Car ownership

Volkswagen emissions scandal: What it really means for British VW owners

23/09/2015

The Volkswagen emissions scandal has rocked the car industry and prompted drivers everywhere to wonder if they can trust anything car makers tell them. The outrage was discovered in the US and involves a programme hidden in cars’ computers. This can tell when the vehicle is undergoing an emissions test. It then switches the engine to a mode where it emits less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) to pass strict air quality tests. There are 11 million cars world-wide that could be affected. Here’s what British drivers need to know.

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Electric car questions: Are they value for money despite sales boom?

11/09/2015

Electric cars are cheap to charge but other factors inflate ownership costs (Picture © Nissan)

Electric car questions persist despite increasing sales every month due to drivers attracted by promises of big fuel savings. The Government and car industry’s Go Ultra Low, a body formed to push the benefits of electric cars, said in September 2015: “There are a whole host of benefits that come with an electric car…You can travel much further using less energy…This means financial benefits for electric car owners, plus our latest figures show that drivers can save around £750 a year in fuel by switching to electric.” But is that really true? We look at whether the costs of buying and running an electric car stack up.

Electric car questions: Does the government grant help?

The government has just confirmed that until February 2016, a £5000 grant is available towards the purchase of any new electric vehicle (EV). However EVs tend to have a more expensive sticker price than equivalent cars with petrol or diesel engines.
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James Foxall 1 Comment

Transport blackspots: How Brits have to rely on their cars

09/09/2015

Even if people have a bus stop near them, public transport can take longer and be more expensive than running a car (Picture © iStock)

Public transport blackspots and the shocking reality of life without a car has been laid bare by new research. Insurer Direct Line conducted the study which showed that nearly a fifth of the British workforce would be unable to get to their jobs if they didn’t run a car.

The research, conducted in August 2015, revealed that six million Brits would find it virtually impossible to rely on public transport because they live more than five miles from their nearest train station. And one million Britons would be unable to get to their local town or city centre at all using public transport.

Things don’t get much better for non-car drivers even if they don’t live in a transport blackspot.

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Sharing economy: How to earn money from your drive, garage and car

04/09/2015

Car clubs are an ever more popular transport solution with young urban drivers (Picture © Toyota)

Today there are more ways than ever for drivers to earn – and save – money motoring. It’s the result of the sharing economy, a largely internet-enabled phenomenon that allows people to rent their assets to others.

The sharing economy is certainly catching the collective imagination. Accountancy firm PwC believes it will go from being worth around £15 billion globally in 2015 to £335bn in a decade. According to PwC, car sharing is one of this new trend’s five main pillars (peer-to-peer finance, online staffing, peer-to-peer accommodation, and music streaming are the others). Renting out your car isn’t the only way drivers can benefit from sharing.

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Electric car charging roads on test in the UK

21/08/2015

Is this what the electric highway of the future could look like? (Picture © Highways Agency)

Electric car charging roads that will refuel battery-powered motors as they drive along are to be tested in the UK. The pilot project, a first in Britain, has been set up by the government’s Highways England. The aim is to boost the number of low emission vehicles on the road by making them easier to live with.

Electric car sales in the UK increased by 167 per cent in 2014, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The government wants to ensure this trend for switching to low emission vehicles continues. It’s investing £500m in alternative fuel transport technology over the next five years. Part of this will be on roads that can charge electric vehicles. In July 2015, Highways England published a feasibility study: Powering electric vehicles on England’s major roads. The testing of electric car charging roads result from that.

Electric car charging roads: How they’ll operate

The government’s plan is for major roads such as motorways and A-roads to feature the new charging technology. Trials will take place at a special testing facility later this year. Pure electric vehicles will be fitted with wireless technology enabling them to receive a charge on the move. Equipment installed beneath the road will generate an electromagnetic field to charge the cars.
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James Foxall 2 Comments

A fifth of drivers skipping car care

19/08/2015

Not having your car regularly maintained can cost drivers more in the long run (Picture © Institute of the Motor Industry)

Drivers skipping car care is nothing new. But a new survey shows that a fifth of us aren’t bothering with the routine servicing necessary to prevent breakdowns. If that figure sounds worrying, the proportion of drivers skipping car care is even worse in London where a third of car owners are putting off essential maintenance.

