What decides the price
- Distance. Across the borough is cheapest. Across London costs more. Out of London is priced per mile.
- Time. Nights, weekends and bank holidays usually cost more, because the operator is on call.
- Access. Underground and multi-storey car parks, narrow mews and building sites all take longer.
- Whether it rolls. A car that steers and rolls goes straight onto the bed. One with locked wheels, no keys or crash damage needs skates or a winch.
- Vehicle size. Large vans, Lutons and heavy 4x4s may need a bigger truck.
How to avoid surprises
- Give the full picture on the phone: where the car is, where it’s going, what’s wrong, and whether it rolls.
- Ask for the total price, including VAT, and ask whether waiting time or storage could be added.
- Get the operator’s name and the price in a text or WhatsApp before they set off.
- Pay by card where possible and ask for an invoice. You’ll need it for an insurance claim.
Is breakdown cover cheaper?
If you drive an older car every day, annual cover can work out cheaper than one or two pay-as-you-go tows. If you rarely break down, if your cover doesn’t include home starts, or if the wait is long, paying per job makes sense. Either way, it’s worth knowing a local number that answers at 3 am.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Why is a tow from an underground car park more expensive?
Low headroom often means a standard flatbed can’t get in, so the car has to be moved to street level first, by winch, skates or another vehicle. It takes longer and sometimes needs two people.