When the car stops, nobody thinks about vocabulary. But the words matter a little, because they describe two different jobs.
Roadside assistance: sorting it where it stands
Roadside assistance is a repair attempt made right where the car came to rest. Think of a flat tyre swapped for the spare, a car that needs a boost, or a fuel problem dealt with on the verge. When it works, you drive away yourself.
Breakdown recovery: moving the car
Breakdown recovery is the car going up onto a deck and off to a new address, usually a driveway, a mechanic or a main dealer. It is what happens when the fault cannot be fixed at the roadside, or when it is not safe to try.
How to tell which one you need
You often cannot know for sure until someone looks, but these are good clues.
Recovery is likely when:
- There was a bang, a grinding noise or smoke before the car stopped
- A red warning light came on and the engine lost power
- Something is leaking under the car
- The car has been in a ditch or hit a kerb hard
- You are on the M3, the N2 or another fast road where working beside the car is dangerous
A roadside fix may be enough when:
- The car is parked safely and will not start, but nothing else seems wrong
- A tyre is flat and the spare is good
- You know exactly what the problem is and it is a small one
What we do
We are a recovery firm: our trucks load and move vehicles around Meath, from our base in Dunshaughlin. When you ring, explain the symptoms and you get a straight answer on whether it needs lifting.
The price for a recovery
A call-out from €150, then €2 a kilometre to wherever the car is going. We add it up with you on the phone first.
Safety comes before both
On a motorway or a fast road, do not try any roadside fix yourself. Hazards on, passengers out on the left and over the barrier, and ring 112 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
See breakdown recovery and roadside assistance in Meath, or ring us on 085 783 9202.