Ensuring company cars have the latest safety aids such as a reversing camera and object detection helps those who drive for work (Picture © Ford)
Do you drive for your employer? Have you had the correct training or, indeed, any training at all? If the answer is no, then it’s time to take action: at least 24% of road deaths and serious injuries in this country involve a vehicle that is being driven for work. Continue reading
Honda Civic records the best ‘true MPG’ according to tests by What Car? mag (Picture © Honda)
Fuel consumption – and more specifically cars’ inability to their match makers’ claims – is one of the biggest causes for complaint among drivers today. Now new research shows that smaller cars are more likely to return fewer miles to the gallon than larger models. Continue reading
You shouldn’t pay a service charge when you apply for a new driving licence
Drivers have been warned not to be duped by government website copycats charging for services that would normally be free. Continue reading
Many drivers put up with faults simply because they don’t know what to do if they’re unsatisfied with their car or motorbike. If you’re at your wits’ end with a problem on a recently bought vehicle that seems beyond repair, you may want to consider rejecting your vehicle. Continue reading
You still have rights, even when you buy an old nail like Del Boy’s Reliant Regal. (Picture © Beaulieu)
Consumers complain about cars more than any other item, according to Citizens Advice. Typically, the consumer body receives over 45,000 grumbles a year, with just over two thirds relating to used cars.
However, few of us know the law or what it entitles us to if we’re not entirely satisfied. Read on to find out what you can and can’t ask for if things go wrong. Continue reading
Defective tyres can cause crashes. (Picture © TyreSafe)
Latest official figures show that dangerous tyres were a factor in a third of the casualties caused by defective vehicles. Department for Transport statistics revealed that defective vehicles were responsible for 2855 casualties in 2013. Dangerous tyres contributed to 968 of those, or 34 per cent. Continue reading
Step back in time at Lavenham Guildhall (Picture © Lavenham Photographic)
Where: Suffolk
When to drive it: Autumn
Essential stop: Fishing for crabs at Southwold
Perfect stay: The Crown, Southwold
As our Indian Summer continues and the sun heads off the more typical grey autumnal days, Suffolk is the perfect destination for families who want to unwind and grab some precious, undivided time together. Continue reading
Volvo was one of the pioneers of Autonomous Braking (Picture © Volvo)
From 2015 new cars must have Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) if they’re to get a maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP, the independent crash-safety organisation. The aim is to encourage car makers to fit as standard the system that slows or stops a car automatically if it detects danger.
Read on to find all you need to know about an exciting new technology that could slash the number of accidents on British roads. Continue reading
(Picture © Apple)
Drivers face a lot of potential distractions from today’s technology, and Apple’s new watch – dubbed the ‘iWatch’ – will be the latest to join the list when it goes on sale in the UK in spring. But drivers who count themselves as fans of the Apple brand shouldn’t get too excited just yet – Apple’s Watch will be illegal to use when driving. Continue reading
Toyota had to recall millions of vehicles including the Prius (Picture © Toyota)
Cars are by far the most complicated mechanical good consumers can buy, each consisting of around 12,000 components. Sometimes one or more of those parts goes wrong, either because they’ve been designed incorrectly or the materials used in them aren’t up to the job. Often this will result in the car being recalled for corrective work by the manufacturer; there were 480 notices served in 2013 on all vehicles from motorbikes to lorries. Here’s what you need to know. Continue reading
Researchers revealed cars host numerous potentially harmful bacteria
Our cars are filled with more germs than our houses. And children’s car seats can carry twice as many bugs as the average toilet seat. Continue reading
Franchised garages know their particular brand intimately (Picture © Mazda)
Having your car serviced regularly and according to the maker’s schedule is vital to ensure you enjoy trouble-free motoring. But how do you find a garage that’s going to do the right job for the right price? Follow these tips. Continue reading
Not every young driver can afford a new car… But whatever they choose, the smaller and safer the better (Picture © Peugeot)
Being a young driver is a tricky business. Not only do they have the astronomical cost of fuel to contend with but they also get stung on the price of car insurance. And then of course there’s the purchase price of the car to consider as well. But there are some steps youngsters can take to cut the cost of driving.
Here’s what the DPF looks like (Picture © Vauxhall)
Not many drivers know what a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is – until it costs them serious money. And replacing one can cost £1000 or more. Green Flag attends a lot of cars that have broken down with DPF problems and they are caused by one primary factor: the DPF is clogged with soot because the driver has ignored the warning lamp. Here’s everything you need to know about the DPF dilemma. Continue reading
Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness (Picture © Shutterstock)
Where: Inverness
When to drive it: Summer or autumn
Essential stop: The Cairngorms and Loch Ness
Perfect stay: The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore
Sat in the northern reaches of Scotland, Inverness may look like it’s a long way from anywhere but it’s actually the gateway to some of the most scenic spots Scotland has to offer. Continue reading
When the worst happens, how much protection will the car you’re in give you and your family? It’s a question every parent will have asked at one time or another and you don’t have to take the car makers’ word on how safe their cars are. Continue reading
(Picture © PistonHeads)
Buying a used car involves a degree of luck. But to adapt a quote from famous film producer Samuel Goldwyn: “The harder you work, the luckier you’ll get.” The mantra is one which used car buyers should follow, as the more background checks and research that are carried out, the less chance there is of buying a dodgy motor or being the victim of fraud. These eight checks will help steer drivers towards the used cars that are least likely to let them down. Continue reading
(Picture © TomTom)
British drivers have had a warning shot fired across the bonnet of their diesel-powered cars: Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, intends to hit diesel cars with an additional £10 tax to enter a newly created Ultra Low Emission Zone in London. Continue reading
(Picture © Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water)
Where Elan valley: Breathtaking beauty, wildlife and the dambusters
When to drive it Summer and winter
Essential stop Elan Valley Visitor centre
Perfect stay Brynafon Country House Hotel
The Elan Valley is a driver’s delight while still offering plenty for all the family in one compact package. Set in the rugged Cambrian Mountains, Elan is one of the most stunning, unspoilt and diverse landscapes in the British Isles. A site of Special Scientific Interest because of its flora and fauna, it also has a ribbon of tarmac that will enable the keen driver to put their car through its paces.
(Picture © Foxy Lady Drivers Club)
Few drivers leave the house expecting their trip to be interrupted by a conked out car. A breakdown normally comes out of the blue and in the middle of a journey, often leaving people stranded at the roadside – a potentially hazardous environment.
So ahead of the summer holiday rush to the road (this year more Brits are expected to opt for a staycation, thanks to the good weather) it’s important that drivers know what to do in the event of a car breaking down and how to take care of themselves and any passengers. Here are my tips for ensuring everyone stays safe until professional assistance arrives.