AA slumps to seventh best breakdown service as drivers vote smaller firms better

Daily Mail, 06th July 2008

It may once have billed itself as the fourth emergency service, but the AA isn’t even in the top four roadside breakdown firms, according to a survey.

The motoring giant limped in at seventh out of 11 in the poll of 32,000 drivers.

On value for money, the AA came bottom, though it scored highly for its mechanics’ general presentation.

Motoring organistions were also rated for friendliness and helpfulness, and overall service in the study for Auto Express magazine.

Overall, top spot went to the lesser known GEM Motoring Assist.

Bottom of the list was Churchill, famous for its cuddly dog adverts.

David Johns, editor of Auto Express, said: ‘Biggest isn’t always best. The lesser-known and smaller recovery firms generally outshone the big boys.’

An AA spokesman said: ‘Regular independent polling among our 15million members consistently shows that 95 per cent would recommend the AA to family and friends.’

The full list, in order of overall rating, was:

1 GEM Motoring Assist; 2 Autonational Rescue; 3 RAC; 4 National Breakdown; 5 More Than; 6 Green Flag; 7 The AA; 8 Norwich Union; 9 Tesco; 10 Direct Line; 11 Churchill