wheel off Ebay is the way to go,  as no worries about expiry in future and shouldn't cost much more than a can of gunk from a dealer.. If you have breakdown cover, you should check the terms and conditions to make sure that you have what you need to ensure that your cover remains valid. On my previous car I got a puncture and the tyre was too badly damaged to rescue using cans of gunk, so a spare wheel is more likely to get you out of trouble. A few months ago I bought 2 cans of tyre gunk that I found on offer in the local Tesco, but they no longer stock it.

 

A full size spare matching the other wheels will cost more, but gives more options for rotating tyres and replacing them in pairs. However there may be issues in fitting it in your boot.

 

P.S. Just because the can is date expired doesn't necessarily mean it will no longer work, and having an expired can has not stopped my car from passing the MOT.

 

No it will never stop you passing an MOT, same as not having and oil and filter change as long as emissions are OK. Thing is if it’s expired and no good when you actually need it, it’s too late. Must admit my Octavia is the first car I have ever run long term without a spare wheel. Previous car a Civic diesel I had for 3 years and bought a skinny spare as at the time I was driving 18k a year but now a lot less. Either way a spare is definitely the safest option I guess. The inner poly housing can be removed from the boot space to house a spare quite easily.

Edited 24 July, 20223 yr by FrankNicklin

1 hour ago, FrankNicklin said:

Never heard of a noodle kit. Will research.

 

Edit:

 

can’t really find much on kits for cars. Lots about bikes. Any hints please.

PowerMag TORO MOTORCYCLE CAR VAN TUBELESS TYRE PUNCTURE REPAIR KITS TIRE TOOLS EMERGENCY HEAVY DUTY https://amzn.eu/d/eVvMNfa

1 hour ago, OldBoyScout said:

having an expired can has not stopped my car from passing the MOT

Why would it? Not having a spare tyre is not a reason for an MoT failure.

1 hour ago, KenONeill said:

Why would it? Not having a spare tyre is not a reason for an MoT failure.

Because if you had a spare and it was faulty it would be a failure. But not a requirement to have one in the first place. The rule of 'if it's fitted it needs to be roadworthy'. I assume that's the thinking behind if a can needs to be in date. Seems to be an accessory though so not needed to be in date.

Edited 24 July, 20223 yr by MarkyG82

Technically not correct. My wife’s cars MOT due. The rear high level brake light had failed not the bulb so probably wiring close to the hinge. Pre-emptied the MOT by asking a guy that does MOTs and he said disconnect it. If you can prove it’s disconnected it will pass. So disconnected the wires and left them out so obviously disconnected. Car passed MOT no questions asked. As long as the normal brake lights work that was sufficient. So if the spare is a problem, just remove it. If it’s not there it can’t be failed.

Edited 24 July, 20223 yr by FrankNicklin

The whole "if it's fitted it must work" isn't true and probably never has been.

A faulty spare tyre isn't any type of fail. There is a clause that says if the tester notices a problem with it they should inform the owner it's dodgy, but that's it.

1 hour ago, MarkyG82 said:

Because if you had a spare and it was faulty it would be a failure. 

See this said a lot but never found such a clause in the MOT inspection manual, would be interested to see it if you know which clause it is. 

53 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

The whole "if it's fitted it must work" isn't true and probably never has been.

A faulty spare tyre isn't any type of fail. There is a clause that says if the tester notices a problem with it they should inform the owner it's dodgy, but that's it.

 

I think this is more accurate than my bad memory. Very probably just a note on the cert as it was many years ago it happened to me. Advice above is good. Just whip it out and they can't do anything.

5 minutes ago, Kenai said:

See this said a lot but never found such a clause in the MOT inspection manual, would be interested to see it if you know which clause it is. 

Sorry no I have no idea. See my response above for reference.

The closest thing you'll see is... 

 

5.2.3. Tyres

You only need to inspect the tyres fitted to the road wheels at the time of the inspection. If you notice a defect on a spare tyre, you should advise the vehicle presenter.

 

Taking the spare out "just in case" is a total waste of time and effort. 

12 minutes ago, Kenai said:

The closest thing you'll see is... 

 

5.2.3. Tyres

You only need to inspect the tyres fitted to the road wheels at the time of the inspection. If you notice a defect on a spare tyre, you should advise the vehicle presenter.

 

Taking the spare out "just in case" is a total waste of time and effort. 

I think its a lack of knowledge about what an MOT is about. I’ve even seen comments about people having things break down stating that it passed its MOT so should be fine, sad to say that some even interpret an MOT as a service. Previously I have been guilty of worrying about things that are just not part of the MOT hence my comment about the rear high level brake light. 

Thanks to those above for clearing that up. Like I said it was a few years ago (c~20) so my memory of the matter was not reliable.

Thought I would just mention the MOT point in case anyone had concerns about it having had first hand knowledge.

 

With my previous car it passed the MOT with a faulty 3rd brake light on one occasion, but failed the next time, as the rules had been tightened up.

 

7 hours ago, MarkyG82 said:

PowerMag TORO MOTORCYCLE CAR VAN TUBELESS TYRE PUNCTURE REPAIR KITS TIRE TOOLS EMERGENCY HEAVY DUTY https://amzn.eu/d/eVvMNfa

Excellent. Kit on order.