Damaged Alloy Wheel: Is It Safe to Drive? (Safety Checklist)
How to tell if a damaged alloy wheel is safe to drive on — checks for bends, cracks, vibration and slow air loss, and when a wheel needs inspection or replacement.
Read the guideAlloy wheel repair for cracks, bends, kerb damage and corrosion across London & Essex, on painted, diamond-cut and powder-coated wheels. Welding and straightening are usually done the same or next day. Kerb and scuff damage is fixed with a full refurbishment of that wheel, because the wheel has to be heated. If a wheel can’t be repaired safely, we will tell you and recommend a supplier you can buy a replacement from.
The wheel has to be heated, so kerb and scuff damage is fixed with a full refurbishment of that wheel, in 2–3 days.
Kerb & scuff damageCracked or porous alloys assessed first, then welded only where the crack is in a safe place to repair.
Alloy wheel weldingWheels that cause vibration or lose pressure after a pothole, straightened back within safe limits.
Wheel straighteningMachined faces re-cut and lacquered, and corrosion under the finish removed before it spreads.
Diamond cut repairStripped, repaired and refinished as new, including a change of colour if you want one.
Wheel refurbishmentWhat we typically find on the makes that come through the workshop most often.
Make not listed? The process is the same: the wheel is inspected first, and the repair follows what it needs.
Kerb and scuff damage is the most common alloy damage we see. The wheel has to be heated to repair it, so it is fixed with a full refurbishment of that wheel, which takes 2–3 days. You can choose a powder-coated or diamond-cut finish.
A diamond-cut wheel is powder coated first, then the face is diamond cut and lacquered. See how a full refurbishment works.



Reference photos of weld and repair work.
Cracks happen — from deep potholes, to unexpected kerbs or hard impacts. Our professional TIG aluminium welding service is designed to restore your cracked alloy wheels safely and effectively, saving you the cost of a replacement.
This service is ideal for fixing:
If the crack is too wide, affects the structural integrity, or has extended into critical load-bearing areas, we’ll advise against repair and recommend a supplier you can buy a replacement wheel from. We don’t supply wheels ourselves.
Your safety comes first — we never weld wheels that are beyond safe recovery.
Most wheel welding repairs are completed the same or next day, depending on the severity of the crack and our current queue. You’ll receive real-time progress updates from the team.
per wheel, + £48 per additional weld
Includes VAT at 20%
Yes, in most cases. We offer professional alloy wheel welding to repair cracks caused by potholes, kerbs, or stress fractures. All repairs are pressure-tested to ensure safety.
When done professionally, welding a cracked alloy wheel is safe. We only carry out welding when the damage is minor to moderate and does not compromise the structural integrity. Unsafe wheels will be flagged for replacement.
Welding is priced per wheel (currently £96 + £48 per additional weld inc. VAT on our price list), depending on the size, location, and depth of the crack. We always provide a full assessment and upfront quote before starting work — see our prices page for current rates.
Most welded repairs can be completed same-day or next-day. Severe cracks or multiple damaged areas may take longer.
Yes. All weld repairs are carried out to industry standards and come with a 6-month workmanship guarantee. It covers faults in our own work; it doesn’t cover new damage after the wheels leave us, such as kerbing or pothole impacts.
It depends on the damage, but it’s safest not to. Cracked wheels can get worse quickly and may cause tyre damage or loss of control. Fit your spare wheel and bring the cracked one to us for a free inspection.
Hit a pothole or kerb too hard? Buckled wheels can cause vibrations, tyre wear, and unsafe handling. Our precision straightening process restores your wheels to factory specs, giving you a safer, smoother ride — without replacing them.
Here are the tell-tale signs something’s not quite right:
If your wheel has deep structural damage, cracks, or multiple impact points, straightening alone may not be enough. We’ll inspect and recommend:
Most buckled alloy wheel repairs are completed the same or next day, depending on severity and our current workload. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process.
per wheel
Includes VAT at 20%
Yes. Using hydraulic straightening equipment, we can restore most bent or buckled alloy wheels to factory shape, improving balance and drive safety.
