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RAC reviews

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Rated Poor 1.93/5

RAC reviews

Unverified business Last reviewed within 7 days

Review summary

People rate this company as Poor based on 409 product reviews

Average score of 1.93/5
5 star
15%
4 star
6%
3 star
1%
2 star
2%
1 star
76%
Reviews for RAC have trended positively over the past 90 days

Latest positive rating

5.00/5

I have problem with changing new car , call to custo...

I have problem with changing new car , call to customer service and speak with, Acksha ,she help me so much and explain everything perfectly... I have problem with changing new car , call to customer service and speak with, Acksha ,she help me so much and explain everything perfectly , first time speak with someone who knows they job for 120% . Read more Read less

Latest negative rating

1.00/5

My experience with RAC was incredibly frustrating fr...

My experience with RAC was incredibly frustrating from start to finish. On 29 April, an engine warning light appeared and the engine began rattling and... My experience with RAC was incredibly frustrating from start to finish. On 29 April, an engine warning light appeared and the engine began rattling and running unevenly. An RAC mobile mechanic attended and advised that the vehicle was still safe to drive. I booked a service for 1 May, during which the warning light was cleared, but it returned during a journey to Nottingham later that day. On 3 May, a drivetrain warning light appeared and the vehicle entered limp mode. A second mechanic attended on 4 May and identified nine fault codes relating to the VANOS solenoid. Recovery was arranged for the following morning. This is where the real problems started. Recovery was booked for between 07:30 and 08:00 on 5 May, but nobody arrived. Throughout the day I was given multiple revised ETAs, promised callbacks that never happened, and no clear explanation as to why the recovery kept being delayed. By the evening I was told a third-party contractor would attend the following day. The next morning, a tow truck arrived unexpectedly at around 7am with no prior notification. As I was asleep, the driver left and I was told I would have to rebook. After rebooking, I was given another collection time, only to discover later that the recovery had been cancelled without anyone informing me. Again, nobody could explain why. After two days of chasing updates, waiting at home, and repeatedly contacting RAC for information, the vehicle was finally collected at 4:53pm on 6 May. Even the recovery driver questioned why the vehicle was being taken into storage rather than directly home and described the process as "lazy". I am also concerned about the advice I received from the first RAC mechanic. When the engine warning light first appeared and the vehicle was running poorly, I was advised that it remained safe to drive. A few days later, after the vehicle entered limp mode, a second mechanic identified nine faults relating to the VANOS solenoid and recovery was arranged. The vehicle has since required repairs costing approximately £5,500. While I cannot say with certainty whether earlier diagnosis or recovery would have altered the outcome, it is difficult not to question whether the advice that the vehicle was safe to continue driving contributed to the situation becoming significantly worse. What disappointed me most was RAC's response to my complaint. After detailing the delays, missed appointments, poor communication, financial losses, and concerns about the initial advice I was given, the complaint was largely dismissed. RAC refused to reimburse even basic expenses such as meals purchased while I was effectively stranded waiting for recovery over two days. I appreciate that delays can happen, but the repeated missed ETAs, lack of communication, unexplained cancellation of recovery, and dismissive handling of my complaint fell far below the standard of service I expected. Based on this experience, I would have serious reservations about relying on RAC in the future. Read more Read less

About RAC

The RAC provides complete peace of mind to more than 12.7m UK personal and business members, whatever their driving needs – from breakdown assistance to insurance and a range of other motoring services.

Are you looking for the perfect breakdown or insurance cover to keep you moving? Our RAC reviews can help you decide if it’s the right provider for you.

If you’re considering taking out cover with RAC, check out our reviews first. Find out which cover policy holders have with RAC and how satisfied they’ve been so far. Learn more about the benefits of being a RAC member. Read about real experiences with the customer service team. All of this and more can be found in our RAC reviews.

Smart Money People is the place for RAC reviews. Read and write reviews to help increase trust and transparency in Financial Services

RAC at a glance

Reviews for RAC

Showing 11 of 409 company reviews Last reviewed within 7 days

My experience with RAC was incredibly frustrating fr...

