Should You Try to Move a Broken Down Car Yourself?
A clear, practical guide to when moving a broken-down car yourself is reasonable, when it carries serious risk and when professional recovery is the only safe option.
Should You Move Your Broken Down Car? It Depends on Where You Are.
Whether you should attempt to move a broken-down car yourself depends almost entirely on where the car has broken down and what has caused the breakdown. Location matters more than almost any other factor. A breakdown in a quiet residential street is a very different situation to a breakdown on a motorway, an A-road or a rural fenland drove road at night.
The general principle is this: if moving the car is safe, practical and your vehicle is still capable of limited movement, moving it to a safer position — a lay-by, a side road, a car park — before calling for professional recovery is sensible. If the car cannot move safely, if moving it could cause further mechanical damage, or if doing so puts you or other road users at risk, stay put and call for help immediately.
When Moving Your Broken Down Car Is Reasonable — and When It Is Not
| Situation | Move yourself? | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet residential street, car still moves under power | Reasonable | If the car can still move and it is safe to do so, drive or roll it to a safer position — off the carriageway, into a side road or onto a driveway — before stopping and calling for recovery. |
| Car park or private land, car will not start | With caution | Pushing the car short distances in a car park with help from others is generally low risk if the brakes are working and there is a clear safe destination. Check for other vehicles and pedestrians before moving. |
| Rural fenland road, car has broken down near a verge | With caution | If the car is obstructing the road and the verge is firm enough to take the vehicle's weight, gently rolling it onto the verge may improve safety while you wait for recovery. Check verge condition — soft fenland verges may not support the vehicle and can make recovery more difficult. |
| A-road or dual carriageway | Do not push | Do not attempt to push or roll the car on an A-road or dual carriageway. Turn on hazard lights, exit the vehicle safely via the left-hand door and move well away from the road. Call for recovery immediately. |
| Motorway or smart motorway | Never | Exit the vehicle immediately via the left-hand door. Move behind a safety barrier or as far from the carriageway as possible. Do not attempt any repair or push the vehicle. Call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 and your recovery operator. |
| After an accident, even if car appears driveable | Do not drive | Even minor collisions can cause hidden structural or suspension damage. Do not drive the vehicle until it has been professionally assessed. Call for accident recovery. |
| Suspected brake or steering failure | Never | If your brakes or steering have failed or are compromised, do not attempt to move the car under any circumstances. Call for recovery immediately. |
Can You Tow Your Broken Down Car With Another Vehicle?
Towing a broken-down car with another vehicle — using a tow rope or a rigid tow bar — is legal in the UK under specific conditions, but it carries significant practical risks and is rarely the right choice in a roadside breakdown situation. The legal requirements are strict and many drivers are not aware of all of them.
Legal Requirements
The distance between the two vehicles must not exceed 4.5 metres. If the tow rope is longer than 1.5 metres, a clearly visible cloth or flag must be tied to the middle. Both vehicles must be insured and taxed. Someone must be in the towed vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. Neither vehicle should exceed 60mph. Lane rules apply on dual carriageways and motorways.
Automatic and AWD Vehicles
Many modern vehicles with automatic gearboxes and all-wheel-drive systems cannot be towed with wheels on the ground without risking serious drivetrain damage. Check your vehicle's handbook before attempting any form of tow. Electric vehicles must never be towed with driven wheels on the road — flatbed recovery is always required.
When DIY Towing Is Never Appropriate
Do not attempt a DIY tow on a motorway, dual carriageway or fast A-road. Do not attempt one in the dark without suitable lighting on both vehicles. Do not tow a vehicle with suspected steering, suspension or brake damage. In all of these situations, professional recovery is both safer and ultimately less expensive than the cost of getting a DIY tow wrong.
What to Do If You Cannot Move the Car and Are Waiting for Recovery
If your car has broken down and cannot be moved, your priority is your own safety and the safety of other road users while you wait for professional recovery to arrive. The following steps apply whether you have broken down on a quiet lane near Ely or on a busier road.
Turn Hazard Lights on Immediately
Hazard lights are your most important safety tool. Switch them on immediately and leave them on until recovery arrives. At night or in poor visibility also switch on your sidelights. Do not wait until you have pulled over completely — activate them as soon as you realise the car is breaking down.
Get Clear of the Vehicle
On any road with moving traffic, getting away from the vehicle is usually safer than staying inside it. Exit via the left-hand door to avoid stepping into the carriageway. Move behind a crash barrier if there is one, or onto the verge as far from the road as possible. On fenland roads with no barrier, move to the field margin and stay well back from the carriageway.
Do Not Use Warning Triangles on Motorways
Warning triangles should not be placed on motorways, smart motorways or dual carriageways — the act of walking along the hard shoulder to place one creates more danger than it removes. On single carriageway roads with lower speeds, a warning triangle placed at least 45 metres behind the vehicle can improve visibility for approaching traffic.
Call Recovery Promptly
The sooner you call, the sooner recovery arrives. Make the call before your phone battery depletes further and before traffic conditions or weather change. Give your location as precisely as possible — a postcode, a road name, a nearby landmark or a What3Words reference all help the recovery operator find you faster. Ely Motor Services can be reached on 01353 781178 at any hour.
Moving a Broken Down Car FAQs
Part of the Car Recovery Advice Guide
This article is part of our Car Recovery Advice hub covering everything you need to know about car recovery in Ely.
View the Full GuideYou Might Also Find These Helpful
Broken Down Near Ely? Let Us Handle It Safely.
Ely Motor Services provides fast, professional car recovery across Ely and Cambridgeshire 24 hours a day. Call 01353 781178 for a clear price and a fast response — no risk, no DIY guesswork.