First Call Motor Breakdown Avis 

From ringing FirstCall to driving away I was delighted with their service. I am an 81 year old woman in a Care Home car park wind howling rain beating down within 30 minutes they came and got my car back on the road. I have been with FirstCall for 10 years and they have never let me down. Well done First Call.

Arrived early which was great. Polite & friendly agent at collectionand onbthe phone arranging time. Quick recovery. Would certainly liked a call on route otherwise great service from all.

I recently had to use this company after my vehicle broke down due to a snapped alternator belt. I was under the impression that someone would come out and try to repair it, as I believed was stated when signing up. Instead, my car was towed to a nearby garage, the next day I was asked to provide proof of my service history with VAT-registered receipts—or I would be charged for the callout and transportation.

This was frustrating, as I could have repaired the car myself at a much lower cost, yet ended up paying over £100. It felt like the company was looking for reasons to charge me rather than providing the service I expected. While nothing was outright misleading, these limitations are not made clear when signing up. I have been a customer for three years, but I will not be returning. Overall, I’m very disappointed with this experience.

Thank you for your reply, but I feel the response avoids the real issue. The problem is not whether a belt could be safely repaired at the roadside—it’s that the restrictions and requirements of your cover are not made clear when signing up.
After three years of paying for cover, I had no idea that I could be charged unless the repair work had been carried out by a VAT-registered garage with a VAT-registered receipt. This is not something most drivers would expect to face during a breakdown, and it feels more like a loophole to avoid paying out than fair practice.
Your explanation may be “in line with the policy,” but customers deserve transparency before they find themselves stranded. My disappointment comes from the lack of honesty in how the service is advertised, not from the mechanical fault itself.
Thank you again for your reply
I appreciate the clarification regarding the technical reasons for roadside repair limitations and the requirement for VAT-registered garages. However, this does not address the main concern I raised.
My issue is not with the policy itself, but with the lack of transparency in how it is presented. When signing up, I understood that breakdown cover would provide assistance in the event of a vehicle failure. What was not clear—nor something I would reasonably expect—is that I could be charged for the service if the repair was not completed at a VAT-registered garage with a VAT receipt. These requirements are buried in the terms and conditions and are not highlighted in a way that informs customers before a breakdown occurs.
In practice, this means that genuine customers, acting in good faith, can unexpectedly incur significant costs and effort to comply with documentation requirements, even though they have been paying for cover for years. This creates a situation where customers are effectively assumed to be “at fault” until they prove otherwise, which feels unfair.
clearer communication of these limitations in future to ensure that your customers fully understand what your cover entails before a breakdown occurs. Would be appreciated to avoid disappointment in your service
To your reply,
If I was not able to afford the repair and there for not been able to supply and invoice would you have charged me for the assistance you gave to recover my car yes you would so I think your concern is more with recovering your cost rather than the well being of you customers
To you latest reply
it would be impossible to apply cover equally and protect customers who do comply.
How would it be impossible?your not protecting customers you looking after your own interests ie trying to recover your own costs your an agent for recovery companies trying to recover costs assuming people are possibility being untruthful until they prove otherwise on your terms,people are better off going with the real road side recovery companies like rac,aa and green flag you don’t have to bother with all this business like invoices receipts apparently for your own protection because these real companies actually do put you first and don’t hide behind small print to back up claims that really in my opinion are only there for one thing and that is to try to reclaim the costs for themselves that they have had to pay out. also by the way you never answered the question previously if a receipt was not supplied to you for the work that was carried out ,as you are only really concerned for the Customers well-being. Would you have made me pay for the recovery? I think you would have. I bet you just don’t give me a yes or no answer.
As to your reply
You are welcome for my continued comments. I stick by everything that I said I do not believe you are the company that you try to present yourself as being and have experienced this first hand the expectations that I had was for a service that put customers first not themselves regards cost however you try to justify it please try to become a more upfront and honest company
bless you

Broke down on the dual carridge way at rush hour. . Police ended up moving me to.a safer spot but recovery was dispatched quickly

I think.it was plymouth car recovery.

