Steering Changes The Recovery Job
A car that will not start is one problem. A car that cannot steer is another. Non-runners that cannot steer are harder to position, especially in narrow lanes, short drives, tight yards or spaces beside buildings. The collector needs to know the steering issue before deciding how the vehicle can be loaded.
Start with the simplest detail: are the keys available? A missing key can leave the steering lock on. A key that turns may release the lock even if the engine never starts. That one fact can change the collection plan.
Describe The Wheel Position
If the front wheels point straight ahead, the car may be easier to pull. If they are turned sharply toward a wall, gatepost or kerb, the recovery line may be awkward. Take a photo from the front corner so the driver can see the wheel angle and the space around the car.
Also mention whether the tyres are inflated. A car with failed steering and flat front tyres may drag rather than roll. If the tyres have been flat for a long time, the driver should know before arriving.
Check What Is Around The Car
Steering problems become worse when the vehicle is boxed in. A non-runner parked between a wall and another car needs more planning than one sitting in an open yard. Look at the front, rear and both sides. Can anything be moved to create a straighter pull?
Move working vehicles, bins, trailers or loose items where it is safe to do so. If a fence, wall, building or gatepost cannot move, make it visible in the photos. The recovery plan needs to fit the fixed obstacles as well as the vehicle.
Do Not Force A Bad Push
It can be tempting to gather a few people and push the car into a better position. That is not always wise when steering is locked, tyres are flat, brakes are uncertain or the ground slopes. A car can move suddenly, veer into something, or become stuck in an even worse angle.
If the car can be moved safely with keys and steering control, say so. If it cannot, leave it where it is and explain the restriction. Honest notes help the driver decide whether winching, repositioning or a different loading line is needed.
Give The Driver A Straight-Line View
Photos should show the likely pull direction. Stand where the recovery vehicle might stop and photograph the path to the car. Include the ground, any slope, and obstacles close to the line. If the only pull angle is sideways or around a corner, mention that clearly.
On a village street, include nearby parked cars and the road width. In a yard, include the gate and turning space. Steering failure is not only a vehicle fault; it is an access problem as well.
Prepare The Site Before Arrival
Before the collection slot, put the keys somewhere ready if you have them, clear the route, and make sure someone on site understands the steering issue. The close to this job is simple: do not surprise the driver with a locked steering wheel. Send the wheel angle, key position and loading space early so the car can be recovered without unnecessary shunting.