The Volkswagen Polo is 50 this year. With more than 20 million vehicles sold in six generations, the Polo has established itself as one of the most successful models in its class. When the VW Beetle was due to be replaced in the 1970s, Volkswagen had several models up its sleeve: the Passat came on to the market in 1973, followed a year later by the Golf, while the Polo made its debut in … [Read more...]
News
Slowing EV sales give dealers & makers a shock
Britain’s petrol, electric car and van markets have stalled with dealers reporting contracting business in the last quarter. The very slight increase in total registrations for the whole of 2024 came about with fleets being given big discounts by manufacturers very anxious to move the metal and push EV sales or face huge penalties from the UK Government. The UK new car market recorded its second … [Read more...]
EV challenges remain, with opportunities
There are some very promising signs for the year ahead in the electric-vehicle sector but also a number of challenges. More than a third of people are now considering buying an EV, compared to just over a quarter in 2023, and more competitive prices for second cars mean sales are staring to soar - up 52%, this year. In 2020, just 6.6% of all new vehicles registered were electric, now the … [Read more...]
Motorists saw a better fuel deal last year
Fuel prices went up by under a penny in December making for the third rise in as many months but still remain close to late 2019 levels, reveals new data from RAC Fuel Watch. Petrol finished the month averaging 136.9p across the UK, up a third of a pence (0.36p) while diesel rose two-thirds of a pence (0.67p) to 142.9p. Petrol has increased from 135p at the start of October and diesel from … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 December
UK car production fell 30.1% in November, the ninth consecutive month of decline, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Just 64,216 cars rolled off factory lines, 27,711 fewer than in November last year, due to a combination of factors, including strategic product decisions, weakness in key global markets, calendarisation and the fact that production grew significantly in … [Read more...]
Lights relief to pass your next MoT test
Experts are warning that some of the most common causes of MOT failure could be avoided with just a few simple checks. Data from the DVSA reveals that almost three million Brits had a fault with their lamps, reflectors, or electrical equipment during their MOT this year. Not only does this mean that faulty electrical equipment was responsible for over a quarter of MOT defects, but that many … [Read more...]
Toyota top reliability data
The Toyota Yaris is the most reliable supermini you can buy, based on warranty claims data for the UK’s 20 best-selling models. Data from Warranty Solutions Group showed that the Yaris was far ahead of its peers, comparing its 3.6% claim rate to the second place Toyota Ago at 5.88%. The top three most common warranty claims for the Yaris were the wheel bearings averaging £271.00, concentric … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 December
Lamborghini will postpone its first electric model until 2029, said CEO Stephan Winkelmann. It had planned the release of its first EV in 2028 but the delay comes as the industry grapples with the transition to EVs, although Ferrari will introduce its first EV early next year. The average cost of car insurance for young drivers has fallen by £160 in the past year, according to the latest … [Read more...]
Weekend Used Roadtest: Honda Civic i-DTEC
Writing often about new vehicles, as I do, it is easy to become blasé when test driving vehicles with price tags that look more like telephone numbers than amounts of UK pounds. Of course if you fancy a ‘fresh out of the box’ vehicle, and are able to/wish to part with the cash required to buy one, that’s fine. However, for many people a used example of a good car just a few years old can make a … [Read more...]
Drivers cheer to tougher drink-driving sentences
Tougher sentences have been found to be the most popular solution among motorists for tackling the scourge of drink-driving, new research from the RAC has revealed. Four-in-10 motorists (38%) believe harsher sentences are the answer to curbing instances of drink-driving which were responsible for the deaths of some 300 people in 2022. Drivers questioned for the RAC Report on Motoring 2024 were … [Read more...]
