Flatbed transportModel-specific checksHeavy EV assessmentBreakdown or accident recovery
Why EV recovery is different
An electric vehicle can be heavier than a similar petrol or diesel car, and its drive system can be damaged if it is moved incorrectly. The UK government guidance for recovery operators says EVs should not normally be towed on their wheels because this can generate electrical current and damage high-voltage systems. Flatbed transport or suitable dollies are generally preferred, subject to the manufacturer's instructions.
A depleted traction battery is different from a flat 12-volt battery. Do not attempt an improvised tow or jump start. For collision-damaged EVs, keep away from visible high-voltage components, smoke, unusual heat or leaking fluid and contact emergency services if there is immediate danger.
Loading an EV safely
The recovery team may need the vehicle's transport mode, towing eye, wheel skates or dollies. Manufacturer instructions take priority. State if the vehicle is locked, has no power or cannot release its parking brake so the equipment can be planned correctly.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE RECOVERY FAQS
Useful answers before booking.
Can an electric car be towed with its wheels on the road?+
Government guidance says this is generally not recommended because it can generate current and damage high-voltage systems. Flatbed or suitable wheel-support transport is normally preferred.
What if the EV will not select neutral?+
Tell the operator before dispatch. Skates, dollies or manufacturer transport procedures may be required.
Can you recover a heavy electric SUV?+
Possibly, but the exact model and weight must be checked so a suitable-capacity truck is used.
Is a flat 12-volt battery the same as an empty traction battery?+
No. They affect the vehicle differently. Explain which battery warning is shown and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Can you arrive in 15 minutes?+
A 15-minute arrival is subject to a suitable local truck being available, safe access and traffic. The team confirms your actual ETA for the vehicle and pickup before dispatch.
How large is the recovery driver network?+
TowPart’s network has 500+ recovery drivers. That is a network figure rather than the number of trucks at any one depot. Availability and suitable equipment are checked for the actual collection.
Can you beat a comparable price?+
Send a written quote for the same journey, vehicle condition, timing and equipment. Our team checks whether it can offer a better price before you decide whether to book.
What details make the quotation accurate?+
Provide the pickup, destination, exact vehicle, loading condition, passenger count and access restrictions. Photographs help where there is damage or restricted access.
Can you take the vehicle to my chosen destination?+
Provide the full garage, home, dealer or other authorised destination postcode, opening hours and unloading access so the complete journey can be agreed.
Can I request this service at night?+
Our trained team is available for enquiries 24/7, including weekends and bank holidays. The suitable truck and arrival estimate are confirmed for your exact location and job.
Share the pickup point, vehicle, condition and destination. Add photos where access or damage needs explaining.
02
Review your price & ETA
Our team checks suitable availability. You get a no-obligation quote and an estimated arrival time before dispatch.
03
Confirm. Then we move.
Once you agree, we arrange the recovery and delivery to your chosen destination, with the loading requirements checked.
Our three-minute quote guarantee starts when we receive complete details for a standard recovery: pickup, destination, vehicle and loading condition. Specialist jobs or requests needing further information are assessed individually. Your truck arrival time is confirmed separately before dispatch.
THE VEHICLE DICTATES THE TRUCK
Different vehicles. One capable team.
Flatbed recovery, roadside assistance and specialist transport, arranged around your vehicle’s actual condition.
Up to 12-tonne recovery trucks500+ recovery driver network. Fully insured trucks.
Recovery truck options up to 12 tonnes. This describes the recovery truck size; the vehicle weight, permitted carrying capacity and loading method are checked for every job.
TowPart-approved and trained drivers · No membership · Available 24/7
FIVE-STAR CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Good service. In their own words.
A selection of five-star Google review screenshots shared by our recovery team. Open a card to read the supplied original.
GGoogle review
Really pleased with the service and support I received. Professional, reliable and friendly throughout, and everything was handled smoothly and with great care. I really appreciate the help and the work that was done for me. Highly recommended, and thank you again for the excellent service.
Farhad YardamView original screenshot ↗
GGoogle review
Said they would turn up in 50 minutes (after deposit) and this was true. And got my wife and car to destination on ETA. If you are in the area and need recovery, I would recommend based on this experience.
Trevor FigginsView original screenshot ↗
GGoogle review
Speedy and professional service which was very helpful especially in a time of great stress and need. Would recommend.
WordsmithsView original screenshot ↗
GGoogle review
Thank you so much for a quick reliable service. Arrived within the 40 mins advised and a safe drive back with pleasant company for the journey!
Liv PView original screenshot ↗
GGoogle review
Excellent company, we had a luton van stuck in the mud and these guys came to the rescue without hesitation. Thank you guys.
