Vehicle Recovery on the M62
Breaking down on the M62 means pinpointing your location on a long trans-Pennine route — use junction numbers, marker posts or emergency phones. Exit the vehicle, wait behind the barrier and call for motorway recovery on 07725 943641. In danger, call 999 first.
The M62 runs from Liverpool to Hull, crossing the Pennines between Manchester and Leeds — the highest stretch of motorway in England. Breaking down here, especially on the exposed moorland section, demands a clear head and a precise location. Here is how to handle it.
Location Matters More on the M62
The M62 is long, and "somewhere on the M62" is not enough for a recovery crew to find you quickly. As soon as you stop, note your direction of travel (eastbound or westbound), the nearest junction numbers on either side, and the number on the closest marker post — the small blue-and-white posts every 100 metres. If you are near an emergency telephone, the number on it identifies your exact position to the control room.
Marker Posts and Emergency Phones
Marker posts show the motorway number, your direction and your distance from a reference point — read the number to the recovery operator and they can find you to within metres. Emergency roadside telephones connect directly to the motorway control centre and are free to use; they also work when your mobile has no signal, which matters on the Pennine section where coverage can drop out.
The Pennine Section Needs Extra Care
Between roughly Rochdale and Huddersfield the M62 climbs over open moorland. Weather here changes fast — driving rain, fog, high winds and winter ice are all common, and the wind chill is severe if you are standing outside. Keep warm clothing and a charged phone in the car on this route as a matter of habit. If you break down here in bad weather, getting everyone behind the barrier and out of the wind is the priority.
What the Recovery Team Needs From You
When you call 07725 943641 for motorway recovery, have ready: direction of travel, nearest junctions, marker post number, vehicle make, model, colour and registration, the nature of the fault, and how many people are with you. Mention any complicating factors — a loaded trailer, a vehicle stuck in a live lane, or passengers who need extra help.
After the Recovery
We can take your vehicle to a garage, your home or another destination — it does not have to be local to where you broke down. Many M62 drivers are passing through the North West, so tell the operator your preferred destination when you call and we will plan the recovery around it.
Recovery and roadside assistance across the North West; vehicle transportation UK-wide. Prefer email? ianmacarlane99@gmail.com
Frequently asked questions
My phone has no signal on the M62 — what do I do?
Use an emergency roadside telephone, which connects directly to the motorway control centre free of charge and does not need mobile signal. Walk to the nearest one using the passenger side of the barrier. Once you have a signal again or have spoken to the control room, call 07725 943641 for recovery assistance.
Is it safe to wait in the car on the M62?
Only if the vehicle is fully off the carriageway in a refuge area or services. On the hard shoulder, exit through the passenger side and wait behind the barrier — the traffic side of a stopped car is dangerous. For M62 motorway recovery at any hour, call 07725 943641 once everyone is in a safe position.
Can you recover me if I am travelling through, not local?
Yes. A large share of M62 recovery jobs are drivers passing through the North West. We will collect you and deliver the vehicle to your chosen destination — home, a garage, or an onward address. Call 07725 943641 with your location and destination and we will arrange it.
What if my car breaks down on the M62 in heavy snow?
Stay with the situation calmly: hazards on, everyone rugged up, and call for help — do not try to walk along the motorway for assistance. In severe weather the emergency services may coordinate recovery, so call 999 if you feel unsafe. For recovery support, call 07725 943641 and we will advise on the safest plan.