Breakdown cover 25th June 2026

My experience with RAC was incredibly frustrating from start to finish. On 29 April, an engine warning light appeared and the engine began rattling and... My experience with RAC was incredibly frustrating from start to finish. On 29 April, an engine warning light appeared and the engine began rattling and running unevenly. An RAC mobile mechanic attended and advised that the vehicle was still safe to drive. I booked a service for 1 May, during which the warning light was cleared, but it returned during a journey to Nottingham later that day. On 3 May, a drivetrain warning light appeared and the vehicle entered limp mode. A second mechanic attended on 4 May and identified nine fault codes relating to the VANOS solenoid. Recovery was arranged for the following morning. This is where the real problems started. Recovery was booked for between 07:30 and 08:00 on 5 May, but nobody arrived. Throughout the day I was given multiple revised ETAs, promised callbacks that never happened, and no clear explanation as to why the recovery kept being delayed. By the evening I was told a third-party contractor would attend the following day. The next morning, a tow truck arrived unexpectedly at around 7am with no prior notification. As I was asleep, the driver left and I was told I would have to rebook. After rebooking, I was given another collection time, only to discover later that the recovery had been cancelled without anyone informing me. Again, nobody could explain why. After two days of chasing updates, waiting at home, and repeatedly contacting RAC for information, the vehicle was finally collected at 4:53pm on 6 May. Even the recovery driver questioned why the vehicle was being taken into storage rather than directly home and described the process as "lazy". I am also concerned about the advice I received from the first RAC mechanic. When the engine warning light first appeared and the vehicle was running poorly, I was advised that it remained safe to drive. A few days later, after the vehicle entered limp mode, a second mechanic identified nine faults relating to the VANOS solenoid and recovery was arranged. The vehicle has since required repairs costing approximately £5,500. While I cannot say with certainty whether earlier diagnosis or recovery would have altered the outcome, it is difficult not to question whether the advice that the vehicle was safe to continue driving contributed to the situation becoming significantly worse. What disappointed me most was RAC's response to my complaint. After detailing the delays, missed appointments, poor communication, financial losses, and concerns about the initial advice I was given, the complaint was largely dismissed. RAC refused to reimburse even basic expenses such as meals purchased while I was effectively stranded waiting for recovery over two days. I appreciate that delays can happen, but the repeated missed ETAs, lack of communication, unexplained cancellation of recovery, and dismissive handling of my complaint fell far below the standard of service I expected. Based on this experience, I would have serious reservations about relying on RAC in the future. Read more Read less

Rated Terrible 1.00/5
Read more product reviews

Broke down on M25 they said my car wasn’t taxed .

Breakdown cover 16th June 2026

Broke down on M25 they said my car wasn’t taxed . I had forgotten to renew it only ten days out . Did it on... Broke down on M25 they said my car wasn’t taxed . I had forgotten to renew it only ten days out . Did it on the side of motor way but they refused to come . Just left us there with hardly any phone battery left . Terrible Read more Read less

Rated Terrible 1.00/5
Read more product reviews
  • 1.00/5

    Absolute joke of a company.

    Absolute joke of a company. I’ve just had the worst experience I’ve ever faced with a car insurance broker.I am a 34-year-old driver with 6... Absolute joke of a company. I’ve just had the worst experience I’ve ever faced with a car insurance broker.I am a 34-year-old driver with 6 years of clean No Claims Bonus. I recently moved from an apartment in Wigan to a apartment in Clitheroe. I am moving to a much nicer, peaceful village with an extremely low crime rate, and I even dropped my annual mileage by 3,000 miles down to 12,000. On my original Wigan policy, I was paying a completely normal rate of around £700 to £800. Because I am moving to a safer area and driving less, any normal person would expect the premium to stay the same or drop. Instead, the RAC’s broken automated system selected an underwriter called Tradex and tried to charge me an extra £671.71 amendment fee, or a massive £1,980.07 for a brand-new policy. That is an extra £1,286.84 on top of the credit I already had. It makes absolutely zero logical sense. It is pure greed. When I refused this extortionate rate, I was forced to cancel my policy entirely. To make matters worse, their customer service agents (Palesa and Mandisa) were completely unhelpful on the live chat. Palesa literally abandoned and closed the chat mid-conversation right after telling me my vehicle cover was ending immediately, leaving me hanging. When I got through to a second advisor, they refused to refund a £15 registration number change fee that I paid just yesterday, which is now completely pointless. They then deducted a £45 cancellation fee and a £45 intermediary fee out of my money. They are effectively stealing £90 from me because their own system is too broken to price a standard rural move. I managed to claw back a £559.75 refund, but the penalty fees and the disgusting service are shocking. Avoid the RAC at all costs. They are nothing but a greedy broker panel hiding behind automated scripts. 01.06.2026 - Update 1 - *Speedy reply to a negative review that's visible to the general public. No reply to my private email away from the public eye. Meanwhile, I now have no insurance and cant move my car.* Updated rating 0/5. 01.06.2026 - Update 2 - *Another thing to look out for. I have just checked Moneysupermarket and RAC online are offering the same insurance at the same property for the same car in two weeks time for £738... Make it make sense. Daylight robbery, literally scamming and overcharging your own customers. How can you go from almost £2k to £738 in a matter of weeks?* 02.06.2026 - Update 3 - *Still no response to my email, still no insurance in place, still no solution or resolution. What an absolute shambles of a company who clearly breach FCA consumer duty rules.* 02.06.2026 - Update 4 - *Finally received a phone call only to be told they will refund the cancellation fee but they stand by their volatile prices and advised I should have paid the excessive additional amount as it is a 12 month policy, therefore the address change and additional cost was essentially my fault. WOW.* Please be careful when purchasing insurance from this company as it is quite clear they DO NOT value your custom and consistently breach FCA consumer duty rules. Updated rating -1/5. Read more Read less

