Vehicle Towing Car Services Blog

Losing your car keys, or having them lock inside the car, is more common than you’d think — and it doesn’t always mean calling a locksmith. Here’s what your options actually are.

Keyless entry failures

Modern keyless fobs can fail due to a flat internal battery, interference, or a fault in the car’s receiver. If your keyless car won’t unlock or start, it’s often a quick fix rather than a full lockout.

Keys locked inside

If your keys are locked inside the car, non-destructive entry methods can often get you back in without damaging the vehicle — far better than breaking a window.

When towing is the better option

If entry isn’t possible on-site, or the fault is electrical rather than mechanical, towing the vehicle to a garage or your home is sometimes the safer, more cost-effective route.

Recovery Car handles keyless and lockout situations across South East London, 24/7.

Rain, ice and cold snaps all take a toll on cars across South East London — and breakdown call-outs spike whenever the weather turns. Here’s why, and how to lower your chances of being caught out.

Cold weather and flat batteries

Batteries lose a significant amount of their cranking power in cold weather, right when the engine needs more effort to start. A battery that was borderline in summer can fail completely on the first proper cold morning.

Wet roads and tyre problems

Standing water hides potholes and debris that can cause a blowout, and reduced tyre grip on wet roads makes any existing tyre wear more dangerous. Check your tread depth before winter sets in.

What to do if the weather catches you out

Get somewhere safe and dry if you can, keep your hazards on, and call for recovery rather than waiting it out in poor visibility. We run our full service regardless of weather, across Greenwich, Woolwich, Plumstead and South East London.

Recovery Car is available 24/7, whatever the weather.

Motorcycles and scooters break down too — and recovering a bike safely takes different equipment and know-how compared to a car. If you’re stranded on two wheels anywhere in South East London, here’s what you need to know.

Bikes can’t just be dragged onto a flatbed

A motorcycle needs proper wheel chocks and tie-down straps to travel safely — without them, it can shift, fall, or suffer damage in transit. Our recovery trucks carry the right restraints for bikes of all sizes.

Common motorcycle breakdown causes

Flat batteries, chain issues, and punctures account for most roadside motorcycle breakdowns. If you’re not confident diagnosing or fixing it yourself at the roadside, it’s safer to call for recovery than to risk riding on.

Riding in poor weather

Wet or icy roads increase the risk of a breakdown turning into something worse. If your bike won’t start or feels unsafe to ride anywhere in Greenwich, Woolwich, Plumstead or Peckham, get off the road and call us rather than pushing on.

Recovery Car provides specialist motorcycle and bike recovery across South East London, 24 hours a day.

Caravans, trailers and boats need a different kind of towing altogether — more weight, more length, and a lot more that can go wrong if the vehicle doing the pulling isn’t up to the job. Here’s when to call in specialist help.

Your tow vehicle has broken down mid-journey

If the car towing your caravan or trailer breaks down, you can’t simply call a standard breakdown service — most won’t recover the trailer as well. We handle both the vehicle and whatever it’s pulling in one call-out.

A hitch or coupling failure

A damaged hitch, snapped safety chain or coupling that won’t lock properly means the trailer isn’t safe to keep towing, even if the car itself is fine. We can recover the trailer separately and get both back on the road safely.

Boat transport after a breakdown

Boats on trailers add extra height, weight and width to think about. If your tow vehicle fails while transporting a boat anywhere in South East London, we have the equipment to move it safely to storage or your next destination.

Recovery Car provides specialist caravan, trailer and boat towing across Greenwich, Woolwich, Plumstead and South East London, available 24/7.

Motorway breakdowns are a different situation entirely from a quiet side street — higher speeds, less room to manoeuvre, and real danger if you get it wrong. If you break down on the A2, the A205 or any other major road through South East London, here’s exactly what to do.

Get left, every time

Move into the left-hand lane as early as you can, indicate, and head for the hard shoulder or a safe verge. Don’t wait until the last second — the sooner you’re out of live traffic, the safer you are.

Get out safely

Exit from the side away from traffic, wear a hi-vis vest if you have one, and stand behind the barrier rather than next to your car. Never attempt repairs on a live carriageway.

Call for recovery, not a friend

A friend’s car isn’t insured or equipped to recover you safely from a fast road. Call a professional recovery service that can reach you quickly and remove your vehicle without putting anyone at risk.

Recovery Car responds to breakdowns on the A2, A205 and other major roads through South East London, 24/7. Call us the moment you’re safely off the carriageway.