Find out how and why
More members
The AA is the UK's biggest breakdown service provider. We have more customers than any other major breakdown provider. This includes customers who have directly chosen us as their breakdown provider by actively joining The AA online, by calling us up to become members, or by speaking to an AA member of staff. This is in addition to our business customers. We confirmed this by looking at the number of AA members published in The AA Limited Mid-Year Update July 2024 and comparing against our biggest competitors.1
The AA is also the largest breakdown service provider in the UK in terms of overall market share, with a 40% share of the market. Our next biggest competitors have a share of 28% and 12% respectively, which results in the top three breakdown providers having a combined market share of 80%. This is according to the Brand and Market Tracker study from September 2024.2
More dedicated patrols
We also have more expert and dedicated patrols who attend and repair more breakdowns than any other UK breakdown cover provider. We’ve confirmed this by looking at the number of patrols directly employed by The AA3 and attended breakdowns4 published in The AA Annual Report & Accounts 2024, versus our biggest competitor. We've also looked at our average roadside repair rate.
Other breakdown providers may not have a fleet of patrols whom they directly employ and instead operate a "smart network of rescue specialists".
Patrol training and expertise
Our patrols’ expertise is based on their extensive experience of working in the car repair and wider automotive industries – this experience is a prerequisite of our recruitment criteria. All new patrols must complete a robust induction programme which places customer service at its core and focuses on technical skill development, as well as our approach to breakdown service delivery.
Our focus on expertise doesn’t end once our patrols have passed their inductions and are out on the road. As part of our culture of continual professional development, our patrols are subject to ongoing competence and technical assessments, and we ensure they receive regular training to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in automotive technology.
We also have an internal mentorship programme which encourages knowledge sharing across our patrols and provides opportunities for coaching and technical support.
The number 1 choice for electric vehicle breakdown cover
UK drivers have consistently rated us as their first choice for electric vehicle breakdown cover against all other major breakdown providers, according to the Brand and Market Tracker study from September 2021 to September 2024.2
Plus, you’ll know your electric vehicle is in safe hands because all of our patrols have ‘Level 1 – Electric Vehicle Awareness’ training. And over 98% of our patrols are trained in ‘Level 2 – Electric Vehicle Prepared'. The IMI EV Level 2 training has also become standard for any new joiners to our AA fleet.
- Level 1 – EV Awareness. The patrol has knowledge of high-voltage and EV systems and is able to work safely on the vehicle but not directly on the high-voltage system.
- Level 2 – EV Prepared. The patrol is able to isolate and reinstate the vehicle's high voltage system where it might be necessary to do so for safety reasons.
The best service and most trusted brand
UK drivers have also consistently rated us as the best breakdown service against all other major breakdown providers, according to the Brand and Market Tracker study from March 2022 to September 2024.2
This driver confidence in The AA is further reinforced by the latest independent Mintel Vehicle Recovery report (October 2024), in which consumers rated The AA as their most trusted, most recommended and favourite brand of those covered by the survey.5
The independent rating experts at Defaqto have given our breakdown service 5 stars.6 Our excellent service is further demonstrated by more than 70,000 5-star ratings that we’ve received on Trustpilot from our customers.7
Speed and reliability
With our breakdown cover, you'll get unlimited call-outs included without it costing you any extra, as long as it’s not for a repeat call-out for the same fault within 28 days.
Our patrols will usually get to you in less than an hour and get you back on the road in around 30 minutes of arrival – whether it's rain, hail or shine. This is proven by our data on AA patrol response times and is shown in an independent reliability survey from What Car?. Their expertise also means that we fix 4 out of 5 cars at the roadside. This has been proven by our data on the breakdowns that AA patrols respond to.
What's more, our handy app means you can report a breakdown with the tap of a button. Our expert patrols pinpoint your exact location while you can track us in real-time – right up until the moment we arrive.
- 1Sources: AA Limited Mid-Year Update July 2024 – 3.277 million roadside paid personal members and 11.117 million roadside business customers, total of 14.394 million roadside members. RAC Bidco Limited Interim Report June 2024 – 2.7 million Roadside Membership Services consumer members and 10.7 million Roadside Membership Services business members, total of 13.4 million roadside members. Direct Line Group Half year results September 2024 – 1.022 million Green Flag In-force Rescue Policies.
- 2The Brand and Market Tracker is a study conducted in partnership with Dynata, the world’s largest first-party data company. The results are based on responses by participants who self-identify which provider they are with. The survey is completed by 1,500 respondents every quarter, who identify themselves as UK-based drivers.
- 3Sources: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2024 – c. 2,800 patrols. RAC Annual Report & Financial Statements 2023 – 1,600 patrols.
- 4Sources: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2024 – 3.480 million annual breakdowns attended. RAC Annual Report & Financial Statements 2023 – 2.6 million annual breakdowns attended.
- 5Brands included in Mintel’s Vehicle Recovery report are The AA, Green Flag, RAC, Direct Line and Allianz Assistance.
- 6Defaqto is one of the UK’s most trusted sources of financial product and market intelligence, supporting financial institutions, intermediaries and consumers to make smarter financial decisions. They maintain the UK’s largest financial product database and use proprietary research methodology to develop independent ratings, reviews, insights and technology.
- 7Trustpilot is a free to use digital platform that brings businesses and consumers together to foster trust. Reviews on Trustpilot are written by consumers who have had a recent buying or service experience. These reviews are then used to develop a TrustScore – the overall measurement of reviewer satisfaction, based on all the service reviews a business receives on Trustpilot.
