Latest news with #breakdown
Top Gear
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Rapid response: can the Maserati MC20 make a good roadside recovery car?
Ever had a long wait for a recovery van? Top Gear to the rescue... with a slightly reduced toolkit Of course it's a Disco. It's always a Disco. First call out of the day and I'm first on the scene. That was the plan of course, and it's worked a treat. Now, what had Dominic told me it was likely to be? Ah, that's right, it's a Land Rover, therefore... almost anything: blown turbo, glitchy electrics, belts, water pump, front diff, front wheel hubs, air suspension, cracked engine block... I open up the MC20's toolkit. It contains a towing eye. Nothing else. Hmm. Hang about, Dominic shoved a chunky battery starter pack in the Maserati's footwell earlier, seeing as battery issues account for about 20 per cent of callouts. I connect it up. Much clicking, no life. And that's me done, out of ideas. All I'm good for right now is tea and sympathy. My shoulders sink as I realise I left my flask at the hotel this morning. I smile wanly at the beleaguered Disco driver, 'At least the sun's out...' We've all heard the horror stories, people waiting for hours for the recovery services to turn up, stranded on the hard shoulder of the M40 for two hours (that'll be me), broken down in roadworks on the M4 after a piston went through the block (also me). How to solve this? Get to people faster, duh. Where some would suggest more patrol vans, Top Gear suggests speed. We've built the AA a rapid response vehicle. Photography: Olgun Kordal Well, I say built, but what we've actually done is livery up Maserati's 620bhp mid-engined supercar, sucker some lights on top and headed off to help one of the UK's most remote patrols cover his Highland patch. My thinking was that he must have a huge area to cover and on these corking roads I could get from one end of the Highlands to the other a mite faster than a 113bhp Ford Transit. True though that may be, it's not how it works. Instead a 62-mile radius is drawn around the patrol's front door and that, literally, is their sphere of influence. Dominic Carroll has been an AA patrol for eight years. Like most others he was a mechanic first, a Gold level Vauxhall tech who fancied a change. After a month's training and two weeks working alongside a mentor, he was ready to discover a whole new world of vehicle repairs beyond Vectras and Corsas. This is his turf and today we've been brought together to form the AA's Highland Patrol, which means we can put an addendum on the AA's frankly pretty weak slogan. 'Always ahead. Thanks to 620bhp.' Actually, the AA used to have a bespoke Highland Patrol. Mounted in Land Rovers they'd cruise around looking for members they could assist. In pre-mobile times away from motorway emergency phones, that was how it was done. It's all much more high tech today. And reliable presumably, seeing as the Land Rovers have long since been retired. A few patrols up here are mounted in four wheel drive Volkswagen Transporter 4Motions to combat remote winter callouts. Dom arrives at the stranded Disco 15 minutes later, an interval in which I've learned that the Maserati's main role is to be a distraction until the cavalry arrives. The most valuable tool on board the Transit is the knowledge management system, a built in computer that's a bit like Wikipedia for patrols. Not only is it chock full of information on typical issues for any given car, it allows each patrol to edit entries to say how they fixed them. A wifi booster means it still works in remote areas. Mostly. We are very remote today. An alternator issue is quickly diagnosed, and 10 minutes later the Disco is on its way. Dom gives me a tour of his van, pointing out the immediate areas where the Maserati falls flat. 'We have to have cross cab access plus a sliding door on the safe side.' I look at the MC20 and picture clambering across the transmission tunnel and out through the upwards opening door on my hands and knees – not an image of competence and capability. 'I tend to leave the van out a bit so it protects me working around the car in front. On motorways we have to leave 18 metres of clearance between van and customer car – that's called the crush zone for obvious reasons.' Dom's Transit is brand new – he's happy because the AA fast-tracked it to him specially for today. The sliding door opens to reveal... everything. Not just big ticket items like batteries and spacesaver wheels, or generic items such as pumping airbags to get into locked cars, clutch cables, amalgamating tape, reflective card to replace mirrors, cable ties and lens tape ('Haven't used that for about a year'), but even car specific repairs. 'See this? This is really good,' Dom shows me a little metal sleeve. 'It's a gear selector repair kit for a Fiat 500 and Ford Ka – we do this repair pretty much all the time. People think they've got a clutch issue on their 500, but it's actually the gear selector's ball connector. It's plastic and wears over time. Before we got these, we used to use a disposable glove and clamp that in place. But this is pretty much permanent.' Around 80 per cent of issues can be fixed at the roadside, reckons Dom. Those that can't require recovery. The back of every Transit is filled with a compact recovery trailer (CRT) that swings out hydraulically and clamps on the towbar. 