How Much Does Car Recovery Cost?
There is no single national price for car recovery, and anyone quoting you one before they know the job is guessing. What there is, is a small set of factors that determine the price every time. Here they are, so you can judge a quote rather than just accept it.
The five things that set the price
- Distance — the single biggest factor. A local recovery across one town and a run to the other end of the country are different jobs, and most pricing is built on mileage
- Vehicle size and weight — a small hatchback and a long-wheelbase van are not equivalent loads
- Whether it rolls, steers and brakes — a driveable vehicle goes on under its own power. A seized or keyless one has to be winched, which takes longer
- Access at both ends — a tight car park, a height-restricted multi-storey, a gravel driveway or a narrow terraced street all add time and sometimes rule out a direct approach
- Time of day — a Tuesday afternoon and three in the morning on a bank holiday are priced differently by most firms
Why non-runners cost more
A vehicle that starts and steers can be driven onto a flatbed in a couple of minutes. One that does not has to be winched, positioned and secured, and if the steering is locked it has to be manoeuvred onto the bed rather than steered onto it.
That is the honest explanation for the gap. It is not a surcharge for bad luck; it is a longer job with more equipment involved.
Recovery versus breakdown cover
Breakdown cover is an annual subscription. Pay-as-you-go recovery is a single fee for a single job. Whether cover saves you money is purely a function of how often you use it.
The trap worth knowing about: most breakdown policies have a waiting period before you can claim, so buying cover while stood next to a broken car rarely produces a same-day recovery. If you need moving now and you have no cover, an independent firm is the practical answer.
Questions to ask before you agree a price
A trustworthy quote should survive all of these:
- Is that the total price, or does it change if the vehicle will not roll?
- Does it include the return or drop-off leg?
- Is there a waiting-time charge if access takes longer than expected?
- Is it a fixed price or an estimate that could move?
- Will I get an invoice, if I need one for an insurance claim?
How we quote
We give a price before we move, based on the collection point, the destination, the vehicle and whether it rolls and steers. It is a price rather than a meter, so the figure you agree is the figure you pay, unless what we find on arrival is materially different to what was described.
If you want an accurate number, the fastest route is to call or WhatsApp with both postcodes, the make and model, and whether it starts.
Common questions
Is recovery cheaper if I arrange it myself rather than through my insurer?
Sometimes, and you also keep control of where the vehicle goes. If you intend to claim the cost back, keep the invoice and check with your insurer first, because some policies only reimburse recovery they arranged.
Do you charge extra at night?
Time of day is one of the factors in the quote. Call and we will give you the actual price for your job rather than a rate card.
Can you give me a price over the phone?
Yes. With the collection postcode, the destination postcode, the make and model and whether it starts and steers, we can quote you on the call.
Is a non-runner much more expensive to move?
It costs more than a driveable vehicle because winching takes longer, but it is a normal part of the work rather than an exceptional job.