What should you do if you get a flat tyre on a rental car in Spain?
A flat or damaged tyre on a rental car is unpleasant, but it is not unusual. A stone on the road, a nail, a kerb, a pothole, one sharp parking manoeuvre - and suddenly “we are enjoying a beautiful drive through Spain” becomes “why is the car making that sound and why has life decided to test my character again”.
If a tyre on your rental car in Spain loses pressure or is damaged, the most important thing is not to panic and not to continue driving. A damaged tyre can quickly lead to damage to the wheel rim, suspension or bodywork. At that point, it is no longer just a puncture. It becomes a small financial festival nobody bought tickets for.
In this situation, you should first stop in a safe place, secure the vehicle, contact the rental company and follow its instructions. Making decisions on your own, going to a random garage, continuing to drive on a flat tyre or trying to “drive just a few more kilometres” can increase costs and make the case more difficult to process.
The main rule: stop safely
If you feel the car pulling to one side, hear knocking, vibration, a bang or see a tyre pressure warning, reduce speed smoothly and look for a safe place to stop.
Try to stop:
- in a car park;
- at a petrol station;
- on a wide hard shoulder;
- in a safe area away from the traffic lane;
- in a place where the vehicle is clearly visible to other drivers;
- as far as possible from moving traffic.
Do not stop suddenly in the middle of the road if you can safely move away from traffic. But do not continue driving for a long distance either. The goal is not to win a heroic battle against rubber. The goal is to protect the vehicle, the passengers and whatever remains of common sense.
Do not continue driving on a flat tyre
You should not continue driving on a flat tyre. Even if it seems like “it is only a few minutes to the hotel”, the tyre may be completely destroyed and the rim may be damaged. A simple puncture can turn into a tyre replacement, rim repair, tow truck and additional costs.
If the pressure has dropped significantly or the tyre looks damaged, do not try to drive to the nearest town without agreeing it with the rental company. Driving on a flat tyre is especially dangerous on motorways, mountain roads, at night, in rain or with a full car of passengers and luggage.
If the vehicle has a tyre pressure monitoring system, do not ignore the warning. Sometimes it may be a small loss of pressure. Sometimes it is the beginning of a problem that will become much less polite within a few minutes.
First, make the situation safe
After stopping, switch on the hazard lights and make sure all passengers are safe. If you have stopped on a road or hard shoulder, only leave the vehicle when it is safe to do so.
In Spain, from 2026, a connected V-16 warning beacon is used to signal a stationary vehicle. If the vehicle has one, use it according to the instructions and safety rules. It is important not to put yourself at risk, especially on a high-speed road or in poor visibility.
Basic steps:
- switch on the hazard lights;
- put on a reflective vest if you need to leave the vehicle;
- do not stand on the carriageway;
- keep passengers in a safe place;
- use the V-16 beacon if it is available and accessible;
- do not try to change the wheel in a dangerous place;
- call the rental company or roadside assistance.
If the situation is dangerous, do not play roadside mechanic. A person with a jack on the motorway is not a symbol of courage. Sometimes it is just a very bad idea wearing a reflective vest.
When should you call the rental company?
You should contact the rental company as soon as the vehicle is stopped in a safe place. The car belongs to the company, and any technical problem, tyre damage, rim damage or need for towing must be agreed with them.
You should tell the rental company:
- the contract or booking number;
- the name of the main driver;
- the vehicle licence plate, if known;
- your exact location;
- what happened to the tyre;
- whether it is safe to continue driving;
- whether there is visible damage to the tyre or rim;
- whether there is a spare wheel or kit antipinchazos;
- whether you are on a road, car park, motorway or in a city;
- whether there are passengers, children or an urgent flight involved.
It is not a good idea to first drive to a random garage, replace the tyre, pay for the repair and then tell the company: “I solved everything.” Sometimes this may help, but sometimes it creates a new problem: no approval, no documents, wrong tyre size, wrong tyre type, no report, unclear original damage. Beautiful chaos, except someone then has to close it in the system.
When do you need roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance may be needed if the vehicle cannot be used safely, the tyre is completely flat, there is no spare wheel, the rim is damaged, the vehicle is in a dangerous place or the driver cannot solve the situation independently.
Roadside assistance may include:
- a technical service attending the vehicle;
- checking the tyre on site;
- installing a spare wheel, if available and suitable;
- using a repair kit, if possible;
- towing the vehicle to a garage;
- moving the vehicle to a safe place;
- further instructions from the rental company.
