Hubcaps, typically made from plastic but also occasionally made from a metal, were very common a number of years ago - when steel wheels, rather than alloy wheels, were more of a norm. Hubcaps were used to cover the often-unsightly steel wheels and give an overall more aesthetically pleasing look to a vehicle. Hubcap designs usually also imitated the spoke designs of alloy wheels, which were typically found  on higher specification vehicles at that time. 

Over time though, as alloy wheels became the new norm, steel wheels and hubcaps became rarer on new-release cars and were mainly only found on new-release vans. Now though, with the more mainstream release of electric vehicles, we are seeing a sort-of return to plastic hubcaps. On the electric MG ZS and the Tesla  Model 3, for instance, the wheels have plastic covers - a variation of the old steel wheel hubcaps. Under the plastic wheel covers on these two electric cars, however, there are alloy wheels rather than steel wheels - for lightness, efficiency and therefore increased range. The vehicle manufacturers also claim that the plastic wheel covers improve aerodynamics, thereby further increasing efficiency and range. 

As plastic cannot be manipulated in the same way as a metal alloy wheel, however, plastic wheel covers and hubcaps cannot be truly repaired or refurbished. If a plastic wheel cover or hubcap is damaged it therefore must be replaced*. We can however carry out any repair or refurbishment work on an alloy wheel found beneath a plastic cover. 

*New wheel covers and hubcaps should be available to purchase from your vehicle make dealership, from a vehicle spare parts retailer or possibly online from the likes of eBay.

As