A DRIVER called a roadside repair company, only for the engineer to track the rattling in his car to a packet of Tic Tacs in his central console.

A Cumbrian responder for The AA has described how, not wanting to risk further damage to his car, a driver called for roadside assistance when he heard a rattling sound.

George Davison, Cumbria AA Patrol, said: “I attended a job earlier in the year, where a young couple were heading towards the Lake District in a luxury car belonging to young lad’s father. The nervous driver said a rattle had appeared from the middle of the car, just after he’d left the last motorway services.

“Wanting to do my best to save their weekend, I got to work, checking all the basics like wheel tightness, engine oil and the exhaust system. I decided to road test the car to hear the noise for myself and found the cause of the rattle straight away.

“I asked the young lad if he’d bought anything when he stopped at the services, he replied, ‘Yes, some crisps and sweets, oh and a pack of Tic Tacs…’. At this point, the lad put his head into his hands in embarrassment.

"To save his blushes, I pretended to repair the centre console where the noisy Tic Tacs had been stored!

“There’s never a dull moment in the life of an AA Patrol, just don’t shake your Tic Tacs at me!”

Working in all weathers and sometimes testing conditions, it could be questioned what it is that drives some people to become an AA Patrol.

Their answer is that this is often one of the most rewarding jobs available in the vehicle repair sector, with a competitive salary, your own van and the freedom to make your own decisions to get members back on the road.

Attending around 10,000 jobs per day, AA Patrols see some of the most challenging situations that drivers are likely to come across, and get to see some of the more light-hearted moments that motoring can bring.

Joe Bassett, London AA Patrol, said: “I attended an elderly member’s car at her home in Leatherhead, Surrey, where she had been self-isolating for 12 weeks. The lady found it more comfortable to communicate with me via notes placed at her kitchen window.

“Once I ‘d repaired her car, said goodbye and was about to leave, she placed a final note at her window. I smiled and returned to my van. I couldn’t help but think about the final note for the rest of the day, so decided that I’d act on the request in the note if I found time the next day.

“My very first job the next morning was within two miles of the lady’s address, so I called to a local parts supplier and collected what she needed and placed it on her front doorstep.

"The lady was so happy that I’d dropped a spark plug off for her lawnmower that she even blew me a virtual kiss through her window!

“To me, meeting members like this one are what makes my job as an AA Patrol so rewarding.”

Edmund King, AA president said: “Five-star AA Patrols* are renowned for fixing members first, then their cars. Some of these stories exemplify what it means to our patrols to be part of our members motoring story, and to be valued by the people they serve every day, in all conditions.”