Last month the average prices of both unleaded petrol and diesel rose at their fastest rates since April 2024, shows new data from RAC Fuel Watch. Petrol pump prices went up 2.17p in November, taking the average cost of a litre to 137.17p – the highest price since mid-March 2025. Diesel, however, was up 3.84p in the month with the average cost of a litre … [Read more...]
Retail News
Budget reversed new car registrations
The Budget put the brakes on new car sales last month, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The UK new car market declined slightly in November as new registrations fell by -1.6% to 151,154 units, and the sixth fall this year was driven by a -5.5% decline in overall demand from private buyers. Fleet uptake edged up 0.2%, while business buyer … [Read more...]
Evans takes WRC runner-up prize for fifth time
Sébastien Ogier clinched a ninth FIA World Rally Championship title on Saturday as Thierry Neuville won a bruising Rally Saudi Arabia to close a dramatic 2025 season. It was a frustrating event for Welsh driver Elfyn Evans who saw his WRC Championship ambition slip away on an event which was a lottery for crews and teams. Ogier started the three-stage … [Read more...]
Van MoT failures accelerating
TyreSafe says fleet risk specialist Verifleet found Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), or vans, are failing their first mandatory MOT test at double the rate of cars. The study found that 2021-registered LCVs had a 25.9% failure rate, compared to 12.6% for non-LCVs in the same age group. This safety crisis affects the UK's record-breaking van fleet of over … [Read more...]
Car buyers need economy confidence boost, says Startline
Higher consumer confidence would be the biggest potential boost for the used car sector in 2026, say almost six out of 10 dealers (57%). December’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows 52% want improved motor finance availability, 50% would like to see a general improvement in economic conditions and 45% hope for better stock supply. Other factors … [Read more...]
Fleets urged to beware security issues with Chinese models
Fleets should take a “measured approach” to security risks highlighted by the government around Chinese-manufactured cars, says the Association of Fleet Professionals. Defence minister Luke Pollard last week warned Ministry of Defence employees were being urged not to discuss sensitive issues when travelling in Chinese cars and the use of such vehicles was … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 December
iCarhireinsurance.com was told more than half of UK drivers (54%) admit they are “frequently frustrated” by other road users, 41% are rarely frustrated, 4% say they’re always frustrated - and only 1% claim they’re never frustrated, according to the poll of 958 motorists. More than a quarter (27%) said a lack of courtesy, such as not letting others out at … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: MINI Cooper 5dr
The Mini has been part of the British and European car market for over 65 years and is still not ready to be pensioned off against much younger rivals. Since becoming part of the BMW Group in 1994 the famous British Leyland and subsequent Rover Group models have been completely reinvented, modernised and brought very much up to date. You only have to look … [Read more...]
Britain’s best garage is in Wales
Garej Arwyn Cyf, an independent vehicle repairer in Penygroes, Gwynedd, has been crowned the winner of The Motor Ombudsman’s Regional Star Award for Wales for the third year in a row. This is the first time that any Motor Ombudsman-accredited business in the UK has achieved such a feat since the Star Awards competition debuted in 2020. The Ombudsman’s … [Read more...]
Safety tech is putting a brake on sales car sales
The majority of buyers are put off by newer used cars equipped with advanced driver assistance systems such as audible speed limit alerts, according to a survey. November’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 55% believe motorists are unconvinced of the recently introduced safety benefits, 20% that some opt instead for slightly older models with fewer ADAS … [Read more...]
