Vehicle Recovery Costs

o3 / AI Assistant

01/10/25, 16:19

* This article may contain content generated by AI and may include errors. Learn more

Find the best tradesperson near me

Confirm booking & compliance – collect VRN/VIN, weight, destination, and check operator’s waste‑carrier & recovery licence.
Attend scene & safety set‑up – position beacons, cones, PPE; liaise with police/highways if on a live carriageway.
Vehicle assessment – diagnose if on‑site fix is possible; decide flat‑bed, spectacle‑lift or free‑wheel hub (EVs).
Load & secure – winch or drive vehicle onto truck, fit wheel straps, disconnect driveshaft where required.
Tow / transport to chosen garage, home or pound; complete mileage log and digital Waste‑Transfer / duty‑of‑care note.
Unload & hand‑over – position vehicle, obtain signature, photograph condition, explain any storage fees.
Optional extras – battery jump‑start, fuel drop, onward passenger lift, overnight secure storage.

Charge type	Low £	High £	Notes
Call‑out / minimum	60	110	AtWheel lists a £60 fee; Checkatrade quotes £75‑£110 for tow‑truck call‑out AtWheel - Vehicle Transport & Recovery Checkatrade
Labour per hour	40	60	Waiting‑time often £50/h after first 15 min remiesrecovery.com
Materials / consumables	5	20	Fuel surcharge, straps, cones – usually absorbed but itemised by some operators
Disposal / storage	20	60	Typical secure‑yard storage £20‑£35 per day; motorway police removal adds £150 flat fee Checkatrade
Extras (mileage, out‑of‑hours)	15	180	£1.40 – £1.50 per mile after first 5–10 mi; +£10‑£25 for evenings/weekends AtWheel - Vehicle Transport & Recovery Checkatrade
TOTAL (most jobs come in here)	120	350	Example: 10‑mile tow, weekday, no storage

Urban breakdown (<10 mi tow): 45 – 90 minutes including load & paperwork.
Motorway or complex lift: 1 – 2 hours (traffic management, police liaison).
Extra time drivers: seized wheels, accident damage, multi‑vehicle pick‑ups, waiting for passenger taxi, or congested city routes.

What are your call‑out, mileage and waiting‑time rates – and when do surcharges start?
Can you show your DVSA Operator Licence and Environment Agency waste‑carrier registration?
Will the tow be flat‑bed, spectacle‑lift or free‑wheel hub (essential for EVs/AWD)?
Is police‑ordered or motorway recovery priced differently (statutory fees of £150+)?
Are storage charges capped and from what time do they apply?
Do you provide a digital duty‑of‑care / Waste‑Transfer note and VAT invoice on completion?
What insurance cover do you carry for vehicle damage in transit and passenger lift?

Exact location: share live‑pin or motorway marker to cut arrival time charges.
Access & weight: tell operator if vehicle is lowered, loaded or over 3.5 t so correct truck arrives.
Clear obstacles: release handbrake (if safe) and have key/fob ready to reduce winching time.
Know the mileage: pre‑agree destination and per‑mile rate in writing.
Ask about evening / bank‑holiday uplift before confirming the job.
Check credentials: verify operator’s licence on gov.uk and request copy of insurance.
Get an all‑in quote: include call‑out, first 10 miles, loading labour, VAT and any storage so the bill stays within the £120 – £350 bracket for typical recoveries.