The survey, conducted by garage chain Kwik Fit in August 2015, shows that drivers in the south west of England are more savvy. This is where the most conscientious car owners live with just 13 per cent missing servicing.

Bizarrely, almost half of those drivers skipping car care are doing so in the knowledge that they’re just storing up more trouble – and bigger bills – for the future. Kwik Fit has even estimated how much this approach is taking. The company reckons an extra £154 million will have to be found for the additional work that will ultimately be needed.
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Why it’s dangerous to drive with a bulging tyre

17/08/2015

Replace any tyre that has a bulging sidewall like this. It is potentially dangerous

Having a bulging tyre – a lump in the side of the tyre – should prompt drivers to take immediate action.

Tyres lead a tough life. They’re subjected to a variety punishments from Britain’s ravaged roads, with potholes, crumbling verges, speed bumps and aggressive kerbs all taking their toll.

The result can see a bulge, typically about the size of the top of an egg, appear. It means the materials within the tough sidewall have been weakened. The next thing that could happen is the bulging tyre suffers a blow out – effectively explodes – and that could possibly lead to a loss of control of the car.

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How to sit comfortably and avoid back pain when driving

10/08/2015

As the summer holidays get into full swing and millions of motorists take to the road, drivers who are sitting comfortably in their car are luckier than they may have imagined. Four out of five people suffer from back pain, according to the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), and of those surveyed this January, 40 per cent say that sitting down aggravates back or neck pain. It’s enough to send a shiver down a driver’s spine.

Tackling the problem of sitting comfortably when driving and avoiding back pain doesn’t require action as drastic as buying a new car. That could be a very costly mistake, as it’s rare for a car to leave drivers feeling uncomfortable after a brief test drive; often it takes hours on end at the wheel before the telltale signs of back or neck pain begin.

Instead, there are plenty of practical steps to follow that should help most people get comfortable at the wheel. We asked Rishi Loatey, a practising chiropractor and member of the BCA, to share his advice for drivers and help banish Britain’s bad backs. Continue reading →

James Mills 2 Comments

New car warranties and how to make a claim

07/08/2015

Guide to new car warranties and how to make a claim

When you buy a new car you’re investing a lot of money into a very complex piece of equipment. You expect it to work efficiently for years to come, and the last thing anyone can afford to happen is that their new car proves temperamental and costs a small fortune in repair bills from the moment it’s parked outside their home. That’s where the manufacturer’s warranty comes in. There to protect you in the event of problems, a new car warranty should guard against repair bills for the first few years of ownership. Continue reading →

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Repairing tyres: All you need to know

31/07/2015

Whether a tyre can be repaired depends on where the damage is. Whoever’s doing the repair should first remove and inspect the tyre (Picture © TyreSafe)

Knowing if you can or can’t repair a tyre could come in very handy for a lot of drivers. Tyre companies estimate that on average drivers get a flat tyre about once every five years. Considering tyres can cost upwards of £100 each and you can repair a tyre for around £25, understanding if you can fix a puncture could be a handy money saver. Here’s all you need to know. Continue reading →

James Foxall 2 Comments

Is buying a used car warranty worth it? What is and isn’t covered?

24/07/2015

What is a used car warranty?

Whether or not you buy a used car warranty depends on the type of person you are. Are you prepared to gamble and hope that nothing will go wrong with a used car? Will you save a small amount of money each month to build up a fund for running and repairing your car? Or would you prefer to play it safe? If the answer is play it safe, then you should consider taking out a used car warranty. This is essentially an insurance policy against the cost of parts and labour following any mechanical or electrical failure. Continue reading →

James Mills 2 Comments

Expert advice: how to change your car’s windscreen wipers

20/07/2015

Windscreen wipers have come on a bit since these. They’re more efficient now as well as being simple to change

Windscreen wipers are vital because good visibility is one of the most important elements of driving. If you can’t see a hazard, you can’t avoid it. Like tyres, oil and filters, windscreen wipers wear out over time. The good news is it can be fairly straightforward to change them. Your car’s handbook is a useful ally here. But if you struggle, a wiper is far too important to take risks with so ask a friend who knows what they’re doing, or your local garage to help. Continue reading →

Mike Shaw 3 Comments

Car fuel economy: will new test make claimed mpg easier to achieve?