The driver was amazing helpful and friendly an asset to the recovery company

Unexpectedly had to had my car recovered, couldn’t fault the service I received, very happy! Not sure on the man’s name but he was very helpful. Wouldn’t definitely recommend.

The process was seamless from booking the recovery with Chris on the phone who was very calming to talk to, to being collected by John the driver who was excellent, friendly and efficient.

Was kept well informed at all stages of recovery, was told I needed a new battery, but they managed got me back on the road for my 5 hour journey home. Everyone was very friendly and made me feel at ease, only had to wait around an hour. Very happy with the service provided 😊

The call out was straight forward but when the guy got after 90 minutes wasn't helpful at all. The car was nose first in my drive and its automatic in park mode. I had to tell him how to position his lorry at the best angle then I told him not to jump start because they needed to check du to complications. He didn't know how to get it out off park so I found out out and did it , he wasn't very knowledgeable about much . I had to get in and guide my car onto the ramp of the flatbed. After we did this he followed me to garage as I used spare car to go there and I noticed a couple of times his driving wasn't very good as twice he swerved far on to the other side of the road more than needed and quit sharply with a top heavy lorry. We did eventually get to the garage where he dropped the car off. I forgot to mention when outside my house and he positioned the lorry where I told him to he stopped and I waited in my drive standing there.. After 5 min standing I was getting annoyed so I went over to the truck which was running all the time while stationary and looked up and asked what's he waiting for.. I noticed he was on his phone in a private call and said he'll be a couple off minutes. Even the garage saw he wasn't very enthusiastic and didn't seem very confident.
He wasn't a nasty guy buti wouldn't want him again as did know very much about anything or interested in it .
Score out of 10... ( 2 ) the worst breakdown I've had in over 40yrs.

My car would not start, I called for assistance, once the paperwork was sorted they came to my home promptly and got me started. The car as been in good working order since so very pleased with this servive

My car wouldn’t unlock even though I had recently changed the fob battery. From my first call in the morning I was dealt with efficiently and a friendly and helpful person arrived at the suggested time and got my car started and gave advice as to the next step. Very pleased indeed.

From ringing the recovery company to the driver and truck turning up was very fast. Communication was great with a text from the driver with a time slot.

I am a disabled driver and needed assistance to start my car after being in hospital for some time, first call were professional in every way, just 70 minutes and I was mobile again the mechanic was very friendly and explained everything and why my battery was flat, I could not have received a better service anywhere else.
Thank you First Call.
P.j.Rowan.

Outstanding Service – Honest, Knowledgeable, and Incredibly Fast!

I had a recent breakdown and was extremely impressed by the service provided by First Call Motor Breakdown. From the moment I contacted them, everything was handled with complete honesty and professionalism. The team was not only friendly and transparent, but also clearly very experienced and knowledgeable about the issue I was facing.

What stood out the most was the speed of their response – I didn’t have to wait long at all, and the whole process was smooth and stress-free. It’s rare to find a company these days that truly values customer care and delivers on their promises.

Highly recommended – thank you again for the excellent service!

A friendly helpful efficient professional service from first phone call to the car being taken away. Well deserved five stars.

Great service came out for quickly
The guy who got me moving was very polite & helpful

Took a little time to arrive, but not too bad, but once here the service was absolutely excellent,After they got me started I had to get to a garage, so they followed me all the way to make sure I got there safely

Great service, thank you. The person on the phone was super friendly and helpful—figured out where I was right away even though I was unfamiliar with the area. I received a text with the tow truck’s ETA, which arrived earlier than expected. The driver was really friendly and handled my car with care, taking me and the car safely to the garage of my choice.

I was kept informed of a time line of when the recovery vehicle would be with me. I got a phone call when he was about 15 minutes away. He asked the correct questions and knew what was wrong with my car instantly. Nice friendly gent so helpful brilliant service. Thank you.

Grest job! He was careful that the bumber wasnt too low and sideskirts weren’t going to bump during transit.

On both occasions I used the service they were very friendly and precise with time frame given ,straight to business once arrived and all done and dusted within 5 minutes
Great service and professionalism