  • 1.00/5

    Cold, Dark, and Forgotten: How RAC Left Me Stranded

    I have been a loyal RAC customer for more than 10 years and, until now, I had never needed to call for help. Sadly, when... I have been a loyal RAC customer for more than 10 years and, until now, I had never needed to call for help. Sadly, when I finally did, I was completely let down. On 19th May, my car broke down on a road near Bath. I waited over 4 hours for the first patrol to arrive. After inspecting the vehicle, I was told I needed a flatbed recovery truck and that it would arrive within 90 minutes. I trusted them and waited. Hours passed. Another patrol arrived later and again reassured me that the flatbed was “on the way.” I repeatedly called RAC and every time I was given the same promises and reassurances. Meanwhile, it became dark, cold, and rainy. I am almost 70 years old and was left stranded on the roadside for more than 8 hours with no real help arriving. What made the situation even more dangerous was that my lights were no longer working, yet the patrol did not even attempt to fix or recharge the battery so I could at least use my hazard warning lights while waiting in the dark. By 10:30 at night, RAC suddenly told me a private contractor would come instead. No one came. Eventually, exhausted, freezing cold, and deeply distressed, I had no choice but to leave my car on the roadside and somehow make my own way home. RAC promised again late night the recovery will come tomorrow between 7am and midday. Once again, nobody arrived. After more waiting and more broken promises, I finally had to arrange and pay privately for a flatbed truck to take my car to a garage. What hurt most was not just the delay — breakdowns can happen — but the complete lack of honesty, compassion, accountability, and care shown throughout the ordeal. I only needed RAC once in over a decade of membership, and when I truly needed support, they abandoned me. I am sharing this as a warning for others, especially elderly drivers and vulnerable people. Please think carefully before trusting a company that can leave someone stranded for more than a day with empty promises and no concern for their safety or wellbeing. Read more Read less

  • 1.00/5

    Shambolic company of lying thieves.

    Shambolic company of lying thieves. My car broke down and I called them. I was told their system was down and they won’t do anything.... Shambolic company of lying thieves. My car broke down and I called them. I was told their system was down and they won’t do anything. No one has ever arrived. When I complained they blatantly lied that a patrol attended. Not only that, they even say that my policy does not cover recovery which is another lie because my policy booklet states the exact opposite. Read more Read less

  • 1.00/5

    Waited two days for RAC to recover my vehicle.

    Waited two days for RAC to recover my vehicle. Unbelievably incompetent. Promised vouchers for food but didn't pay. Lost two days waiting by the vehicle.... Waited two days for RAC to recover my vehicle. Unbelievably incompetent. Promised vouchers for food but didn't pay. Lost two days waiting by the vehicle. I can't put into words how crap they are. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Ian F","full_name":"Ian F","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Breakdown cover
    Ian F 20th May 2026
  • 1.00/5

    Absolutely shocking service!

    Absolutely shocking service!!! Was paying over £30 per month for breakdown cover. Our car broke down once and was recovered to a garage after a... Absolutely shocking service!!! Was paying over £30 per month for breakdown cover. Our car broke down once and was recovered to a garage after a 3 and a half hour wait. The problem was found to be a faulty oil pressure switch, so we had this fixed and collected the car. Unfortunately, a few days later the car broke down again for a different reason (nightmare, right?) and of course, this time it was a busy road in Exeter city. My partner (a woman on her own who suffers from Generalised Anxiety Disorder) was panicking and called me and I told her not to panic, we were covered, and to go on the app as before and report the break down. This time, the app rejected her report and gave her a number to call instead. She called the number and was told that because we had broken down within 7 days we had to get the mechanic to email to confirm what work had been completed. The only problem was, the mechanic was not available, was not at work, and we couldn’t get hold of him. We had no choice but to pay for her car to be privately recovered back to a garage and have now fixed the second problem. So, we were paid policy holders but had to pay to have our car recovered. I wrote a complaint and the case handler responded that there was “no record of our second breakdown” presumably because she couldn’t see it on the app. So essentially, despite a 3-minute call to the RAC recorded on her Iphone during which they outlined the reasons they wouldn’t come out, and this being evident on her call log and presumably on their system, my partner is a liar and must have imagined the whole thing? They refused to refund the money I had paid for private recovery so understandlably, I chose to cancel my membership moving forward. Fast forward a few days and the RAC have written me a threatening letter saying they have been unable to take a new payment (naturally I cancelled my direct debit) and have threatened me with referals to credit agencies if I don’t pay THEM a cancellation charge of £130!!! I have called several times only to be told my “case handler” will “get back to me” via email. She hasn’t. The letter says if I don’t hand them £130 by 26/05/26 for a cancellation fee I am at risk of damage to my credit. I have just submitted a second complaint. AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS they will charge you through the nose, fail to recover you and then harass and threaten you when you (understandably) choose to take your custom elsewhere. APPALLING. Read more Read less

