Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

Like car insurance, breakdown cover is an expense you begrudge paying for until you need it. But with modern cars being that much more reliable and requiring less frequent 

In this blog post we explore breakdown cover in detail, including what types are available, the secondary benefits of having it, and most importantly is it worth the cost or can you afford to ditch it? 

 cover is primarily roadside assistance, where a mobile technician will come to your location should you break down at the side of the road. This could be due to anything from a 

In some cases, the technician will fix the car then and there, but almost all roadside breakdown vans have recovery systems built in to safely tow the car to a local garage or your home, if close enough. 

What Are The Different Types Of Breakdown Cover? 

Breakdown policies are not a one-size-fits-all solution, with most companies offering different levels of coverage. Make sure any comparisons are made like for like, as some companies term their types of cover differently. 

Roadside assistance is a level of cover usually included as a minimum with most providers and means your car will be recovered or fixed from the roadside should you break down. This does not include non-starting issues when your car is at home. 

Roadside policies usually cover the entirety of the UK, but double-check if you live or travel to places such as the Scottish highlands or Channel Islands. 

Roadside recovery is usually capped at a certain distance from where you broke down, e.g. to a 

 within a 10-mile radius, if the nearest garage is further away than this, you may well be charged extra. 

In addition to roadside cover, national recovery includes the towing of your vehicle to anywhere in the country. This would usually be to a garage of your choosing close to home but could be your house instead. 

All companies will differ on how they enforce this, so check carefully before purchasing. 

, but that applies to Europe to, invaluable if you travel or are planning to travel to Europe. 

Again, different companies have different extras included, for example, the AA offers a £500 emergency hotel fund should you need to stop somewhere unplanned. 

Should you break down on your way to an important event, then onward travel cover includes cover for your onward travel expenses. This includes hotel stays, hire cars or taxi fares. 

If you regularly drive long distances to see family or for work, this could save you money and hassle when you need to get to your destination no matter what. 

Most breakdown cover policies specify the person(s) and car to be covered, personal breakdown covers any car you may be driving, regardless of who owns it or why you are driving it. 

Some policies don’t cover things like company-hired hire cars and such, but this could still be handy if you find yourself behind the wheel of a different car every month. 

Most breakdowns happen at the side of the road, mid-journey, but it can also be a huge inconvenience to go out to your car one morning and 

. Home start cover allows a certain number of callouts to your home address per year. 

The answer to this question depends heavily on the amount and type of driving you do and the car you drive. What’s invaluable to some drivers may be a waste of money to others. 

Some considerations as to whether breakdown cover is worth it for you include: 

What Are The Benefits of Having Breakdown Cover? 

Despite the costs, many people choose to pay for breakdown cover, for the following reasons: 

Breaking down on the way to work might sometimes be a blessing. But say you need to attend an important meeting that day, or have deadlines to meet, something as trivial as a puncture would often require an expensive tow, followed by a day desperately trying to sort out a 

Many breakdown services have dedicated tyre repair vans that will be dispatched when you tell the operator your problem. Depending on wait times, it’s likely your car will be back on the road and you make it in by mid-morning. 

Your bags, the boot and the roof box are packed with clothes, pets and everything you need for a week's staycation, but a faulty 

 when leaving a service station stops everything in its tracks. 

Having roadside assistance means you could be underway within a few hours with a new battery fitted, which the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about. 

Ranging from £10 to £50 per month, the monthly costs of breakdown cover vary depending on vehicle age, location, yearly mileage, cover type and more, so it’s always important to get multiple quotes, comparing not only cost, but the level of service, and customer reviews too. 

Like most products and services it pays to shop around, and breakdown cover is no different, here are some useful tips to to ensure you get best deal with your breakdown cover: 

For more information on ways to save money on Breakdown Cover, check out the 

Policies can be tailored to suit, from the most basic cover-up to anything and everything that could go wrong with your car. Some providers will offer these services even if they’re not included in your plan, but will be chargeable at the time of repair 

These are a few of the things most basic breakdown policies 

Is Breakdown Cover Legally Required in the UK? 

No, breakdown cover is not a legal requirement to drive in the UK. Unlike tax, insurance and 

, you can legally drive without paying for breakdown cover. 

This is also the case across Europe, so European breakdown cover is not legally required either. 

If you’ve never taken out breakdown cover before, the process will be alien to you, so we’ve put together a handy guide to help: 

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Provider 

As with any service, price is not the only factor to consider, and with how vital breakdown cover can be, you want to make sure you’ve picked correctly before signing up for 12 months of cover: 

 by WhatCar? ranked Green Flag as the best provider for 2023. This was based on multiple areas such as response time, customer satisfaction surveys and price. 

