TESTED Puncture repair screws

Tom Barnard ANY driver will feel a sense of dread when the tyre-pressure warning light flashes on the dashboard or you feel the telltale rumble that points to a puncture.

- By Tom Barnard

If you are lucky (and have an older vehicle) you might have a spare wheel and the skills to change it safely, but the majority of modern cars will have a can of tyre sealant.

However, there is an alternative that has been used for years to repair motorcycle tyres and is now available for cars, too. Tyre screws simply plug a hole temporarily and work well with uniform round punctures, such as those caused by a nail. You'll need a way to reinflate the tyre afterwards, but they are far cheaper than sealant and easier than changing a wheel.

Laser Tools has a new development which makes plugging even simpler, with a snap-off head which means you won't need a screwdriver. It wins here, and we'll be keeping one in our glovebox from now on.

GradCap 20 pcs Tyre Repair Screw