My Mini has broken down - what should I do?
Stay calm & be cautious of other road users. Turn on your hazard lights & pull over to get your Mini off the road.
Always leave a broken down vehicle by the left-hand side, ensuring that you are visible (wear light clothes or a high visibility vest, especially when it's dark). Place your warning triangle 45 metres behind your Mini (NOT on a motorway!). If visibility is poor, or it is dark, keep your sidelights on to increase your chance of being seen. Lastly, when you are in a safe position to do so, call your breakdown service. Keep yourself & all passengers away from your Mini & any oncoming traffic.Broken down on a motorway
Get your Mini off the motorway
Try to make it to the nearest service station or motorway exit. If you're unable to do this, pull as far left as you can on the hard shoulder. Turn on your hazards, if visibility is poor turn on your sidelights as well. Make sure any passengers leave your Mini, if you have any high visibility jackets put them on! Climb over the safety barriers, keeping away from other vehicles.
Call a breakdown service - companies such as the AA, RAC & Green Flag all offer comprehensive cover. If you don't have a mobile phone with you, there are emergency phones on the side of the motorway - at approximately 1 mile intervals. Breakdown companies can also use these phones as a way of locating you quickly. These phones are free to use, but be wary of oncoming traffic, it is best to face traffic as you use the phones.
Warning:
Don't attempt to repair your Mini yourself
Do not place your warning triangle on the motorway or dual carriage ways.
Never stand on the motorway or near your Mini - move out of the way.
Smart Motorways
If your Mini suffers a breakdown on a smart motorway that doesn't have a hard shoulder, follow the steps above to get your Mini in to the left lane with your hazards on. Look for a motorway exit, nearest services, junctions or emergency refuge areas (follow the SOS signs).
Leave your Mini if it is safe to do so, keep away from traffic.
Use the emergency phone in the refuge area, you can ask the highways agency to contact your breakdown service on your behalf. Stay behind the barrier.
If you can't get to the refuge area, again move your Mini as far left as you can. If it's safe to do so, exit your Mini & stay behind the emergency barriers. Dial 999. If your Mini stops unexpectedly/ without warning in a lane away from the left - do not exit the car. Keep your seatbelts on, turn on your hazards and dial 999.
Mini Breakdown Help
Breaking down is unfortunately a regular occurrence, but we can help get your Mini back on the road! Check out more info about our Service & Fitting Centre here. Don't forget, Mini Breakdown cover could help you save £££ if you suddenly find yourself needing help whilst out and about - get covered!
Header image - Rob Lightbody / Flickr