AA Call Out - Flat Battery

[Deleted User]

I couldn't start the car yesterday evening due to a flat battery. No idea how it went flat as had no warning signs prior.

Anyway, called the AA and they sent a 3rd party recovery firm out to boost my battery. Didn't know the AA used 3rd party contractors. Thought they just used their own patrols!

foofi22

They also did when my exhaust fell off. RAC sent a 'patrol van' for a similar incident (at a different time of course)

Barneysmom

I had a 3rd party when mine broke down.
I think it might be due to the laws that changed a while ago, something to do with driver's hours.
As long as we get sorted it's ok by me

motorguy

Barneysmom wrote: »

I had a 3rd party when mine broke down.
I think it might be due to the laws that changed a while ago, something to do with driver's hours.
As long as we get sorted it's ok by me

Third party recovery groups tend to just recover the vehicle. My car quit on me and it was a third party who came out - they didnt even look under the bonnet, just hauled it onto a low loader. Previously an AA man would have had a crack at fixing it.

gmm30

Of the six or so times I've had to call the RAC, I've only had an orange van patrol three times, and only on one of those occasions did the patrol attempt to fix the car (he was excellent - got the car going, told me what needed done for a permanent repair and gave some tips on how to do the job properly). All other occasions it's been purely a recovery operation. Like other posters, the third party contractors don't even open the bonnet - just load the car on the back of the lorry. This is a bit frustrating when it turns out that something very simple could have got me on the road again.

[Deleted User]

The 3rd party contractor which the AA sent did open the bonnet and connected his battery booster. Would of been a nightmare if he towed me away for something as simple as this!

Hammyman

ALL recovery companies regardless of brand use third party recovery firms/garages.

BTW, get a new battery. As soon as the cold nights come, they usually kill batteries that were borderline. It WILL do it again.