The most common causes are potholes, speed bumps, and curbing. Repeated impact or driving on low-profile tyres can also increase the risk of buckling.
Signs include vibration through the steering wheel, uneven tyre wear, and a wobbling sensation at higher speeds. We offer free inspections to confirm the issue.
Yes—when performed with the correct machinery and by skilled technicians. We measure tolerances and ensure each wheel is safe and balanced before refitting.
Most buckled wheel repairs are completed the same or next day. Complex cases may take longer.
Prices start from £96 per wheel inc. VAT, depending on the extent of the damage — see our prices page for current rates. We’ll always quote after inspection so there are no surprises.
Yes, we can repair most types of wheel deformations, including flat spots, sidewall bends, and out-of-round shapes. Severe structural damage will be advised against repair.
Had a mishap hitting a high kerb which wrecked my alloy and tyre. Took it to marios and they did a first class job my alloy looks better than it did before my mishap, highly recommended I will use marios again in the future for any alloy repairs.
My son kerbed his black alloy on his new corsa. Found Mario’s on Google. They did a great job at a great price with amazingly quick turnaround time. Thanks guys 👍🏻
Had my Z4 e89 19" wheels refurbished including three cracks welded. Great service. Very helpful staff. Competitive professional job.
Pick a time online, call the workshop or send photos on WhatsApp. Same-day appointments are usually available.
Welding and straightening are usually done the same or next day; a full refurbishment takes 2–3 days.
We'll give you a call as soon as your car is ready to collect.
Leave your car with us while we work. It's kept in our secure car park, and parking is free.
Need your car while we work? Loan wheels are available: £12 per wheel (£48 for a set of 4) inc. VAT.
We take cash or card.
Removing and refitting your tyres, and looking after the TPMS sensors, is included in the price.
All our work comes with a 6-month workmanship guarantee, including the lacquer lifting, as long as the wheel hasn't been damaged since. Spotted a problem? Send us a photo on WhatsApp or give us a call.
Claiming from your insurer or the council for pothole damage? We can give you a report on the damage.
We repair and refurbish motorcycle wheels as well as car alloys.
We offer trade and fleet deals for dealers, garages and businesses. Get in touch to talk about what you need.
We don't collect or deliver. Bring your car, or just the wheels, to 10B Askews Farm Ln, Grays.
If your wheels have locking wheel nuts, please bring the key with you.
Book a time that suits you online, by phone or on WhatsApp (same-day appointments are usually available), and let’s get those wheels back in top shape.
Quick answers on spare wheels, mobile repairs, motorcycle wheels and more.
Send a few photos and we'll tell you what the wheel needs, or whether it's worth repairing at all.
Please let us know the wheel size in inches and the type of service required — whether it’s powder coating, diamond cutting, or ceramic ball refurbishment. Please book in advance: pick a drop-off time online, call us or send us a message on WhatsApp. Same-day appointments are usually available.
We don’t sell tyres directly, but we can order them on your behalf from our trusted partners. The tyres will be shipped directly to us for fitting.
No, we don’t offer brake calliper painting at this time.
We can provide loan wheels while yours are refurbished — £12 per wheel (£48 for a set of 4) inc. VAT (subject to availability, so ask when you book).
No. We don’t offer mobile repairs. All work is done in our workshop, because kerb and scuff damage can’t be fixed at the roadside: the wheel has to be heated and fully refurbished.
Yes, we can refurbish and repair motorcycle wheels.
Start with these guides: is it safe to drive on, can a crack be repaired, and when a bent wheel can be straightened.
How to tell if a damaged alloy wheel is safe to drive on — checks for bends, cracks, vibration and slow air loss, and when a wheel needs inspection or replacement.
Read the guideA workshop guide to cracked alloy wheel repair: what causes cracks, why location matters more than length, when a crack can be welded, and when to replace.
Read the guideNot sure if your bent wheel is safe? This workshop guide explains symptoms, repair limits, runout checks, balancing, costs, and when we refuse a repair for safety.
Read the guide