Breakdown Hotspots Revealed - And They’re All Smart Motorways
Written by
Sarah Tooze
Reviewed by
Alicia Hempsted
5 min read
Updated: 31 Jul 2024
We’ve identified the top 10 motorway breakdown locations in England and each one is on an all-lane running (ALR) smart motorway. So why are you more likely to break down on a smart motorway and how can you protect yourself?
In 2023 there were about 270,000 breakdowns on England’s motorway network - a 12% increase on 2022’s figures (267,579 versus 237,870), according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request MoneySuperMarket submitted to National Highways, the government-owned company responsible for managing the network.
Data from The AA paints a similar picture, it saw a 13% increase in motorway breakdowns in 2023 versus 2022.
Why has the number of breakdowns risen?
More cars may be breaking down because drivers have been skipping routine vehicle maintenance due to the cost-of-living crisis.
A third of drivers surveyed by Volkswagen Financial Services last year said they would bypass a scheduled service to save money, while a quarter admitted they got behind the wheel knowing their vehicle needed essential maintenance.
The automotive sector has also been experiencing a skills shortage, with some mechanics opting for a different career post Covid-19 and not enough people choosing to enter the sector. This has been coupled with delays for vehicle parts, resulting in long waits for essential vehicle maintenance.
Where are the breakdown hotspots?
Our FOI to National Highways also reveals the motorways in England with the highest number of breakdowns. Each of the top 10 locations is an all-lane running smart motorway where the hard shoulder has been permanently converted to a live lane.
Top 10 motorway breakdown locations in England in 2023
Ranking | Location | Number of incidents |
|---|---|---|
1 | M1 J14/15 | 1,787 |
2 | M62 J11/12 | 1,766 |
3 | M1 J15/14 | 1,752 |
4 | M6 J15/14 | 1,595 |
5 | M62 J12/11 | 1,522 |
6 | M6 J14/15 | 1,501 |
7 | M25 J5/6 | 1,451 |
8 | M25 J25/24 | 1,447 |
9 | M6 J19/18 | 1,371 |
10 | M6 J18/19 | 1,364 |
The AA says that live lane breakdowns are “incredibly dangerous” and that there is twice the likelihood (40%) of breaking down in a live lane on an ALR smart motorway than on a conventional motorway (20%).
It suggests that drivers who experience a vehicle fault on a smart motorway are more likely to risk further damaging their vehicle by attempting to reach a ‘safe’ haven such as an Emergency Area or exit slip road.
Breakdown figures may also be higher for smart motorways because there is nowhere for the driver to stop and make a ‘quick fix’ to a classic car.
The AA, RAC and loved ones of those killed on smart motorways are among those calling for the Government to abolish existing smart motorways due to safety concerns.
The AA says that this is a major plank of its Motoring Manifesto and is supported by 81% of drivers.
What time of year do most breakdowns occur?
The summer months of July and August are when most breakdowns occur on motorways in England, according to National Highways’ data.
In August 2023, 24,600 breakdowns occurred, which equates to about 9% of all motorway breakdowns in England. In fact, August has recorded the highest number of breakdowns in four of the five past years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023), with July top in 2021.
August is one of the busiest months of the year for The AA. In addition to increased volume due to holiday traffic, many vehicles such as seasonal vehicles like campervans and caravans can suffer fuel and tyres issues after lack of use over the winter months, then drivers heading straight onto the roads without proper checks.
Other reasons why more breakdowns occur in August are vehicles overheating in standing traffic, electrical issues due to higher ambient temperatures and collisions due to increased driver distraction.
What day of the week is worst for breakdowns?
Friday is consistently the worst day of the week for breakdowns on motorways in England, according to National Highways’ data.
In 2023, 43,913 (or 16%) of breakdowns happened on a Friday. This was the highest number of breakdowns on a Friday in the past five years.
The AA says that Fridays are often busier for motorway breakdowns as drivers are keen to get home from work, pack the car with weekend essentials and head straight back onto the road without carrying out adequate vehicle checks as they rush to reach their destination.
Additionally, fatigue from a busy week can cause minor collisions that result in standing traffic. This often results in overheating issues for vehicles stuck in the traffic behind the earlier collision and punctures from driving over the crash debris.
How can you prevent your car from breaking down?
To help avoid a vehicle breakdown, you should:
Have your car serviced regularly, in line with your manufacturer’s recommendations.
Check oil and coolant levels, tyres and lights before you set off.
Pay attention to dashboard warning lights.
Plan your route to include fuel stations or electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
It’s also worth considering breakdown cover so you can get assistance at the roadside or have your car towed away if necessary. The AA points out that just one breakdown on a motorway can cost more than a year’s breakdown cover as the police charge at least £150 for towing.
It can sometimes work out cheaper to combine breakdown cover with car insurance rather than buying each separately as your insurer may offer a discount so shop around to find the best deal.
If you do break down on a motorway (including a smart motorway), follow this guidance from National Highways.
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