The average British motorist could buy a family home with the money they spend on car care over a lifetime, according to a new survey. The average driving Brit will spend a staggering £189,416.64 on motoring in their lifetime – that’s over the £179,492 needed to buy the average house in Britain today. The survey reveals that car loving Brits splash out an average £380.49 per year just to … [Read more...]
Features
Easter warning of motorway breakdowns from the AA
With millions of drivers expected to hit the road next Easter weekend, AA research shows that around a quarter of them have potentially endangered their lives unnecessarily by stopping on the hard shoulder in a non-emergency. Since 2000, 836 people on average in the UK have been killed or injured each year in incidents on hard shoulders and lay-bys. An AA-Populus poll of 18,806 AA members … [Read more...]
Europe’s most reliable car may come as a surprise
British and French brands produce Europe’s most reliable cars, according to the latest research by Warranty Direct’s Reliability Index. With the 85th Geneva Motor Show displaying the latest automotive technology closing its doors at the end of last week, Warranty Direct has revealed which are Europe’s most reliable models. The vehicles analysed were an average of five years old with mileages … [Read more...]
Biker e-book to compile the best rides
Motorcycle insurance providers, Express Insurance Services, have launched a new campaign to celebrate a resurgence in motorcycle riding. The idea is to create a definitive guide to motorcycling in the UK, where a new interactive map will be created to chart the UK’s best routes, biker-friendly businesses, garages and themed events. Teaming up with track-legend Steve Parrish, bikers across … [Read more...]
Road rage is rife, Welsh insurer discovers
Britain’s roads are awash with angry drivers, with more than a third of motorists (37%) saying they’ve been involved in an incident of road rage, according to new research from Confused.com. Worryingly, these incidents of road rage appear to be pushing many to boiling point as nearly a fifth (19%) of those who have been involved in a road rage incident say it led to a physical altercation with … [Read more...]
RAC to rescue retailers reputations
A major consumer launch for the RAC BuySure used car programme will boost the RAC Approved Dealer Network. Set to take place in mid-April, it will use the marketing strength of the RAC brand through channels such as advertising, public relations, direct mail and e-marketing to RAC members and more. RAC Head of Dealer Propositions Mario Dolcezza said: “By the end of April, we expect consumer … [Read more...]
Car makers step up defence of diesel engines
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has started a nationwide consumer campaign to raise awareness about the latest low-emission car technology and challenge the increasing demonisation of diesel. A Diesel Facts myth-busting guide will be available at dieselfacts.co.uk and in leaflet form via car makers and dealers. It comes as new consumer research reveals widespread confusion about … [Read more...]
Punctures now account for a third of RAC call outs for assistance
RAC Chief Engineer David Bizley says one third of their callouts nationwide were down to repairing or recovering vehicles with punctures. This increase is due in part to many modern vehicles having no spare wheels and the worsening state of our roads with punctures and tyre damage caused by potholes. Their latest survey for the 2014 year was for vehicles up to five years of age. He added … [Read more...]
Braking the rise of insurance premiums
You could apply the brakes to rising insurance premiums with some careful brochure bashing. Ferrari or Fiat 500 – everyone knows the cost to insure these cars will be as different as their performance – but few are aware that choosing a car with new auto-emergency-braking technology can cut the cost of insurance, year after year, according to a survey of 1,000 quotes carried out for Thatcham … [Read more...]
New technology is killing more people
The Department for Transport recently announced that the number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s road rose by 4% to nearly 25,000 in 2014, with some commentators suggesting that in-car technology is distracting drivers behind the wheel. This concern is echoed in consumer research undertaken by BCA, Europe’s leading used vehicle marketplace, which found that 95% of respondents had … [Read more...]