The best service provider for you is one that can also offer all the services you require at a good price, so be sure to check through all the information available before committing. 

Deciding whether or not to take out a breakdown cover policy is another one of the decisions we’re faced with when running a car, and the answer is dependent on your personal circumstances. 

Split the cost of car repairs into monthly payments with 

. Apply online before your visit to the garage and choose between 1000s of repairers already signed up to 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Is Breakdown Cover Worth It?

 and leasing have been around for years, but the concept of a car subscription is relatively new. We take a look at the ins and outs of car subscriptions, and whether they’re a useful option for those looking for a new car. 

A car subscription is when you pay a monthly fee in exchange for ‘owning’ a car. Car subscriptions simplify motoring by removing the individual expenses such as purchasing, 

, insuring and maintaining a car. These are replaced by a monthly fee agreed upon starting the subscription. 

For another way of looking at it, consider them the motoring equivalent to a content streaming service such as Netflix, where monthly payments give you access to content without further steps needed. 

 is akin to buying a BluRay player and individual movies, it may cost more initially and take more steps, but you will own the device and have the use of it indefinitely. 

Subscription term lengths generally range from one month to 3 years, but with the critical factor that most suppliers allow extra time to be added at will, meaning you don't have to be tied in to a long-term contract from the outset. 

Buyers can select from a wide range of suppliers, with many independent companies 

vehicle manufacturers offering subscriptions in the UK. Once a suitable supplier and car is selected, the term length and 

Monthly car subscription costs range from £300+/month with mileage and car type affecting the price, but contract length being the biggest factor. 

For example 2 2-year agreements can be as little as £299 per month, but if you only wanted to ‘subscribe’ for 1 month then it rises to £699 (Based on a Seat Ibiza covering 800 miles per month). 

Road tax (VED), insurance, roadside assistance and 

 is usually all covered too, but make sure to check the terms of your agreement beforehand. Any servicing that falls due during your contract will be covered, as will 

The Process of Starting a Car Subscription 

As with signing up to any contract, the vehicle provider will need proof of ID, driving licence and will run a 

. Once the formalities have been addressed you will need to select the car and mileage limits you require. 

Once these terms are agreed and the contract’s signed, you pay a monthly flat rate (assuming you stay inside the mileage cap), and get the exclusive use of a brand-new car. 

Car subscriptions are just one of the ways to get hold of a brand new car to drive, and is just one of the options that comes with monthly payments. Whereas 

 hold the possibility of buying the car, 

is the most comparable with car subscription services. 

Leasing differs in the level of service provided, generally when leasing a car, insurance, 

 and servicing falls to the lessee (the person who takes out the lease). In some cases road tax is accounted for in the lease payment, but not always. 

This partly explains why lease deals are generally cheaper than car subscriptions, but a big part of that is the contract term. Lease terms start at 24 months and can extend to 48 or more. Car subscriptions offer the option of short-term usage, from one month upwards. 

As the lease provider is guaranteeing 24 - 48 months of payments, they can afford to offer more reasonable terms, whereas a subscription provider will incur more costs from one-month subscription periods. 

The bottom line is that if you want a car for a fixed long-term arrangement, leasing is probably better, but if you’re not sure when you’ll need to hand the car back, go for a car subscription. 

If you use a car subscription for one year or more, then leasing would be the most comparable product, but for periods under that time, the traditional method would be a rental service. So how do they compare? 

For terms of two to three months, car subscriptions can actually work out cheaper than high street rental stores. One caveat is that rental companies don’t usually have mileage limits on their cars. 

The cost will differ depending on the type of car, length of term and your location, so we’d suggest getting some estimates from local companies before deciding. 

What Happens if You Damage a Car on Subscription 

, car subscription services have strict guidelines on what is and is not covered, most providers will deduct from your security deposit for minor scratches, with larger dents and damage being charged at higher rates. 

Best Car Subscription Services in The UK 

There are many independent subscription providers in the UK, as well as multiple manufacturers that provide cars directly through their dealer networks. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages depending on your choice of car and other options, so we’ve listed some below to look into. 

Manufacturer Providers of Car Subscriptions 

Ideal for drivers doing lots of miles per year, 

 offers 12-month unlimited mileage subscription services. Compared to a lease or PCP deal this could really save some money if you do more than 15,000 miles per year. 