'If we hadn't been able to get that Discovery going then we'd have had to call a flatbed, because this has a tow limit of around 2,000kg.' How fitting that the AA's new spearhead has a trident badge This is akin to an issue I've run into with recovery services before – no matter how much you tell the call centre to just send recovery because every tyre is punctured or there's a hole in the engine block, for a variety of reasons around insurance and health and safety they have to send a patrol to assess the issue first. Meaning more delays and frustration. But then sometimes punters don't know what they're talking about or are, er, economical with the truth. 'I once had a callout where a customer had told us his car was suffering a fuel cutoff issue and when I got there, there was fire, police, ambulance and the car was upside down in the middle of a field. The fuel cutoff wasn't the only issue there, was it?' I'm hoping for similar drama today, but the next call sounds fairly prosaic – a Mercedes with a flat tyre. That and batteries are the most common callouts. Having failed to slot the spacesaver spare in the Maserati's boot, I hotfoot to despatch tea and sympathy... well sympathy, to the afflicted party. The trouble is that on single track Highland roads the Maserati isn't actually that fast. Even by supercar standards ground clearance is hopeless. It scuffs and scrapes its belly everywhere, so I slow down and the Transit catches up. There's a nose lift, but it drops back down above 25mph. But it does have things in its favour. Speed, when you can deploy it, comes as effortlessly as breathing, the twin turbo V6 barely having to work. It's comfortable too, with fine seats and a calm, placid ride, plus it sups fuel sparingly (even though the fuel gauge is a terrible fibber, screaming at you to fill up when there's still 20 litres in there). Spend a day in here? No issue at all. But mainly the MC20 looks flipping fantastic as an AA early warning vehicle. When the sun's on it the Giallo Genio paintwork proves a near exact match for the AA's Ford M8 yellow. Bit more costly though – thick, rich and heavily pearlescent, it's a £9,650 option at Maserati, but comes free with every AA van. Special order obviously, seeing as the vans are built in batches by Ford and VW (the only two AA suppliers). The last order was 740 new shape Transits. They join a nationwide fleet of 2,800 vans, 250 trucks and one (temporary) Maserati. Personally, I'm looking past Maserati's troubled relationship with reliability and focusing on how fitting it is that the AA's new spearhead has a trident badge. And winter tyres. And a V6 that doubles as a boot warmer. Not sure that's intentional. Or desirable, as when I pull up at the Mercedes and open the boot I rediscover the teacakes I bought on the way up yesterday to dispense to those in need. Chocolate is seeping out of the foil cases. The Merc CLS is a breeze. The owner wasn't confident using the jack, so Dom and I look like high-vis heroes, wielding trolley jack and wheel gun and switching it to the spacesaver in F1 pitstop time. One thing though – to absolve itself of complete responsibility the AA tells customers they need to check the wheelnut torque in 30 miles. Bet none do. And yes, there is an algorithm that prioritises cases based on location, gender, age, weather conditions, danger and so on. It doesn't chide you for choosing an unreliable car though, so that's something if you have a Fiat, McLaren (yes, Dom has seen a few – 'Always electrics in those') or Jaguar Land Rover product.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Spudman thanks Ipswich recovery service after A14 breakdown
A TikTok chef who broke down on a dual carriageway late at night has thanked a recovery service as well as police for their help in getting him whose real name is Ben Newman, has more than 4.3 million followers and is known as a street vendor selling jacket potatoes in Tamworth, attending the Suffolk Show near Ipswich, he revealed on his social media page that his van had broken down on the A14 late on Thursday. Jack Parker, owner of RB Commercial based in Ipswich, helped Spudman home and said his team was always happy to help. Spudman was first helped to a service station near Sproughton by Suffolk Police and said on TikTok he "wasn't expecting a tow" from thanked the officers for their efforts in a video on Friday."We called out a recovery firm, they originally said they'd be half an hour and we paid a deposit, then they said they're going to be two-and-a-half hours," he added in his video."These guys (RB Commercial) just turned up randomly because they saw us on the side of the road and they are fans." Mr Parker explained he had seen Spudman's TikTok and decided to help. "Because we work that road a lot I knew roughly where he was just from his video," he said."At that time as well, lots of people were just turning up madly to the services where he was and taking pictures with him."The poor bloke just worked hard for two days and wanted to get home." Mr Parker sent two of his drivers down to the service station and after some discussions it was decided they would take Spudman back to Tamworth, where they arrived at 03:00 BST on on his TikTok, Spudman added: "We had an amazing [Suffolk] Show."Shame about the van, these things happen... it's going to need a new engine."Mr Parker said Spudman was "a really nice bloke, really sound" and stressed he would "help anyone" in need. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Auto Express
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
UK's worst lay-bys for breakdowns named and shamed
