What to check at collection and what to do if a hire vehicle develops a tyre problem.
Record tyre and wheel condition before driving away
At collection, walk around the hire car in good light and photograph every wheel and visible tyre sidewall. Make sure existing wheel scuffs, cuts or damage are recorded on the condition report. If a tyre looks unsafe or a warning is showing, ask the rental company to resolve it before you leave.
If a puncture happens during the hire
Move to a safe place and follow the rental company’s breakdown/tyre procedure. Do not arrange an unauthorised repair if the agreement requires approval or a nominated supplier. A mobility kit may be temporary and can affect whether a permanent repair remains possible.
Who pays?
Liability depends on the rental agreement, damage waiver, exclusions and circumstances. Tyres and wheels are sometimes treated differently from body damage. Read the cover wording rather than assuming standard excess protection includes punctures or wheel damage.
Do not drive on a suspect tyre to save a charge
A rapid pressure loss, bulge, exposed cord, serious cut or visibly flat tyre is a safety issue. Follow roadside-safety guidance and contact the hire provider or breakdown service.
At return
Keep photos, incident references and receipts. Ask for the return condition to be recorded. If a charge is later disputed, contemporaneous evidence is much more useful than trying to reconstruct the condition afterwards.
Lease, finance, hire, warranty and maintenance terms vary by provider and contract. Check the documents that apply to your vehicle before spending money or relying on general guidance.
What to do next
Gather the relevant contract, vehicle handbook, recent invoices and real mileage/cost figures. Compare like-for-like options over the same period rather than deciding from a headline monthly payment.