Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Fri 30 May 2025 19:27
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Notrealname123
Have had a really bad experience with the RAC and looking for any advice.
The short story is I have had an unsatisfactory services provided by the RAC patrol exacerbating a simple electrical problem and they then would not provide cover without receiving an £85 call out payment. Tried many attempts to resolve the matter, I have had no reply from their team as yet.

The long story is my son broke down in my vehicle and did not have breakdown cover. I am a Motor Mechanic but live 400 miles away from where he was so in the panic I called the RAC and they took a one off payment to attend. The Patrol told my son he replaced an earth strap but could not get the vehicle to start. I upgraded the policy to include free call out and nationwide recovery. I had a local auto electrician do a call out and simply replaced a fuse, got the vehicle running again in 5 minutes flat. There was still an issue with the lights and wipers not working though so I called the RAC back. They wanted to charge me to attend and if required an extra £850 for recovery?

I arranged my own recovery at a fraction of the RAC quote and got the vehicle back home. I noticed the N/S/F splash guard had been removed and placed in back of vehicle so went to put it back on. This is when I noticed the Earth strap the Patrol man had fitted was insecure and a terrible fix. I addressed this and hey presto all the lights and the wipers worked.

I understand that the cover these companies provide is actually just an insurance service so when you talk to someone they have no technical knowledge but when their 'technician' does not have any knowledge either it beggars belief!

I am well out of pocket but the question is do you think I am due a refund for what I have payed the RAC?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 30 May 2025 19:35
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Adampr

Maybe, maybe not. It really depends on how much you paid them. If it wasn't much more than the cost of a small claims case, just give up now and put it down to experience. It's annoying but better than giving yourself an aneurysm stressing about it.

I have never had a good experience with the RAC. I once borrowed a car that was covered with the RAC and had to call them to jump start it. All sorted in five minutes, right up until they sent the owner a bill for a brand new battery.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 30 May 2025 20:31
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Notrealname123

Thanks for reply. Hoping the RAC will reply but the silence is telling. Is there much cost in a small claims case? I will not post my costs, however, it is eye watering!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 30 May 2025 20:59
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Adampr

For a claim up to £300 it's £35 to open the case and £27 if it goes to court. Send them a letter before action. If they don't respond or pay up, pay the £35 and they will probably refund your money rather than go to court, but who knows. You might not win, of course, but it will only cost you £62 to find out.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 30 May 2025 21:29
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Notrealname123
Thanks for the info. Will wait and see what happens next.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 30 May 2025 22:24
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Big John
I am well out of pocket but the question is do you think I am due a refund for what I have payed the RAC?

Personally I'd just move on( is it worth the stress and hassle?), especially as you retro bought cover. If you do take to court and they respond they will also probably want things like full service records etc - that is part of the T&C's.

Edited by Big John on 30/05/2025 at 22:25

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 30 May 2025 23:07
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Marlin1

Just for comparison, I have had 3 reasons to call out breakdown services over the last 7 or so years. All in cars I had from new and under 3 years old.

In each case the AA attended and were excellent, including a follow you service on the motorway once they got you going again to make sure that you didn't have further issues (M40 to M3 round the M25).

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2025 09:54
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - bathtub tom

a follow you service on the motorway once they got you going again to make sure that you didn't have further issues (M40 to M3 round the M25).

I had one do that to me, even following us into the house and settling themself down on the settee. Gave them a cuppa and pushed them out. I suspect they were expecting a gratuity!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2025 11:54
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Orb>>.

All this says to me is.

If you don't want to fork out a lot more and be stuck, even if you are a super mechanic...

Pay for the cheapest breakdown service with onward travel. Save a lot of money and hassle

simples.

Edited by Orb>>. on 31/05/2025 at 11:56

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2025 16:55
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Steveieb

Still wouldn’t like to be subject to the “ Relay” service operated by the two leading recovery companies.

Friends broke down at Dover ferry terminal and it took 14 hours to reach their home in Northamptonshire with three stops to change recovery vehicles

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2025 17:03
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Orb>>.

I would not like to be subject to it but better than paying a transporter myself.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 31 May 2025 17:43
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - RT

Still wouldn’t like to be subject to the “ Relay” service operated by the two leading recovery companies.

Friends broke down at Dover ferry terminal and it took 14 hours to reach their home in Northamptonshire with three stops to change recovery vehicles

We had to be recovered by Green Flag when we were on holiday in Scotland with our caravan - they organised a contractor's flatbed to come out to our site, put the car on the back, hitched the caravan behind and brought us home 400 miles in one go - stopping just for breaks whenever we wanted

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 1 Jun 2025 06:36
Renault - RAC breakdown. Not a good idea - Maxime.

My parents are in their 70s and drive to visit us from near Oxford to Redditch. Got a puncture out in the sticks. Both a bit frail but safe and sound and parked ok. Breakdown man came out changed the wheel and waited till they were on their way. Worth every penny of the £56 they paid for an annual policy. He also said the computer says your MOT is due.. it's checked when you call in to make sure you are covered.

Was assured that already booked in once home.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance