Your first time getting recovery
Discussion
When I was young and poor, I'd often stick a fiver of fuel into my old polo. It was always running on fumes. One day I managed to snap the key in the fuel filler cap so couldn't fill up. Took a gamble on still reaching my destination with somewhat inevitable consequences. Bit embarrassing that one. Took the AA about 2 seconds to remove the locked filler cap.
Had loads of other call outs since! Seem to gravitate to the less dependable selection of automotive offerings. Was practically on AA's Christmas card list when I had my Elise. Loads of electrical gremlins.
Had loads of other call outs since! Seem to gravitate to the less dependable selection of automotive offerings. Was practically on AA's Christmas card list when I had my Elise. Loads of electrical gremlins.
My first recovery was entirely due to my incredible idiocy. I had just changed the wheels on my Panda and when I was putting them on I noticed that there were plastic rings in the middle of 3 wheels but 1 didn't have one. Didn't think much of it and slapped them on.
Took the car on an MSA 12 Car and then drove it 100 miles home from uni the same night and once I got into town noticed the steering was exceptionally wobbly. Got out to check because I knew at this point something wasn't right, the wheel missing the spigot ring had sheared 3 of 4 wheel bolts and there was a strong chance I had driven all the way on 1 wheel bolt.
Got recovered by some local bloke who charged me £200 for a 2 mile tow and also dropped my car off the flatbed.
Since then I've been recovered by the AA twice in 2 bmw's. The first was an E36 that I couldn't for the life of me seem to bleed properly and it overheated on the side of the A34 while I was trying to get home. The next was my 330ci which had a complete and sudden vanos failure on my way home from work, scanned the codes and it was misfiring on all 6 so I had the longest recovery of my life from Coventry to London. Two different recovery vehicles and finally got home just gone midnight after leaving work at 4:30. Then an air suspended Mercedes which left me stranded when the front level sensors failed and it dropped its nose to the floor.
Took the car on an MSA 12 Car and then drove it 100 miles home from uni the same night and once I got into town noticed the steering was exceptionally wobbly. Got out to check because I knew at this point something wasn't right, the wheel missing the spigot ring had sheared 3 of 4 wheel bolts and there was a strong chance I had driven all the way on 1 wheel bolt.
Got recovered by some local bloke who charged me £200 for a 2 mile tow and also dropped my car off the flatbed.
Since then I've been recovered by the AA twice in 2 bmw's. The first was an E36 that I couldn't for the life of me seem to bleed properly and it overheated on the side of the A34 while I was trying to get home. The next was my 330ci which had a complete and sudden vanos failure on my way home from work, scanned the codes and it was misfiring on all 6 so I had the longest recovery of my life from Coventry to London. Two different recovery vehicles and finally got home just gone midnight after leaving work at 4:30. Then an air suspended Mercedes which left me stranded when the front level sensors failed and it dropped its nose to the floor.
oldaudi said:
My first time being recovered was due to something very similar. Exhaust split and the back part dropped and hit the floors like yours, but it stuck in the road and actually pushed the back of the car up and pushed the rear wheels off the ground. It was a FWD little pug 106 gti and I was going pretty quick at the time.... the rear bunny hopped down the road, I was absolutely crapping myself, had no idea what had happened..... AA came out and put it in reverse to put it on the ground , snapped it off and then put me on the flat bed. Shame it was before camera phones
I’ve also been recovered twice in my b6 Audi A4 , mostly due to coil packs and misfires.... twice in my xc90 volvo recently... various warning messages about steering and anti skid awd messages that didn’t really give me confidence driving it on the motorway.... .. and once in a brand new a4 due to throttle body
Arranged recovery due to this, too far from home (10 miles most of which on a13) and was thinking if the exhaust catapults my car into the air at 50mph, it won't be fun hahaI’ve also been recovered twice in my b6 Audi A4 , mostly due to coil packs and misfires.... twice in my xc90 volvo recently... various warning messages about steering and anti skid awd messages that didn’t really give me confidence driving it on the motorway.... .. and once in a brand new a4 due to throttle body
Edited by oldaudi on Friday 16th April 07:57
First recovery was when a navigator on an East Midlands event somewhere in Warwickshire, mid 70's. Managed to stuff it into a ditch on a 90 right, just about got ourselves out of the car and looking at the damge when up rolls a couple of traffic coppers. In answer to the question how fast were you going, the driver unbelievably answered 30 mph. The rozzers peed themselves laughing then told us they'd deal with it by calling their contracted recovery service for which we'd have to pay towage and storage. Reckoned that was their way of punishing us. Tow truck eventually rocks up, is only contracted to take car to his compound, but kindly offered to drop us at Corley M6 services on the way. Ex university friend got dragged out in early hours to pick us up.
