Drivers say these are the best and worst breakdown providers as callouts to vehicles damaged by potholes soar

The number of drivers forced to call for breakdown assistance is on the rise despite newer vehicles generally being more reliable than ever, a new study says.Research carried out by What Car? reveals that 16 per cent of the UK's cars needed to be recovered in 2025, up from 10.9 per cent the previous year.Records suggest that drivers in Britain experienced 5,536,000 breakdowns last year alone, a leap of 1,764,600 over 2024.And it's mostly because of our pothole-riddled roads.Damage caused by craters in the tarmac, such as broken suspension springs, buckled wheels and damaged shock absorbers, accounted for 26,048 RAC callouts in 2025, a 15 per cent rise on the 22,703 cases recorded in 2024.The good news is that breakdown companies are reducing the amount of time motorists are stranded at the roadside while also fixing more vehicles there and then, allowing drivers to continue their journeys.In 2025, recovery firms arrived at 61 per cent of breakdowns in less than an hour, up from 56 per cent in 2024. They also performed a permanent or temporary fix on more vehicles, with 57 per cent of drivers able to continue their journey in 2025, compared with 48 per cent the previous year.To help car owners choose the speediest and best-value cover, What Car? studied the performance of nine different recovery companies, including the two most popular providers, the AA and RAC. The number of drivers forced to call for breakdown assistance is on the rise despite newer vehicles generally being more reliable than ever, a new study says Which breakdown assistance providers rank highest? With the highest score for repairing cars at the roadside and four stars for speed of arrival, AXA Breakdown was the top-rated breakdown provider overall.Unlike many major players in the sector, it does not have its own fleet of dedicated uniformed patrols.Instead, it uses a network of independent recovery operators and local garages.This extensive network of technicians gives it the capacity to respond to callouts more quickly and source parts locally to fix problems.Its recovery operators performed permanent or temporary fixes on 82 per cent of the cars they attended, while operatives reached 72 per cent of stranded customers in less than an hour, according to What Car?'s report. BEST BREAKDOWN PROVIDERS RANKED Provider Waiting time score Quality of response score Overall score AXA 5 5 5 AutoAid 5 4 4 AA 4 4 4 Green Flag 4 3 4 RAC 3 4 4 Start Rescue 4 3 4 Britannia Rescue 4 2 3 Emergency Assist 3 3 3 Allianz/AWP 3 2 2 Source: WhatCar? Despite having the biggest nationwide fleet of patrols, the AA was ranked third overall, two places higher than arch-rival RAC By contrast, Allianz, which only supplies cover via car brands and cannot be bought directly by consumers, fared the worst.Its operatives made only 42 per cent of cars mobile again, and they took more than an hour to arrive at 52 per cent of breakdowns.Despite having the biggest nationwide fleet of patrols, the AA was ranked third overall, two positions higher than its arch-rival RAC, which was marked down due to longer waiting times than its competitors.What Car?'s consumer editor, Claire Evans, said: 'Breakdown cover can be pricey, but it's worth bearing in mind that a good recovery technician could repair your car for free at the roadside if it breaks down, potentially saving you a hefty garage bill.'A cheaper local plan may be the most cost-effective solution if you don't often cover long distances, while a national policy will better suit high-milers.'There are also many variations and limitations in the cover provided, so it's important to read the small print carefully to ensure it suits your needs.' CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST