Mintel last reported on the market for vehicle breakdown and recovery services in July 2000. This report examines the significant changes that have taken place since that time, examining trends among consumers, relevant external factors that are influencing the market and any key activity or strategic development undertaken by any of the major players in the market. As with previous reports in this sector, exclusive consumer research has been undertaken on Mintel's behalf by BMRB in order to identify any trends that have developed in the market.

In recent years, the main operators in the vehicle recovery services market have been able to expand their customer bases. However, this has been achieved through sales via third parties (eg insurance companies), which are often on a discounted or block basis, allowing intermediaries to offer competitive prices to their customers. As a result, income for the major organisations has been affected. Examining how the competitive nature of the breakdown and recovery services market has driven down the revenue of the traditional players in the market, key industry talking points covered include:

Continuing market growth, increasingly busy roads

The dynamics of a highly competitive market

The ad hoc sector of the market

Media spend of the above-the-line advertisers

Increasing membership of breakdown organisations – target groups and disinterested consumers