Skip to content
RAC utilises ultimate diagnostic capability to deliver more roadside fixes

Press release -

RAC utilises ultimate diagnostic capability to deliver more roadside fixes

The RAC has made a £6m investment to equip its patrols with the very latest mobile technology to fix more of its members at the roadside even faster with its new state-of-the-art diagnostic system backed up by on-board technical information and a giant mobile kit of over 500 parts and tools.

Packaged in a new rugged laptop, RACScan+ is some of the most advanced breakdown diagnostic software in the world allowing patrols to swiftly interact with the vehicle’s own diagnostic systems and on-board sensors and actuators to identify faults.

It complements the RAC’s on-board tool box with today’s high-tech and high-spec vehicles and enables every patrol to diagnose faults across the multiple vehicle systems on today’s modern cars, which would normally need to be taken to a garage for repair.

Significantly, it also enables the RAC’s fully qualified roadside technicians to affect a repair by programming new parts which often require ‘adaptation’ before they will operate. Increasingly even replacement batteries on modern vehicles require ‘coding’ when replaced.

All petrol cars and light commercial vehicles since 2000 and diesel vehicles since 2004 have been equipped with diagnostic ports which are similar to a TV scart socket. Today’s modern vehicles are equipped with sophisticated electronic computer management with functionality to manage every aspect of the car’s performance, safety and ride.

Every RAC patrol vehicle carries a comprehensive range of over 500 tools and parts to equip the roadside technician with everything he or she needs to repair over 80% of vehicle faults. On a daily basis RAC patrols fix four out of five cars at the roadside dealing with everything from a puncture or a flat battery to replacing complicated engine sensors that are critical to the vehicle’s performance and economy.

RACScan+ has been designed and developed with one of the world’s leading vehicle diagnostic software suppliers and tailored to the RAC’s specific needs to achieve maximum results in the event of a breakdown.

The RAC has some of the UK’s most qualified roadside technicians and the UK’s oldest motoring organisation actually trains many of the motor manufacturers own dealer workshop technicians on how to repair the latest production models.

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “With over 100 years of experience repairing our members’ cars at the roadside we know what tools to carry and what are the most common faults on every car on the road. We monitor faults and constantly revise and update the equipment and parts our patrols carry.

“The RAC has always utilised the latest technological advances to ensure we offer the very best repair for motorists and the roll-out of RAC Scan+ will give our patrols the very best information from the vehicle’s own diagnostic equipment to enable them to quickly and efficiently repair the car on the spot or, on those rare occasions when a roadside repair is not possible, make the call to recover the vehicle to an approved local garage.”

Topics

Categories


Notes to Editors

About the RAC

First formed in 1897, the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of drivers for more than 120 years.

Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistanceinsurancebuying a used carvehicle inspections and checkslegal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.

The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK drivers at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.

The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – is one of a kind and provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.

For the very latest news on UK fuel prices, check RAC Fuel Watch. It provides a comprehensive guide to the latest UK unleaded petrol and diesel prices – both at the wholesale level and at the pump - and tracks these prices daily to help drivers check if the price they pay to fill up is a fair one.

Contacts

Press office team

Press office team

Press contact For journalist enquiries only Emails monitored during normal office hours We're unable to help with member enquiries - instead please tap here or call 0330 159 0740

News, comment, data and research from the UK's longest-serving driving services organisation

The RAC Media Centre is home to all our content for journalists and news outlets: press releases and comments, as well as the latest driving and motoring-related data and research