Allowing you to select from any car in the Volvo range, 

 allows a 30-day trial with no obligation, then three-month rolling contracts. Perfect for those needing a car for an uncertain amount of time. 

Whilst it is one of the most reasonably priced options, with the i10 being available for less than £250, 

 doesn’t offer the entire range of models, which may be an issue for some. 

The benefit of not taking out a car subscription with a manufacturer is you have a wide range of makes and models to choose from. My Car Direct adds to that, with both 

 and ICE vehicles, cars and vans all available with free nationwide delivery. 

is an EV specialist, meaning you won't be able to subscribe to 

 through their service. This does mean however they are experts on EV makes and models and can advise on charging types and requirements. 

Offering both EV and petrol/diesel cars, 

 doesn’t limit you on fuel type, they also offer a generous 1,000-mile-per-month cap, and insurance included across most of the cars. A rolling one-month contract is also perfect for those that can’t commit to a fixed-term deal. 

Whilst more expensive than leasing, car subscriptions do hold some overall benefits: 

Factors to Consider With Car Subscriptions 

Thankfully because most car subscriptions offer a rolling contract basis, you can sign up for a shorter period first to get a feel for the car you’ve selected, but even so there are a few things. 

Although more expensive than leasing in the short term, and with stricter limitations than owning outright, car subscriptions serve a useful purpose in short-term motoring. In some ways, they can be viewed as a long-term rental, as they offer no strings attached car usage. 

Generally speaking, car subscriptions are ideal for those looking for a car on the luxury end of the market, for a period of 1 to 12 months, and even better for people who are not familiar with or don’t have the time to sort maintenance, 

, vehicle tax and all the other aspects of motoring. 

To ascertain whether they are worth it for you, consider all of the advantages, disadvantages and points to consider above. Also, check out our blogs on other types of 

, or if you think you may need a car for a longer period of time, our guide to 

Car subscriptions are a somewhat novel but handy way to drive a new, reliable and safe car. Whilst they are more expensive than other options over the short term, they do even out when considering the costs included. 

Further to that, the convenience of being able to change or hand back the car month by month is invaluable for some. 

If you’re looking for greater flexibility with vehicle maintenance, why not try 

 you can split the cost of vehicle maintenance into interest-free monthly payments. 

Apply online in a couple of seconds and choose from 1000s of dependable retailers. 

Are Car Subscriptions Worth It?

We’re excited to announce that Best4 has been named our winner of Partner of the Month for April 2024!

Part of the Autoguard group, Best4 Warranty is a top-rated warranty provider, dedicated to providing drivers with peace of mind, helping prepare for the unexpected. Since 2022, Best4 has utilised Bumper’s pay-monthly option to offer their customers more payment flexibility with their products.

The Camberley-based team just had their best month ever, with more happy customers driving away with warranties split into manageable monthly payments than ever before. With fantastic reviews on Trustpilot, Best4 presents a stellar 4.9-star rating. 

The team have received extremely positive feedback with their customer service, with one customer sharing “Great customer service! Lara Norris was really helpful and couldn’t do more to help!” Another added, “Excellent professional service from Shaneil, very detailed and thorough.”

A previous Best4 customer who used Bumper through Best4 Warranty stated, “Took out a 3-year warranty for my Citroen and the finance was handled by Bumper. It was easy to set up, giving me peace of mind with my new car.”

We extend a huge congratulations to Callum and the entire Best4 team for an outstanding month!

Best4 awarded partner of the month

When you look outside, you can probably only see regular cars. Maybe you’ll spot a few luxury or high-performance vehicles, but you won’t see anything too out of the ordinary.

We’re all guilty of a little car modification. Phone holders, new speakers, and air fresheners can make driving more comfortable. And why not? It’s fun to drive something unique. 

But what about when people take it too far? From banana cars and snow ploughs to the it's-so-bad-it-should-be-illegal, some people take modifications to the next level. Scroll down to see a round-up of the strangest cars ever. 

It looks like this owner took their love for Liam Neeson to the next level. Introducing Liam Nissan, the first contender for the weirdest car in the world prize! Would you show your support for your favourite celebrity like this?

The banana car is a strong contender for one of the craziest cars ever. Unlike some other entries on this list, the banana mobile has a unique shape and an ultra-cool convertible style. It’s like something straight out of a cartoon!

We’re not sure when you’d need a snow plough on the front of a caravan. But we guess it’s always nice to have the option. This older caravan has seen better days, but its snow plough modification puts it in the running for one of the strangest cars in the world.

