If your steering wheel vibrates at 60–70mph, your car feels unstable, or you’ve recently hit a pothole, you may have a buckled alloy wheel.
A buckled (or bent) wheel is one of the most common issues UK drivers face — especially with low-profile tyres and poor road surfaces.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The most common signs of a buckled alloy wheel
- What causes alloy wheels to bend
- How to check for buckling
- Whether a buckled wheel can be repaired
What Is a Buckled Alloy Wheel?
A buckled alloy wheel is a wheel that has become distorted or bent, usually due to impact damage from:
• Potholes
• Speed bumps taken too fast
• Kerb impacts
• Road debris
• Poor road conditions
Buckling typically affects the inner rim, making it harder to spot without removing the wheel.
7 Signs Your Alloy Wheel Is Buckled
1️⃣ Steering Wheel Vibration (Especially at 60–70mph)
This is the most common symptom.
If your steering wheel shakes at motorway speeds but feels fine at low speeds, it may not just be wheel balancing — it could be a buckled alloy.
Vibration often:
• Gets worse as speed increases
• Feels rhythmic
• Reduces slightly when slowing down
2️⃣ Car Feels Unstable or Wobbly
A bent wheel can cause:
• Uneven tyre contact with the road
• Poor handling
• Slight pulling to one side
You may feel like the car isn’t “sitting right.”
3️⃣ Persistent Air Loss from One Tyre
If you’re constantly topping up one tyre, the wheel could be:
• Slightly distorted
• Not sealing properly against the tyre
This causes slow pressure loss.
4️⃣ Uneven Tyre Wear
A buckled wheel can lead to:
• Flat spots
• Feathered tread
• Inner edge wear
If your alignment keeps going out despite adjustments, a bent alloy could be the cause.
5️⃣ Visible Damage on the Inner Rim
Most buckles occur on the inside lip of the wheel — not the front face.
Signs include:
• Flat spots
• Small dents
• Slight oval shaping
A professional inspection usually requires the wheel to be removed and spun on a balancing machine.
6️⃣ Knocking or Thumping Noise
In more severe cases, you may hear:
• A repetitive thumping noise
• A dull knocking sound
• Noise increasing with speed
This indicates the wheel is significantly out of shape.
7️⃣ Wheel Balancing Doesn’t Fix the Issue
If you’ve had your wheels balanced and:
• The vibration returns quickly
• The issue never fully goes away
You may be dealing with structural distortion rather than balance weights.
What Causes Alloy Wheels to Buckle?
In the UK, the biggest cause is pothole damage.
Contributing factors include:
- Low-profile tyres (less cushioning)
- Larger wheel diameters (19”–21”)
- Incorrect tyre pressures
- Heavy vehicles (SUVs & EVs)
Modern large-diameter wheels look great — but they’re more vulnerable.
Can a Buckled Alloy Wheel Be Repaired?
In many cases, yes.
Professional alloy wheel repair specialists can:
• Use hydraulic straightening equipment
• Restore the wheel’s roundness
• Rebalance the wheel
However, repair depends on:
• Severity of the buckle
• Location of the damage
• Whether cracks are present
Severely cracked wheels may require replacement.
Is It Safe to Drive on a Buckled Alloy Wheel?
Short term? Possibly.
Long term? Not recommended.
Driving with a bent wheel can:
• Damage suspension components
• Wear tyres prematurely
• Reduce braking performance
• Compromise handling
If you notice symptoms, get it checked promptly
How to Prevent Alloy Wheels from Buckling?
• Maintain correct tyre pressures
• Slow down for potholes and speed bumps
• Avoid mounting kerbs
• Consider slightly higher-profile tyres if roads are poor
• Choose quality wheels with proper load ratings
Final Thoughts
The most common signs of a buckled alloy wheel are:
• Steering wheel vibration at motorway speeds
• Uneven tyre wear
• Persistent air loss
• Visible inner rim damage
If you suspect a buckle, a professional inspection can confirm the issue quickly and often at relatively low cost.
Ignoring it can lead to bigger (and more expensive) problems.
Whether you require an wheel repair, or a complete alloy wheel colour change, then ALLOYHUB is here to help and it could cost a lot less than you anticipated…
Here at ALLOYHUB we can complete a full colour change on four wheels from just £320 + Vat
For all your alloy wheel enquiries, get in touch with a member of our team today on:
0330 133 8271 or sales@alloyhub.com
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