It is important to understand that having roadside assistance does not always mean the tyre repair will be free. Roadside assistance and coverage of the damage cost are not the same thing. Yes, another case where two similar-looking concepts somehow are not one concept. The world was clearly not designed for customer convenience.
Can you change the wheel yourself?
You should only change the wheel yourself if it is safe, the vehicle has all the necessary equipment, the driver knows what they are doing and the rental company has not given different instructions.
Before changing the wheel, check:
- whether the vehicle has a spare wheel;
- whether there is a jack;
- whether there is a wheel wrench;
- whether there is a locking wheel nut and whether the adapter is present;
- whether the car is on a flat and safe surface;
- whether you are not blocking traffic;
- whether it is safe to leave the vehicle;
- whether the rental company allows a wheel change in this situation.
If something is missing, do not improvise. A jack on an uneven hard shoulder, a missing locking wheel nut adapter and someone who “roughly saw it once on YouTube” is a combination of questionable quality.
What if there is no spare wheel in the car?
Many modern vehicles do not have a full-size spare wheel. Instead, depending on the model, they may have a repair kit, compressor, sealant or run-flat tyres.
If there is no spare wheel:
- do not continue driving on a flat tyre;
- check whether there is a kit antipinchazos;
- contact the rental company;
- ask whether the kit can be used;
- do not use sealant unless necessary or without instruction;
- share your location;
- wait for technical assistance or grúa if the vehicle cannot be used.
The absence of a spare wheel is not always a vehicle preparation error. Many manufacturers now provide a repair kit instead of a spare wheel. Once there was a wheel. Now there is a bottle of sealant and hope. Progress sometimes looks strange.
What is a kit antipinchazos?
A kit antipinchazos is a repair kit for temporarily fixing a small puncture. It usually includes a compressor and sealant that can help restore tyre pressure temporarily.
Such a kit may help if:
- the puncture is small;
- the damage is in the tread area;
- the tyre is not torn;
- the rim is not damaged;
- the vehicle can be moved safely;
- the company allows the kit to be used or the vehicle instructions permit it.
A kit antipinchazos is not suitable for serious damage. If the sidewall is torn, the rim is damaged, the tyre is destroyed or the car has been driven for a long time on a flat tyre, the repair kit will not save the situation. It is not a magical artefact, although people sometimes seem to expect exactly that.
Who pays for the repair or tyre replacement?
Payment for the repair or replacement of a tyre depends on the cause of the damage, the rental agreement, the selected package, the insurance cover, the circumstances of the incident and the driver’s actions after discovering the problem.
In many cases, the costs may be the customer’s responsibility, especially if the damage is connected with:
- hitting a kerb;
- hitting a pothole or obstacle;
- driving on a flat tyre;
- damage to the tyre sidewall;
- damage to the rim;
- negligent use of the vehicle;
- driving on unauthorised roads;
- breach of the rental agreement;
- repair not approved by the rental company;
- missing documents about the repair or damage.
If the puncture was caused by a nail or an object on the road, the case may be considered differently, but it still depends on the rental conditions and coverage. That is why the correct step is to inform the rental company immediately and receive instructions.
Does insurance cover tyre damage?
Rental car insurance does not always cover tyres, rims, glass, underbody, interior, keys and other separate parts of the vehicle. It depends on the conditions of the specific contract and the selected coverage package.
Even if the customer has extended insurance or a package with reduced liability, tyre and rim damage may have specific restrictions or exclusions. For this reason, it is important to check in advance what exactly is included in the cover.
Pay special attention to wording. “Full insurance” in everyday language and the actual contractual cover are not always the same thing. The words sound beautiful, but the contract reads them differently. Contracts are cold creatures.
If the tyre was damaged by a kerb
Damage to a tyre or rim caused by a kerb is often considered the result of incorrect vehicle use or driver error. It may happen while parking, turning, driving onto a pavement, leaving a car park or manoeuvring through a narrow street.
Possible consequences:
- cut in the tyre sidewall;
- bulge on the tyre;
- rim damage;
- loss of pressure;
- vibration while driving;
- need to replace the tyre;
- additional inspection of suspension or steering.
If vibration, a tyre pressure warning or visible damage appears after hitting a kerb, do not continue driving as if nothing happened. The car will not forget the impact just because the driver decided to pretend everything was fine.
If the tyre was punctured by a nail or object on the road
A puncture caused by a nail, screw or sharp object on the road can happen even when driving carefully. It is unpleasant, but it is not always connected with driver error.
