Is it worth buying vehicle recovery (e.g. AA, RAC) for a reliable car?

dylanandlulu

My boyfriends car broke down a few weeks ago and he didnt have breakdown cover. He ended up joining the RAC for about £130 plus £90 for the part his car needed to be fixed by the roadside. It wasnt even a specific 'high' package, just the most basic one obviously with a huge charge added on for joining straight away.

He did try the AA but they said all their men were too busy and gave us the number of the RAC. They were good when they arrived, but obviously it was quite an expensive oversight for him.

Contessa

Mechanical breakdown isn't the only reason for needing the services of the AA, RAC etc. A few years ago I stayed in a hotel for a conference. Unfortunately, the hotel didn't have a car park but guests could use the public one nearby. Late Sunday afternoon I found that the windscreen of my car had been smashed in. A well-known windscreen repair company couldn't replace it until the next day, but the AA relay service transported me and my car the 200 miles home. My membership was worth every penny to me that day!

rev_henry

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I am a member of the AA (relay only), having thought I didn't need home start anymore as I commute by train to work. Then I went to start the car one morning in anticipation of a busy weekend, only to find that the battery had completely died.

I phoned the AA to ask whether I could have Homestart added, and they did me an offer, but it wouldn't take effect until 24hr after "start of business" on Monday morning - so Tuesday morning would be the earliest I could use them. I was also asked whether my car was functioning at the time of upgrading, and was warned that any callout in the first week would be the subject of further investigation to ascertain whether I had upgraded with a known fault in place.

I upgraded anyway because of the offer, and instead called my handy local garage on the Monday morning. They came to the house, jump-started the car, took it to the garage for testing, fitted a new battery when the first one wouldn't take a charge, and then returned the car to my house - all for the cost of the new battery (no call-out, no labour).

Yeah if you've got a friendly local garage, preferably within walking distance then you could go without home start. Care to share this garage with us?

mrbadexample

powerbooksub wrote: »

Is it worth buying vehicle recovery (e.g. AA, RAC) for a reliable car?

Every car is reliable. Right up until the point it breaks down.

olly300

rev_henry wrote: »

Yeah if you've got a friendly local garage, preferably within walking distance then you could go without home start. Care to share this garage with us?

I had battery problems on my old car, and my local garage were willing to come out to sort it out after I had my car towed to them once.

I subsequently did a quick look at the services provided by different independent garages in my wider area and lots of them will come out. Some will obviously charge others won't depending on what the problem is.

You need to remember they want repeat business, plus they are competing with garages at the main dealerships like Ford, BMW etc.

olly300

OP join Autoaid.

You get a reduction after the first year you don't use them for a call out.

Just make sure you have a credit card handy for the rare occasion you would need to call them out.

mrbadexample

olly300 wrote: »

Just make sure you have a credit card handy for the rare occasion you would need to call them out.

I'll add that they reimburse promptly, so there is a very good chance you'll have the cash before the credit card bill is due.

Kilty_2

olly300 wrote: »

You get a reduction after the first year you don't use them for a call out.
.

Really? Awesome.

I'm with Autoaid too. As said every car is the most reliable car you'll ever own until it breaks down :rotfl: (and I drive a Laguna II so it's not even that beforehand)

missile

powerbooksub wrote: »

.....I don't trust myself with a jack! ....I guess ....

you are completely gormless and breakdown membership is a very good investment. :rotfl:

rev_henry

missile wrote: »

you are completely gormless and breakdown membership is a very good investment. :rotfl:

Who would trust themselves with only the carp jack you get in the boot of cars?