When the car won’t start, the battery gets the blame. Often that’s right, and a jump start will get you going. Sometimes the battery is finished, and sometimes it isn’t the battery at all. Here’s how to tell.

A jump start will probably do it if…
- You left the lights, the radio or a door open.
- The car has been standing unused for a couple of weeks.
- It’s the first really cold morning of the year.
- You get a clicking sound or a slow churn when you turn the key.
The battery probably needs replacing if…
- It’s more than five years old.
- It has gone flat more than once in a few weeks.
- The car is slow to start even after a long drive.
- The battery case is swollen or leaking.
It may not be the battery if…
- The battery warning light comes on while you’re driving. That points to the alternator, which charges the battery.
- The lights fade and the engine dies on the move. That’s usually the alternator too.
- The dashboard lights are bright but the engine only clicks once. That’s often the starter motor.
What to do now
Call 07778 348703. We bring a booster pack, so we don’t need another car next to yours, and we can start 12V and 24V vehicles. Jump start call-outs cost from £60. If the car still won’t start, we can load it and take it to a garage, and we’ll agree that price with you first.
After a jump start
Keep the engine running and drive for 20 to 30 minutes if you can. Then have the battery and the charging system tested. Most garages and battery shops will do it while you wait. If the battery goes flat again within a few days, it needs replacing.
How to avoid a flat battery
- Take the car for a longer run now and then. Lots of short trips never fully charge the battery.
- Switch everything off before you turn off the engine.
- If the car will be standing for weeks, use a battery charger or ask someone to drive it.
- Have an older battery tested before winter.
Read more about jump start help, roadside assistance and what to do when your car won’t start.
Our customers rate us 5.0 on Google, so you can read our Google reviews before you decide.
Why drivers choose Ozzy’s
Ozzy’s Breakdown Recovery is a local, fully insured 24/7 emergency vehicle recovery and rescue company covering Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Call 07778 348703 for a free quote – we’re usually with you in 30–45 minutes.
Fully insured
Public liability and vehicle in transit insurance. You are covered.
Free quote first
You know the price before we set off. No membership and no monthly fee.
30–45 minute response
Usually with you in 30–45 minutes, day or night, every day of the year.
Local emergency recovery near you
Emergency recovery and vehicle rescue near you, across Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey, day and night. Wherever you’ve broken down, call – we can help.
Any car, van or bike
Cars, vans and light commercials up to 3.5 tonnes.
Pay your way
Card payment link, Klarna pay in 3 or Clearpay pay in 4.
Every recovery service we offer – one call covers them all
Broken down? Don’t get stranded. Call 07778 348703 now, get your free quote and get moving – we’re usually with you in 30–45 minutes, day or night. We can take your vehicle anywhere in the UK.
- Emergency recovery – broken down and need help now? We come out day and night.
- Emergency towing – a tow truck when you need one, 24/7.
- Vehicle rescue – stuck, stranded or can’t move safely.
- Roadside recovery – we load your vehicle where it has stopped.
- Towing service – cars, vans and motorbikes on our flatbed tow truck.
- Breakdown recovery near me – send your location and we’ll find you.
- Tow truck near me – local towing, day and night.
- Breakdown recovery – car stopped at home, at work or at the roadside? Call-out from £75.
- Car towing and tow truck service – we move your car to a garage, your home or any address in the UK.
- Roadside assistance – help where you’ve stopped, day or night.
- Jump starts and flat battery call-outs – from £60.
- Car won’t start? We come to you, and take it to a garage if it still won’t go.
- Accident recovery – damaged cars loaded carefully with a winch and wheel skates. From £150.
- Motorcycle and motorbike recovery – strapped down properly on our truck. Call-out from £85.
- Van and light commercial vehicle recovery – up to 3.5 tonnes GVW. Call-out from £110.
- Electric vehicle (EV) recovery – carried on our flatbed with all four wheels off the road.
- Flatbed recovery and vehicle transport – for low, classic, sports and non-running cars.
- Flat tyre recovery – no spare? We take the car to a tyre shop you choose.
- Stuck, non-runner and winch-out recovery – won’t roll, locked wheels or stuck in mud.
- Campervan and motorhome recovery – call us for a price.
- Motorway recovery – M4, M3 and M25. From £150.
- 24 hour breakdown recovery – nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Pay as you go breakdown cover – no membership. Pay only when you need us.
- Business and fleet recovery – for company cars and vans.
We cover Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Not sure what you need? Call 07778 348703 and tell us what’s happened – we can help. You can also see our starting prices.