Katie ThompsonView original screenshot ↗
GGoogle review
I received a very professional service, and a pleasant chap to deal with, he gave regular updates on his ETA including live tracking of his location.
gary robertsView original screenshot ↗
GGoogle review
Five-star rating
Kerry RobertsView original screenshot ↗
Individual experiences and arrival times vary by location and job. These selected reviews are not an overall Google or Trustpilot score.
PRACTICAL RECOVERY KNOWLEDGE
The details behind a well-planned recovery.
Use the sections below to understand suitable equipment, prepare the collection and make an informed booking.
01
Tesla, electric and hybrid vehicle recovery
For Tesla recovery and other electric vehicle transport, give the exact model, registration and reason it needs moving. Explain the state of charge where known, whether low-voltage power is available, whether a recognised key is present and whether the car can enter its manufacturer’s transport mode. A depleted traction battery is different from a low-voltage fault. A damaged electric vehicle may also need specialist assessment before handling. Never touch exposed high-voltage components or try an improvised towing method.
The recovery method follows the manufacturer’s instructions for the particular model and year. Tesla’s Model 3 transporter guidance specifies keeping all four tyres off the ground and recommends a flatbed. Its Tow Mode is for limited loading or repositioning, rather than general towing on the road. Other electric vehicles have their own requirements. Tell the team about a locked charge cable, inaccessible controls, collision damage or wheels that will not turn so appropriate loading equipment can be planned in advance.
Choosing a flatbed or another suitable recovery truck
A flatbed recovery truck carries the vehicle on its load platform. This is useful for many non-running cars, electric vehicles, damaged vehicles and journeys where the recovered vehicle’s wheels should be clear of the road. Selection also depends on the vehicle’s length, width, ground clearance and weight. Tell us about modifications, a lowered body, a long front overhang or additional equipment. A photograph from the side helps explain clearance and access more accurately than a short description alone.
TowPart can arrange different tow truck and recovery options, including recovery trucks up to 12 tonnes. Truck size is not the same as the weight it can carry: suitable payload, axle limits, bed dimensions and loading equipment must be checked for the actual vehicle. A large electric SUV and a loaded van can need different equipment from a small hatchback. Share the registration and any known weight or load information so the team can assess suitability before confirming the booking.
Starting, rolling and loading are different questions
A vehicle can fail to start yet still be straightforward to load. It may have keys, free steering, working brakes and all four wheels able to roll. Another vehicle may start but have a broken driveshaft, a damaged wheel or suspension that makes driving unsafe. Describe each function separately: whether the engine starts, whether the vehicle moves under its own power, whether the gearbox selects neutral and whether the parking brake releases. For an automatic, tell us if electrical power is still available.
Photographs are especially helpful where wheels are bent, tyres have separated, bodywork touches the ground or a steering component is damaged. Never force a gearbox, release a brake on a slope or attempt to drag the vehicle to make collection easier. The recovery driver assesses the loading method, including whether winching, wheel skates or other suitable equipment is required. Accurate information before dispatch reduces the chance of an unsuitable truck, an interrupted collection or a revised quotation.
A useful car recovery quote is a plan for the complete job. The team needs to know where the vehicle is, where it must go and how it can be loaded. Start with both postcodes, the make and model, your preferred timing and a contact number. Explain the immediate problem in everyday language. A car that has stopped outside a garage may need a different approach from one with a damaged wheel in a narrow driveway. If anything is uncertain, say so rather than guessing.
TowPart’s three-minute quote guarantee applies after complete information for a standard recovery has been received. Specialist loading, collision damage, unusual access or missing information needs individual assessment. The agreed price and truck arrival estimate are separate details: a quick quote does not mean a truck arrives in three minutes. You can review the proposed journey and decide whether to book. No annual membership is needed, and submitting a request does not commit you to a recovery.
A recovery truck needs enough height, width and turning space to approach and load. Tell us the entrance height limit for a multi-storey or underground car park, the floor, ramp gradient and whether a barrier controls access. At a home, include gate width, driveway slope, overhanging branches and the position of other parked vehicles. Photographs taken from the entrance towards the vehicle can reveal restrictions that are difficult to describe in a message.
For a lowered, prestige or modified car, explain ground clearance, body kits and any change to suspension height. Do not remove bodywork or attempt to raise a vehicle with improvised equipment in preparation for collection. The team assesses a suitable loading approach and confirms any limitations before booking. Where a full-size truck cannot reach the vehicle directly, additional equipment or an alternative collection arrangement may be required. Give those access details early so the quote reflects the actual job rather than an assumed open-road pickup.
