The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders want to ensure all automotive companies benefit from continued tariff-free trade with our largest market after agreeing on Brexit terms. While no substitute for the benefits provided by remaining in the EU, the TCA provides hope for the future, with a foundation on which to build, domestically and internationally, in 2021. Given the … [Read more...]
Mini is becoming worth a mint
Some popular and inexpensive cars have joined exotic models in the highly collectable category which can be bought without fear of losing money. Hagerty Bull Market List is an annual compilation of classic and modern-classic cars which provide the owner with a pleasurable driving experience while being hedges to inflation. However, the list isn’t tailored to investors, it’s aimed at people who … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V60 Recharge
Volvo is now well known for their commitment to full electrification of all their models by 2025, writes David Miles. They have recently confirmed they will develop and assemble their own electric motors at their powertrain plant in Skovde Sweden. The very first Volvo from 1927 was powered by a petrol engine from the same factory. Currently many vehicle manufacture’s electric motors are … [Read more...]
Christmas 2020 roadtest: Aston Martin DBX
Christmas cheer comes in the shape of the new Aston Martin DBX, writes Robin Roberts. Aston Martin is a survivor in a world of hard knocks and is now looking for a smoother ride with their latest DBX sports utility vehicle. After 100 years of making some of the most sought after sports cars in the world it has applied its knowledge to what it sees as a family car, albeit for a well off … [Read more...]
Be careful what you wish for this Christmas
With Christmas coming, be careful what gifts you ask for in the way of car accessories. From modified exhausts to dodgy decals, research by carwow has revealed the most hated car modifications amongst drivers and which can decrease the value of a car the most. Besides possible safety issues and the potential to invalidate your insurance, wheels modified in an extreme way to achieve a negative … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 December
The Welsh Government will allocate £20 Million next year for more cycleways. Its Active Travel investment is in addition to £274.7M for Transport for Wales rail and metro services. Public Health Wales said 352 cases of Covid-19 were identified at the DVLA centre at Swansea since September. Sixty-two cases have been identified at the call centre since the beginning of December … [Read more...]
Lockdown checklist for motorists
With the Christmas break looming as well as more irregular and varying lockdowns being imposed, it's important motorists keep their cars in working order, get them MoT tested if appropriate and fit to hit the road when the restrictions end. Helpfully, here are Green Flag's top tips for keeping a car healthy through winter and lockdowns: Look after your battery– start your vehicle once a … [Read more...]
More families shifting towards used cars
In a year shaped by a pandemic and strict social distancing restrictions, drivers have still been able to get their hands on the car they wanted, said Seán Kemple, Managing Director of Close Brothers Motor Finance. "In fact, a new-found reticence to use public transport has shifted attitudes toward car ownership, a trend likely to grow even further in 2021. "Smaller models remain … [Read more...]
Driving tests with toy cars and no examiners for candidates
If you think the UK Driving test is hard, spare a a few thoughts for candidates in other countries, where toy cars, no examiners or even other candidates might be in the vehicle. The weird and wonderful world of driving tests has been studied by Zuto, who came up with the following differences: Zuto Finance compiled data in their study analysing over 190 countries to find out how practical and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan X-Trail Tekna 1.7 dCi 150hp
Nissan introduced the original X-Trail in 2001 when it was a hard-core proper dual-purpose 4x4 workhorse which sold in huge numbers around the world, writes David Miles. From 2007 the X-Trail moved from hard-core 4x4 to SUV/Crossover and in 2017 received further restyling and specification changes to soften its image into a more family friendly suitable model. The large X-Trail shares much of … [Read more...]