Almost three quarters of motorists (73%) say their finances have been stretched by the impact of the war in Iran, according to new research. July’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows a third (33%) think it will be at least six months before their situation recovers, a quarter (25%) more than 12 months, and 10% over two years. Consequences such as rising pump … [Read more...]
Retail
Drug driving soars and overtakes drink offences
The number of drivers receiving endorsements on their licence for drug driving has overtaken those receiving the corresponding drink drive offence according to worrying new figures. DVLA data obtained and analysed by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart shows that the number of drug driving offences (DG10s) added to individual licences in 2025 stood at 30,707, … [Read more...]
Toyota will raise their game in WRC this week
Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team will raise the pace when Rally Estonia hosts round nine of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship this week (17-19 July), the first of two back-to-back events on fast gravel roads in northern Europe. Following last month’s rough and rocky Acropolis Rally Greece, drivers can now look forward to testing their skills on … [Read more...]
Hone perfect show in Wales
It’s 10 years since Jordan Hone last contested the Nicky Grist Stages, but that didn’t stop him leading this year’s event from start to finish and scoring a magnificent surprise victory in his Premier Car Parts Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. His stage times were considerably faster this year compared to when Jordan contested the Builth Wells-based event in 2016 in … [Read more...]
Law tightening on running vans
Van compliance is moving closer to HGVs thanks to a raft of new legislation that creates additional responsibilities for fleets., says Arval. The fleet leasing and mobility specialist says some light commercial vehicle (LCV) operators are facing significant growth in regulation, including new MOT rules, changes to drivers’ hours and enhanced tachograph … [Read more...]
Fleets hit by PCNs and cloned plates
A new type of penalty charge notice appears to have emerged and is being sent to members of the Association of Fleet Professionals. Issued by a company called Forecourt Eye, the PCNs are being used to recover amounts owed when a company vehicle drives away without paying for fuel. Paul Hollick, chair at the industry body, said several members of the … [Read more...]
Latest technology pushes up repair costs and premiums
Drivers across the UK are being told that car insurance premiums are falling, yet many are opening their renewal notices only to find they're paying more than last year. The confusion comes as interest in vehicle technology continues to rise. Analysis of Google search data by GM Direct Hire found searches for "ADAS in car" have increased by 87% over the … [Read more...]
Volatile fuel prices warning
Fuel prices are rising again, and could further escalate as military action resumes in the Hormuz Strait. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said, "Pump prices have started rising again on the back of last week's increase in the cost of oil, meaning the savings drivers have been benefitting from recently could start to disappear. "The average price of … [Read more...]
Value retention improving for some EVs
Chinese EVs are holding their value well against comparable mainstream models, suggesting consumer trust and confidence in newer brands is continuing to grow. New research by car leasing and contract hire specialist, LeaseCar, analysed a selection of popular Chinese EVs alongside similar mainstream models and found that across the vehicles analysed, Chinese … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW Golf GTE
The popularity of the Volkswagen Golf has hardly dimmed since it was launched over 52 years ago, and there is little sign of this achievement being changed with the GTE phev version. There is a mind-boggling range of hatchbacks and saloons with a wide range of engines and selective trim levels, and we have been testing the only phev petrol model GTE with a … [Read more...]
