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What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down: Step-by-Step Emergency Guide

A car breakdown is something every driver dreads. Whether you’ve broken down on a quiet country lane or suffered a failure on a busy motorway, the situation can be stressful. Knowing exactly what to do will keep you and other road users safe, while also helping you get back on the road sooner.

This step-by-step guide explains how to stay safe, when to call your breakdown provider, and what to do if you don’t have breakdown cover.

A broken-down vehicle on the motorway

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Stay Calm and Signal Immediately

If you notice your car with your seatbelt fastened isn’t responding properly or warning lights appear, don’t panic. Instead:

  • Put on your hazard lights straight away.
  • If visibility is poor, keep sidelights on too.
  • Use the warning triangle if it’s safe to place it, at least 45 metres behind your car at the side of the road (not on motorways).

This helps you let other drivers know your vehicle on the same side has stopped.

Move to a Safe Place

  • Try to pull over onto the hard shoulder, an emergency refuge area, or the nearest service area.
  • On a normal road, steer as far left as possible to get your car off the road.
  • If you can, get to the hard shoulder or use the next exit or pull into a service station.
  • On smart motorways, where you can’t get to the hard shoulder, aim for an emergency telephone point or emergency refuge area.

Your goal is to ensure you’re out of the way of traffic.

Leave the Vehicle Safely

Once stopped:

  • Decide if it’s safe to leave the car. If not, remain left in the vehicle with your seatbelt on and hazard warning lights flashing.
  • If it is safe to wait outside, leave the vehicle on the passenger side.
  • Stand behind the safety barrier and keep passengers together.
  • Always wear hi-vis jackets if available so other drivers see you.

Call for Breakdown Assistance

Now it’s time to arrange help:

  • Call your breakdown service or call your breakdown provider directly using your mobile phone.
  • If you don’t have breakdown cover, you can still call a local breakdown service or recovery vehicle provider like KMX Recovery.
  • If you don’t have a mobile phone, carefully walk to an emergency roadside phone. Signs will direct you to the nearest emergency telephone along the hard shoulder.
  • In serious cases, always call emergency services on 999.

While You Wait for Help

  • Stay clear of the carriageway.
  • Keep children and pets close to you, well away from traffic.
  • Do not attempt to fix your vehicle in a dangerous position.
  • Wait behind barriers or on embankments whenever possible.
  • Only re-enter the car if instructed and if it’s safe to leave the car in its current spot.

A recovery vehicle or roadside assistance team will either repair your vehicle at the roadside or tow it to the nearby mechanic.

If You Break Down on a Motorway

Breaking down on a motorway is one of the most high-risk situations for drivers. Here’s what to do:

  • Turn on your hazard warning lights immediately.
  • Try to reach a hard shoulder or emergency refuge area.
  • If you can’t, pull as far left as possible so your car at the side of the road is visible.
  • Exit carefully on the passenger side if safe and stand behind barriers.
  • Use an emergency hotline for direct contact with the highway’s agency or emergency services.
  • Never place a warning triangle on the motorway.

If it’s too dangerous to exit, stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened and hazards on, then wait for the nearest emergency help.

How Breakdown Cover Helps

Having the right breakdown cover makes the situation much easier. Your breakdown cover provider will send help quickly, offering:

  • Breakdown assistance with roadside repair attempts.
  • Tow to the nearest garage if your vehicle can’t be fixed.
  • Options to include breakdown cover with your car insurance for extra protection.
  • Different levels of cover, from standard cover to full national and European policies.

Without cover, arranging recovery can be expensive, so it’s worth considering what level of cover best suits your needs.

Prevent a Breakdown in the First Place

While not every issue can be avoided, regular car checks help you prevent a breakdown. Check tyres, oil, coolant, and battery health regularly. Good maintenance can help you avoid being stranded and make journeys safer.

Call KMX Recovery for Emergency Support

If you’ve broken down and need urgent help, KMX Recovery provides fast, reliable breakdown assistance and recovery across the UK. Whether you need a quick repair your vehicle at the roadside, a tow to the nearest garage, or help when you not covered for breakdowns, we’re here to get you back on the road safely.

Save our number today so you know who to call your breakdown service when it matters most.

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