Ahead of one of the busiest months for car insurance renewals with the plate change, research by GoCompare Car Insurance reveals millions of motorists are over-paying to the tune of £1.23bn a year for their car cover by allowing their insurer to automatically renew their policy. At their last renewal 4.6 million drivers rolled-over their insurance without checking to see if they could get the … [Read more...]
Retail News
Newslines 25 February
The latest Mazda3 coming to the UK from May will begin at £20,595. The 18-strong range of petrol and diesel hatchbacks has five trims running up to £27,735. Ford will conduct an investigation after concerns raised by its own employees over the 'analytical modelling' standards that it employs as part of its US fuel economy and emissions compliance process, says Just-Auto.com . In the wake … [Read more...]
Enjoy your motorbike as weather improves
For some, beloved motorbikes have been stored away since Autumn and riders are itching to take to the open road. writes Chris Sykes. Whether you are a regular rider or burgeoning beginner, here’s Moneybarn’s tips on how to stay safe and still have a thrilling ride. Just remember to carry out the essential checks before you get back on the saddle. Make sure you have the right … [Read more...]
Exchange rate hits UK pcp costs
Car finance costs have increased by as much as 49% since Britain voted to leave the European Union because of exchange rates worsening. The tumbling pound has left UK drivers out of pocket by as much as £98 per month, or £4,606 over the course of the full contract. Sterling has tumbled in value from more than 1.3 euros to the pound in May 2016 to barely 1.1 euros in February 2019. This … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: First drive Toyota Corolla
One of the best known names on a car has returned, writes David Miles. Some 14 years after the Toyota Auris name replaced the Corolla we see the return of the World’s best-selling car brand name – Corolla - and it’s on sale in the UK from the new registration plate change month of March. The past generation Corollas achieved over 46-million global sales since they were launched in 1966 and … [Read more...]
New car sales will stagnate this year, say makers
This year, EU car sales will stagnate at 2018 levels in terms of units sold, staying close to the 15 million new registrations mark recorded last year, according to new forecasts by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Although 2018 was the fifth consecutive year of growth, the pace of growth has slowed down significantly over the last few years, amounting to a slight increase … [Read more...]
Love your garage and rate their performance
If you love the services of your garage, the industry want to know about it. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, a time when many express their affection for one another, The Motor Ombudsman is also encouraging consumers to share their feelings on any accredited businesses that they have used to either buy a new or used vehicle, or to have their car serviced or repaired. Using the Code … [Read more...]
MoT test widens to more vehicles from 20 May
More agricultural, delivery, recovery and construction vehicles are now liable to the annual safety test. The DVSA is introducing annual testing for some when their current tax is renewable but others must have a test done by 20 May 2019. Vehicles now needing a test certificate include: mobile cranes breakdown vehicles (not breakdown vans) tower wagons some mobile engineering … [Read more...]
Latest data reveals reasons motorists sell their cars.
Almost one in 10 motorists aged between 45 and 54 believe that they no longer need a car according to automotive data experts, HPI. They say this age group cited no longer needing a car as one of the main reasons for selling a vehicle and over a third (39%) of 18-24-year-old drivers sell their car because they’ve grown bored of it and want something more exciting to replace it while only 13% of … [Read more...]
JLR sustains big losses in three months
Massive losses have been recorded by JLR. It has reported a £3.4B quarterly loss after writing down the value of its cars and plants. Last month it announced a 10% cut in its 42,500 employees, mostly in the UK. It is the third consecutive quarterly loss after it was hit by U.S.-China trade tensions, low demand for diesel cars in Europe and Brexit concerns and some of the automaker's newest … [Read more...]