Second time was 1990, Mk2 Vauxhall cavalier, my second company car, a real Friday afternoon production. About 5pm, travelling home from outlaws with wife and few months old daughter. Just left M1 J33 onto Sheffield Parkway when engine suddenly cut out, managed to coast into a layby. Completely dead, , no spark, distributor not turning. Trudged off to find a phone box, pre mobile, called AA and then f-i-l to come and take family home. AA had declared they were busy but had put us on priority due to baby in vehicle. By time got back to car f-i-l and AA just pulling up.
AA confirmed issue with distributor drive, apparently well known fault with a plastic component connecting camshaft and distributor. So common a fault that AA carried them on the vans, but they had run out of stock on both vans and stores. Radio call out to see if anybody had one, no luck. So stuck me on a bar and towed me to VX dealer.
Karma, as we arrived and trundled past the showroom windows a sales customer evening was in full swing. Sales manager's face a picture.
That incidentally was THE most unreliable car ever had, recovered three times, and lots of journeys aborted due to issues arising. After three years and almost 100k it was sorted, and felt like a set of shocks and some anti roll bar bushes it would be good for another 100.
Second time was 1990, Mk2 Vauxhall cavalier, my second company car, a real Friday afternoon production. About 5pm, travelling home from outlaws with wife and few months old daughter. Just left M1 J33 onto Sheffield Parkway when engine suddenly cut out, managed to coast into a layby. Completely dead, , no spark, distributor not turning. Trudged off to find a phone box, pre mobile, called AA and then f-i-l to come and take family home. AA had declared they were busy but had put us on priority due to baby in vehicle. By time got back to car f-i-l and AA just pulling up.
AA confirmed issue with distributor drive, apparently well known fault with a plastic component connecting camshaft and distributor. So common a fault that AA carried them on the vans, but they had run out of stock on both vans and stores. Radio call out to see if anybody had one, no luck. So stuck me on a bar and towed me to VX dealer.
Karma, as we arrived and trundled past the showroom windows a sales customer evening was in full swing. Sales manager's face a picture.
That incidentally was THE most unreliable car ever had, recovered three times, and lots of journeys aborted due to issues arising. After three years and almost 100k it was sorted, and felt like a set of shocks and some anti roll bar bushes it would be good for another 100.
My first recovery ? 1984. I was 17.
On a trip to the Yorkshire Dales on a Suzuki TS 125 ER. GOT a puncture.
Took the back wheel off and left the bike in a ditch and started walking with the wheel. Bloke in an Xr2 gave me a lift to the local garage where I tried to buy a puncture repair kit.
The owner took pity on me and got his apprentice to fix it for me, and gave me a cup of tea and a sandwich.
When it was fixed, a bloke came in and asked for directions. He was given them on condition that he gave me a lift back to my bike.
Put the wheel back on, and went back to the garage for petrol and to thank him. He didn't charge me.
When I got home my mum made me write a letter to him.
On a trip to the Yorkshire Dales on a Suzuki TS 125 ER. GOT a puncture.
Took the back wheel off and left the bike in a ditch and started walking with the wheel. Bloke in an Xr2 gave me a lift to the local garage where I tried to buy a puncture repair kit.
The owner took pity on me and got his apprentice to fix it for me, and gave me a cup of tea and a sandwich.
When it was fixed, a bloke came in and asked for directions. He was given them on condition that he gave me a lift back to my bike.
Put the wheel back on, and went back to the garage for petrol and to thank him. He didn't charge me.
When I got home my mum made me write a letter to him.
Similar happened to my Yaris and exhaust.
