Guides
Practical advice from the recovery floor
Short, honest guides written by the team that picks up the phone. No fluff, no sales pitch — just useful answers to the questions drivers actually ask us.
What to do when your car breaks down
Breaking down is stressful. A clear plan keeps you safer and gets you moving again sooner. Here is how we recommend handling it.
Read guideHow much does car recovery cost?
Recovery prices vary, but you should always know the cost before the truck is dispatched. Here is how the pricing usually works.
Read guideBreakdown cover vs pay-per-use recovery
An annual policy and a single call-out are different products. Neither is automatically better — it depends on how often you break down and what you drive.
Read guideHow much does towing a car per mile cost in the UK?
Per-mile pricing is common once a job goes beyond local recovery, but the way it's calculated varies a lot between firms. Here's what typically sits behind the number on your quote.
Read guideFlatbed vs spec-lift vs wheel-lift towing explained
Not every recovery truck works the same way, and the wrong method can risk damaging a car. Here's a plain-English guide to the main types.
Read guideHow vehicle recovery works, step by step
If you've never needed recovery before, not knowing what happens next can add to the stress. Here's the typical process from start to finish.
Read guideWhat to do after a non-fault accident
Being hit by someone else is stressful enough without worrying about who covers the recovery bill. Here's a sensible order of steps.
Read guideHow to move a non-runner legally: tax, insurance and trade plates
Moving a non-runner isn't as simple as just getting it onto a truck. A few legal points are easy to overlook and can catch people out.
Read guideHow to prepare a car for transport
A little preparation before the truck arrives can make loading quicker and reduce the risk of anything going wrong in transit.
Read guideRecovering an electric vehicle safely
Electric vehicles bring some genuinely different recovery considerations compared with a petrol or diesel car. Here's what typically applies.
Read guideWhat to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car
Misfuelling — putting petrol in a diesel car or vice versa — happens to plenty of careful drivers, especially with similar-looking nozzles. What you do in the next few minutes matters.
Read guideMotorway and smart motorway breakdown rules
Breaking down on a motorway is one of the more frightening situations a driver can face. Knowing the guidance in advance makes it easier to act quickly and calmly.
Read guideBuying a car at auction and getting it home
Auction cars often can't simply be driven away — plenty are non-runners, untaxed, or need proper transport arranged. Here's what to think about once the hammer falls.
Read guideStoring a vehicle after recovery
Sometimes a vehicle can't go straight to its final destination — after an accident, a purchase, or when a garage or owner isn't ready to receive it. Here's what storage typically involves.
Read guideHow to choose a recovery company: red flags and questions to ask
Most recovery firms are straightforward and do a good job, but it's still worth knowing what to check, especially if you're booking one you haven't used before.
Read guideNeed recovery now?
Call dispatch any time, or request a callback and we'll come back to you within minutes.