13/07/2015

Volkswagen claims its Golf Bluemotion can do 88.3mpg. Drivers struggle to achieve that in the real world but it isn’t VW’s fault (Picture © Volkswagen)

Car fuel economy is one of the things drivers complain about the most. It’s not that modern cars aren’t economical. They are. But car makers claim they’re much more frugal than is actually the case. The reason for the inaccuracy is all down to the way car economy is tested. But that is about to change. So, are we likely to see cars finally living up to their makers’ consumption claims? Continue reading →

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Dangerous illegal tyres: Nearly 10m cars could pose a safety threat

08/07/2015

A bulge like this in a tyre is illegal and could cause a dangerous blow out

Millions of drivers are taking to the road with dangerous illegal tyres. A new survey suggests that one in four cars and light commercial vehicles on Britain’s roads will have an illegal tyre at some point during 2015. With 35.3 million vehicles on our roads that means nearly 10m could have dangerous illegal tyres. Here’s what you should look out for to prevent becoming one of them. Continue reading →

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“Wish we’d had European breakdown cover for our holiday in France”

06/07/2015

Green Flag European breakdown cover case stud

The Roberts family – dad Alex, Kit, Holly and mum Vicky – found out the expensive way how valuable European breakdown cover can be

When the Roberts family set off last summer from their home in Lamberhurst, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, they couldn’t wait to reach the ferry terminal at Dover, board the boat and begin their summer holiday in France. But the excitement of grabbing dinner in the ship’s restaurant ahead of a drive to Montignac, in Dordogne, soon faded: Mum, Vicky and Dad, Alex realised that each had thought the other had arranged European breakdown cover. Continue reading →

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How you complain about a faulty car: ways to stand up for your rights

03/07/2015

Exactly how you complain if you’re having a problem with your new or used car will have a direct impact on the results you get. As a nation, the British aren’t great at complaining. However, sometimes it has to be done. After all, a car is a significant financial outlay. The very least we should expect is that it does what we paid for it to do without fault. But inevitably things will go wrong. Here’s what you do to make the best of those setbacks. Continue reading →

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Ford’s front camera: the car that lets drivers see round corners

24/06/2015

Thanks to Ford’s front camera, drivers will be able to see round corners at previously blind junctions. It’s hoped the new technology could prevent accidents caused by drivers edging out in order to see if their path is clear. With Ford’s front camera, drivers just have to inch the nose of their car out at the junction. The camera, installed in the front grille, then offers a 180-degree view of approaching traffic. It means drivers don’t have to put themselves, their cars or other road users in jeopardy when they want to pull out. Here’s how it works. Continue reading →

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How to replace your vehicle’s number plate

22/06/2015

How to get a number plate made for a caravan

You might think that replacing a missing or broken number plate would be as simple as visiting a local car spares store and handing over a few pounds for a freshly laminated number plate. But to protect drivers from unscrupulous criminals there are legal requirements that mean everyone must produce certain identity and vehicle registration documents before a registered number plate supplier can make up a replacement number plate. Continue reading →

James Mills 3 Comments

Plug-in electric cars: 67% want one to save money – but are they any cheaper?

17/06/2015

Plug-in electric cars are being considered by most people as their next car. A study by the Government’s Go Ultra Low (GUL) has found that 67 per cent of drivers want to own a battery-powered car. Three quarters of drivers said that running costs were the biggest consideration when choosing their next motor. The GUL report also cites the style and convenience of electric models. But are electric cars really the right choice for cost-conscious drivers? We look at the pros and cons: Continue reading →

James Foxall 1 Comment

Pothole spotting car to reduce damage and cut compensation claims

10/06/2015

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has come up with a pothole spotting car in an effort to prevent harm to vehicles and people. It’s currently estimated that wheel, tyre and accident damage caused by potholes costs the UK around £20m every year. Eventually, JLR hopes information collected by scanners on individual vehicles will transmit information to other cars and beyond. This could enable councils to fix damage to their highways as quickly as possible, saving money and possibly, lives. Continue reading →

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