Fortunately I was 2 streets away from home, so nursed it there, got a coathanger and rehung the exhaust until I could get it fixed
Otherwise been on an AA trailer when my smart key wouldn't unlock the car (twas a software fault, fixed under warranty)
Fortunately I was 2 streets away from home, so nursed it there, got a coathanger and rehung the exhaust until I could get it fixed
Otherwise been on an AA trailer when my smart key wouldn't unlock the car (twas a software fault, fixed under warranty)
Had a 1600 Pug 308, VTI engine... one day I started it and the dash declared within seconds that it was overheating. The fan kicked in at full pelt, refusing to switch off even after the engine was shut down. Anyway, decided it was probably a duff sensor, so began my two hour journey. 10 minutes later I was about to join the motorway, it was still saying it had shat itself, at which point I chickened out and pulled over, had the car recovered and fixed that day.
In hindsight I could have got it to a garage, but didn’t know the area too well at that point.
More recently I almost had my Rover recovered when a front coil spring broke on the driveway, however the quotes for recovery put me off and I ended up changing it myself.
In hindsight I could have got it to a garage, but didn’t know the area too well at that point.
More recently I almost had my Rover recovered when a front coil spring broke on the driveway, however the quotes for recovery put me off and I ended up changing it myself.
First time for me was as an 19 year old visiting my friends house on Christmas eve in my then fairly new to me 2.2 Audi coupe quattro. A few days before the drivers side door handle snapped and because I was young and lazy I just started using the passenger door.
You guessed it, as I'm leaving my friends house I go to the passenger door and 'click' the door handle snaps in the same place as the other one and I end up ringing in Christmas waiting for the RAC to arrive. They got me into the car but not before butchering the door internals. Thankfully car was okay for a few days before I could get to a breakers and start bouncing around cars to find a replacement (remember when you could do that!). Mk1 Golf handles fitted so plenty around!
You guessed it, as I'm leaving my friends house I go to the passenger door and 'click' the door handle snaps in the same place as the other one and I end up ringing in Christmas waiting for the RAC to arrive. They got me into the car but not before butchering the door internals. Thankfully car was okay for a few days before I could get to a breakers and start bouncing around cars to find a replacement (remember when you could do that!). Mk1 Golf handles fitted so plenty around!
Went for 5th when flat in 4th on the back straight at Goodwood, found 3rd instead in the Westfield. Engine comprehensively lunched. Drifted into pits, then pushed it into paddock. Called recovery service - “you haven’t been driving that car on the circuit have you sir? Even though the edges of all your tyres are somewhat feathered?”. We agreed I had been on track, but he’d take me home to London if I maintained the pretence of not doing so if asked by the insurer. They never did, so all was well.
Hungover driving back from London on the M4, outside lane the the rear tyre blew. Managed to get the car undercontrol and crawl across 3 lanes to the hard shoulder and got recovered by the RAC.
Fair play to the guy, changed the drivers side rear next to a live lane and got us on our way. Worst bit for me was another 30mins driving down the M4 with a spacesaver on to get home.
Fair play to the guy, changed the drivers side rear next to a live lane and got us on our way. Worst bit for me was another 30mins driving down the M4 with a spacesaver on to get home.
Only broken down once, it was 2007, I was 17 in my first car, a Peugeot 106.
The clutch gave up mid overtake, but still had enough momentum to finish the overtake - the guy I was overtaking was not pleased!
Had to wait 2 hours, but my time was being occupied by being attacked by a feral turkey. When the AA bloke finally arrived, he was attacked too, but managed to sort out a tow rope and dragged me back. Strange, strange day.
The clutch gave up mid overtake, but still had enough momentum to finish the overtake - the guy I was overtaking was not pleased!
Had to wait 2 hours, but my time was being occupied by being attacked by a feral turkey. When the AA bloke finally arrived, he was attacked too, but managed to sort out a tow rope and dragged me back. Strange, strange day.
Chedders said:
Only broken down once, it was 2007, I was 17 in my first car, a Peugeot 106.
The clutch gave up mid overtake, but still had enough momentum to finish the overtake - the guy I was overtaking was not pleased!
Had to wait 2 hours, but my time was being occupied by being attacked by a feral turkey. When the AA bloke finally arrived, he was attacked too, but managed to sort out a tow rope and dragged me back. Strange, strange day.
Seems like something always happens when you wait for recovery. In my case a traffic police seemed to take interest at me looking under my car but left me to it after I told them what's happened and arranged recovery. Also had some terrible reception. First time to break down for me, at 18 years old.The clutch gave up mid overtake, but still had enough momentum to finish the overtake - the guy I was overtaking was not pleased!