It looks like Doctor Who’s broken down again. This pick-up truck seems to have a Tardis onboard. Don’t look too closely, though. It’ll ruin the optical illusion!

Have you ever seen a big car with minuscule wheels? Well, now you have! This is one of the craziest cars in the world, for sure. Don’t ask us why, but this has the same energy as a T-Rex, and we’re here for it.

Good news everyone, with the Planet Express car, you can now make deliveries powered by an internal combustion engine along a pre-constructed pathway designed for vehicular traffic in the third dimension. If you’re a Futurama fan, you’ll be impressed. If not, keep scrolling! 

The next car on our craziest cars ever list has made the 7th spot due to its special design. Like a mullet, it’s business in the front and kooky design in the back. Alternatively, you could say it’s like a child’s drawing of a car has come to life. Either way, it’s strange!

At first glance, this sleek car looks like something out of a sci-fi film. With a smooth aesthetic and an alien-green hue, we’re curious as to where it came from. Let’s hope the driver comes in peace!

Motorhomes are already unique cars, but this one’s unique shape takes the biscuit. It also cements it on the 

strangest cars ever list. Congratulations to the driver!

Meet the driving home for Christmas final boss. You can’t question this driver’s festive spirit! However, you will curse them if you get stuck behind this bright monstrosity on the motorway. Sunglasses, anyone?

A car bed might sound like a dream for road trips, but this one actually looks like a hotel you’d leave a 1-star review at. With no protection from the elements, no comfortable pillows or bed sheets, and no privacy, we won’t be checking in here. However, we will be placing this on the weirdest cars in the world list!

Have you seen a grass-covered car before? Well, now you have! We don’t know if this car is as eco as it looks, but we love the green theme. It might not be the craziest car ever, but it’s definitely one that would make you double-take!

Next on the strange car list is the Post-it car. Underneath these neon office supplies lies a Jaguar. But you wouldn’t have been able to tell from first glance! This isn’t one to drive on a windy day.

Ever wished you could drive a car on tarmac 

 water? The Amphicar Model 770 could be your dream match. This model has four wheels, two propellers, and a watertight design. Sadly, only 3,878 were manufactured, and they're no longer in supply.

We’re ending the list of strangest cars in the world with the famous General Motors Firebird. This aviation-inspired car is powered by a large gas turbine engine — just like a real fighter jet. However, the cars were so unstable (due to the high power) that they were rarely tested or driven. 

There are almost too many strange cars to choose from. However, we think the banana car is pretty wacky. Do you agree? Or has another car on the list caught your attention?

The ultimate list of strangest cars - Final thoughts

Hopefully, the list of strange cars has given you something to giggle about at work. Who knows? Perhaps it even inspired you to modify your car so you can make the craziest cars in the world list. If we’ve missed any iconic cars, send them our way!

 is here to help you split the cost of car repairs and services. 

Search for a reliable garage in your area by entering your registration and postcode with 

15 of the Strangest Cars in the World

Car finance is a great tool for getting a modern, safe, and 

 without the massive expense of buying it outright. However, as with any finance agreement, you should always be aware of all the terms and conditions, balloon payments in particular are one of the most important things to be aware of. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss balloon payments in-depth, including whether or not it makes sense to pay them and potential benefits. 

Most commonly offered on PCP (personal contract purchase) 

, balloon payments are the last one-off payment that allows you to purchase and own the car. They are calculated at the start of the contract, based on the car's predicted value at the end of the finance term. 

Balloon payments are optional, and many choose to either allow the deal to end, exchange the car for a newer one, or take out a new PCP deal on the same car. 

What is Personal Contract Purchase? (PCP) 

To fully explain what a balloon payment is, it helps to fully understand 

. Personal Contract Purchase is the most commonly used finance option in the UK. It allows the customer to drive a new or used car for a lower monthly payment than through HP (hire purchase) but without the upfront cost. 

PCP allows the purchasing of the vehicle at the end of the finance term, by paying the balloon payment, at which point the car ownership would pass to the customer. 

For more information about PCP vs HP, check out 

Balloon payments are an estimation of the car's value at the end of the finance term; different finance providers use different methods of calculating the balloon payment. 

Your monthly payments are then adjusted to accommodate this final value, including the interest you pay to borrow the money. 

If you’re already in a PCP finance agreement you can choose to pay the balloon or not, if you don’t wish to pay the balloon many finance providers will offer another finance term for the same vehicle. Bare in mind that the rates for this may not be as competitive as with a new deal, as you are already locked in. 

