You collect a hire car at Brussels Airport or Zaventem, head off towards the coast or the Ardennes, pick up a puncture — and discover there's no spare in the boot. It's one of the most common surprises for visitors driving in Belgium.
Why hire cars rarely carry a spare
To save weight and boot space, most modern hire cars come with a tyre sealant kit or run-flats instead of a spare wheel. A sealant kit can plug a small tread puncture, but it's useless against a split sidewall, a blowout, or a nail in the shoulder — exactly the damage that leaves you stranded.
Who pays?
Read your rental agreement: tyre and glass damage is often excluded from the standard cover, so a flat can land on you even with an excess waiver. Keep every receipt and take photos of the damage. If you have separate travel or car-hire excess insurance, you may be able to claim the cost back afterwards.
Your options with a flat hire car
- If the sealant kit is present and the puncture is a small one in the tread, it may get you to a safe stop.
- Otherwise, a mobile tyre service can come to you with a matching tyre and fit it where you are, rather than you waiting on the rental company.
- The rental desk may send a replacement car, but that can mean a long wait and a wasted day.
Ask for the right paperwork
Whoever does the work, ask for a proper VAT invoice with the tyre size and the vehicle details so you can settle up with the rental company or your insurer. We'll give you a clear quote before any work, and we fit tyres in pairs. We don't tow. We get you rolling again on the spot.