How we can help in Southampton
Vehicle recovery in Southampton
The M27 runs across the north of the city. Junction 3 takes the M271 south to Redbridge, where a free-flow lane added in 2019 links it to the A33 towards the docks; Junction 4 is where the M3 ends at its own Junction 14 and the A33 heads into the city; Junction 5 serves Southampton Airport. East of Junction 4, all the way to Junction 11, the M27 is an all-lane-running smart motorway with no hard shoulder. If a car is failing there, aim for an emergency area, and if you stop in a live lane, stay belted in with hazards on and call 999.
The docks have gates, and the gate number is the most useful thing you can tell us. The Eastern Docks, with the Ocean Terminal at berth 46 and the QEII Terminal at berths 38 and 39, are reached from the A33 by Dock Gate 4. In the Western Docks, the City Cruise Terminal is through Dock Gate 8, and the Mayflower and Horizon terminals are through Dock Gate 10. On embarkation days the approaches are busy, so a car that stops short of the gate causes a queue quickly.
Across the Itchen, the A3025 Itchen Bridge links Woolston to the city centre. It is a toll bridge owned and run by Southampton City Council. The Red Funnel car ferry to East Cowes leaves from Town Quay.
In the centre, Westquay's Multi-Storey and Podium car parks are both entered from Harbour Parade, and the Multi-Storey has a 2m height limit, which is why a flatbed can't go inside. Southampton General Hospital's visitor multi-storey is off Tremona Road, and it can queue at busy times. St Mary's Stadium adds match-day traffic.
A recovered car can go to a garage in Southampton, home, or up the M3 to a dealer, with the full journey priced first.
Roads & areas we cover around Southampton
Why Southampton drivers choose BlueLine
Recovering something other than a car
Different vehicles need different trucks and different handling. These explain how each one is done.
Southampton recovery & roadside FAQs
My car won't start near the cruise terminal. What do you need to know?
The dock gate number and the terminal: Ocean and QEII are through Gate 4, City Cruise Terminal through Gate 8, and Mayflower and Horizon through Gate 10. If you're already inside, let terminal staff know too. Give us the make and model and say if it's a hybrid or EV. A jump start is often enough to get you parked or on your way.
I've stopped on the M27 between Junctions 4 and 5. There's no hard shoulder. What should I do?
Get to an emergency area if the car will still move. If you're stuck in a live lane, keep your seat belt on, put your hazards on and call 999 before anything else. Once you're safe, call or WhatsApp 07944 820302 with the direction and the nearest junction or marker post.
Can a recovery truck get into the Westquay multi-storey?
No. The Multi-Storey has a 2m height limit and a flatbed is far taller. A jump start or a battery fitted in the bay is the usual answer. If the car genuinely has to be moved, we'll talk through getting it to a point we can reach.
Can you collect my car from Woolston?
Yes. Tell us the street and whether you want it taken over the Itchen Bridge to a city-centre garage or somewhere else. The route is planned before dispatch.
What decides the price of a Southampton job?
The pickup point, the vehicle, whether it can roll and steer, and the destination. You get one figure before we book the truck, and that's what you pay.