My spare tyre is different

[SurreyGuy]

The four tyres on my car are 225 x 60 x 15. My spare is 205 x 60 x 15.

Would I be breaking the law if I use it?

T.I.A.

[Littlejohn]

Yes.

[loublou1971]

I know my corsa used to have a smaller spare, could it be just a temperary tyre, as a space saver? or will the dimentions of this tyre drive at a strange angle?

[Toureman]

NO !,

Most modern cars have space saver tyres, they are not illegal !

They should be used only in an emergency and the correct tyre should be replaced as soon as possible, they are also usually restricted to 50mph.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks folks.

No, it's not a space-saver one. It's one of the "original" tyres which the previous owner kept as a spare when he changed the 4 x "running" ones.

[kempie]

I believe that Toureman mentioned space saver wheels as an example of the legal use of a smaller sized tyre as a spare, not that you have a space saver.

[SurreyGuy]

kempie, I was actually clarifying my tyre in response to what loublou1971 posted :o)

[kempie]

How strange. When I first viewed this thread there was no post by loublou1971 but I can now clearly see one ahead of Toureman's answer.

Anyhoo, this is all of no consequence to your original question which I believe has been productively answered. Apologies for the confusion.

[david1702198]

it would fail an mot however.

[SurreyGuy]

It didn't fail it's last one just B4 Xmas! :o)

[Toureman]

Spare tyres are not included in the MOT, it would only fail if fitted to the vehicle.

[SurreyGuy]

I was told that the presence of a spare tyre wasn't essential for an MOT pass, but if there was a tyre presnt that it must be legal.