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RAC: Breakdown cover reviews

Name: Breakdown cover
Rating: 1.71 (183 reviews)

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1.45

Based on 183 reviews, last reviewed 6th Jan 2026

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

11% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

13%

79%

Latest highest rating:

5

Reliable and cheaper I have not had to use RAC this year but I have in the past and they came in a reasonable time. They are cheaper than the AA . I onl... Read more Reviewed on: 12th September 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

Called yesterday for a recovery after 5 hours I got... Called yesterday for a recovery after 5 hours I got text message saying your assistance rescheduled to tomorrow, Reviewed on: 6th January 2026

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About this product

RAC breakdown cover is available in three levels – Basic, Standard and Extra.

RAC claim to get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less and say that patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot. In the myRAC app you can get savings on fuel and tyres. Options are available for vehicle cover, personal cover and family cover.

RAC breakdown cover reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used RAC before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

RAC Breakdown cover reviews (183)

Review of the RAC, Breakdown cover:

Absolutely positively horrific

AVOID THIS USELESS COMPANY AVOID THIS USELESS COMPANY So I broke down on my way home from Scotland on Thursday 16/03/23 at 07:40, 08.03 - first contact with RAC, the usual speal, we will get you recovered ASAP likely to be up to 3 hours. Not haply but oh well so be it 08.34 - second contact, RAC contacted me to tell me that beciase it's going to take so long for recovery we are sending you a hire car as soon as enterprise opens. I thought wow great service thanks. ALL DOWN HILL FROM HERE IM AFRAID. 11.12 - contacted RAC for an update as still no hire car and we were coming close to the original 3 hour window I was given only to be told that my case is with a specialist department and they do not accept calls, she couldn't tell me anything else, but she assured me someone would be in touch with me very shortly. 11.54 - I contacted all the local enterprise car hire centres local to where I was to see if amything had been booked for myself or the RAC and they had not heard anything. 12.00 - contacted RAC again to ask them what is going on with the hire car or recover as we are now passed the 3 hour time frame I was originally given and to mention that none of the enterprise in the area had a booking for me, I was told they sometimes use other hire company's, so I continued to wait. 12.46 - I recieve a text message saying my taxi has been booked, call this number for taxi related updates to which I called and got through to a complete different company that told me that the taxi will be taking be to dumfries (back to scotland) I said why, she said she didn't know, the pick up location was also wrong. 13.47 - I got a phone call of a taxi driver saying he has arrived for me, I contacted RAC again got passed through to 4 different departments and finally found out the taxi is taking me to enterprise in dumfries, 40+ miles away, not the one in Carlisle which is 7 miles away. They told me to leave the van and leave the keys in the petrol station with a cashier they will collect the van later. So on 18/03 we contacted RAC to find out where our van is, they told us they don't know and can't tell us amything as its with a specialist department and they don't have a phone number but here's an email adress. We are now on 22/03 and we have been contacted by the police to say that one of our vans has been dumped at Carlisle todhills rest area, yes almost 1 week on and it's still in the same place!!! REDICULOUS!!! SAVE YOUR MONEY THEY ARE THE CHEAPEST FOR A REASON!!! Reviewed on: 22nd March 2023

Worse company for breakdown Support

My experience with this company was incredibly frustrating and disheartening. I found myself stranded in the cold for an extended period, enduring from 6:15 AM until 10:30 AM. Despite assurances from the agent to receive a callback, none was forthcoming. Each time I reached out, the agents appeared uninformed about my situation. To my disbelief, one agent even threatened to cancel the job if I contacted them again. The lack of information regarding the estimated recovery time only heightened my frustration. To compound the situation, the RAC breakdown mechanic who eventually arrived first suggested the need for pick-up recovery before assessing my car's issue. He mentioned arranging it while en route. Regrettably, upon inspecting my car from a short distance, he admitted he couldn't fix it. Surprisingly, he didn't bring or use an OBD diagnostic. Instead, he attempted a jump start and informed me that he would need to organize a pick-up, a task he had initially claimed to handle on his way to me. Following the diagnosis, I was swiftly charged £263, and the on-site patrol advised that the team would contact me with the next steps, which never happened. No details were shared about the tow company. An agent on the phone informed me that as they cannot tow back to my house in one trip, they would need to arrange multiple pickups. I was given a mere estimate that my car would be returned to my home address in 3 days. After further waiting, I was then told that the car might be returned in 5 days. Given the Christmas season, I find myself without a car and no viable options. Throughout this ordeal, the agents provided a series of implausible excuses, including claims about being unable to confirm the time and restrictions on towing due to limited drive time. Based on my experience, I strongly discourage others from using this company. Opting for a random tow company would likely be both more cost-effective and hassle-free. Reviewed on: 21st December 2023

Never turned up

I called on the 19/12/2023 at 23.06pm for the breakdown but unfortunately no one turned up customer service called to say there is no available to respond to breakdown. Keep away from this company at all costs. Reviewed on: 20th December 2023

7 hours on roadside in Leicester

Been waiting 7 hours for recovery they say waiting time 98 minute sat reading reviews while stranded there's plenty of bad one company not fit for purpose join the AA Reviewed on: 18th December 2023

Only a DEATH will change their ways

Left me stranded twice now. In freezing cold conditions. 1st time on motorway DANGEROUS CONDITION in the freezing cold. 8&half HR wait. Even the traffic patrol cars felt sorry and let us sit in their car to warm up and gave foil blankets. 2nd time left me stranded again 1hr from home freezing cold conditions. I have onward travel. Makes no use. Unless their patrol car comes out 1st. Said could be 6 hrs and after call back several times. They tell me not likely gonna happen today. The manager says everytime no help can be provided until patrol car comes. BUT NO PATROL CAR IS COMING Unbelievable they can do this to people!! Stay away and stay alive. Even their own patrol cars have said. Someone will have to die before they do something Reviewed on: 8th December 2023

AVOID!!!