In this situation, it is important to:
- not remove the object from the tyre unless necessary;
- not continue driving with low pressure;
- take a photo of the damage if it is safe;
- tell the company the exact location and circumstances;
- ask whether you may drive to the nearest garage;
- keep repair documents if the repair is approved;
- not replace the tyre without approval if the company gives different instructions.
Sometimes a small puncture can be repaired, but the decision should be made by a specialist and the rental company. For a rental car, it is not only about “holding air again”. The repair must be safe, documented and acceptable under the company’s requirements.
If the rim is damaged
Rim damage is more serious than a simple puncture. The rim may be damaged by a kerb, pothole, stone, road obstacle or by driving on a completely flat tyre.
Signs of possible rim damage:
- vibration at speed;
- fast loss of tyre pressure;
- visible rim deformation;
- crack;
- impact or metallic sound;
- the vehicle pulls to one side;
- the tyre does not hold pressure after inflation.
If rim damage is suspected, do not continue driving without inspection. A damaged rim can be dangerous, especially on a motorway. This is not the moment to test Spanish road romance with the method “maybe we will make it”.
If the vehicle cannot be used further
If the vehicle cannot be used safely, the rental company may organise roadside assistance, towing or further instructions. The possibility of a replacement vehicle depends on the cause of the problem, the rental conditions, vehicle availability, the customer’s location and the nature of the damage.
A replacement vehicle may not always be possible. This is especially true if the damage was caused by incorrect use, impact, kerb damage, driving on a flat tyre or another action that is considered the customer’s responsibility.
If the vehicle is far from the office, in another city or on a motorway, the solution may take more time. Yes, the car does not teleport, a staff member does not appear out of thin air, and the nearest tow truck does not always live around the corner. Reality, as usual, does not offer an “instant miracle” service.
Can you get a replacement vehicle?
The possibility of receiving a replacement vehicle depends on the circumstances. If the problem is connected with a technical failure not caused by the customer, the company may consider replacement according to the rental conditions and vehicle availability.
If the tyre or rim was damaged because of a kerb, impact, puncture, incorrect use, driving on a flat tyre or breach of rental conditions, replacement may not be free or may not be provided automatically.
The decision may depend on:
- the cause of the damage;
- the condition of the vehicle;
- the customer’s location;
- availability of free vehicles;
- the category of the rented car;
- the selected coverage package;
- the rental agreement conditions;
- available photos and documents;
- the report from the garage or roadside assistance.
For this reason, it is better not to assume a replacement in advance. First, the company must understand what happened, whether the tyre can be repaired, whether the vehicle can be used safely and who is responsible for the costs.
Can you drive to the nearest garage yourself?
Sometimes the rental company may allow the customer to drive to the nearest garage if the tyre holds pressure, the damage is minor and driving is safe. But this must be agreed in advance.
You should not choose a garage and replace the tyre without approval, because questions may arise:
- whether the tyre size and specifications are correct;
- whether it matches the other tyre on the same axle;
- whether the repair is safe;
- whether there are documents and a receipt;
- who approved the work;
- whether the rim was damaged;
- whether there were hidden additional damages;
- whether the company can accept this repair under its conditions.
If the company approves the garage, keep all documents: receipt, work report, photos of the damage, photos of the new or repaired tyre and garage details. Without documents, every repair becomes a trust-based story. Trust is beautiful, but accounting oddly prefers receipts.
What should you do if the problem happens in Malaga?
If a tyre loses pressure or is damaged in Malaga, first stop in a safe place. In the city, if possible, move to a car park, petrol station or quiet street where the vehicle does not block traffic.
If you rent a car in Malaga or at Malaga Airport, contact the rental company immediately and share your exact location. This is especially important if you are on a motorway, near the airport, in the city centre, near the beach, in the port area or in heavy traffic.
Malaga has many narrow streets, kerbs, underground car parks and busy urban areas. Tyre damage may happen while parking, manoeuvring, entering a car park or driving on uneven roads. If in doubt, do not continue driving and wait for instructions.
What should you do if the problem happens in Marbella?
In Marbella, a puncture or tyre damage may often happen near beach car parks, narrow streets, hotels, restaurants, Puerto Banús or busy seasonal roads.
If you rent a car in Marbella and have a tyre problem, tell the company:
- where the vehicle is located;
- whether a tow truck can reach it;
- whether the car is on the road or in a car park;
- whether there is visible damage to the tyre or rim;
- whether you can wait for help safely;
- whether the vehicle must be returned urgently.
