"A fix with a twist"

I've been driving for almost 50 years, so people often ask me for advice on the big stuff, like who I trust in an emergency, or where to find value for money. When they do, there's a story I always tell them.

One Saturday evening I was driving home from work when the engine of my people carrier began to start and splutter. It felt like there was a problem with a petrol blockage.

At the time I was coming up to retirement age, and was due to have my knees replaced. So I was pretty reliant on my car to take me anywhere further than the corner shop!

Concerned about a potential breakdown, I called The AA on Sunday morning and explained the issue. They had a patrol out to me by Sunday lunchtime.

The patrol was great. He shook my hand, smiled, introduced himself, and asked how he could help. Then he took a look at my car’s engine.

It turned out the coil had gone. He didn't have a replacement part with him, but assured me he'd be back the very next day to fit it and get me back on the road. And sure enough, on Monday morning I received a call asking me when I was free for him to fit the fresh coil.

By Monday lunchtime he’d been, fitted the new coil, and my car was back to running as good as new. All for what I thought was a very fair price.

Then five weeks later, I had an envelope pop through the post with The AA logo on it. The letter inside said that after a recent review of prices, The AA realised it had overcharged me for the work on my car, and could offer me a £30 refund!

After that, I really didn't have a bad word to say about The AA. Since then, the words I've used to describe them to friends are service, civility, and integrity.

Oh, actually, there's one more word, which just about sums up my entire experience with them... Lovely.

Freddy Scott, AA Member