    {"display":"SW","full_name":"SW","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Breakdown cover
    SW 11th May 2026
  • 5.00/5

    I have problem with changing new car , call to custo...

    I have problem with changing new car , call to customer service and speak with, Acksha ,she help me so much and explain everything perfectly... I have problem with changing new car , call to customer service and speak with, Acksha ,she help me so much and explain everything perfectly , first time speak with someone who knows they job for 120% . Read more Read less

  • 1.00/5

    Left stranded for 18hrs and nobody showed up

    Left stranded for 18 hrs before having to make our own way home. The company is a joke as are there customer service and complaints... Left stranded for 18 hrs before having to make our own way home. The company is a joke as are there customer service and complaints department. No body is interested in the people who actually pay their wages. Nearly 4 months for them to get our expenses back. Customer complaints don't return your calls or respond to emails and as to having to provide all calls under subject access request they dont provide all of those either even when you tell them thats not all of the calls. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Steve","full_name":"Steve","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/1529158.png"}}'s avatar
    Breakdown cover
    Steve 20th April 2026
  • 1.00/5

    Complete hustlers

    Complete hustlers, upping the price monthly despite new once using their service. They think they can secretly up the price month after month to milk... Complete hustlers, upping the price monthly despite new once using their service. They think they can secretly up the price month after month to milk you dry. Started at £15 ended on £45 when I cancelled after years of them taking my money. They are charging me more for not using them? Absolute daylight robbery. Obviously they also make it extremely difficult and long winded to cancel. Do not use them. Read more Read less

    {"display":"J L","full_name":"J L","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/1487191.png"}}'s avatar
    Breakdown cover
    J L 15th April 2026
  • 1.00/5

    An appalling lack of care and service from the RAC...

    An appalling lack of care and service from the RAC My 18‑year‑old daughter and her three friends (aged 17–18) broke down at Thorpe Park. They... An appalling lack of care and service from the RAC My 18‑year‑old daughter and her three friends (aged 17–18) broke down at Thorpe Park. They called the RAC at 6pm. No one arrived until midnight. During that time, we discovered that a patrol had been mistakenly sent to Thorpe Park Gardens—over 2.5 hours away. At no point had anyone from the RAC checked or clarified their actual location. Little care was shown for the fact that four young women were stranded in a vast, deserted car park late at night. I phoned the RAC to explain that they were anxious and felt vulnerable, only to be dismissed with, “What are they worried about?” When a patrol finally arrived, he immediately confirmed that the car was not drivable—something we had repeatedly told the RAC since 6pm. He also reported that the girls were vulnerable and should be prioritised for transport home. He then left. It was another hour before a taxi arrived. Two taxis refused to take the job because they didn’t want to drive to Wales. During this time, the RAC phone line did not answer our calls, leaving us extremely concerned about how the girls would get home. The girls were told that someone was on their way to collect the car and were instructed to leave the keys with it. We understood this would be for a short time. However, when they arrived home at 3.45am, the car had still not been collected. I was repeatedly assured that the car would be recovered before Thorpe Park reopened at 10am. It was not. I alerted the RAC that the car was parked just beyond the exit barrier and would cause an obstruction when the park opened. I also raised concerns about my vehicle being left unattended far longer than I had been told. Throughout this ordeal, I had to call the RAC multiple times because I was not kept informed. I received contradictory information—at one point I was even told the car had already been collected, which was untrue. I was promised several times that someone from the “special intervention team” would call me. I received only a couple of inadequate text messages, and they did not respond to my replies. I was repeatedly told there was “nothing they could do.” The car was finally collected at 12pm—42 hours later. I was not informed when it was picked up or when it was delivered to the garage. The service has been unacceptable on so many levels. The lack of care for my daughter and her friends’ wellbeing and safety was shocking. The disregard for my concerns about my car being left unattended and obstructing an entrance for such a long period was appalling. This has been the most frustrating and disappointing experience. I have been with the RAC for 30 years, but after this, I will not be renewing my breakdown cover.. I have been with the RAC for 30 years. I will not be renewing my break down cover again after this. Read more Read less

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