We receive many unusual press releases here at Auto Express, but we've not seen anyone attempt to rank the UK's worst lay-bys to break down in. Until now. We'd say the worst lay-by to break down in is the one where it happens to you, but hats off to ALA Insurance for taking a more scientific approach to the subject, in an ultimately successful effort to grab a headline. The company has analysed 120 lay-bys across the country, rating them against a selection of criteria including mobile phone signal, distance to local (or otherwise!) services, and even the average annual temperatures and rainfall. Advertisement - Article continues below The resulting index allows ALA to name a lay-by on the A713 in Galloway in the south of Scotland as the UK's worst spot to get stuck in with car trouble, closely followed by lay-by 99 on the A9 southbound near Etteridge in the Scottish Highlands. 'The A713 lay-by scored the lowest overall for mobile signal, making it tougher to call for help when you need it most, while the A9 lay-by 99 may have scenic views, but you'd best have wrapped up for the journey if you find yourself stuck, as it's the worst weather-wise,' ALA explained. Third and fourth places go to lay-bys on the B4302 at Talley in Wales, and the A483 near Gresford, also in Wales. In fact Scotland and Wales grab all top six slots, with A84 (central Scotland) and A470 lay-bys (south Wales) next in the running order before the South East makes a surprising entry into the table – with a lay-by named as 'SY2' on the A44, a road which heads from Oxfordshire into, er… Wales again. Eighth, ninth and 10th spots in the ratings are the A57 Cutthroat Bridge lay-by on the A57 in the North-West that sounds positively dangerous, and two entries from the South-West on the A37 and A40. Check any car's MoT history in a few easy clicks with our MoT checker tool... Find a car with the experts Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here's everything we know so far Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Katie Price shares the devastating reason she 'hated' Loose Women and would 'never do it again' as she appears at University of Cambridge amid JJ Slater split rumours
Katie Price has revealed the heartbreaking reason she 'hated' being on the Loose Women panel, and would 'never do it again'. The glamour model, 46, was a regular on the ITV daytime show from 2015 to 2018, but has now confessed she 'didn't like' being on the programme as it came during a difficult time for her. Speaking during a Q&A at The University of Cambridge 's Student Union, Katie admitted she 'hid' her personal problems while on the show, and would never like to return to the panel. The star has shared in recent years how she suffered a breakdown after a string of personal woes, including being robbed at gunpoint in South Africa in 2018, and being arrested on suspicion of drink driving after crashing her car. Katie said: 'I hated doing that show. The interesting thing about Loose Women, I presented on it for two years, believe it or not, and it was around the start and during my breakdown and no one knew. I hid it very well on there. 'The only thing I didn't like about Loose Women was, you had these in-ears and you're told when you can speak, when you can't, or if someone is talking, 'Kate, don't interrupt, Kate don't say this, Kate don't say that', so it's quite hard. 'Behind the scenes of TV is very different to how you see it. 'Although it was fun, I got to meet a lot of people, I would never, ever do it again, even if they ask me, because one, I've been there and done [it] and I didn't really enjoy it. 'I wasn't really well, but no one really knew, it was the start of my breakdown, horrible days. 'But I liked the women I did it with, we had fun, but yeah, I wouldn't do that show again. 'Maybe I should have my own presenting show, that's something I haven't done, but it would have to be late night because there's no filter with me.' Katie went on to say she 'couldn't do' another daytime TV show. In 2018, after being robbed and raped during a horrific carjacking in South Africa, Katie had a mental breakdown and attempted suicide. Yet when reflecting on her turbulent past, Katie shared that she has worked through her problems in therapy, telling MailOnline: 'I've got severe ADHD and severe PTSD. I've been through breakups, marriages, kidnapped threats, hijacked, held at gunpoint, you name it, I've been through it. The star added: 'Although it was fun, I got to meet a lot of people, I would never, ever do it again, even if they ask me, because one, I've been there and done [it] and I didn't really enjoy it' 'And then I had a breakdown, a bad breakdown, survived that and came out the other end. I just feel that I've been through so much.' It comes as Katie also sparked speculation she's split from her boyfriend JJ Slater, after they deleted all traces of each other from Instagram. The former glamour model has been involved in a stop-start relationship with Slater since publicly confirming they were romantically involved last February. But she prompted inevitable speculation regarding her current relationship status after reshuffling her social media platform to prioritise pictures that focus on her children and passion for horse-riding. Price, 46, also drew attention to her easter pantomime role in Pinocchio - in which she plays a fairy - as well as promotional photos and videos for CBD oil and niche, online fashion retailers. But there appears to be no room for Slater, 32, who Price once described as 'my absolute everything.' Likewise, Price is notably absent from his Instagram platform, with the first visible photo of the model seemingly shared last November. However, despite a clear shift in tone across social media, sources have denied claims of another rift in their relationship. A source told MailOnline: 'It's not true.'