In high season, the situation may take longer because of traffic and busy services. Yes, summer in Marbella can turn even simple logistics into a small test of patience.
What should you do if the problem happens in Alicante?
If a tyre loses pressure or is damaged in Alicante, follow the same steps: stop safely, switch on the hazard lights, contact the rental company, take photos of the damage and wait for instructions.
Be especially careful if the vehicle is:
- on a motorway;
- near the beach;
- in the city centre;
- near the port;
- in a shopping centre car park;
- in a tourist area;
- on a road with limited space to stop.
If the car cannot move safely, roadside assistance or grúa may be required. Do not try to drive to the office or a garage on a completely flat tyre. This is exactly the situation where “I will drive carefully” can still end with a damaged rim.
What should you photograph in case of tyre damage?
Photos help clarify the situation and process the case correctly. Take photos only if it is safe. Do not step onto the road for the perfect shot. Instagram will survive without you, and a motorway is not the best place for a photo session.
Useful photos include:
- close-up of the damaged tyre;
- the rim;
- general view of the vehicle;
- the place where the car is stopped;
- the road obstacle, if it caused the damage;
- warning message on the dashboard;
- tyre pressure readings, if displayed;
- vehicle mileage;
- contract number or documents, if needed for the report;
- receipt or garage report, if the repair was approved.
The clearer the information, the faster the company can decide whether grúa, a garage, tyre replacement or another solution is needed.
What should you not do with a flat tyre?
When a tyre is damaged, it is important not to make the situation worse. Some actions can increase the costs and affect the customer’s responsibility.
You should not:
- continue driving on a flat tyre;
- drive on a motorway with low tyre pressure;
- change the wheel in a dangerous place;
- repair the tyre without approval;
- install an unsuitable tyre;
- throw away the damaged tyre without permission;
- fail to inform the company about the damage;
- hide an impact with a kerb or pothole;
- ignore a tyre pressure warning;
- leave the vehicle in a dangerous place;
- abandon the car without instructions if it blocks traffic.
The main mistake is trying to pretend that nothing happened. The car, tyre, rim and pressure monitoring system usually refuse to participate in this performance and continue to provide facts.
How can you avoid tyre damage on a rental car?
Not every puncture can be prevented, but many tyre and rim damages happen because of kerbs, driving too fast on bad roads, careless parking or ignoring tyre pressure.
To reduce the risk:
- do not drive onto kerbs;
- park slowly and carefully;
- avoid potholes and road obstacles;
- reduce speed on poor roads;
- do not continue driving if there is a tyre pressure warning;
- visually check the tyres when collecting the vehicle;
- report visible damage immediately;
- do not drive on unauthorised roads;
- do not overload the vehicle;
- pay attention to how the car behaves on the road;
- drive carefully in underground car parks and narrow streets.
Be especially careful in historic centres, beach car parks, mountain roads, hairpin bends and places with high kerbs. A Spanish kerb may look like an architectural detail, but for a rim it plays the role of a tax inspector.
What is important when returning the vehicle?
If there was a tyre problem during the rental, always inform the rental company when returning the vehicle. Even if the tyre was inflated, the puncture was temporarily fixed or the car seems to drive normally, the company must know about the situation.
When returning the vehicle, prepare:
- photos of the damage;
- roadside assistance documents;
- garage receipt, if the repair was approved;
- information about the place and time of the incident;
- details about whether a kit antipinchazos was used;
- information about a wheel change, if it was done;
- messages or instructions from the company;
- information about possible rim damage.
If the company finds the damage only after return, it may affect contract closure, deposit and additional costs. It is better to report it immediately than to be surprised later by “why did they find it afterwards”. Cars, unfortunately, cannot write their own explanations.
Planning to rent a car in Malaga, Marbella or Alicante?
SOLO rent a car offers car rental in Malaga, Malaga Airport, Marbella and Alicante. If you plan to drive through the city, along the coast, into the mountains, on motorways or on tourist routes, it is important to choose a vehicle according to the route, luggage, passengers and road conditions.
Our team can help you choose a suitable vehicle for trips in Malaga, Marbella, Alicante, Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. Before starting the rental, we recommend checking the vehicle carefully, confirming the coverage conditions, roadside assistance rules and the procedure for technical problems.
If a tyre loses pressure or is damaged during the rental, do not continue driving and do not make independent decisions without approval. Contact the rental company, share your location and follow the instructions. This is faster, safer and usually cheaper than turning a puncture into an adventure involving a rim, tow truck and internal investigation.
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