Our new research reveals that an incredible 96% of drivers cannot accurately identify the meaning of all their dashboard warning signs. Can you?
Continue readingDo you know your dashboard warning signs?
Advice
Enjoy a summer break, not a summer breakdown.
As motorists across the country are packing their suitcases, we’re predicting a seven per cent increase in breakdowns during summer. That means around 150,000 callouts for our mechanics to provide support over the summer.
Continue readingExpert advice on how to avoid a car key catastrophe
Our research reveals that a car key-related callout took place every seven minutes in 2024. According to our data, two-thirds (62 per cent) of car key callouts were a result of drivers locking their keys in the car. A further fifth of callouts were for keys being jammed in the lock or ignition, whilst 12 per cent were a result of lost keys.
Continue readingExpert advice: why old tyres can be dangerous
There can be significant dangers to safety posed by old tyres. Especially during the summer when warmer roads put more strain on them.
Because of this, the Government banned tyres older than 10 years from heavier vehicles in 2021. But what about ageing tyres on regular cars? Read on to find out.
Continue readingWhy should you do a vehicle history check?
If you’re looking to buy a used vehicle, get a vehicle history check. It can reveal any pesky hidden details that might affect the vehicle’s quality, legality, or safety. The results may change how much you’d consider paying.
So, let’s look at why it’s so important to do a vehicle history check (and how you can get one).
Continue readingExpert advice: essential spring car care
With wild weather and unpredictable temperatures, spring car care can be tricky. There’s a lot to think about.
Thankfully, we’ve got some expert advice to help you out.
Here, our Technical Customer Support Manager, Scott Wilson, explains how best to look after your motor over the next few months.
Continue readingEssential things to carry in your vehicle
They say motoring knowledge comes with time. Well, we’re here to provide it straight away.
So, ever wondered what the essential things to have in your vehicle are? Wonder no more.
Continue readingExpert advice: prevent overheating when driving in summer
It’s important to prevent overheating when driving. It’s as much of a pain for the driver as it is for the vehicle.
So, as temperatures increase, here are five tips to help keep your vehicle cool this summer.
Continue readingWacky weather: vehicle care in sunshine and thunderstorms
We know it’s a British stereotype to chat about the weather, but come on. Summer 2023 is already a weird one. After one of the wettest winters on record, the UK is now seeing scorching temperatures, warm thunderstorms, and weather warnings.
When it’s 30 degrees one minute and thunder’s echoing around your house the next, vehicle care can get confusing. Here’s the latest on what to prepare for, and how to prepare.
Continue readingTravelling with pets: expert advice
Over half the UK population has a pet. We’re a nation of animal lovers, so when we’re travelling with our pets, we want to keep those furry friends safe.
From the Highway Code to general good practice on keeping everyone in your vehicle safe, we’ve put together some key tips for driving with pets.
Continue readingLearning to drive: be confident before your test
Learning to drive is a big achievement. You can bask in your independence. You can do late-night big Tesco trips. You can drive yourself to training, work, wherever, whenever (with or without Shakira playing).
No pressure, right?
It takes a lot of confidence to take your driving test. So, we’ve put together some tips to help you get in the zone.
Continue readingCost of living: can you save money with an EV?
When buying a car, an increasingly popular question is “are EVs more cost effective?”
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular (and fuel prices stay pretty high), long-term vehicle costs are more important than ever.
So, we’ve done some digging and put together a guide on EV costs to help you decide if going electric is the right option.
Continue readingExpert advice: buying an EV
Buying an EV isn’t quite the same as buying a car used to be. There are a few different considerations and tests to check before you sign any dotted line.
As the number of EVs on the roads increases, and running costs rise for non-EVs, you may be tempted to make the switch. We talked to our Technical Support Engineers John Price and Scott Wilson about what you need to know.
Continue reading10 tips for taking your driving test in 2023
New year, new you. 2023 is an open road ahead of us and this may / will be the year you pass your driving test.
But, as only around 50% of drivers passed their test in 2021/22, how can you best prepare?
Well, you’ve done the first thing already – you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve put together 10 simple driving test tips to help cut out any worries you might have about the big day.
Continue readingHow to check if a car is insured
It’s illegal to drive without car insurance in the UK, so if you’re ever wondering “is my car insured?” it’s crucial to check. If your car isn’t insured, the penalties can be pretty expensive.
Police have seized over 2 million uninsured vehicles since 2005 and uninsured drivers cost over £2 billion to the UK economy. If you don’t check your car insurance, the police will.
Here’s all the important info you need to know.
Continue readingSupporting our customers with EV qualified technicians
The electric vehicle market is growing. Quickly. And with government plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, the charge of the EV is showing no signs of slowing down.
EVs are exciting, but from a breakdown recovery perspective (one of our favourite perspectives), they are one of the biggest challenges in our industry right now.
Luckily, we like a challenge. That’s why we’re proud to announce that at the end of 2022, more of our technicians became Institute of the Motor Industry Level 3 and 4 qualified to work on EVs.
Continue readingExpert advice: keep your car going for a million miles
Drivers are keeping their cars for longer. If you want to be one of them, I can help you to eke more miles out of your motor.
According to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data, more than nine million of the UK’s 40.3 million registered vehicles have more than 100,000 miles on the clock. And trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says the average age of the UK’s cars is 8.4 years, the oldest since records began.
Regular servicing is important
Continue readingExpert advice: try my car cold weather hacks on freezing mornings
Follow our tips below and this need not be you (Picture iStock/sonsam)
Standing outside on freezing cold mornings scraping ice off your car has to be down there with visits to the dentist and paying tax. All are necessary for very good reasons but that doesn’t make them enjoyable.
I can’t help you with your teeth or tax, but I can give you some pointers to make it easier to get your car ready for the road in the mornings.
Air-con’s your friend
Expert advice: why your stop-start might not be working in cold weather
Is your car’s stop-start system on the blink at the moment? If it isn’t working as you think it should, there might be a very good reason for it. Stop-start is designed to save you fuel and cut a car’s exhaust emissions by reducing the amount of time your engine sits idling without going anywhere. And it’s on nine out of every 10 new cars sold. But if it stops stopping, is it a problem? And should you take your car to the garage?
It might be due to the cold weather
Expert comment: our New Year’s resolutions will help prevent breakdowns
Do you keep to your New Year’s resolutions? Or do you forget them as soon as you’ve made them? No matter how quickly you give up going to the gym three times a week, I hope you’ll stick to the five resolutions here. Not only might they save you a heap of money before the year’s out; they could also prevent you having to sit at the roadside in a conked-out car.
Some recent research found that millions of drivers don’t even perform the most rudimentary maintenance to prepare their motor for winter. Here’s a handful of checks that will keep your car motoring long after memories of New Year’s parties have faded.