Breakdown Recovery in Edinburgh
From cobbled Old Town streets to the City Bypass, we arrange recovery anywhere in Edinburgh and the Lothians, 24 hours a day.
From £125 · 24/7 · often with you in about 30 minutes (depends on location and traffic)
The Old Town and New Town
Central Edinburgh is beautiful and awkward to drive in. The Old Town has steep, narrow and often cobbled streets, closes that vehicles can't enter, and plenty of restricted access around the Royal Mile. The New Town is a grid of one-way streets and residents' parking. If your car stops in the centre, tell us the street and the nearest landmark, and mention anything about the access, such as a steep slope, cobbles or a narrow lane, so we send the right vehicle.
The Low Emission Zone and the trams
Edinburgh's city centre is a Low Emission Zone, where vehicles that don't meet the standards can be fined for driving in. A breakdown inside it isn't something to worry about in the moment, but tell us where the car needs to go. The trams run along Princes Street, York Place and Leith Walk out to the airport. If you break down near the tram lines, get yourself well clear of the tracks and the road.
The City Bypass
The A720 City Bypass runs around the south and west of the city and carries very heavy traffic, especially at the Sheriffhall roundabout and the junctions with the M8 at Hermiston Gait and the A1 at Old Craighall. It's a fast dual carriageway with little space to stop. If you break down on it, get as far left as you can, hazards on, and get behind the barrier if it's safe.
The M8, M9 and the Forth crossings
The M8 heads west to Glasgow and the M9 north-west towards Stirling. To the north, the Queensferry Crossing carries the M90 over the Firth of Forth towards Fife, with the older Forth Road Bridge now used mainly by buses. Crosswinds on the bridges can be strong. If you break down on a bridge approach, tell us exactly which crossing and direction.
Broken down on a steep or cobbled street? Leave the car in gear (or in Park for an automatic), put the handbrake on firmly and turn the wheels towards the kerb. Hazards on, then wait somewhere safe off the road and tell us about the slope and the surface when you call.
Around Edinburgh
We cover the whole city and the Lothians, including Leith, Portobello, Corstorphine, Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Livingston and South Queensferry. Breakdowns at Edinburgh Airport, Fort Kinnaird or in the city's multi-storey car parks are no problem: just tell us where you are and about any height limits.
Edinburgh Recovery FAQs
Can you recover a car from a narrow Old Town street?
Usually, yes, but access can be tight. Tell us the exact street, whether it's cobbled or steep and roughly how wide it is, so we send a suitable vehicle.
My car has broken down inside the Edinburgh Low Emission Zone. Will I be fined?
A breakdown isn't something to worry about in the moment. The zone applies to vehicles driving in it. Tell us where the car needs to go and we'll plan the recovery with the zone in mind.
Do you cover the Lothians and Fife as well?
We arrange recovery across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and we can also help across the Forth. We'll give you an honest arrival estimate when you call.
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Nearby areas & roads
Broken Down in Edinburgh Right Now?
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