What Should You Do in the Event of a Vehicle Breakdown?

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Nobody wants to experience a breakdown. However, if you are aware of the actions to take in the event of a breakdown, you can make it much less stressful experience.

Signs of a breakdown include lights flashing on your dashboard, a sluggish feel to your car, or an unusual noise. If you find yourself in this situation, follow our advice on what to do next.

Have you broken down on a non-motorway road?

A breakdown on a non-motorway road is generally safer, as you are away from a constant flow of fast traffic, which can make it can be easier to assess the damage to your car yourself. Follow these next steps if you have broken down on a non-motorway road.

• Pull over in a safe space (where you are not obstructing or in the path of other vehicles) and switch on your hazard lights. If visibility is poor, turn on your sidelights too. Once stopped, turn your wheels to the left to prevent your car from rolling back into the road.
• If the place you have stopped puts you at risk of being hit by other drivers, get everyone in the car out of the vehicle and away from the road. Exit the car via the left-hand doors so that you are not exiting onto the road.
• Once everybody is out of the car, stand so that you are not between the vehicle and oncoming traffic, and as far from the road as possible.
• If you carry a hi-vis vest* in your car, put it on when outside the broken-down vehicle so that other traffic can see and avoid you.
• Non-motorway roads are generally safer spaces for you to assess the damage to your car but only do so if you are able to conduct checks safely. If you decide that you can repair your car, place a warning triangle* at least 50 yards from your vehicle.
• If you are unable to repair your car yourself, call your breakdown cover provider, who will send a team member to assist you.
• Consider purchasing a breakdown kit* for future emergencies. These can contain warning triangles, torches, rope, and hi-vis gear.

Have you broken down on a motorway?

Breakdowns on motorways are more dangerous, due to the high level of fast-moving traffic around you. Be cautious and follow these steps that will help keep you safe.

• If possible, leave the motorway at the next exit. If this is not possible, turn on your hazard lights and pull onto the hard shoulder as smoothly and safely as you can. Pull as far to the left as possible and turn your wheels to the left to stop your car from rolling back onto the road.
• If you can, pull over near an emergency telephone. These are placed at every mile point along the motorway and are clearly marked.
• Keep your hazards on and turn on your sidelights if visibility is bad.
• Get all passengers to exit the car via the left-hand doors and stand in a safe space: the safest place is up on the bank or behind the safety barriers. If you have pets in the car, keep them there as it is the safest place for them.
• If you have a hi-vis vest in your car, put it on. Do not put out a warning triangle, as placing them on the motorway is against the Highway Code and highly dangerous.
• Do not attempt to make any repairs whilst on the motorway. Instead, call your breakdown cover provider on your mobile, or if you do not have one on you, use the nearest emergency phone. Help assistance to find you by using motorway location markers and they should be able to provide you with an estimated time for their arrival.

What if you break down on a smart motorway?

Smart motorways do not have hard shoulders, so the procedure for a breakdown differs to a typical motorway.

• In the event of a breakdown, turn on hazards and move into the left lane. Turn off into the nearest junction, service station, or emergency refuge area. These are located at regular intervals along the motorway and are marked with orange signs. If you can’t get to one, pull over in the left-hand lane as far as possible.
• Safely exit your car and stand away from traffic, preferably behind the safety barriers. Wear hi-vis if you have it.
• Use the emergency phone in the emergency refuge area, give as much information as possible, and ask them to contact your breakdown provider.