Car Breakdown Help and Recovery Guides
Pick what's happened to see what to do next and which job the car needs. When you're ready, Snap arranges towing and recovery, breakdown assistance, accident recovery or a jump start through independent operators, with no membership.
Request my recovery quoteAsking for a quote does not book the job.
Send a request 24/7; requests are handled round the clock. Or call 078 3333 9309, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
If anyone is hurt, there's a fire, or you're in danger, call 999 first. Snap is not an emergency service. On a motorway, get to the left, get out on the side away from traffic if it's safe, and get behind the barrier. If you can't get out safely, stay in the car with your seatbelt and hazard lights on, and call 999.
What's happened?
Breakdown and recovery help, by situation
The car won't start
It clicks, turns over slowly, or nothing happens. Find out whether it's the battery before you ask for a tow.
The battery is flat
The dashboard is dead or the lights are dim. See whether a jump start is the right job.
It won't roll or steer
The wheels or steering are locked, the handbrake is stuck on, or an automatic won't come out of park. Say so when you ask for a quote, because it changes what the job needs.
I've had an accident
Make sure everyone is safe, and call 999 if anyone is hurt. Then speak to your insurer before you arrange recovery yourself.
I've put the wrong fuel in
Petrol in a diesel, or diesel in a petrol car. Don't start the engine, and read what to do next.
It's stuck in a car park
Send the car park's name, the level, the entrance height and a photo of the access point.
I've broken down on the motorway
Get safe first, behind the barrier if there is one. When you ask for a quote, give the last junction you passed or the number on the nearest marker post.
It's overheating
Steam or a temperature warning light. Stop somewhere safe, switch off, and tell us what the car is doing so it's quoted for the right job.
It needs moving to a garage or home
A car that can't be driven, failed its MOT, or is waiting for a repair slot. Request a quote for a move to the destination you choose, today or planned.
Checking the cost before anything goes wrong
The guide to car recovery costs explains what moves a quote, such as distance, access and whether the car rolls. If you're only checking, choose "just checking the cost" on the request form.
Just checking the costNo breakdown cover
You don't need breakdown cover or a membership. You can ask for a quote after the car has broken down, with nothing to join first.
If you have some cover through a bank account, a car insurance policy or a new-car warranty, check what it includes: it may only cover a set distance, or only help at home. If it won't get the car where it needs to go, you can book a single job. Start with breakdown assistance, or towing and recovery if the car can't be driven.
Once you know what's happened
Send one request with where the car is, where it needs to go, and whether it starts, rolls and steers. We check prices and availability with independent operators covering the area and send you one quote, with our booking fee and the operator's charge shown separately. Nothing is booked until you accept. If the car turns out different from your description, the price may change.
Read how booking works, see the four services, or find car recovery areas.
Tell us what's happened
Tell us where the car is, where it needs to go and what it's doing.
Request my recovery quoteAsking for a quote does not book the job.
Send a request 24/7; requests are handled round the clock. Or call 078 3333 9309, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.