The M6 and M40 are the main arteries between Birmingham and London, and a tyre failure on either is a serious situation that calls for a calm, safety-first response. Ease off without braking hard, get as far left as possible, and wait behind the barrier, never in the car on the hard shoulder if you can get out. Then call a 24-hour mobile fitter to come to you.
Staying safe on the M6 and M40
The priorities are the same as any motorway breakdown:
- If it's a blowout, keep straight and ease off rather than braking hard.
- Get to the hard shoulder or refuge, pull fully left and turn the wheels left.
- Hazards on, exit by the left doors, and wait behind the barrier with all passengers and pets.
The Highway Code covers this in rules 274 to 277: leave by the doors furthest from the traffic, get behind the barrier, and don't attempt a repair on the hard shoulder.
Smart motorway refuges
Stretches of both the M6 and M40 are smart motorway without a permanent hard shoulder. National Highways sums the drill up as Go Left: use the orange emergency areas where you can and follow the overhead signs, and use the SOS phone there or call 0300 123 5000. If you can't reach one and stop in a live lane, keep your seatbelts and hazards on and call 999 rather than trying to leave on foot.
Why wait for a fitter
Changing a wheel beside heavy M6 or M40 traffic is far too dangerous to attempt. A mobile fitter brings the tools and the right tyre to your location, replaces it safely, and gets you moving again without a tow. It's the safest option and usually the quickest on a busy motorway, see 24-hour mobile fitting.
Be ready to help us reach you
When you call, the fastest help comes from clear information: the motorway and direction, the nearest junction, the number on the blue-and-white marker posts or the driver location sign (marked with the road number and your position in kilometres), and your tyre size if you have it. That lets us head straight to you with the correct tyre on board.
We cover the corridor
We cover the whole UK, including the M6 and M40, and fit replacements at the roadside day or night. Book a rescue or call our 24-hour line.
