What To Do In The Event Of A Breakdown

Picture this: you’re cruising down the road, live laugh loving the drive and suddenly your car starts making a strange noise... or worse, it just stops. It’s the stuff of nightmares, and if it’s ever happened to you, we get it - breakdowns are stress city wherever you are when it happens (rush hour traffic could take the cake though). But take a deep breath - knowing what to do next can make a frustrating moment much easier to handle (and help you avoid a full-on human breakdown too). 

Here’s your simple step-by-step guide to staying safe, getting help, and getting back on the road quickly with support from us, SERE Motors and Bodytech Repair Centre. 

Step 1: Stay Calm and Get to Safety

If your car is still moving, the first priority is to get yourself and your passengers to a safe spot. 

• Pull over to the left-hand side of the road if you can, but avoid soft verges and blind corners. 

• Switch on your hazard lights immediately. 

• Put on your handbrake and switch off the engine. 

• If it’s safe to leave the vehicle, exit on the passenger side and stay well away from moving traffic. 

• On a motorway or fast-moving road? Get behind a barrier if there is one. 

If visibility is poor or it’s dark, make sure you're as visible as possible. A reflective vest and warning triangle are handy to keep in the car — especially in rural or unlit areas. 

Step 2: Call for Recovery 

Once you’re safe and the car’s clearly not going anywhere, it’s time to call in the professionals. 

SERE Motors offers 24/7 vehicle recovery — so no matter the time, day or night, our team at CCRS is on standby to help. Simply call us on 028 9020 5100. If you call during business hours, we’ll arrange for a recovery vehicle to come to your location, if you call outwith business hours, you will be able to directly contact CCRS by calling our phone number. Whether you're stuck in Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus, or further afield, we’ve got you covered. 

We’ll get your vehicle off the road and straight to our expert technicians at one of our trusted service centres. 

Step 3: Let the Experts Take Over 

Once your car reaches us, we’ll carry out a full inspection to figure out what went wrong. Whether it’s a flat battery, an electrical fault, or something more serious, our team will explain exactly what’s going on — with transparent pricing, no guesswork, and no unnecessary upselling. 

Need bodywork after a bump or collision? Bodytech’s repair specialists can handle everything from small dents to major accident repairs, with manufacturer-approved parts and a satisfaction guarantee on all work carried out (and we can work with your insurance!). 

And if being without your car is a problem, we offer courtesy cars (subject to availability) to help keep your life moving. 

Step 4: Prevent Future Breakdowns 

While not every breakdown can be avoided, regular maintenance is the best defence against being stranded on the side of the road. 

At SERE Motors, we offer Vehicle Health Checks to assess key components like brakes, suspension, lights, tyres, and more. It’s a quick, affordable way to catch problems early before they turn into bigger, more expensive repairs. 

When the Worst Happens, We're Here 

A car breakdown doesn’t need to derail your life. With the right support, you’ll be back behind the wheel before you know it. 

So, if you ever find yourself stuck — whether it’s a strange noise, a dead battery, or something more serious — remember: 
📞 Call SERE Motors on 028 9020 5100 
🛠️ Book a service to stay road-ready 
🚗 Trust us for expert repairs