The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 45 limited edition opens to UK marking 45 years of one of the world’s most iconic and best-loved badges. This sixth generation of the famous model costs from £39,980 with unrestricted performance, sports exhaust, uprated handling, special paint and emblems. Suzuki has introduced an optional six speed automatic transmission for the Vitara 48V and … [Read more...]
Insurance News
Demand for Welsh mobile mechanics surges during pandemic
New data from one of the country’s leading insurance comparison websites revealed a 158% year-on-year rise in Welsh mobile mechanics taking out insurance for their sole traderships. Quotezone.co.uk figures also reveal a 71% year-on-year spike in new policies for full time motor trade businesses, and a 49% jump in cover for part time firms, in Wales. The data, taken from a sample of 4,500 … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 April
It’s the 20th anniversary of MINI being assembled in Plant Oxford by BMW Group. In early 2001, production began for MINI body parts in Swindon and on the 26 April the first new MINI rolled off the line in Oxford which has since built over 5 million cars and currently makes MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch, MINI Clubman and the MINI Electric, all on the same production line. A post mortem has … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 April
The new Fiat 500 electric model coming in a few weeks from £19,995 will self-regulate its battery use. Its range of up to 199 miles includes a monitoring system to cut down secondary power use and provide maximum range when it has about 30 miles left and it can be substantially recharged in 35 mins with a rapid box. The changing working arrangements mean some motorists could get back money from … [Read more...]
Premiums dip to new low but expect rises
The average annual car insurance premium has dipped slightly to £602 in March 2021. This marginal decline from the previous month suggests the end of the big price falls and the average premium is still £110 cheaper than the same month last year. Dan Hutson, head of motor insurance, comparethemarket.com said,“The rapid fall in car insurance premiums, seen during the winter, appears to have come … [Read more...]
Dacia Sandero slammed over safety risks
In the latest round of new vehicle assessments, Euro NCAP tests highlighted some major safety flaws with the Dacia Sandero after it only scored a two-star Euro NCAP Safety Rating. Euro NCAP's fully-transparent testing protocols were overhauled in 2020 and are the toughest and the most exacting ever, ensuring European vehicles remain the safest in the world. The Sandero was let … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 April
The next Vauxhall Astra will include a plug-in hybrid drivetrain and a station wagon version, CEO Michael Lohscheller told Automotive News Europe. The car will be based on the same Stellantis EMP2 platform as the forthcoming new Peugeot 308 due on sale later this year while the Astra will be introduced early 2022 but its still uncertain if the newcomer will be assembled in Ellesmere … [Read more...]
Tradelines 14 April
Marmalade Insurance says the successive lockdowns have created an eight month backlog of driving tests. It calculates about 1.16M provisional licence holders are waiting for test dates and it’s been made worse by instructors numbers going down. Peugeot's introducing a reduction in Advance Payments across the range of up to £1,250, in comparison with Q1, through the Motability scheme. For the … [Read more...]
End of the road for lockdown safety travel, says NFU
Based on claims trends following previous UK lockdowns, insurer NFU Mutual is expecting a sharp increase in accidents from next week when England lifts travel restrictions.This is when self-contained holiday accommodation lets, non-essential retail, personal care, outdoor hospitality and indoor leisure venues are scheduled to open to the public on Monday 12 April. Wales opened for … [Read more...]
Over £12M fines for Welsh speeders last year
More than 121,000 motorists were caught speeding in Wales last year, despite the ‘stay at home’ order. That’s according to new Freedom of Information data obtained by Confused.com, which suggests drivers in the region collectively paid out at least £12 million in fines for speeding last year, based on the minimum fine a driver must being £100. According to the data, police forces in Wales … [Read more...]
