Very common car part MISSING from most new cars – it could leave you stranded and most drivers don’t know it’s gone
A COMMON car part is missing from most new cars and most drivers don't even know it's gone, new research has shown.
Research from the RAC found that the majority of motorists risk being left stranded on the road due to the issue.
The Club's review of 313 models from major manufacturers found that only three percent carry a spare wheel.
Across all classes of motor, the once-standard feature is being ditched in a bid to save weight.
This is one factor behind the rise in breakdowns due to an unrepairable flat tyre.
The organisation reported nearly 200,000 callouts in that vein last year, rising from 165,000 in 2018.
And it appears that climate change is to blame, with the scramble to cut weight on cars rooted in stringent net zero targets.
Manufacturers are aiming to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy as they attempt to keep their cars within the increasingly restrictive limits, according to the RAC.
The company's spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "Getting a puncture on a journey has to be one of the most irritating breakdowns for drivers, especially if it’s as a result of hitting one of the plethora of potholes that currently characterise so many of our roads.
"In the past, a driver could have reached for the spare wheel in the boot but this new analysis shows that these are now pretty much a thing of the past, with a minuscule number of new cars sold in the UK coming with one as standard.
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"It’s understandable therefore that drivers are increasingly calling on us to help them out of a tight spot, and it’s a trend we fully expect to continue as electric vehicles are even less likely to come with a spare."
He urged drivers to add a spare wheel as an optional extra, which can often be done for relatively little cost, calling it a "wise investment."
Fortunately for drivers, flat tyres may become less of a risk in the near future, as the Government announced it was diverting over £8 billion of funding from the cancelled HS2 project to put towards fixing the pothole pandemic.
A spokesperson for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which represents car firms in the UK, said: "Tyre sealant and inflation kits offer substantial space and weight savings, leading to improved fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions and better range.
"Alternatively, car buyers commonly have the option of choosing a spare wheel when ordering their vehicle.
"Both options mean that, in the event of a puncture, the driver can get safely to a garage for a full repair."
It comes after one driver revealed how he managed to bag a reliable EV for under £10,000.
Meanwhile, a car detailing expert explained how to get your windows streak-free and sparkling using a £1.99 essential.
