You may not expect a new car to break down, but just in case you do almost every car manufacturer includes some form of complimentary recovery service in the price of a new car. To find out which brand offers what level of cover, we’ve investigated the top 20 car brands in the UK to see which offers the best level of cover.
Volkswagen
Most new VWs include one year free AA cover but if you buy an ID model or a Toureg, then you’ll get three years. Not only does this cover include roadside assistance and recovery if the fault can’t be fixed, but also home cover. In the event of an accident VW will also recover the car to a VW garage. The brand will also help with onward travel if necessary including options such as a replacement vehicle or taxi. VW also claims it will recover trailers and caravans if you’re towing at the time of breakdown.
Ford
Included in Ford Assistance is one year of basic breakdown service which will help if you need assistance while away from home. If the car can’t be fixed at the roadside, it will be recovered and if necessary a temporary loan car may be offered for up to two days. What’s more this is extended for free for a year if the car is serviced at a Ford dealership.
Audi
Like sister firm Volkswagen, Audi owners can expect roadside assistance and recover, plus home start. And in the event of an accident, the car will be recovered to an Audi dealership. The company also offers onward travel via car hire for a maximum of two days if you breakdown and the car can’t be fixed at the roadside. All this is available for the first three years of Audi ownership from new.
BMW
BMW offers three years’ roadside assistance to all its new car buyers. The cover includes both home and away assistance and recovery plus onward travel if needed by “the most appropriate means”. BMW also offers £100 per person per night accommodation (up to a maximum of £500) if needed. BMW also offers to get your car back to you, after it’s been fixed, if it was taken to a BMW dealership.
Mercedes-Benz
Like the other premium brands, Mercedes offers three years’ breakdown cover with its new cars. Included in the cover is roadside assistance and recovery to a Mercedes dealer if it can’t be fixed. Recovery also covers accidents as well as breakdowns and is handled by the RAC. Mercedes also offers overnight accommodation if necessary.
Toyota
Matching, and in some cases exceeding, the level of cover offered by the premium brands, Toyota offers home start and breakdown cover via the AA for one years on all new cars. Recovery is included if the fault can’t be fixed at the roadside and if onward travel is needed this will be provided up to £150 per person with a maximum of £500. Overnight accommodation is also an option up to £150 per person (£500 maximum). A point to note, this fee can include breakfast – something not all brands include.
Vauxhall
The RAC provides Vauxhall’s breakdown cover. Diesel and petrol Vauxhall’s are covered for a year, but electric and hybrid models get eight years’ cover. Included in the package is both home start and breakdown cover plus recovery to a Vauxhall garage. Vauxhall will also help with onward travel and recover trailers or caravans, if necessary.
Kia
Kia offers 12 months’ roadside assistance with every new car it sells. Included in the package, provided by the RAC, is both roadside and home assistance plus recovery for your car and onward travel for up to seven people to a destination anywhere within the UK. If your car can’t be fixed, a replacement can be provided for up to two days.
Nissan
All new Nissan cars come with three years’ breakdown assistance which includes accident cover. If the fault can’t be fixed at the roadside, Nissan will arrange for your car to be towed (up to 60 miles) to either your home or the nearest Nissan dealer. Nissan also offers up to three nights/days replacement vehicle and bed and breakfast accommodation in a three-star hotel if necessary for journey continuation.
Land Rover
Three years’ cover is included with every new Land Rover and that’s for both roadside breakdowns and accidents. If a fault can’t be fixed roadside, then recovery to the nearest approved garage is included plus assistance with your onward journey for up to two days with a replacement car or a hotel stay of up to four days while waiting for your car to be fixed. Land Rover will also return your car to you if it’s taken to a dealer more than 50 miles from your home.
Skoda
Skoda offers both roadside and home start assistance in the event of a breakdown plus recovery if needed. Skodas up to three years are covered and the manufacturer says it will help with onward travel too.
Peugeot
Like sister company Vauxhall, Peugeot’s assistance package covers the first year for diesel and petrol models, but eight years for electric and hybrid cars. As well as roadside assistance and recovery, Peugeot also offers assistance if your car has a fault at home.
Hyundai
Hyundai offers one year’s roadside and home assistance and recovery if a fault can’t be fixed. There’s also the offer of two days’ car hire and accommodation if necessary.
Volvo
Three years’ roadside assistance and recovery comes as standard with every new Volvo. The brand will also pay your travel costs to collect your car from a Volvo dealer if it can’t be fixed at the roadside. Volvo will also help with onward travel or hotel accommodation if needed.
Seat
Seat offers two years’ roadside and home breakdown assistance on its new cars. If the issue can’t be fixed roadside, the car will be recovered to the Seat dealer of your choice – not necessarily the nearest.
Mini
As with sister firm BMW, Mini offers three years’ roadside assistance and home start cover.
Citroen
As Citroen is part of the global car giant that is Stellantis it offers the same cover as Peugeot and Vauxhall with one year cover for diesel and petrol cars and eight years for hybrids and EVs. Assistance includes roadside, recovery and home cover, plus onward travel.
Renault
Every new Renault comes with three years’ roadside and home assistance including recovery to the nearest Renault dealer if a fault can’t be fixed. The brand will also arrange onward travel if needed or hotel accommodation if that’s more appropriate.
MG
MG offers one year’s roadside and home breakdown assistance on its new cars. If the issue can’t be fixed roadside, the car will be recovered.
Mazda
Mazda includes three years’ breakdown cover with all new cars. This includes home start, breakdown and recovery, plus two days’ car hire, onward travel or hotel accommodation if needed.
You may not expect a new car to break down, but just in case you do almost every car manufacturer includes some form of complimentary recovery service in the price of a new car. To find out which brand offers what level of cover, we’ve investigated the top 20 car brands in the UK to see which offers the best level of cover.
Keyword: What breakdown cover do you get with a new car?