Car Broken Down? Here’s What To Do

Nothing derails your day quite like your car breaking down unexpectedly. It can disrupt your schedule, leave you stranded, and pose safety risks.

Knowing what to do when your vehicle stops moving can transform an otherwise stressful situation into a manageable one.

This guide details the critical steps to take when your vehicle stops working on the road or at home. We also explain how to access the best emergency breakdown services and coverage options so you can handle the situation safely and with peace of mind.

Breakdown coverage offers peace of mind when your vehicle stops working on the road. Here are the main breakdown coverage options:

This is the most basic level of breakdown coverage and usually comes as standard in most breakdown cover policies. It provides help if your car breaks down more than a certain distance—usually a quarter-mile from your home. Typically, a recovery team will attempt to fix your car on the spot. But, if repairs aren’t possible, they will tow your vehicle to a nearby garage.

Home start provides assistance if your car fails to start or breaks down at your home, garage, or driveaway or within a short distance from your home (usually a quarter-mile). For example, this coverage could be useful if your car won't start in the morning due to a flat battery. Your provider will send a team to assist you.

This type of coverage allows all passengers and your vehicle to be transported to any location within the UK if it can't be repaired locally on the same day. This includes going to a garage of your choice, back home, or your intended destination.

National recovery is ideal for long-distance travelers who frequently drive across the UK or in remote areas where local repair options may be unavailable or limited. It’s also suitable for motorists with a preferred garage or mechanic they trust.

European breakdown cover extends your protection beyond UK borders. It offers similar services as national recovery but for multiple designated European countries.

Onward travel offers alternative solutions if your provider can’t fix your car immediately. These could include car hire, hotel accommodations, or public transport reimbursements. Onward travel is typically available as an optional extra in most policies.

Experiencing a car breakdown can be unsettling, but staying calm and following a clear plan will help you handle the situation safely and efficiently. Here’s what you should do:

Right when you notice an issue, turn on your hazard lights and look for a safe location to pull over. That could be a motorway’s hard shoulder, an emergency refuge area (ERA), or off the road entirely—either at the nearest exit, a nearby car park, or a service station.

Keep your hazard lights on. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, turn your sidelights or interior lights on, too. When it’s safe, exit your vehicle from the passenger side. Make sure all passengers do the same. If you have high-visibility vests, wear them to make yourself more visible.

If you have one, place your warning triangle about 45 meters or 50 yards behind your car on the same side of the road. This helps give approaching traffic enough notice.

Skip this step if you’ve broken down on a motorway, as it’s unsafe.

Once you’re safely parked, take a moment to assess the situation. Check for obvious issues like overheating or flat tyres. You may be able to address minor issues, such as topping up coolant or replacing a tyre yourself.

However, if you’re on busy roads or dangerous motorways, or the problem is beyond a quick fix, avoid attempting any repairs yourself and consider calling for professional assistance.

Call your breakdown provider for assistance. Give them your exact location and briefly describe the issue.

Don’t have an active breakdown policy? Search for a local garage, tow truck, or recovery service, but be prepared to pay higher costs.

Important note: If your car is in a dangerous position, such as blocking traffic or a blind bend, call emergency services via 999 or 112 first. They’ll help move your vehicle to a safe place, after which you can contact breakdown services.

As you wait for rescue, make sure to stand clear of the car and moving traffic, ideally behind the barrier on a motorway or a safe distance off the road when driving in the countryside.

Pro tip: While waiting, take photos, videos, and notes of your car’s condition if it’s safe to do so. This can be useful when claiming for insurance purposes.

Broken down in a remote area without phone signal? You still have options:

Motorway breakdowns are particularly dangerous due to fast-moving traffic and the high volume of vehicles. Follow these steps to make sure you are safe:

Leave the motorway through the nearest exit. Alternatively, pull into a service station if there’s one nearby. If that isn’t possible, use your indicators and move toward the left side, onto the motorway’s hard shoulder, or into an emergency refuge area. Park to the left as far as possible and angle your wheels toward the verge to reduce the risk of your car rolling into the motorway.

Hazard lights alert other motorists that you’re facing issues, so they should approach cautiously. If visibility is low (e.g., in poor weather or when it's dark), turn on your parking lights for added safety.

Get out of the car from the left side, away from the traffic. Ensure all passengers exit safely. If you have high-visibility jackets or vests in your car, put them on.

Move behind the barrier, as far away from the traffic as possible. If there's no barrier, move as far off the hard shoulder as possible.

Use your mobile phone to contact your breakdown provider (or emergency services, such as 999, if the situation is dangerous). Describe the nature of your breakdown and provide them with your exact location. Return to a safe area near your vehicle to wait for help to arrive.

Don’t have a phone or can’t use it for whatever reason? Don't panic; most motorways have emergency phone booths located at regular intervals. You can use the phones for free and contact the police or National Highways.

The hard shoulder is designed as a temporary safety zone for emergencies, not for long-term parking.

Leaving a vehicle on the hard shoulder for too long is typically illegal. It creates a hazard for other drivers and can obstruct emergency vehicles, like ambulances and police cars.

To avoid penalties, aim to move your vehicle off the hard shoulder as quickly as possible by calling breakdown services to conduct a motorway recovery.

Broken down on a country road? Here’s what to do:

Has your car broken down at home? Here are your options:.

For future peace of mind, make sure your breakdown policy includes home start coverage.

It depends on the location, relevant laws, and safety implications.

In most places, it's illegal to leave your car unattended on any part of the motorway, including emergency refuge areas or on the hard shoulder. Doing so could result in penalties from the relevant authorities, and they can also tow your car. Stay near your vehicle and notify the police or the relevant highway agency if you can’t arrange recovery immediately.

Rules are generally more flexible in residential or urban areas, but you must check the local regulations before leaving your car unattended. Some local councils may permit a vehicle to remain temporarily (typically 24-48 hours) if it isn’t obstructing driveways, fire hydrants, or traffic flow. Additionally, if your car appears abandoned or is parked illegally, the authorities may tow it sooner, and you could be fined.

If your car breaks down on private property (such as a car park), the rules depend on the property owner’s policies. You must arrange for its removal quickly to avoid penalties and other problems.

In rural areas or on country roads, your car may be less likely to attract immediate attention. But it’s still advisable to arrange recovery as quickly as possible. Leaving your car unattended for too long may invite vandalism or theft.

Has your car broken down without breakdown cover? Don't panic. There are still options to get back on the road. Here's what you can do:

Yes, some breakdown service providers offer pay-per-use services or short-term or temporary breakdown cover, including coverage for a single day or a few days.

Some car insurance policies include basic breakdown cover, but it's often limited. Check your policy documents carefully to see what's included. Standalone breakdown cover policies usually offer more comprehensive protection.

There’s no fool proof way to avoid breakdowns. That said, regularly monitoring and maintaining your vehicle—including checking tyre pressure, oil levels, and battery health—can help reduce the risk of breakdowns.

Yes, breakdown cover for classic or older cars can be more expensive due to the increased likelihood of mechanical issues. However, some providers specialise in offering affordable breakdown cover for older cars.