A tyre failure on the M25 is one of the most dangerous places to stop, so safety comes first and the car second. Get as far left as you can, leave by the left-hand doors and wait behind the barrier, well away from traffic. Don't attempt a wheel change on the live motorway. Once you're safe, a 24-hour mobile fitter can reach you and replace the tyre at the roadside.
The immediate steps
If it's a blowout, don't brake hard; ease off and keep straight. Then:
- Get to the hard shoulder or an emergency refuge area and pull as far left as possible.
- Turn the wheels left, put your hazards on, and sidelights in poor visibility.
- Exit by the left-hand doors and get everyone, including pets, behind the barrier and up the verge.
This follows the same approach as any motorway breakdown.
Smart motorway sections
Parts of the M25 are smart motorway with no permanent hard shoulder. Aim for an orange emergency refuge area if you can reach one safely. If you're stuck in a live lane and can't get out safely, keep your seatbelts and hazards on and call 999. Never try to cross live lanes on foot.
Don't change the wheel yourself
However confident you are, changing a wheel beside fast-moving M25 traffic is extremely dangerous and strongly advised against. The few minutes saved aren't worth the risk. Wait in a safe place behind the barrier and let a professional come to you, which is both safer and, on a busy motorway, often faster than you'd manage alone.
Getting a fast fix
A 24-hour mobile fitter carries the tools and tyres to replace a damaged tyre where you've stopped, with no tow truck and no wait for a garage to open. Have your location (the marker posts or a junction number) and tyre size ready when you call so we can get to you quickly with the right tyre.
We cover the M25
We reach M25 callouts across the London side of the network and fit a replacement at the roadside, day or night. Book a rescue or call our 24-hour line.