Had to wait 2 hours, but my time was being occupied by being attacked by a feral turkey. When the AA bloke finally arrived, he was attacked too, but managed to sort out a tow rope and dragged me back. Strange, strange day.
Mk2 Fiesta, conked out somewhere around Coventry (a couple of hours from home), and somebody I knew who lived bout an hour from me stopped and gave me a lift to get to a phone to call recovery. It had been in for a service a while before hand and then developed a missfire, garage reckoned it was HT leads having being disturbed in the service so replaced them and it was fine for a few days and started doing it again, then they reckoned it must have been a dodgy plug so replaced them, when it finally died it turned out to be the coil, and replacing the plugs and HT leads had reduced the load on it a bit and kept it going.
Reg/rec failed on the bike and cooked the battery, the RAC sent a patrol van, despite me telling them it was a bike, who was annoyed they'd sent him as he couldn't do anything and I needed a contractor with a flat bed. I had to wait about 4 hours in total but they admitted they'd cocked up and recovered me home rather than the nearest garage as my policy was at the time.
Octavia conked out me several years ago, at about 5 on a sunny Friday afternoon. Took me 20 minutes to even get through to the RAC, and then a couple of hours for someone to turn up. It turns out that the front skirt on a vRS is to low it to fit on a towing dolly, and the lash down eye thing isn't considered suitable for towing. He did tow me a couple of hundred yards to get me off the busy main road and on to a quiet residential street, but I then had to wait another couple of hours for the flat bed, who couldn't find me as he'd been given my original location. Turned out that when I'd had it serviced they'd buggered up the seal on the fuel filter housing, which had leaked diesel on to the auxiliary belt, which came off and jammed the timing belt. Much back and forth over who was going to pay the 4.5k for a new head, and eventually I managed to get away with only paying 10%, but was without the car for several weeks. It then had to go back to the garage several times as different warning lights came on, once within a few hundred meters of the garage. Needless to say I used a different garage after that!
Reg/rec failed on the bike and cooked the battery, the RAC sent a patrol van, despite me telling them it was a bike, who was annoyed they'd sent him as he couldn't do anything and I needed a contractor with a flat bed. I had to wait about 4 hours in total but they admitted they'd cocked up and recovered me home rather than the nearest garage as my policy was at the time.
Octavia conked out me several years ago, at about 5 on a sunny Friday afternoon. Took me 20 minutes to even get through to the RAC, and then a couple of hours for someone to turn up. It turns out that the front skirt on a vRS is to low it to fit on a towing dolly, and the lash down eye thing isn't considered suitable for towing. He did tow me a couple of hundred yards to get me off the busy main road and on to a quiet residential street, but I then had to wait another couple of hours for the flat bed, who couldn't find me as he'd been given my original location. Turned out that when I'd had it serviced they'd buggered up the seal on the fuel filter housing, which had leaked diesel on to the auxiliary belt, which came off and jammed the timing belt. Much back and forth over who was going to pay the 4.5k for a new head, and eventually I managed to get away with only paying 10%, but was without the car for several weeks. It then had to go back to the garage several times as different warning lights came on, once within a few hundred meters of the garage. Needless to say I used a different garage after that!
Not a huge back story!
I was heading around around a roundabout, car joined on without looking and smashed right into my side.
Curtain airbags and seat airbags went off. I couldn't even see what hit me, it felt like a truck! When I pulled the car over and got out it turned out to be a Twingo!
There was a motorway services on the roundabout and ended up waiting about 3 hours to get recovered. The car took about 4 months to be repaired (they didn't write it off!). Had it for another two years afterwards and it was fine - though I never did feel like the door quite lined up properly!
More recently I hit a pothole which took out both my passenger side tyres and had to wait 4 hours for a lift home...
It was years ago in a Y reg Volvo S60. I’d been due to travel across the country with my dad but the approved used breakdown cover had run out. He said he wouldn’t go unless I got covered again. Well you couldn’t make it up we got halfway and he wanted to stop for supplies, when attempting to leave again the car wouldn’t start - the battery had given up so I had to call for my new RAC breakdown cover. They came within the hour and fitted a new battery, to which my dad gleefully said “that’s why you have breakdown cover”. Couldn’t disagree!
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