To wonder if car breakdown is even worth it if you’ve been driving for years and never broken down?

We have ours through the bank and I think the twice we've used it, we've cost the AA at least £500 each time. The first was an engine failure at midnight on motorway in the middle of nowhere - car was recovered to a service station, we got a hotel room overnight, and around 100 miles recovery of the vehicle and us to home.

That needed an engine replacement, which unfortunately was badly done, and the car broke down very similarly a year later, again in the middle of nowhere but at least not in the middle of the night. Although we waited 8 hours roadside (I think because nobody realised how rurally we were stuck and how long it would take to get to us), we got an hour's taxi journey to the nearest car hire (and the taxi had to drive an hour to reach us), a hire car for two days so we didn't have to cancel our holiday accomodation, and the car recovered 200 miles.

The car got scrapped after that 🤣

I have used my cover and I think it's worth having.

I've been driving since the 90s, and used my breakdown cover for the first time this year, but I was very glad I had it when I needed it. The incident itself was quite frightening, as there had been no warning of any problem, and the car suddenly ground to a halt on a very fast road. Knowing that someone was on their way to help was reassuring, and just made the whole thing a lot less stressful.

Oh just to add, we have ours through a bank account too. It’s £18 a month for mobile phone insurance for the family, car breakdown cover and travel insurance. Unfortunately we’ve had to use the breakdown cover more than I’d like and I’m so glad we have it.

I get mine free through my bank alongside travel, phone and house insurance etc. check what kind of account you have and what benefits you get. Will I pay £35 a month for an AA membership? No. But I drive 500 miles a week across the country and have a toddler, so it’s not a question about it for me. I needed it many, many times when I was a younger driver with crap cars!

Actually decent cashback on RAC at the minute

I always add it to my insurance usually
or if you take out a separate breakdown you can usually get cashback through Quidco which makes it cheap

think my car is 12 years old and I’ve had them out for
2 battery issues
2 flat tyres
1 weird sounding noise

They're both good, in my experience. I slightly prefer the AA because overall I've found the patrols friendlier.

Both do decent compo if there's a big delay too. Don't forget to ask, because they're usually generous with it.

Most insurers and car dealers throw in breakdown cover now anyway, don’t they? I’ve got AA cover from Ford and RAC cover from my insurers. My dilemma is which one to call if I ever break down.

Also my last vw was a shit of a car and used to go into safe mode frequently and need towing / re-setting. I think I ended up in credit on being towed home with that heap of fairly new, well maintained crap.

I don't have it, not had it for about twenty years. We all have smart phones now, breakdown garages are on call 24hours. OK, it would cost a lot to call one out, but not twenty years worth of premiums!

I'm fine with my decision. My current car I've had eight years with no trouble at all. Previous car I had about thirteen years and it broke down once which was after the idiot ex did something to it, did it wrong, and nearly killed me. Luckily I was only ten minutes from home so only had to wait an hour for the idiot to finish whatever was more important and come and get me.

I often see new(ish) cars on the hard shoulder. I have it with my bank account - have you looked into that? It’s about £20 a month for car breakdown, holiday insurance, mobile phone cover and cheap cinema ticket plus other perks?

I don’t bother. When I last broke down, I called the AA and joined on the spot, then they came out. Yes it cost a lot, but then so does paying breakdown cover for years without using it.

I wouldn't be without it.

If you have a decent enough deal keep it.

But if shit happens and you need the AA or whoever you phone them up the charge a premium price and send someone to you.

Cars without spare tyres are a PITA

I have breakdown cover and my car is well maintained. But I could hit a pothole at speed, someone could hit me, and even a well-maintained vehicle can break down. I know I can call someone if I am far from home and need assistance and that person will be trustworthy because they can be identified. I see it as safety insurance tbh.

After having had one very unreliable car that broke down repeatedly I probably had to use it 5 times in the same month, I would never, ever be without it. Now have a "decent" car which has been very reliable in the 6 years I've had it, and I've still used it a couple of times, once when the handbrake lever snapped and another when the front electric windows got stuck down in the snow. As others have said, you don't need it until you do! Its not expensive but loads of bank accounts inc the Nationwide flex account we've got have it as an add on.

I wouldn’t be without it either, used it plenty of times and it’s a life saver.

I must have been unlucky - in 8 years of driving I've used it about 5 times! Not old cars for most of them, either. Mine has key cover and puncture cover - both of which I've used previous policies for in the past - and it's about £50 a year, worth every penny to me.

It’s might be OK to not bother with it if you only drive locally and have access to someone who can come and help you quickly.
I’ve had it for 35 years - used for punctures mainly - not old cars.

As a woman driving alone, with poor strength as I age and minimal mechanical skills, I wouldn’t be without it, and I wouldn’t have been without it when I was younger because it gave me confidence to go further afield. No dad, brother or husband to bail me out.

I have had to use our breakdown cover on a 8 week.old car. So the old banger theory is not always true.

Formme I prefer the peace.of mind it gives.

I would never be without it. Have had to use it on several occasions over the years.
And even if I hadn't I would be completely convinced that the day after I cancelled it something catastrophic would happen that would cost thousands to recover. Just because that's how things work in my world!

I've had two brand new cars breakdown suddenly so I'm very glad I've had it.

I would never drive without breakdown cover. Not unless I was driving around with a mechanic as a passenger.

You never know. I used to work in breakdowns and I learned that any vehicle can break down at any time for any reason. Anything can and will happen on those roads. It's dangerous out there so be careful.

The problem is the very few times my family has used it we were very very grateful we had it. I think the annual price is still under £100 isn't it? Its worth it for that to me.

I know we have it included with our 5 year service plan and thereafter of we use the main dealer for servicing they give breakdown cover for free. I guess at that point I'll look at the price differential between that and a local servicing garage plus breakdown cost

We also had it free on our previous car through our bank account although we paid a certain sum each month for the account. So it would still involve working out what's best