The best location description combines a postcode with the actual entrance and the position of the vehicle. Around your local area, include a street name, business name, car park level or recognisable access point. A postcode can cover several buildings and may direct a large truck to the wrong gate. If the vehicle is on private land, arrange permission to enter and explain who will meet the driver. A location pin can support the written details, particularly where there is no nearby street number.
For approaches including motorway and A-road routes, include the road, direction and nearest junction or services. A truck must approach the correct side of a divided road. Do not try to cross a carriageway to meet it. Where a pickup is on a rural lane, tell us about narrow sections, soft verges, locked gates and turning space. These details help the team choose suitable equipment and give a realistic arrival estimate for your particular collection.
Personal safety comes before completing an online form. If a vehicle develops a problem on a motorway, follow official instructions and reach a place of relative safety where possible. If you cannot safely leave a vehicle stopped in a live lane, keep seatbelts fastened, turn on the hazard lights and call 999. Follow police or highways instructions. The recovery enquiry can wait until the immediate risk has been dealt with; do not stand in traffic to take photographs or inspect damage.
When it is safe to arrange help, send the direction of travel, nearby junction, services, marker post or emergency area identifier. Explain whether a road authority is already managing the incident and whether the vehicle has been moved to a safer location. Give the destination postcode and the number of people who need onward arrangements. Keep your phone available for updates. A private recovery booking does not replace emergency assistance or permission required to leave an emergency area.
Jump starts and flat battery assistance in your area
A clicking ignition, dim dashboard or vehicle left unused can suggest a low-voltage battery problem, but a jump start is not the right answer to every non-start. Tell us whether the engine cranks, whether the dashboard powers on and which warnings are displayed. Include the make, model, fuel type and whether the bonnet can be opened. If the battery is damaged, leaking, unusually hot or giving off a strong smell, stop attempts to start the vehicle and explain the symptoms to the team.
A TowPart-approved technician checks suitable battery assistance against the vehicle’s requirements. Some vehicles have specific connection points or electronic systems that need particular care. A hybrid or electric car can have a low-voltage supply fault even when its main battery has charge. If starting assistance is unsuitable or does not resolve the fault, discuss onward recovery to a garage. Any different service and its price should be agreed before work proceeds; do not assume a boost can repair a mechanical or charging-system problem.
A van recovery quote needs more than the badge on the front. The wheelbase, roof height, body type and load influence the equipment required. State whether it is short, medium or long wheelbase, a high-roof panel van, a Luton or a vehicle with a tail lift. Tell us whether it is empty or carrying tools, stock, equipment or a conversion. A side photograph and the registration help the team assess dimensions and suitable recovery capacity.
For a business vehicle, confirm where it should be delivered and whether the receiving depot or workshop will be open. Arrange access to keys and tell us about any load that may need separate handling. Do not remove heavy goods at an unsafe roadside location simply to make a van lighter. If a commercial vehicle has damaged running gear, locked wheels or a box body close to the ground, share clear photographs. The loading plan and quotation should reflect the van as it actually stands.
Motorcycles need appropriate support and securing during transport. Provide the make, model, approximate size, steering-lock status and whether the bike rolls. Explain damage to wheels, forks, handlebars, bodywork or stands, and say whether it has been dropped or involved in a collision. A road bike, scooter, touring motorcycle and modified machine can present different loading requirements. Photographs help the team choose suitable equipment instead of treating every two-wheel vehicle as the same job.
Confirm the collection surface and the space available beside the bike. A narrow alley, steep ramp or underground parking area may need a different approach from an open driveway. Tell us whether keys are available and whether someone can authorise collection at both ends. The driver determines the suitable loading and securing method. Do not rely on the side stand alone as a transport arrangement, and do not attempt to ride a damaged motorcycle merely to reach a more convenient pickup point.
After a collision, first deal with injuries, immediate danger and any instructions from emergency services. Once it is appropriate to arrange transport, tell us whether police, highways officers, an insurer or a repairer is involved. Explain whether the vehicle has been released for collection. Describe damage to wheels, suspension, steering and bodywork, including parts that are loose or touching the ground. The fact that an engine still starts does not establish that the vehicle is safe to drive or simple to load.
Choose the onward destination before booking wherever possible: a bodyshop, repair garage, home address or another authorised site. Confirm opening hours and ask the receiving business whether it can accept the vehicle in its present condition. Give the recovery team photographs taken only from a safe place. Insurance-related recovery does not automatically mean an insurer will reimburse a private booking, so establish any required authorisation directly. TowPart confirms the collection plan and price with you before dispatch.