If you haven’t yet taken out car finance, and would rather pay more per month instead of paying a balloon, consider 

 agreements instead. These have higher monthly payments, but you own the car - with no balloon - at the end of the term. 

Before signing up to a finance agreement, make sure you are fully aware of the costs and payments required from you. The best way to check these is to read the documentation fully, but to help understand that documentation, the below example should help. 

In this example, the financier estimates the value of the car to be £6,520 at the end of the 48 month/4 year term, this means that the total paid in order to own the car is 

. To hand the car back the amount paid would be 

If you like your car and have the cash to hand, it may be best to pay the balloon and own the car. However, If you don’t mind paying a monthly payment or want a newer car, handing the car back and finding a new finance deal is always an option. 

Still Don’t Know Whether to Pay the Balloon Payment? 

Paying the balloon can be a good or bad financial decision, regardless of your thoughts on the car itself. 

 can almost be described as a fixed-term lease, with the option to buy at the end, the caveat being that the final cost is estimated at the start of the finance term. 

If you are indifferent to the car, and purely want to make the best financial decision, look up your vehicle on something like Autotrader for a comparable price. If your balloon is significantly more than comparable values, it’s probably not worth paying. 

Conversely, if your balloon is lower than market value, as may be the case if your 

 started before the current spike in the used car market, buying may make more financial sense. 

Unfortunately, you cannot change the balloon payment once it has been agreed between you and the finance company. Even upping your monthly payments cannot decrease the final value settlement, as the car value will still be the same. 

If you are thinking of taking out a finance agreement, increasing the 

 can decrease the balloon payment, as the car will theoretically be worth less if it has more miles on it. This only makes sense if you intend to do those miles, as your monthly payments will increase slightly. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Balloon Payment 

Compared to finance methods that do not feature a balloon payment, such as HP or leasing, balloon payments offer some distinct advantages: 

These benefits are possible with leasing or HP, but they cost more per month for the entire finance term. 

Depending on your circumstances, another kind of finance method may be better, these are a few of the downsides to balloon payments: 

Balloon Payments Vs Other Types of Financing 

 is the only type of finance arrangement that typically includes a balloon payment. Depending on your intentions there are other financing options that may suit you better. 

Hire purchase agreements can be considered similar to buy now pay later credit schemes, whereby you pay off the total amount for the car - plus interest - in monthly instalments over a period of time. 

The monthly payments are typically higher on hire purchase deals, as there is no balloon, but it can make managing your finances easier in the long run. 

HP is perfect for those looking to buy a car and own it past the end of the finance period, if you can make the monthly payments you will own the car at the end of the term. 

Leasing a car is the same as renting a car, just over a longer predefined period of time, these can often range from 2 to 6 years. With leasing you will never - and usually don't have the opportunity to - own the car. There is no balloon payment with car leasing. 

The monthly payments on a lease are typically of a similar cost to 

, but leasing is generally only offered on new cars, so if you’re considering a vehicle a few years old, leasing is likely to be the most expensive option. 

If you do not intend to own the car, and want a brand new one, leasing can be a more straightforward process over PCP, and often works out cheaper. As with PCP there are strict guidelines on vehicle damage, servicing and mileage limits, though. 

Personal financing - Bank loan or Credit card 

In addition to the financing options given by a dealer or seller, there are some options to help cover the costs of buying a vehicle. The most popular of these options is a personal loan. Many banks and credit unions offer unsecured financing for buying cars. 

The interest rate on a personal loan is often better than on PCP or contract hire, but you will have to make sure you can afford the payments, as the interest rates on late payments can be substantially higher. 

 option is a credit card. Quite a few card providers offer zero-interest credit cards for a set period, often up to 20 months. You will need a reasonable credit score to qualify, and find a car dealership that accepts credit cards. 

If you are worried about your end of finance fee, but you have only recently entered your finance period, there are a few things you could do to alleviate the stress. 

Calculate how much your car will be worth at the end of the deal, and if the balloon is worth paying. Even if you can afford the final payment, it may not be the best option to take, especially if the car is worth less than the balloon amount. 

If you can, put money aside for the balloon payment in advance, some banks offer regular saver accounts that give better interest rates on regular saving, meaning your savings will grow faster than in a regular current account. 

What To Do If You Can't Afford The Balloon Payment 

If you are approaching the end of your PCP finance deal, you will have the choice to pay the balloon or not, if you cannot afford the balloon payment you can hand the car back to the finance company. 

Is Breakdown Cover Worth It?

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