Tyreserve said costs will increase as the latest generation of run-flats are fitted to typical fleet models - with manufacturers such as MINI, Lexus and BMW already including the technology on some of their cars, and other car makers expected to follow.
Run-flat tyres have rigid sidewalls, allowing drivers to continue motoring even with no air pressure in the tyres. In the event of a puncture, this means drivers can continue to a garage for a replacement tyre. It also allows manufacturers to avoid supplying a spare wheel, saving space and weight in the boot, and saving the cost of a fifth wheel and tyre.
Tyreserve managing director David Goodyear said: 'The maths is similar to space savers. Instead of getting five full-size tyres on a new car, you receive four. This automatically means that you have to buy at lease one extra tyre during the life of the vehicle.
'Added to this is the fact that run-flats are also more expensive than standard tyres to the tune of about 20%, your overall tyre fleet bill will rise because of that.'
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