The AA has revealed plans to launch a new Smart Breakdown solution that will help fleets and drivers predict and prevent faults with their vehicles and help them get back on the road faster.

The new solution will help motorists predict and prevent faults with their vehicles and help them get back on the road faster

Launching by the end of this year for private drivers and within some 18 months for fleets, the new solution will build on the first-generation Car Genie offering already available to fleets to bring a fully integrated service.

Smart Breakdown works by using a small plug-in device fitted in the member’s car which transmits fault information to the AA and then notifies the member. This means the AA can alert the member when they need to take remedial action (for example turning their lights off), thereby preventing a breakdown.

If it can’t prevent or predict a breakdown, Smart Breakdown will help get drivers back on the road faster by automatically sending information about a fault directly to the AA, explaining what is wrong and where the driver is so a patrol can be sent out with the right parts.

The solution will be sold as a premium add-on available to new and existing AA members for an additional £5 per month or £49 per year, and is the first of number of new products due to launch over the next 18 months.