Car breakdown service

CaptainWales

Anybody got any recommendations for good car breakdown service providers? Or know where I can find out more. Thanks

biscan25

I've only had good service with RAC. Undertook substantial diagnosis on the roadside, were able to make a temporary repair to a sensor so I could get home, and replace later on. Also bailed me out when I sheared my locking wheel nut tool trying to change a flat tire. Took all the others off too

My experience with smaller outfits e.g. rescuemycar has been dreadful. They subcontract to a third party who subcontract further, and the person who eventually arrives to look at my car had less motor repair experience than me. Just wanted to jump start despite me telling them the battery is fine. They had to wait a further few hours to be towed to the garage. 

In future I'd only use the "big" providers.

Ebe_Scrooge

Depends on your priorities, and by what you mean by "good".  Autoaid is widely praised on this forum, and I've been with them for years.  They don't own their own fleet of trucks, they subcontract to local firms.  This means that whoever comes out is usually there pretty quickly as they haven't travelled far, and they know the area.  And they're way cheaper than the big well-known firms.

Downsides - in general, they'll only attempt to fix simple faults at the roadside.

Upsides - they'll take you to wherever in the country you want to go - not just the "nearest garage".  Many years ago I broke down 250 miles away from home, whilst on my way home from a business trip.  The recovery guy took me to my local garage, from where it's a 5-minute walk home.  I spent the next day sat comfortably at home drinking tea, safe in the knowledge that my car was being sorted by a mechanic who I've known for years and trust completely.  I'd much rather that than being towed to some random "nearest garage", spending the evening sitting in some draughty reception area, whilst worrying that the "mechanic" could be finding all sorts of unnecessary work that's "absolutely vital" to get me going again.

So yep, it depends a lot on your priorities.

Grumpy_chap

I was with Start Rescue for a few years, based on their price point. They were good when I needed to call them out.

Last year, I went with RescueMyCar as Start Rescue inflated their premiums a lot.  I never needed to call them out.

I have just renewed and used a friendly Meercat to help and the most competitive offer was from RAC so I have gone with that for 2022.  That was purchased a fortnight ago, though, and these prices seem to vary almost daily.

All I can suggest is to use a comparison site and pick the product that most suits your needs based on price, reputation, etc.  

CaptainWales

Thanks everyone. 

Anybody know what GreenFlag is like? Is it considered a "big" player? 

JJ_Egan

Yes its a big player who use local firms .

Like ?? only called out once and no complaint .