I had mine out this spring when I fitted 3 new tyres, don't think it had been out from new I managed to get the lock undone with the aid of a claw hammer and had to go out and buy a new lock.

Spare tyre was the original 2006 so 10 years old, looked just like new, never been out of the carrier and had an impression of the carrier wires worn in to one side of the tyre wall.

So if you aint had it out for a while (or maybe never) its worth doing to crawl under and at least check the condition and the age ...........and that the lock can still be undone and removed............. and even if it still has a lock.

Julie, I have the carrier and a 420 with mover and the spare is easily accessible when the frame drops down, I know this from experience of the severn bridge tolls flat I had. Must have been a bl**dy English nail.

Hob - I had two new tyres a couple of months ago and the fitter changed my spare and checked it and said even though it's 2010 theres its all Ok and not worth changing. I asked him about the frame impressions and he said it would be fine for a spare and it's nothing to worry over as it is not enough to make the sidewall defective. He even said that the tyres on it were directional so it indicates the spare could only be used one one side of the Eriba or it would be turning opposite to the direction but said that is only for the spread on wet roads so it's fine to use as a spare.