It used to be one of the most difficult questions to answer for a car buyer – what is the most reliable car money can buy? Yet is has always been one of the most important too, as no driver wants to invest their hard-earned cash in a car that’s going to be as temperamental […]
The arrival of the sun comes with a serious risk for drivers and their passengers: skin cancer. Drivers of cars with a convertible roof will already be aware of the harmful side effects of the sun’s rays. But studies in the US (where cars are left-hand drive) have discovered that for drivers, the left side of the […]
Changing car light bulbs used to be something anyone with the scantest mechanical know-how could manage. But as cars become ever more complicated, so replacing a broken bulb has become increasingly expensive – for some drivers at least. A new investigation has revealed a shocking variation in the price charged by motor makers for this […]
Looking after a car, especially when it’s new or a driver’s pride and joy, can be a nerve-racking affair. Entrusting strangers with what is, more likely than not, one of the most expensive things any of us owns is enough to send shivers down a driver’s spine and have them turn around and head for […]
Track days are all about letting drivers have fun in their car in a safe environment away from public roads. They’re not about going faster than the next person or overtaking lots of other cars, despite what some track day regulars might insist. They’re about developing your skills at the wheel and exploring the limits […]
Car hire costs can more than double at this time of year thanks to extras tacked on at the rental desk, new research suggests. The study found the average £214 basic cost could be inflated to £379 by extras sold to unsuspecting drivers as they collect their cars. The study by iCarhireinsurance.com looked at car […]
As winter sets in, drivers face a host of hazards from the harsh weather. From dark mornings to icy roads, and smearing windscreens to sudden heavy snowfall, the winter brings added challenges that are just waiting to catch out drivers. To help ensure everyone gets to their destination safely, Green Flag turned to the Institute […]
The increasing numbers of innocent drivers having their car repossessed because of debts racked up by the previous owner is prompting a change in the law.
Drivers have been warned not to be duped by government website copycats charging for services that would normally be free.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
Thousands of the drivers who tow caravans and trailers will end up being stranded by the roadside this summer. According to figures from the Highways England, there were nearly 5000 towing-related incidents in 2013 with almost half happening between July and September. The primary causes of accidents and breakdowns include overloading the caravan or trailer, […]
Rain and festivals go together like Dolly Parton and a guitar. Whatever the weather this year, rain means festival sites become mud baths with quagmires for car parks. Follow the Green Flag guide on how not to get stuck in a rut.
Every year millions of parking tickets are issued in the UK. And that means drivers are forking hundreds of millions in fines. But there’s good news for anyone who’s had the little plastic packet stuck to their windscreen: a significant proportion are successfully challenged. Some councils cancel nearly three quarters of tickets
If you care about your car, or more to the point, about how much it will be worth when the time comes to sell it, you need to know about what will devalue it. From smoking inside to letting kids run riot, there are many ways to inflict lasting damage that will put buyers off […]
pandara / Shutterstock Getting rid of the Saharan dust that periodically blows up from Africa is vital to the future value of your car. Dust is bad news for a car’s paintwork. Not only does it dull the finish of your once immaculate motor, it can also be very abrasive, causing millions of minute scratches […]
It has been called the great pothole plague. An estimated nine million vehicles sustained pothole damage in 2013, leading to around £1.2bn worth of repair bills. With an estimated £10.5bn maintenance backlog on roads across England and Wales, there’s no quick fix. So what should drivers do if their vehicle suffers damage caused by a […]
Attribution by ShotHotspot.com (contact) With January 2014 the wettest month since records began, driving through flood water or heavy rain is becoming a daily reality for millions of UK drivers. But there are very real dangers to entering deep water ‑ for drivers and their vehicles. Howard Crook of Re-think specialises in teaching drivers to […]