Breaking down is one of those things you don’t think about until it happens. You’re just driving, music on, everything fine, then bang, the car cuts out or smoke starts coming out the bonnet. You pull over and think, “Now what?”
It’s stressful, and we at Reds get it. Happens to people all over Kent every single day. But the truth is, getting your car recovered doesn’t need to be a big deal. If you know what to do and who to call, it’s actually pretty simple.
We’ve written this little guide to show you what really happens when you break down, how vehicle recovery works, and what it’ll likely cost you around here.
Step 1: Get Yourself Safe
First thing, make sure you’re safe. Pull over as far as you can, put the hazards on, and if you’re on a motorway, get out from the passenger side and wait behind the barrier.
If you’re on a smaller road, stay in the car with the hazards on if it’s safer. Don’t stand in the middle of traffic, it’s not worth it.
If you’ve got a hi-vis, wear it. And keep your phone charged.
Step 2: Call Someone Local
A lot of people call their breakdown cover first, AA, RAC, all that. Nothing wrong with that, but you might be waiting a while. Most of the time, they just ring a local company like us anyway.
When you call Reds Recovery Services, you skip all that middle stuff. You get straight through to one of us. No call centre. No long forms. Just tell us where you are, what’s wrong, and we’ll give you a price and head your way.
We cover all of Kent including Medway, Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Gravesend, and everywhere between.
Most of the time, we’re with you in about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Step 3: What We Do When We Get There
When we turn up, the first job is to make sure everything’s safe. Then we load your car up properly using our Iveco Daily 7.5-ton flatbed truck.
We can handle just about anything, cars, vans, small trucks, even non-runners. If it’s damaged or just won’t move, we’ll sort it.
Our drivers know the Kent roads inside out. We’ve picked up cars from muddy lanes near Detling, motorway slip roads, and even the odd tight spot behind supermarkets. There’s not much we haven’t seen.
Step 4: You Choose Where It Goes
You tell us where you want it dropped. Some people want it home. Some want it taken straight to a garage or body shop. If you’re not sure, we can point you toward someone local we trust.
Once it’s sorted, we’ll make sure you’re okay to get home or have a plan for the rest of your trip. We don’t just dump the car and drive off, that’s not how we work.
Step 5: What It Costs
Everyone always asks this one, and fair enough, it’s important. The cost depends on a few things
- How far we’re going
- Type of vehicle
- Time of day or night
- Whether it’s damaged or just broken down
For most local recoveries in Kent, you’re usually looking at somewhere around £60 to £120. Long-distance runs can be a bit more. We always tell you the full price before we set off. No hidden extras.
Why Local Recovery Is Better
Here’s the truth. Big national companies sound good in adverts, but when it comes down to it, they ring someone like us anyway.
When you call us direct, you skip the waiting and the middleman. You talk to someone who’s actually going to be there. We know all the main routes, M2, A2, A20, A249, and the smaller ones too. That’s why we can get to you faster.
And because we’re local, we actually care about our reputation. We do a good job because word gets around fast in Kent.
Quick Breakdown Tips
A few small things to remember that make a big difference
- Keep our number saved 01634 926 801
- Carry a torch and hi-vis in your boot
- Don’t try fixing anything dangerous at the roadside
- If you’re tired, call for help early instead of pushing on
You’d be surprised how many people keep driving after a warning light just because they think it’ll be fine. That’s how you end up calling us anyway.
When You Need Help, Call Reds Recovery
We’ve been doing vehicle recovery in Kent for years. We don’t make big promises, we just show up, get you loaded, and get you home.
We’re local, honest, and open about prices. You won’t get a random contractor from three towns away. You’ll get one of us.
If you’re stuck anywhere, day or night, call 01634 926 801 or go to https://redsrecovery.co.uk.
We’ll get you moving again before you know it.