Last Updated on May, 2024
Imagine your car breaks down somewhere far away from home, and you don’t even have a breakdown cover.
Worried about the recovery cost? Or wondering whether to get a breakdown cover or not?
Then, you have come to the right place to get all the clarity you need.
We are discussing the costs you have to bear for different services, FAQs, and our final thoughts on the important factors you have to consider.
So keep reading till the end to find out everything about car recovery costs in the UK.
Quick Summary
- Car recovery costs in the UK can vary, with the average cost ranging from £40 to £200 if you do not have a breakdown cover or insurance.
- A breakdown cover can significantly lower your car recovery costs, with policies starting at £25 per year. The cost of the cover will depend on the level of cover and add-ons you choose.
- The cost of car recovery also depends on the type and weight of your car, as well as the specific service needed (e.g. tow truck, emergency recovery, battery jumpstart). It is recommended to choose a reliable car recovery company instead of attempting to use incorrect techniques, which can result in higher repair costs.
Contents
- 1 Car Recovery Cost as Part of a Breakdown Cover
- 2 How Much Does Car Recovery Cost if it’s Not Included in Your Breakdown Cover?
- 3 Car Recovery Cost Based on the Car Type
- 4 Car Recovery Cost for Different Services
- 5 Car Recovery Cost Based on Mileage and Weight
- 6 Does Getting a Breakdown Cover Minimise Car Recovery Costs?
- 7 Final Thoughts
- 8 FAQ
Car Recovery Cost as Part of a Breakdown Cover
Luckily, you have the option to include car recovery costs to your breakdown cover if you have one. Imagine your car broke down by the roadside, and you have a breakdown cover that includes recovery costs.
A mechanic comes and tries to fix the car but fails. Now, your car needs to be towed to a garage. You have nothing to worry about. The breakdown cover will take care of the car recovery cost. Now let’s see how much it will cost you to maintain a life-saving breakdown cover like that.
The cost will vary depending on the type and level of the breakdown cover you get.
- Local Cover
You can get a local breakdown cover starting from £25 up to £75 per year.
- National Cover
A national breakdown cover will cost you from £25 to £165 per year.
- Home-Start Cover
You can get a home start cover starting from £30 up to £130 per year.
*Costs can vary based on various factors, so click here to get a quote
How Much Does Car Recovery Cost if it’s Not Included in Your Breakdown Cover?
If you don’t have a breakdown cover that includes vehicle recovery costs, you will need to contact a vehicle recovery service to get your vehicle towed. This can be more expensive, somewhere between £40 to £200.
Car Recovery Cost Based on the Car Type
Are you wondering whether the type of your car plays a role in determining the recovery cost you have to bear? Let’s discuss the recovery costs for different car types.
Petrol or Diesel Cars
The cost of recovery of a petrol, diesel or even a hybrid car, as already mentioned above, can vary from £40 to £200 based on the service you are getting and the condition of the car after breaking down.
Most of the service providers charge the same amount for all types of cars. Petrol and diesel cars break down more frequently than electric cars.
Electric Cars
Luckily, electric cars don’t break down as frequently as the other car types. The cost of recovering an electric car is the same as the other types. But there’s something to be careful about.
An electric car should be recovered using a freewheeling hub or a flatbed towing truck. If the wheels of your electric car touch the ground, the car can get damaged and ultimately cost you more for repairs.
Car Recovery Cost for Different Services
As the owner, the cost you have to bear for the recovery of your car depends on the service you need. You will need different services depending on the condition of your car.
If you don’t have a breakdown cover that includes recovery costs, you will have to pay the following prices for the services you get.
Hiring a Tow Truck
What if your mechanic failed to fix the car by the roadside itself and wants to examine it further? Then, you have to hire a recovery truck to take your vehicle to the garage safely.
The price point is about £75. You have to pay an additional mileage fee of about £1.50 per mile. The towing fee will increase in the following instances.
- After 18:00: About £81
- On weekends: About £81
- On bank holidays: From £93 to £111
Emergency Recovery
Imagine that you’re the driver and your car broke down on a busy motorway full of vehicles or in a dangerous place. Or else imagine that you met with an accident.
In such an instance, your car needs to be removed immediately and taken to a safe place. You have to pay about £155 for a police removal job, along with a storage fee of around £22 per day.
Contacting a Local Garage or Mechanic
You can call a local garage or a mechanic if your car breaks down in a safe and secure spot. A mechanic will charge around £87 for visiting and providing roadside assistance. Then, you can tow the car to the garage if it can’t be fixed on the spot.
Car Battery Jumpstart
A simple battery recharge will cost you around £23 – £47. But you have to pay more if the battery is dead and needs to be replaced. A battery replacement will cost you around £48 – £62.
Get to know more about our battery jumpstart service.
Tyre Repair or Replacement
If you have a flat tyre on the way, you can get it filled for less than £23. But for a serious repair or a complete replacement, you will have to pay around £135 per wheel.
The car recovery services will charge about £1 – £2 per mile as mileage fees. The fee will increase if the recovery mileage exceeds 10 miles.
Get to know more about our mobile tyre fitting service.
Fuel Delivery
You can get roadside assistance if you run out of fuel on the way. The service provider will deliver fuel and charge a fee starting from £40. Of course, the fee will increase based on the distance.
Get to know more about our gas delivery service.
Car Recovery Cost Based on Mileage and Weight
The recovery cost can vary according to the gross vehicle weight. The service provider will determine the mileage fee that the customer should pay based on the weight.
- Cars up to and including 1.2 tonnes: Around £2.50 per mile
- Cars from and above 1.3 tonnes: Around £3.50 per mile
Does Getting a Breakdown Cover Minimise Car Recovery Costs?
If you don’t have a breakdown cover that includes car recovery costs, you will have to pay an average of around £150. But if you get a breakdown cover, policies start from as low as £25.
So we can say that the costs and inconveniences are significantly lower if you have obtained a breakdown cover in advance.
Final Thoughts
Car recovery costs in the United Kingdom can vary from £40 to £200 if you don’t have a breakdown cover or insurance. The cost will depend on the service you need and the location.
On the other hand, a breakdown cover will cost you between £25 and £170 per year. The annual fee is based on the add-ons you choose.
We can recommend that obtaining a breakdown cover can minimise the cost and frustration you have to undergo during a sudden car breakdown.
However, the key is to get the service of a reliable car recovery company to recover your car, as the repair cost will double if the wrong techniques are used, especially with electric cars.
