At one time or the other, every car owner has had their car break down without warning; at such moments, only a car recovery service can save you from such a situation. It could be that you don’t have the right tools for repair, or the damage is so major that the vehicle has to be towed to the garage. In this post, we’ll be shedding some light on car recovery cost in UK and everything you need to know about it;
Car recovery services in the UK
Before we even delve into car recovery services let’s first highlight the safety rules that you should start with in case your car breaks down on the road;
- Stop/park in a safe place away from main traffic, do not obstruct other road users
- Exit the vehicle from the passenger’s side
- Find a safe and secure spot for passengers outside of the vehicle
- Keep pets inside the vehicle
- Contact your service provider/ mechanic or garage that services your car
Most of the car recovery services start from as little as £25.00. Extra charges may apply where the recovery mileage exceeds ten miles – £1.50-£1.8 per mile chargeable one way only.
Car recovery services include the following;
- Roadside recovery services.
- Car collection services
- Stolen car recovery
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Roadside recovery services
Jump Start Battery& Fuel Run-out
Common reasons why you will need a car jump-started:
- Vehicle not starting
- Battery Flooded
- Accidentally left your lights on
- Left Radio On
- Weak Battery
Battery jumpstart – if your battery is not functional due to one of the above reasons then a jumpstart is required. In the UK, these services are charged from £25 depending on the service provider.
Batteries – fitted and delivered. If your car battery is completely dead then you need to purchase a new one. It will cost you around £60 to purchase a new car battery and have it fitted.
Run out of fuel – perhaps you forgot to check on the fuel gauge while embarking on your journey or underestimated the distance you were to cover? No need to worry, you can contact a service provider who’ll deliver fuel where your car has stalled. Fuel delivery cost ranges from £40
2. Flat/Damaged Tyres and Wheels
Mobile Tyre Replacement
A total replacement of your tire may be necessitated by various reasons; your current one might be completely worn out, or the damage on it is beyond repair. This is not a service only for emergencies. Mobile tire fitting is a perfect remedy for people with busy schedules. People who don’t want to spend their weekends and days off work queuing at the local tire center waiting for a tyre replacement.
Mobile Tyre Repair
You don’t always have to replace your car tires; In many instances, it can be faster and considerably more cost effective to repair them instead. Flat tyres happen with little warning and you may not realize your car has a flat tyre until it is completely flat and you are unable to drive on it. Getting a flat tyre is much easier than you think. It takes a small screw, a metal rod, a nail, or a shard of thick glass on the road and before you know it your tyre starts loosing pressure very fast.
Luckily, though, in many circumstances, these kinds of slow leaks can be repaired
Damaged wheel Recovery – from £150.00 plus mileage – £1.50-£2.00 per mile one-way trip from the point of assistance.
* Some exceptions may apply for all vehicles up to and including 1.6 tonnes (Gross Vehicle Weight)
Fill up a flat tyre £20
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Car Collection services
In some instances, your car can get involved in an accident or develop a mechanical problem that can’t be worked on at the spot. In such instances, your car will have to be ferried by a service provider to a garage of your choice. Or, maybe you have not been using your car for quite some time and you need it to be checked.
Price per mile for distance below 100 miles- charges from £1.40 per mile
Price per mile for distance 101 to 200 miles- charges from £1.30 per mile
Price per mile for distance 201 to 300 miles- charges from £1.20 per mile
Price per mile over 300 miles- charges from £1.10 per mile
Car recovery cost is mostly determined by the city you are in, the distance you from the service provider, the service provider of your choice, and the type of car you have.
3. Stolen Vehicle Recovery
The UK is notorious for car thieves who often target high-end luxury vehicles that are later sneaked out and sold abroad. The first thing you need to do when you realize that your car is missing is to report the case to the police. Car tracking systems also come in handy in such scenarios.
If law enforcement has positively identified a stolen vehicle, they will often call you to come to identify the vehicle and make plans to get it back to your home. It’ll most likely be impounded temporarily (as it would be considered evidence in a case of grand theft auto), before being returned to the owner
How much does recovery cost?
The cost is determined by a pricing matrix set out by the UK Government and will depend on a number of factors, including the vehicle’s weight, location and the condition it is found in.
Price per mile for distance below 100 miles- charges from £1.40 per mile
Price per mile for distance 101 to 200 miles- charges from £1.30 per mile
Price per mile for distance 201 to 300 miles- charges from £1.20 per mile
Price per mile over 300 miles- charges from £1.10 per mile
In summary, car recovery costs will depend on a myriad of factors as discussed above. But most importantly, remember that safety comes first; do your best to safeguard your safety and that of other road users when your car breaks down on the road.