Do Not Treat Flat Tyres As A Small Detail
Flat tyres are common on cars that have stood for a while, but they still matter for collection. If the car has flat tyres in Nelson, the recovery driver needs to know before arriving because the vehicle may not roll, steer or line up as expected.
One soft tyre on a wide drive is very different from two tyres off the rim on a narrow street. The position of the flat tyres matters too. A flat front tyre can affect steering, while a flat rear tyre can drag when the car is pulled.
If the vehicle is boxed in, flat tyres may also stop it being pushed into a better position before the truck arrives. Say whether another car, wall or kerb is close to the flat side, because that can limit the driver's choices.
Check How Many Tyres Are Affected
Walk around the car and note which tyres are flat, low, damaged or off the rim. If a wheel is missing, a locking wheel nut is exposed, or the car is sitting very low, include that in your notes. Do not worry about using technical language; plain description is enough.
If the car has been parked hard against a wall, hedge or kerb, say whether the flat side is easy to see. A photo can help the driver understand the problem without needing a long call.
Think About The Surface
Flat tyres behave differently on different surfaces. On smooth tarmac, a car may still be moved carefully. On gravel, mud, broken flags or a steep road, it may drag, dig in or resist turning. Nelson's tighter streets and sloped drives can make that more noticeable.
Mention whether the car is on a road, drive, yard, lane or grassed area. If the ground is soft after rain, say so. A vehicle that has sunk slightly into the surface may need more care than one sitting on firm paving.
Flat tyres can also hide other issues. A wheel that looks simply low may be damaged, jammed against the kerb or sitting on a broken rim. If you can see that from outside the car, mention it rather than waiting for the driver to spot it.
Check Steering And Brakes If Safe
If you have the keys and it is safe, check whether the steering lock comes off and whether the handbrake releases. Do not push the car on a slope or force anything that feels stuck. The aim is to gather information, not to move a difficult vehicle yourself.
Tell the collector if the car can be put into neutral, if the brakes seem seized, or if the wheels will not turn. Flat tyres combined with locked brakes are a different recovery job from flat tyres alone.
Send Clear Photos Before Booking
Take wide photos showing the affected wheels and the space around the vehicle. Include the approach from the road, especially if the car is tucked behind another vehicle, beside a wall or in a back lane.
Flat tyres rarely make pickup impossible, but they can change the method and timing. Share the tyre count, surface, movement and access details early so the driver can plan the collection around the car as it really sits.