AVOID AVOID AVOID!!! This company is a joke! I have roadside recovery with Hastings Direct which unfortunately doesn't cover home start. When my car wouldn't go into gear I called my insurance and got put through to RAC and was told we can help with an additional fee of £161. I agreed to pay as this is my only car and I have my job and a toddler so I need my car. I made clear numerous times BEFORE PAYMENT that the garage I'm booked with closes at 6pm so I need it towed before then. Was told they have that information and assured me all would be taken care of. I paid the fee and waited...and waited...and waited. When it got to 4pm I called and asked for an update they informed me a tow truck was on its way to me but has now been sent to another job and they are trying to get another one to me. I wasn't happy but gave them more time. Come to 5pm I call again for an update to then be told the tow truck will now be with you at 12:30am! Unreasonable! I told them I was not happy about this, needed my car to be in the garage today as I had commitments the following day! They apologised and arranged for following morning first thing, between 8am and 12pm I said that's not first thing I need my car! They need to be here at 8am! Especially since you've let me down today! They told me to call if I had not heard anything by 9am. What a surprise I heard nothing. I call them again was told they can't give accurate time they will contact you before 12pm. Come 11am heard nothing so again I call to be told sorry we had to get another tow company and now they will be with you this afternoon! Beyond a joke! I said at that point I want to make an official complaint the lady said a Manager would call me within 30 to 45mins. 2 HOURS LATER I CALL AGAIN!!! This time to be put through to a man with an awful attitude telling me I have to email as the managers "don't do that" and began rushing me off the phone! Thankfully the tow truck did arrive and my car is finally in the garage and being resolved by Halfords. Appalling customer service, appalling communication with customers I feel like they now have my money and they're done! I will be emailing and making an official complaint and will be asking for my money back! EVEN IF I WAS STRANDED I WOULD NEVER USE YOUR COMPANY! UNRELIABLE AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Reviewed on: 7th December 2023

Left at wrong location, left unlocked for days, keys left on passengers side wheel. Lucky car not stolen

Waited over a week for my car to be towed to a garage during opening hours. I got lied to on various occasions by the RAC team about the status of my tow. After chasing up the location or my car and the key, the car was dropped off to the wrong location after midnight. I was lied that the key was posted through the garage letterbox. My car was not only left unlocked in the wrong location for 3-4 days. The key was left on the passengers side wheel. I was lucky the garage was able to locate the car. The car found to be in an absolutely filthy state inside. I do not know yet if anything has been stolen from my car. My car is a Range Rover Sport and lucky it was not stolen. Absolutely shocking service from all departments of the RAC. Reviewed on: 4th December 2023

22 hrs and still waiting

I phoned at 1500 because I'm car broke down whilst picking up my children from school. I phoned and was told as I have three very young children in the car I would be a priority. An hour waiting in minus 2 I managed to get a friend come and take the children home whilst I waited. Two hours later I was still waiting with no contact from RAC my friend came and picked me up so I could go and do dinner for children. I got home where I had internet and the online waiting time went up to 2200. This was a full 6 hrs after I rang. So how was this an emergency time from them. Lucky for my friend or I don't know what I would of done. It got to nine at night and still no contact, I got someone to tow it home with me sonat least it was at my house. Very dangerous with no engine but options were limited. We got it home and I phoned RAC again. They said it'll be tomorrow now,early morning. I'm sitting here now writing this with still no contact. It's been a full 22 hrs of waiting for them to help me. I would of died in the car if I was left waiting. STAY AWAY! I wil never use these again and will cancel my membership today. Pay ore and go AA. Reviewed on: 30th November 2023

Worst place to have Breakdown cover

The worst breakdown service ever. Shame there are no negative stars to give. Reported a breakdown at 4:15pm, rescue van came in about 45 mins. They said car needs to be towed, waited for tow truck until 11pm in the me of nowhere 100 miles away from home. And all they had to say is sorry! Shame on you. Reviewed on: 29th November 2023

Waited 10hrs in the middle of nowhere in 0 degrees

I have waited over 10hrs in the middle of nowhere in 0° on motorbike. I have been customer with them over 7 years. Never had to use them until now and I wish I was with another company. Complete waste of money. They don't care about you or your viecle. Reviewed on: 28th November 2023

Waiting for over 7 hours in the cold

Been waiting for over 7 hours in the cold waiting for my bike to be recovered thay don't care don't waste your money maybe try the aa or green flag been a rac customer for over 10 years and I have only had to call them out 2 times the first time thay refused to recover my car that was then subsequently stolen thanks yo them not doing the job I pay them to and now thay have left me at the side of the road and refused to tell me how long thay are planning to leave me sitting in the cold thanks rac for a Disgraceful service Reviewed on: 28th November 2023

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