The RAC attended 7,904 breakdowns in the first quarter of 2024 due to bad road surfaces, up 53% on the last three months of 2023, a clear sign that the UK is suffering a pothole epidemic as roads continue to crumble. Analysis from the driving services company shows it’s been far from a smooth start to the year for the nation’s drivers, with pothole-related breakdown numbers up by 10% in the last … [Read more...]
Used cars with hidden hit histories
UK drivers are at risk of making a huge mistake when buying used cars, as seven in 10 admit to not knowing what it means when a car has a category S or N insurance classification against it. This means the vehicle was ‘written off’ after being involved in an incident that resulted in an insurance claim. Being unable to identify these categories could mean many used car buyers are purchasing … [Read more...]
Zero Servicing suggestion is non-starter, says FleetCheck
Working towards towards “zero servicing” – with vehicles never having to visit workshops unless a fault was detected – presents huge dangers for vehicle operators, says FleetCheck. Peter Golding, managing director, was responding to recent news that Tesla is recruiting staff for a project called “Zero Service” under the banner, “At Tesla, we believe that the best service is no service.” He went … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 April
The first electric Metro train ran north of Cardiff to Pontypridd during daylight hours on a test of the latest Stadler 756 model combination, which will be the backbone of the new Valleys services. Following the test run, further routes on the Core Valleys Network will see testing take place in the coming weeks before the start of an intensive train crew training programme and before entering … [Read more...]
Dazzled drivers straining to see
Bright headlights may have to be dimmed to prevent dazzling drivers. The RAC has welcomed a commitment from the Government to commission an independent study into the issue of headlight glare, after research showed an overwhelming majority of drivers affected – as many as eight-in-10 – believe the problem is getting worse. Responding to a petition set up by a member of the public following … [Read more...]
Top tips to get the best price for your car
If you're considering upgrading your motor, part-exchanging your car can be a convenient and cost-effective option. The popularity of part exchanging cars is rising, possibly influenced by the release of new car registration plates and Bristol Street Motors has spotted that searches for ‘how to part exchange my car’ have increased by 100% in the last three months. However, to make the process as … [Read more...]
The legal and smart way to cut your motoring costs
There's a legal and smart way to cut your motoring costs at a keystroke and it's not an April Fool joke. Motoring experts at Scrap Car Comparison found the number of cars with a SORN in 2023 was up almost 5% on the same figures for 2022, with more than two million cars put under the notification between January and September last year. But could more drivers be taking advantage of SORNs to … [Read more...]
Premiums jump 46% year to date for drivers
The cost of car insurance has increased by 46% year on year, according to new Premium Drivers research from Compare the Market, and young drivers are seeing the biggest jump. The typical premium stands at £892 in February 2024, after rising by £279 over the previous 12 months. The substantial increase in the cost of car insurance may in part be due to a rise in the cost of claims for … [Read more...]
Recalls in USA for Stellantis, Hyundai, MB and Jaguar
More than 38,000 Chrysler, Jeep and RAM models are being recalled in America over a fault which may not inflate an airbag and protect occupants. Also, Hyundai Motor America is recalling certain 2022-2024 IONIQ 5, 2023-2024 IONIQ 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70 "Electrified," and Genesis GV80 "Electrified" vehicles because the Integrated Charging Control Unit may become damaged and stop charging the … [Read more...]
Hyundai cutting UK partners but not showrooms
Hyundai will cut back on its UK dealership partners over the next five years in a bid to ‘future-proof’ its network, it was announced yesterday. Labelling the reduction an ‘evolution’, it said it was putting into action ‘a transformation’ of the dealership network, with a focus on retailers that were ‘capable, resilient, and profitable’ and which were ‘ready to face the future’. In a press … [Read more...]