Exclusive: The AA slumps to seventh best breakdown firm

By Mark Solomons, sundaymirror.co.uk 6/07/2008

AA breakdown(Pic:SM)

EXCLUSIVE Rescue service is ranked 7th in poll

The aa has been left on the hard shoulder in a nationwide study of roadside breakdown services.

The motoring giant, which once billed itself in TV ads as the "fourth emergency service", came a lowly seventh out of 11 when drivers were asked to rate breakdown firms.

It got the lowest score of any firm when it came to value for money. The research by Auto Express magazine, which questioned 32,000 motorists, found small roadside recovery firms were voted the best.

Breakdown firms were rated under four headings - value for money, friendliness and helpfulness, general presentation and overall service.

Getting the wooden spoon was Churchill, famous for its bulldog ads.

In pole position was GEM Motoring Assist with an overall satisfaction rating of 84.5 per cent. At number two was lesser-known firm Autonational Rescue with a score of 81.5 per cent.

Third was the RAC, the first of the big names to appear.

David Johns, editor of Auto Express, said: "We found biggest isn't always best when it comes to dealing efficiently with roadside emergencies. Lesser known and smaller recovery firms generally outshone the big boys."

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