Breakdown experience

[marlinspike]

We had cover with our bank account. They used local recovery services and my one experience was dreadful. Car wouldn't start in supermarket car park; the guy arrived quickly but what a bad attitude he had. Started messing with stuff like the battery before deciding he didn't have a clue. Transported us to a local specialist which was only a couple of miles away and managed to have a road rage at someone in front of him on the way, blaring horn, f'ing and blinding. Garage were great, happy to leave it with them. The driver wouldn't take us home as he said he wasn't going in our direction. Had to trek to a bus stop with 2 small kids and loads of shopping then a long walk at the other end. Checked policy when we got in to find that he should have taken us home and a return to his base would involve passing within 100 yards of our house. On the next MOT 'battery not secured properly' was an advisory.

Still covered with the bank but fortunately they have switched to Green Flag. Some people just aren't suited for their job.

 

[Jackimus]

We had cover with our bank account. They used local recovery services and my one experience was dreadful. Car wouldn't start in supermarket car park; the guy arrived quickly but what a bad attitude he had. Started messing with stuff like the battery before deciding he didn't have a clue. Transported us to a local specialist which was only a couple of miles away and managed to have a road rage at someone in front of him on the way, blaring horn, f'ing and blinding. Garage were great, happy to leave it with them. The driver wouldn't take us home as he said he wasn't going in our direction. Had to trek to a bus stop with 2 small kids and loads of shopping then a long walk at the other end. Checked policy when we got in to find that he should have taken us home and a return to his base would involve passing within 100 yards of our house. On the next MOT 'battery not secured properly' was an advisory.

Still covered with the bank but fortunately they have switched to Green Flag. Some people just aren't suited for their job.

In a situation where you could really use a kind, level-headed person, breakdown companies seem to employ the most moody, aggressive bar stewards you can imagine. It's like you're inconveniencing them.

 

[Robotstar5]

Another thing those of you who are rich enough have iphones, is having What3words on it.

Will make being located really easy, especially if you don't know where you are.

Amazes me that most couriers don't use it !

What3words works on Android as well

 

[addjunkie]

What3words works on Android as well

One of the more useful apps for a phone!

 

[qwakers]

welcome to Brittania

this has universally been my experience with them. faster than expected arrival, pleasant drivers, competent service, all round good experiences.

 

[Red'n'Black]

To add a bit of balance, I have had good service from the AA and RAC but it was a long time ago.

Around 2004 I had a Rover 218 which snapped its clutch cable. AA bloke turned up within half an hour, had a new cable on the van, fitted it by the roadside and I was on my way within 20 minutes.

Fast forward 20 years and exactly the same thing happened to my daughter's Pug 106. That ended up coming home on a lorry, after 36 hours of incompetence and buck passing. They did pay for a taxi home, which was something. Another company ruined by the bean counters.

 

[MoreWellie]

AA bloke turned up within half an hour,

Had a chuckle at this, years ago I had a clutch cable go and drove the car 150 miles home by synchronising road and engine speed and then changing gear

 

[Brad93]

We've just joined them, after multiple terrible experiences with both the orange and yellow ones. Sounds encouraging.

Best of luck sorting the van out.

Damn I think we just renewed with AA maybe we should look at this mob.

 

[Farside]

ADAC used to cover the UK and Ireland, but they seem to have retracted to mainland Europe only now.
Pity, I'd heard so many good things about them.

 

[bourbon]

Mrs C & I came back one day & found a car across the top of the drive stuck with a burst tyre. I offered to change the wheel & she said AA is coming in about 30 minute, so no problem. I left it about half & hour & went back up to make sure she was ok, needed the loo or anything to find the AA there with a flat bed. She said the AA can’t change the wheel, health & safety. The AA guy said “that's right, I’ve change hundreds of wheels, but they’ve stopped me doing it, I’m can only take her to a place of safety or a tyre depot”so I offered to change it for her. So I ended up changing it with the AA man looking on & directing traffic. How ludicrous can you get!

When was this exactly. I had a tyre changed in a layby on the A38 by the AA just outside Barton turns. only last year.

 

[Cobbler]

When was this exactly. I had a tyre changed in a layby on the A38 by the AA just outside Barton turns. only last year.

About 3 years ago, the cover was part of an insurance policy. He hinted that they don’t get the same service, I suppose you only get what you pay for.

 

[Islander71]

A sudden engine cut out without any apparent cause happened to me today with my 06 Santa Fe. As it has happened before - though never when running, just refusing to start - I knew what it was - the immobiliser. It was downhill, so left it in gear to keep the engine turning to retain power steering till I could pull into a layby. After taking out the key and putting it back in a few times and giving the ignition switch a gentle thump as the immobiliser pick-up coil surrounds the switch, it started and ran as if nothing had happened. I keep thinking i should see if i can get the immobiliser deleted from the ecu. It's unlikely someone would want to steal a 19 year old Santa Fe with 182,000 miles on it. Might be worth checking on the van.

 

[Wedg1e]

You went to Teesside, you say? Probably some scrote syphoned the tank

 

[m_c]

In stark contrast to my last experience with the AA when the disco collapsed a boost hose. Would idle but no more, common fault on tdis

Wagon turned up and I had the bonnet up as id done a bit of faffing while I was waiting . First thing the driver said as he walked to me was “I don’t know why you’ve got the f*****g bonnet open mate, I’m not doing anything” so yeah, brilliant.

Then despite the fact there were nice 15mm thick recovery eyes triple bolted through the chassis legs, he decreed he has to winch it off the front axle. Fine I says, but could you maybe run the cable under the steering bars as opposed to over the top as it’ll start bending them as soon as you apply pressure?

“if we damage it, we will pay for it” says man in the high viz

Yeah, well, not really the point is it?

In the finish I refused any further assistance, limped it 2 miles down the hard shoulder on tickover and got a mate to drive an hour and a half to drop me a new hose off. Monkeys in hi viz.

AA policy is to not use towing eyes for winching. It's a blanket policy, and if they get caught or something goes wrong, they'd be disciplined.

Mrs C & I came back one day & found a car across the top of the drive stuck with a burst tyre. I offered to change the wheel & she said AA is coming in about 30 minute, so no problem. I left it about half & hour & went back up to make sure she was ok, needed the loo or anything to find the AA there with a flat bed. She said the AA can’t change the wheel, health & safety. The AA guy said “that's right, I’ve change hundreds of wheels, but they’ve stopped me doing it, I’m can only take her to a place of safety or a tyre depot”so I offered to change it for her. So I ended up changing it with the AA man looking on & directing traffic. How ludicrous can you get!

If it was a flat bed driver, they're just that.
They're not trained or allowed to do any repairs, just allowed to lift and shift.