AXA Breakdown has emerged as Britain's top recovery service in 2025 as pothole damage caused overall vehicle callouts to surge across the UK.
Research carried out by consumer publication What Car? reveals that 16 per cent of cars in the UK required recovery assistance in 2025, up from 10.9 per cent in 2024.
Records indicate drivers in Britain experienced 5,536,000 breakdowns last year alone, marking an increase of 1,764,600 over 2024. The sharp rise occurred despite newer vehicles generally being more reliable than ever, with crumbling roads blamed for the spike.
Damage caused by craters in the tarmac, such as broken suspension springs, buckled wheels, and damaged shock absorbers, accounted for 26,048 RAC callouts in 2025. That represents a 15 per cent rise compared to the 22,703 pothole-related cases recorded in 2024. The growing disruption follows warnings from the AA president, who previously described Britain's roads as a national scandal, while proposals have called for using AI technology to tackle the nation's 5.5 billion pound pothole crisis.
Roadside Response Times and Service Speed
Despite the overall increase in callouts, recovery firms improved their response times and roadside repair rates. In 2025, breakdown companies arrived at 61 per cent of callouts in less than an hour, up from 56 per cent in 2024.
Technicians also performed a permanent or temporary fix on 57 per cent of attended vehicles in 2025, allowing motorists to continue their journeys, compared with 48 per cent the previous year.
What Car? studied the performance of nine recovery providers to determine speed and value. Top-rated overall provider AXA Breakdown achieved maximum five-star ratings for waiting time, quality of response, and overall score. Unlike many major players in the sector, AXA does not operate its own fleet of dedicated uniformed patrols, relying instead on a network of independent recovery operators and local garages.
This extensive network of technicians allowed AXA operators to complete permanent or temporary fixes on 82 per cent of cars attended, while reaching 72 per cent of stranded customers in less than an hour.
Breakdown Provider Performance Rankings
AutoAid ranked second overall, earning a 5 for waiting time score, 4 for quality of response score, and a 4 overall score. The AA placed third overall with a 4 for waiting time, 4 for quality of response, and 4 overall. Operating the largest nationwide fleet of patrols, the AA finished two positions ahead of rival provider RAC.
Green Flag ranked fourth overall with a waiting time score of 4, quality of response score of 3, and an overall score of 4. The RAC finished fifth overall, receiving a 3 for waiting time, 4 for response quality, and an overall score of 4, having been marked down due to longer waiting times than its competitors. Start Rescue also scored 4 for waiting time, 3 for response quality, and 4 overall.
Britannia Rescue placed lower with a waiting time score of 4, quality of response score of 2, and overall score of 3. Emergency Assist received a 3 for waiting time, 3 for response quality, and 3 overall. Allianz (AWP) ranked worst overall among the nine providers evaluated, scoring 3 for waiting time, 2 for response quality, and an overall score of 2.
Allianz supplies cover exclusively through car brands and cannot be bought directly by consumers. Its operatives made only 42 per cent of cars mobile again, while taking more than an hour to arrive at 52 per cent of breakdowns.
Consumer Advice on Recovery Policy Selection
Claire Evans, consumer editor at What Car?, highlighted the financial value of effective roadside repairs. "Breakdown cover can be pricey, but it's worth bearing in mind that a good recovery technician could repair your car for free at the roadside if it breaks down, potentially saving you a hefty garage bill," Evans said.
Evans advised drivers to select policy types based on their driving habits. "A cheaper local plan may be the most cost-effective solution if you don't often cover long distances, while a national policy will better suit high-milers," she said.
She added: "There are also many variations and limitations in the cover provided, so it's important to read the small print carefully to ensure it suits your needs." Motorists seeking cost savings can also consult guidance such as 10 tips on how to get cheaper car insurance and consumer ratings for the ten most reliable SUVs.
Evaluated Vehicles and Motoring Reviews
Alongside breakdown provider performance, motoring tests evaluated major new vehicles entering the UK market, including China's best-selling electric car in Britain, the Geely EX2.
Evaluations also examined why British drivers have shifted away from the Vauxhall Astra family car, alongside road tests of the Lepas L8 premium Chinese SUV.
Performance reviews featured the Honda Prelude two-seat hybrid coupe and the return of a British motorcycling icon, the 20,000 pound Norton Manx R.
Further evaluations included the 45,500 pound seven-seat Jaecoo 8 SUV and the 9,000 pound Fiat Topolino electric vehicle, which features a 28 mph top speed and a range of 46 miles.
Compact EV reviews covered the sub-19,000 pound Honda Super-N competing against the Renault 5, while luxury tests featured the 90,000 pound Polestar 5 driven against Porsche's Taycan.
Additional vehicle reviews covered the Jeep Compass EV, the second-generation Volkswagen T-Roc SUV, and Honda's first electric motorcycle.
Other models evaluated across recent motoring tests included the 35,000 pound Jaecoo 7 SHS plug-in hybrid, the 100,000 pound Denza Z9GT electric car featuring five-minute charging, Jaguar's 120,000 pound electric car and 140,000 pound four-door GT, the Volvo EX60 EV, BYD's plug-in hybrid SUV, the Porsche Cayenne Electric, Toyota's RAV4 and C-HR+, the revived Renault Twingo EV, the 1 million pound Aston Martin Valhalla hypercar, Changan's 38,000 pound Deepal S05 SUV, BMW's 500-mile range iX3 EV, Chery's Tiggo 7 hybrid, MG's hatchback EVs, IM5, IM6, and 30,000 pound BYD Sealion 5 DM-i. Reviews also featured King Charles's 140,000 pound Chinese electric hyper-SUV, Triumph's updated Bonneville bikes, Kia's EV5 family SUV, the refreshed Ineos Grenadier 4x4, Tesla's 42,000 pound Model Y Standard, Peugeot's 50,000 pound e-3008 Dual Motor EV, a 200,000 pound Ferrari supercar, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider, Renault's Clio and 22,000 pound e-C3, Citroen's e-C5 Aircross, MG's S6 and S5 EVs, Vauxhall's Frontera, Mokka, and Grandland SUVs, Alpine's A390 cruiser, ICaur's 22,000 pound V23 electric 4x4, Geely's EX5, Volvo's ES90, XC90, and EX30 Cross Country, Nissan's Mk3 Leaf and electric Micra, Hyundai's Santa Fe, Aston Martin's DBX S, Vantage Roadster, and Vanquish Volante, Mercedes-Benz's AI-backed CLA, Mini's Aceman JCW EV, Renault's 4 EV, Ford's Puma Gen-E, Dacia's 25,000 pound Bigster, Audi's Q5, Maserati's GranCabrio Trofeo, Rolls-Royce's Black Badge Spectre, Honda's Jazz, Porsche's Macan GTS, and the final petrol-powered Jaguar F-Type.
