Non-starter · Aston B6
Non-starter across Aston and B6 — roadside or recovery
Under Birmingham City Council, Aston mixes canal-side industrial units with working units at Witton. Non-starter in the first is a parking and access problem; in the second it is a downtime problem. This page deals with both. On canal-side industrial units the practical limit is turning space, not weight. That approach is why Aston repeat callers ask for the same driver. Common collection points: Aston Cross, the parking by Spaghetti Junction (M6 J6), and canal-side industrial units. Because Aston is only 6 miles from base, jobs here are single-truck with no relay.
- A38(M) Aston Expressway
- Aston Cross
- Spaghetti Junction (M6 J6)
A car that won't start can mean several different things depending on the noise it makes. A single click, a slow drawn-out crank, or complete silence when you turn the key all point to different faults, and knowing which one you've got helps us send the right help first time.
Getting a truck to you in Aston
From the yard it is 6 miles to Aston, mostly dual carriageway. It keeps the job to one visit, which is the whole point. If you are unsure of the postcode, B6 plus a landmark such as Villa Park is enough. Loading on A38(M) Aston Expressway needs a safe run-off; near Spaghetti Junction (M6 J6) that usually means the side road.
The likely cause
What the noise tells us
A single loud click usually points to the starter motor or a bad connection rather than a flat battery. A slow, straining crank that eventually gives up is the classic sign of a battery that's low on charge. Total silence with no dashboard lights at all suggests a bigger electrical fault, a blown fuse, or a battery terminal that's come loose or corroded.
- •Single click, no crank – often starter motor or earth strap
- •Slow crank, dash lights dim – weak or flat battery
- •Complete silence – check terminals, fuses, isolator switch
- •Crank but no fire – could be fuel or ignition related, not just electrical
What we do on scene
Most non-starts get sorted with a jump start or a quick diagnostic check using a multimeter on the battery and charging system. If the engine fires and holds a charge, you're usually good to carry on your journey. If it won't hold, or the fault is deeper than the battery, we'll recover the car to your home, workplace or a garage of your choice rather than leave you stranded.
What to check safely before we arrive
If you're somewhere safe to have a look, checking the battery terminals for corrosion or looseness takes a minute and sometimes solves the problem outright. Wiggling the terminal clamps by hand (with the engine off) can show up a loose connection straight away. Don't attempt any of this on a slope, in traffic, or if the bonnet release feels unsafe to reach — leave it to us.
Kit that matters on these streets
- •Photographic condition report on collection and delivery
- •Live-carriageway work off M6 J6 done to Highway Code rules
- •Tilt-and-slide for canal-side industrial units where a spec-lift cannot get in
- •Low-approach ramps for lowered and damaged vehicles
Aston in practical terms
The commercial spine of Aston runs through Aston Cross, with Spaghetti Junction (M6 J6) as the obvious landmark. If you can name either when you ring, the dispatcher can place you inside B6 immediately and brief the driver on the approach.
What Aston callers usually need next
Nine times out of ten the follow-on question is where the vehicle goes. In Aston that is either a garage in the B6 area, a home address on canal-side industrial units, or a unit at Witton.
- •Straight to a named garage in Aston or Nechells
- •Home, if the repair is being arranged separately
- •Secure storage while an insurer decides
- •Onward transport out of the West Midlands area
Aston questions
What should I tell you when I call in Aston?
Let us know what noise the car made when you turned the key (click, slow crank, or nothing), your exact location, and whether the dashboard lights came on at all — it helps us get moving with the right kit.
Are you insured to move my vehicle across West Midlands?
Yes. Goods-in-transit and recovery operator liability are in force for every movement, whether it is two streets in B6 or a longer run out of West Midlands.
Do I need to be with the vehicle in Aston?
Not always. For collections from canal-side industrial units or a unit near Aston Cross we can work with a key safe or a nominated contact, provided we have written authority and someone to receive the vehicle at the other end.
What if the vehicle is blocking A38(M) Aston Expressway?
Say so immediately — that changes the priority. A vehicle on a live carriageway near Spaghetti Junction (M6 J6) is treated as urgent, and we will talk you through where to stand while you wait.
Will you just jump start it and leave in Aston?
If a jump start gets the engine running cleanly and the battery is holding charge, that's often all that's needed and you're free to carry on. If it won't hold or the fault looks bigger, we'll talk you through the options including recovery.
Can you get to me if I'm parked somewhere awkward in Aston?
Yes, we recover from driveways, multi-storeys, side streets and business car parks across Birmingham and the Black Country. Just describe where you are as precisely as you can.
Nearby areas we cover for this
Aston sits between Nechells and Birmingham. These neighbouring areas are on the same rota, with distances measured from Aston.
Next step from Aston
Most Aston jobs end at a garage in B6 or over in Nechells. Non-starter is quoted door to door, including the return leg to West Midlands storage if that is what you need. A 6-mile approach means the truck arrives with fuel, kit and space still on the deck. Nearest larger centre is Nechells; the yard is 6 miles the other way. Winching across a verge or a kerb near Villa Park needs space we would rather plan for than discover. You get an answer about Aston availability on the first call, not after a callback.
Related faults in Aston
Non-starter for Aston yards and streets — one call, one truck
Non-starter for private drivers and trade alike — the Aston rate is the same either way.