Breakdown cover advice

[Joolz5819]

Hi All
Anyone got any recommendations for breakdown cover at a fair price? As I drive around a lot on my own peace of mind would be breakdown cover but are the usual RAC or AA covers any use would they know anything about the surfs anyway?
I have visions of one of these outfits turning up -if I needed help - and saying "never come across one of these before Ho Ho" or "Japanese import what's that! " I may be totally wrong and no doubt will be corrected by those in the know but any recommendations in this department would be appreciated

[marky]

You need to have your SURF recovered back home at least. Otherwise the garage that they recover you to either wont have a clue or they will charge you some rip off price

[da SLUG man]

it's only a 4wd with a diesel engine... i'm sure the AA or RAC could manage it!...
doubt they'd have a diagnostic program but wouldn't ib be the same as the other toyota engines? i dunno?
anything serious you're gonna need a tow anyway... just make sure they know what it is before they come out so they don't try towing it with a maestro van or something!.

[NEWMUDRAT]

Hiya Joolz,
I have breakdown cover with direct line, and although I hav'nt had to use it yet the assured me that the surf would not be a problem to their recovery guys (£168.00 pa for the 93 2.4td surf and a v reg mazda 323, recovery, homestart the works, although I do have the insurance with them as well) might like to give them a try

Carl

[skipkoo]

I got UK + European breakdown cover with my insurance for free, kinda Greenflag. (Thats with Footman and James £304 full comp, 2y NC)

Got AA Homestart with my bank a/c (LLoyds TSB)

Got 2y 5star RAC warranty + breakdowncover (given by the dealer)

And before I bought the car, I had sent an AA car inspector down to the dealer to check the car out. He gave me a detailed 12page report.
They know Surfs!

My Toyota dealer takes care for my lil baby, never had a prob.

Dont worry, thats for horses, they got a bigger head!

[da SLUG man]

Dont worry, thats for horses, they got a bigger head!

but a longer face!

[kitesurf_phil]

If you have a caravan or camping trailer, Green Falg do a pretty comprehensive recovery service for you, your car and the caravan.

[bensonsnuts]

I got UK + European breakdown cover with my insurance for free, kinda Greenflag. (Thats with Footman and James £304 full comp, 2y NC)

Got AA Homestart with my bank a/c (LLoyds TSB)

Got 2y 5star RAC warranty + breakdowncover (given by the dealer)

And before I bought the car, I had sent an AA car inspector down to the dealer to check the car out. He gave me a detailed 12page report.
They know Surfs!

My Toyota dealer takes care for my lil baby, never had a prob.

Dont worry, thats for horses, they got a bigger head!

I wouldn't touch the AA with a bargepole.

They filled the engine on my overheating surf with cold water .Then decided the cylinder head had gone !!
They then didn't have a clue how to recover it back to there depot.
When the got it to the the AA service centre at Loughborough , they stripped it into pieces all over their workshop & Quoted me £2000 & approx 3 weeks to repair it.
When I told them to get stuffed & took the car somewhere else. There was important parts missing.
They admitted losing them, but when I ordered replacement parts from Hilux Bob they denied liability & I had to pay the costs myself.
Go with the AA........I'd rather ride a bicycle !!

[jmc]

And before I bought the car, I had sent an AA car inspector down to the dealer to check the car out. He gave me a detailed 12page report.
They know Surfs!

Sorry but I have to disagree - the AA guy who inspected my Surf was clueless and made some derogatory statements about "these damn imports" - very unprofessional.

The "advanced" test I paid extra for included him pressing all the buttons on the dash and deciding everything was ok. He did't even notice the rear window heater wasn't working, nor the lack of a fog light despite it having a UK MOT.

The road test was "only 5 minutes due to it snowing" - an ideal opportunity to test the 4WD I would've thought.

When I asked if he had tested the 4WD he said "yeah - the selector went into the different positions alright".

He then proceded to talk for a long time about how the window tints might not be legal.

Can't remember any more of his mistakes at the moment but you get the idea!

Utterly useless.

[da SLUG man]

Sorry but I have to disagree - the AA guy who inspected my Surf was clueless and made some derogatory statements about "these damn imports" - very unprofessional.

The "advanced" test I paid extra for included him pressing all the buttons on the dash and deciding everything was ok. He did't even notice the rear window heater wasn't working, nor the lack of a fog light despite it having a UK MOT.

The road test was "only 5 minutes due to it snowing" - an ideal opportunity to test the 4WD I would've thought.

When I asked if he had tested the 4WD he said "yeah - the selector went into the different positions alright".

He then proceded to talk for a long time about how the window tints might not be legal.

Can't remember any more of his mistakes at the moment but you get the idea!

Utterly useless.

why pay for the inspection if you knew more than the inspector? and why pay for it if he didn't do it right?

[Vagrant No2]

I wouldn't touch the AA with a bargepole.

They filled the engine on my overheating surf with cold water .Then decided the cylinder head had gone !!
They then didn't have a clue how to recover it back to there depot.
When the got it to the the AA service centre at Loughborough , they stripped it into pieces all over their workshop & Quoted me £2000 & approx 3 weeks to repair it.
When I told them to get stuffed & took the car somewhere else. There was important parts missing.
They admitted losing them, but when I ordered replacement parts from Hilux Bob they denied liability & I had to pay the costs myself.
Go with the AA........I'd rather ride a bicycle !!

Boy , glad I don't work for the AA anymore !
I am sure I would have done my best to rescue any Surf (if any were in the country then) and get it back on the road .
Once you had given me my statutary 'drink' . Notes only , no coins .

Rick

[da SLUG man]

Boy , glad I don't work for the AA anymore !
I am sure I would have done my best to rescue any Surf (if any were in the country then) and get it back on the road .
Once you had given me my statutary 'drink' . Notes only , no coins .

Rick

cos coins jangle in his bra!

[skipkoo]

well guess i was the lucky one who had an AA inspector who knows his job.

The guy even told me how low my a/c would go and how high in C degrees, he told me my cig lichter didnt work, he tested the surf for 30', and engaged 4WD several times. Everything he checked, inside, outside, engine compartment, chassis,...much to the annoyance of the dealer
I would have paid him double for the report he made.

ohhh and about Footman James insurrance, accident repairs are done in the shop, dealer or repaircentre,... of YOUR CHOICE !

[skipkoo]

cos coins jangle in his bra!

Dont wanna know where he put his notes than

You sure that was mud on that fiver???????

[Joolz5819]

Very interesting!

Gosh opened up a minefield there didnt I lol! I have some research to do on this one. My partner has a M*t*b*s*i P*j*r* and through their UK club a special deal can be arranged for breakdown which covers just about everything all in for £45 which I thought was brilliant but not sure who with will have to check that one. Will let you know what I do.
Thanks again
Joolz