mechanics.trade
Car recovery and breakdown
Recovery moves a vehicle that is not driveable, either to a garage or to your home.
What car recovery means
Roadside assistance is the other half of it: many operators will try to get the car going where they can, and only load it if they need to. Most cover cars, vans and motorbikes.
What the job covers
- Roadside assistance and jump starts
- Recovery to a garage or home
- Accident and non-runner recovery
- Motorcycle and van recovery
- Twenty-four hour call-out
When you might need it
- The car will not start and you are not somewhere you can leave it.
- A breakdown on a motorway or a fast road, where the first call should be the emergency services if you are in a live lane.
- After an accident, once everyone is safe and the details are exchanged.
What it costs, and what changes the price
Typically £70 to £250.
- Distance, and whether it is inside normal hours.
- Motorway and restricted-access recoveries cost more because of the equipment and the time.
- A car that will not roll or steer needs a different truck, which is priced differently.
How long it takes
Arrival times vary with distance and how busy the operator is. Ask for a window when you call.
Common questions
Do I need recovery cover, or can I call someone on the day?
You can call on the day. Cover tends to cost less than a single recovery, which is the reason most people hold it.
What should I do while I wait?
On a motorway, get out on the left, behind the barrier, and wait there. On an ordinary road, warn other traffic if it is safe to do so and stay clear of moving vehicles.
Can they take the car to any garage?
Usually yes, if you say where when you book. It is worth choosing the garage before the truck arrives.