How Long Does Vehicle Recovery Take?

If you’ve broken down, the first thing you want to know is how long vehicle recovery will take. Around Reading, we usually reach you in about 30–45 minutes. Further out, it depends on where you are, and we’ll give you an honest time before you book.

A recovery has three parts: getting to you, loading the vehicle and driving it to where it needs to go.

Getting to you

This is the part you feel most. It depends on how far you are from our truck, the traffic and the time of day. We’re based in east Reading, so the town and the villages around it are quickest. Newbury, Basingstoke, Slough and Oxford take longer, and we’ll say so when you call.

Loading the vehicle

A car that rolls and steers is usually loaded and strapped down in around 20 minutes. It takes longer if a wheel is locked, the car is in a tight space, or it has been in an accident and needs the winch and wheel skates.

The journey

Then we drive to your garage, your home or wherever you choose. A local trip is quick. A longer one takes as long as the drive.

What speeds things up

• An exact location. Use the Share location button on our website to send a map pin, or give us a postcode, a road name or a junction number.
• Telling us what’s wrong: it won’t start, it won’t roll, a flat tyre or accident damage.
• Telling us where the vehicle is going, so we can give you one price straight away.
• Having the key ready, and the handbrake off if the car can roll.

What slows things down

• Heavy traffic, especially when the breakdown itself is causing the queue.
• Motorways. We may have to drive past you to the next junction and come back on your side.
• Multi-storey car parks with low height limits.
• Vehicles that are off the road, in mud or in a ditch.

Why we won’t promise a time we can’t keep

Some firms quote a short wait to win the job, then turn up much later. We’d rather tell you the truth. When you call 07778 348703, we tell you your price and how long it will really take. If that’s too long, you’re free to call someone else. Nothing is booked until you’ve agreed the time and the price.

See our starting prices, or read about car breakdown recovery and motorway recovery.

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.