What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down: A Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Get yourself and the car safe

1. Pull over as far from traffic as you can — a lay-by, side street or car park is ideal.
2. Switch on your hazard lights, and sidelights if it's dark or visibility is poor.
3. Get passengers out on the side away from traffic and stand well back from the road.
4. On a normal road you can place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind the car — but never on a motorway.

2. Quick checks before you call

A surprising number of breakdowns have simple causes. Only check what's safe to check:

• Fuel or charge level — running out is more common than you'd think.
• Dashboard warning lights — note which ones are on; they help diagnose the problem.
• Battery — clicking when you turn the key, or dim lights, often means a flat battery that a jump start can fix.
• Tyres — a flat tyre can be changed at the roadside if you have a usable spare.
• Overheating — if the temperature gauge is high or there's steam, switch off and don't open the radiator cap.

3. What to tell the recovery company

• Exactly where you are (a postcode, road name or landmark — or what3words if you use it).
• Your vehicle registration, so the right truck is sent.
• What's happened — won't start, flat tyre, accident, overheating.
• Where the car needs to go: home, a garage, or somewhere else.
• A mobile number you can be reached on.

4. Agree the price before anyone sets off

Never agree a price verbally at the roadside. Get a quote first so you know the full cost, including the call-out and mileage. With Cheap Car Recoveries you get an instant quote by text with no hidden extras, and it's the same price day or night.