Vehicle Recovery and Tyre Services across the UK
Breakdown recovery and mobile tyre help from independent operators.
If a vehicle will not start, has a flat tyre or needs transporting, post where it is and what is wrong and independent recovery operators can respond. For roadside emergencies on motorways call 999 or your breakdown provider first.
Popular uses
- Breakdown and accident recovery
- Vehicle transport between addresses
- Mobile tyre fitting and repair
- Jump starts and roadside help
How it works
1. Post your job
Tell us what you are moving, where from and to, and when.
2. Drivers respond
Independent drivers in your area get the job and come back to you.
3. Confirm and move
We confirm the details with you and your driver completes the job.
Questions
Is this an emergency service?
What vehicle recovery through Vanloop covers
Vehicle recovery means transporting a car, van, motorcycle, or other vehicle that cannot be driven under its own power. This could be a broken-down vehicle at the roadside, a project car being moved between garages, a classic vehicle going to a show, or a car being delivered after a private sale. Through Vanloop, independent drivers with recovery-capable vehicles can quote on these jobs.
The driver uses a flatbed trailer, a beavertail truck, or a towing dolly depending on what is appropriate for the vehicle being moved. You describe the vehicle, its condition, and the pickup and delivery postcodes. Drivers who have the right equipment respond with quotes.
Types of vehicles that can be transported
Standard cars are the most common recovery job. Motorcycles, vans up to a certain size, classic cars that need careful handling, and non-running project vehicles can all be moved by recovery drivers. Each type of vehicle requires different loading techniques and equipment.
For motorcycles, a driver may use a dedicated bike trailer with wheel chocks and tie-down points. For classic or high-value cars, enclosed transport may be available from some drivers — mention this need in your job posting if it matters to you.
Describing the vehicle and its condition
The most important information for a recovery driver is whether the vehicle runs and drives. A running vehicle that can be driven onto a trailer under its own power is the simplest scenario. A non-runner needs a winch or additional manpower to load. A vehicle with seized brakes, collapsed suspension, or missing wheels presents additional challenges.
Include the vehicle's make, model, and approximate size. A small hatchback is a different loading proposition from a long-wheelbase van or a large SUV. If the vehicle has been in an accident and has sharp edges, leaking fluids, or structural damage, mention this — it affects how the driver prepares and handles the load.
Access and location for recovery
Where the vehicle sits matters as much as what it is. A vehicle in a driveway with clear access is straightforward. A vehicle in a multi-storey car park with height restrictions, a field with soft ground, or a narrow city street with parked cars on both sides makes recovery more complicated.
If the vehicle is at the roadside after a breakdown, give the driver as precise a location as possible — use What3Words or a nearby landmark if the postcode covers a wide area. If it is on private land, confirm you have permission for a recovery vehicle to access it.
Preparing a vehicle for recovery
Remove personal belongings from the vehicle before the driver arrives. Recovery drivers are not responsible for items left inside the car. If the vehicle has a flat battery and electronic door locks, work out how the driver will access the interior and gear selector before they arrive.
For manual vehicles, make sure the handbrake can be released. If the handbrake is seized — common on cars that have sat for a long time — tell the driver. They may need to use skates or dollies to get the vehicle rolling onto the trailer. For automatics, the gear selector needs to be in neutral, which may require power.
Safety and legal considerations
Recovery drivers are responsible for securing the load safely and legally. The vehicle must be strapped down at multiple points using rated straps. The trailer or recovery vehicle itself must be appropriately insured and road-legal. Overhanging loads must be flagged, and the combined weight of the recovery vehicle and its load must stay within legal limits.
If the vehicle being transported has no MOT, tax, or insurance, the driver still needs to carry it legally. Vehicles carried on a trailer are classed as a load, not as a vehicle being driven. This distinction matters and is one reason recovery services exist — to move vehicles that are not road-legal.
More questions
Can any driver on Vanloop do vehicle recovery?
No — vehicle recovery requires specific equipment. A standard panel van cannot transport a car. Look for drivers who describe recovery services in their quotes and have a flatbed, beavertail, or trailer setup. Be clear in your job posting that this is a vehicle recovery job so the right drivers respond.
What information should I give for a recovery job?
The vehicle's make and model, whether it runs and drives, its approximate size, the exact pickup location including any access issues, and the delivery postcode. If the vehicle is a non-runner, has accident damage, or has been sitting for a long time, say so. Photographs help enormously.
Can a recovery driver move a vehicle that has no MOT or tax?
Yes — vehicles carried on a trailer or flatbed are a load, not a vehicle being driven on the road. This is a standard reason for using a recovery service. The driver is responsible for transporting the vehicle legally and safely as a load.
What is the difference between recovery and towing?
Recovery usually means the vehicle is loaded onto a trailer or flatbed, with all four wheels off the ground. Towing — on a rope, bar, or dolly — leaves some wheels on the road. In most cases, full recovery on a flatbed is safer and causes less wear on the vehicle being moved.
How do I get a broken-down vehicle to a garage using Vanloop?
Post a job describing the vehicle, its condition (including that it is broken down), the breakdown location, and the garage postcode. Drivers with recovery equipment will quote. Include any time pressure — for example, if the vehicle is at the roadside and needs moving promptly.