What to Do If You Break Down on the Motorway – A Step-by-Step Guide from Your Local Recovery Experts

Broken down on the motorway? Don’t panic. Follow our expert step-by-step guide to stay safe and get help fast. Powered by your trusted local vehicle recovery team.

Breaking Down on the Motorway? Here's Exactly What to Do

It’s every driver’s worst nightmare—your vehicle suddenly loses power or starts making strange noises, and you’re stuck on the side of a busy motorway. Motorway breakdowns can be scary and dangerous, especially with fast-moving traffic around you.

As a professional vehicle recovery service, we’ve helped countless drivers get safely off the motorway and back on the road. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in this stressful situation.

1. Stay Calm and Signal Immediately

The moment you notice something’s wrong—loss of power, unusual engine sounds, warning lights—put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If possible, gently ease your vehicle onto the hard shoulder or into an emergency refuge area (if you're on a smart motorway).

⚠️ Top Tip: Always keep your hazard lights on once you’ve stopped.

2. Get Out Safely

Exit the vehicle using the passenger-side doors (away from traffic) and stand behind the safety barrier, well away from the carriageway. Everyone in the vehicle, including pets, should leave and stay safely away from traffic.

🚫 Do not attempt to fix the car yourself on the hard shoulder—it’s extremely dangerous.

3. Use an Emergency Phone or Your Mobile

If you're near an emergency roadside phone, use it—it connects you directly to National Highways and pinpoints your location.

Alternatively, call your trusted local recovery provider (that’s us!) directly. Make sure to provide:

• Your exact location (use a motorway marker or smartphone GPS)

• Vehicle make and model

• What happened

• Whether you’re in a live lane or on the hard shoulder

4. Call a Reliable Motorway Recovery Service

This is where we come in. As a specialist motorway recovery team, we offer:

• Fast response times

• 24/7 emergency support

• Fully equipped recovery vehicles

• Trained professionals who know how to handle breakdowns safely on busy motorways

We'll locate you quickly, secure your vehicle, and transport it to your chosen destination or repair centre.

5. Stay Safe Until Help Arrives

While you wait:

• Stay behind the barrier, as far from traffic as possible

• Keep your phone close and charged

• Do not return to the vehicle for any reason unless advised

If you’re on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and call 999 if you're in a live lane. The control room can close lanes to protect you.

Avoid Future Breakdowns – Stay Prepared

While breakdowns can happen to anyone, a few preventative steps can reduce your risk:

• Regular vehicle servicing

• Checking tyre pressure and tread

• Topping up fluids (oil, coolant, screen wash)

• Keeping a breakdown kit in your car (warning triangle, torch, hi-vis vest, power bank)

Need Emergency Recovery on the Motorway?

We’re here when you need us most. If you’ve broken down on the motorway or need urgent vehicle recovery, call us right away. Our experienced team covers Cardiff, Newport, Bristol, Bath, Swindon & Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas, providing reliable, rapid response recovery services 24/7.

📞 [07413 247247]📍 Serving Cardiff, Newport, South Wales, Bristol, Bath, Swindon & Oxfordshire