Breakdown Recovery Near Me
No AA, RAC or Green Flag membership? You don't need one. See a fixed price before a truck is sent, then get a DBS-checked driver to you in 20-40 minutes. Jump starts, flat tyres, empty tanks, non-starters and post-accident recovery, all pay-as-you-go.
Whatever broke down, we cover it
Most breakdowns fall into one of five categories. Tap the one that matches yours for the full pricing and process.
Engine won't turn over or dashboard is dead. A driver jump starts you roadside in most cases.
Jump start pricingNo spare, no jack, or you just don't want to do it on a busy road. We recover you to safety or a garage.
Car recoveryStuck with an empty tank, especially on a motorway. A driver brings enough fuel to get you moving.
Fuel deliveryNot always the battery - could be the starter motor, fuel pump or an electrical fault. We tow you to a garage of your choice.
Car recoveryVehicle damaged and undriveable after a collision. Recovered on a flat-bed to your home, garage or insurer.
Emergency recoveryNo cover? Here's the honest comparison
Annual breakdown cover makes sense if you break down often, or you want the peace of mind of being covered before anything happens. It doesn't make sense if you're stood on the pavement right now with a dead battery and no policy. Here's how the two approaches actually compare.
| What you get | Annual membership (AA/RAC/Green Flag) | TowManVan pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £50-£200+ a year, whether you use it or not | £0. You only pay when you actually breakdown |
| Cost if you breakdown once | Full annual fee, already paid | From £70 for that one job, nothing else |
| Covered before you join today | No, cover usually starts after a waiting period | Not applicable, book the job directly, no waiting period |
| Price certainty | Callout included, but mileage limits and add-ons vary by tier | Fixed price shown and locked before the truck is sent |
| Best for | Frequent drivers who want cover in place year-round | People who breakdown rarely and don't want to pay for a year of cover |
If you breakdown once every year or two, paying per incident usually costs less over the years than an annual policy. If you drive an older or higher-mileage vehicle and expect to breakdown more than once a year, membership cover may still work out cheaper for you.
What breakdown recovery actually costs
| Situation | Price |
|---|---|
| Car under 1300kg - recovery | £70 |
| Car 1300-1600kg - recovery | £75 |
| Car over 1600kg - recovery | £85 |
| Van / minibus - recovery | £120 |
| Wheels won't roll (skates, 2 or 4) | £65 flat |
| Congestion zone surcharge | +£25 |
| Night rate (23:00-07:00) | 1.5x fare |
The first 3 miles of towing are included in the base price, then a per-mile rate applies for anything beyond that, shown in the app before you confirm. The £65 skates fee only applies if your wheels physically won't turn, for example seized brakes, a handbrake that won't release, or the gearbox stuck out of neutral. There's no weekend surcharge on recovery jobs, only the night rate and congestion zone charge above apply when relevant. Every price is fixed and shown in full before a driver is dispatched, so there's no haggling and no surprise mileage charge on arrival.
How it works when you've just broken down
If you've broken down in a live traffic lane on a motorway and cannot get clear of it, or you or a passenger is in immediate danger, call 999 first. Get out of the vehicle on the side away from moving traffic, stand behind the barrier, and wait for emergency services before doing anything else.
Breakdown recovery near you, in every major UK city
TowManVan covers all 10 of the UK's biggest cities, plus the towns and routes around them. Tap your city for local pricing, typical arrival times and coverage detail.
Breakdown recovery near me: FAQs
Broken down right now?
No membership needed. Fixed price in 60 seconds, DBS-checked driver on the way, typical arrival 20-40 minutes.
Get an instant priceTom Hargreaves - Head of Recovery Standards
Tom spent 12 years patrolling UK motorways with the AA before joining TowManVan. He signs off every price, coverage claim and safety step on this page. Questions? Email tom@towmanvan.co.uk. All figures reviewed August 2026.
Last updated August 2026. Prices verified August 2026 by Tom Hargreaves.