M1 Breakdown and Vehicle Recovery
DF Recovery is based in Drogheda, halfway along the M1. Breakdowns and accidents anywhere between Dublin Airport and Dundalk are covered 24 hours a day, in both directions.
The M1 is the busiest road in the north-east, and a breakdown on it is stressful in a way that a car park breakdown is not. Traffic passes at speed, the hard shoulder is narrow, and you want someone who knows the junctions and does not need directions.
DF is based in Drogheda, roughly in the middle of the motorway, so northbound jobs towards Dundalk and southbound jobs towards the airport are both covered, and a car recovered from the M1 can go to a garage in Drogheda, Dundalk, Balbriggan, Swords or anywhere along the corridor.
Stay safe on the hard shoulder
- Pull onto the hard shoulder as far left as you can and put your hazard lights on.
- Get everyone out of the vehicle through the passenger side and stand behind the barrier, well back from the road.
- Do not try to change a wheel on the hard shoulder yourself.
- Note your direction of travel, the last junction you passed and any marker post number on the barrier.
- Call DF on 083 043 4347 or send the online request with your location.
Along the M1
Junctions between Dublin Airport and Dundalk, all inside DF's M1 coverage. Tell DF the last junction you passed and your direction of travel.
| Junction | Location |
|---|---|
| J2 | Dublin Airport / M50 |
| J3 | Swords |
| J4 | Donabate / Lissenhall |
| J5 | Balbriggan South |
| J6 | Balbriggan North |
| J7 | Julianstown / Gormanston |
| J8 | Drogheda South (Duleek) |
| J9 | Drogheda North |
| J10 | Monasterboice / Termonfeckin |
| J11 | Dunleer South |
| J12 | Dunleer North / Ardee (N33) |
| J14 | Castlebellingham |
| J15 | Dundalk South |
| J16 | Dundalk Centre |
| J17 | Dundalk North |
| J18 | Ballymascanlon / Carlingford |
Typical M1 call-outs
- Engine cut out at speed and will not restart
- Blow-out or puncture on a loaded van
- Clutch or gearbox gone on the climb out of Drogheda
- Accident damage where the car cannot be driven on
- Ran out of fuel or misfuelled on the way to the airport
- Overheating in slow traffic near the toll plaza
Where your vehicle can go
Anywhere along the corridor: a garage or tyre centre in Drogheda, Dundalk, Balbriggan or Swords, a bodyshop after an accident, or home. Say where when you call, or decide once the vehicle is safe.
Services on the M1
Towns along the M1
Need a vehicle brought to your workshop?
Customer collections, garage transfers and planned vehicle transport around the M1 corridor. Give David the pickup, destination and vehicle condition. Agree the quote and handover before collection.
Availability and collection time confirmed by David.
Questions & answers
For roadside help, planned transport and garage collections. Find the details you need before booking.
Talk to DavidBrowse all recovery FAQs →Which parts of the M1 do you cover?
The full M1 from Dublin Airport (junction 2) to Dundalk and the border (junction 18), in both directions. Drogheda, Julianstown, Balbriggan, Dunleer, Ardee, Castlebellingham and Dundalk are all everyday ground.
Can you recover from the hard shoulder?
Yes. Stay behind the barrier until David tells you it is safe to approach the truck.
I am at the toll plaza or a service area. Do you cover that?
Yes. The M1 toll plaza and the service areas along the route are inside DF's M1 coverage.
Do you also cover the M50 and M3?
Yes. DF covers the M3 corridor and the M50, along with the M1. Longer runs are quoted on request.
How do I request breakdown assistance?
Choose Request Breakdown Assistance to send your location and vehicle details in a WhatsApp message directly to David, or call David on 083 043 4347.
What information should I have ready?
Give your exact location, vehicle make and model, the problem, a contact number and your preferred destination. Mention whether the vehicle rolls, steers and has keys.
Can I arrange recovery at night or at the weekend?
DF Recovery operates 24 hours a day, including weekends. Call David to confirm availability and an arrival estimate for your job.
How much does recovery cost?
The quote depends on collection location, destination, vehicle type, access and the work involved. Ask David for the price before agreeing the collection.
How quickly can a driver reach me?
David gives an arrival estimate based on your location, traffic and current jobs. Call with your collection details to check availability.
Can you take my car to my own garage?
Tell David the garage or destination you want. Confirm it can receive the vehicle and give any opening hours, handover instructions or contact details.
Can you recover a car that will not start?
DF provides breakdown recovery and collection of non-running vehicles. Explain whether it can roll and steer so David can assess loading before setting out.
What if the wheels are locked or the vehicle cannot roll?
Tell David before booking. Locked wheels, steering faults, a stuck parking brake or missing keys can affect loading and the equipment needed. Suitability must be confirmed first.
Can my garage request a driver to collect a customer’s car?
Yes. Request a Collection Driver to message David directly on WhatsApp, or call David with the pickup address, vehicle details and your garage’s delivery address. David confirms availability, loading suitability and the quote.
Can DF transport vehicles between garages or dealerships?
DF offers vehicle transport and garage transfers. Give both addresses, opening hours and handover contacts, and say whether the vehicle starts, rolls and steers.
Can you collect a non-running car for our workshop?
Tell David the fault and whether the wheels or steering are locked. Send access photos where useful so he can assess the collection before agreeing the job.
Can a rental or fleet business arrange a vehicle collection?
Contact David with the vehicle, pickup contact and destination. Agree who authorises the move, the handover details and any collection or delivery window.
See what customers say
Read customer reviews and photos, or share your own experience on Google.
Broken down on the M1?
Message David on WhatsApp with your location and vehicle details. He confirms availability and a quote. For urgent help, call DF.
WhatsApp David · 083 043 4347 · 24 hours