If you live in Kent, or travel a lot through Kent for work, you probably know a lot of the roads and motorways that seem to attract breakdowns, traffic jams, cars parked on the hard shoulder. At Reds Recovery we’ve seen it all. Cars stalling on the M2, vans giving up on M20, dead batteries on quiet country lanes. We thought it would be useful to share some of the busiest breakdown spots in Kent and some extra tips to avoid ending up stuck there yourself.
The M2 Long Stretch of Stress
The M2 is one of the main routes in and out of Medway. It’s also one of the roads we get called out to the most often. People coming home from work, engines hot, warning lights flashing. The long stretches make it tempting to drive faster than you should. Older cars that have not been serviced are more likely to overheats and subsequently break down.
To avoid trouble make sure your coolant levels are topped up and make sure to check your oil. Simple maintenance can save you and expensive recovery and any repairs you may have to shill out for. If your car does break down, try to move it to a layby if safe and get out on the passenger side, then Call a local Kent recovery service. Do not attempt your own roadside maintenance.
The A229 Hill That Will Test Your Car
The A229 between Chatham and Maidstone has steep hills and lots of traffic. We get many calls from people whose brakes or clutches fail halfway up or down Blue Bell Hill. Weather can make it worse and traffic builds up quickly.
If you drive a manual avoid riding the clutch on hills. It wears it out faster. Pay attention to your brakes and get them checked if they feel soft or make noise. Local Medway breakdown service teams see this problem a lot. Preventing it is better than waiting for a recovery call.
The A2 Rain, Potholes and Tyre Trouble.
The A2 deserves another mention because it is a trouble spot. Potholes are common and if your tyres are worn it is easy to get a blowout. That can quickly turn into a bigger problem with suspension or alignment.
Check your tyre pressure regularly and watch the tread depth. If you hit a deep pothole watch how your car drives afterwards. If it pulls to one side get it checked before it turns into a bigger issue. Good maintenance will keep you off the phone to a recovery service.
Rural Kent Lanes And SatNav Traps
Some of Kent’s most scenic country lanes are also the worst for breakdowns. Narrow roads, hidden dips, and puddles can be a nightmare. We have rescued drivers stuck in ditches engines flooded or cars that simply gave up miles from a main road.
Try to stick to main roads in bad weather. Do not trust sat navs blindly, they like to send drivers down shortcuts that are not suitable for cars. If your fuel light is on do not risk it some of these lanes are far from any petrol station. A reliable vehicle recovery Kent team can find you even in remote areas but better to avoid the situation in the first place.
Retail Parks and Car Parks
Not all breakdowns happen on motorways, We get plenty of calls from drivers who return from shopping to find a dead battery. Sometimes it’s a simple mistake of leaving lights on, sometimes it’s an older battery that’s reached the end of its life.
If your car struggles to start in the mornings, that’s your biggest warning. Get the battery checked at your local garage or get a jump start form a local recovery service. Its a simple preventative measure to avoid a frustrating tow.
Know Who To Call Before You Need To
Breakdowns are stressful and the last thing you want is to scramble for help. Save the number for Reds Recovery now. We provide fast reliable car recovery Kent and Medway breakdown service anytime day or night. We know the roads the busy routes and how to get you home safely.
Breakdowns happen to everyone but knowing the hotspots and keeping your car in good shape makes a big difference. Whether you are stuck on the M2 lost down a back road or cannot start your car in a car park we are ready to help.