Your local roadside car wash might be operating modern slavery, says the industry's trade body. Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association, renewing the call for a clampdown on unregulated washes said, “Modern slavery is often practised in broad daylight, with non-compliant hand car wash operators openly flouting employment and environmental regulations with total … [Read more...]
Retail News
Certified Recycled parts see booming demand
Motorists in the UK saved £99 million in 2022 by opting for used parts and accessories instead of brand-new replacements, according to research by eBay. The online marketplace revealed the impact of second-hand parts as it relaunched its Certified Recycled programme, which sells recycled vehicle parts from 81 certified sellers. Certified Recycled parts can be up to 70% cheaper compared to OEM … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Musso Saracen+
The SsangYong Musso has just extended its appeal, literally. We tested the double-cab Musso back in late 2022 and were impressed with its room and practical points and as we were giving it the once over, SsangYong Motor UK announced a little extension to the range. Actually it added 12-inches to the loadbed of the top specification Saracen, adding a + sign to denote its growth. Some may think … [Read more...]
Older drivers risking big fines
About 1.5 million older drivers are breaking the law and risking massive fines. A study by Scrap Car Comparison has revealed that over 1 in 4 UK motorists aged 70 years or older – the equivalent to 1.5 million drivers - are leaving it four years or longer to renew their driving license after turning 70, which is illegal according to government law. The DVLA states that you must be renew your … [Read more...]
Scale up charging or face consequences, Governments told
EV sales are rising across Europe but Governments must do more to provide an extensive public charging network to for travellers, said car makers body, the ACEA. Recent ACEA data confirmed that market share rose to 13.9% for battery electric cars and 24.3% for hybrid models. While China is currently ahead of Europe and the US in the electrification of the car market, the European market will … [Read more...]
Diesel drivers were April fooled on forecourts
The price of diesel fell by nearly 4p a litre in April but still remains at least 16p more expensive than it should be as it’s now 6p cheaper than petrol on the wholesale market, according to data from RAC Fuel Watch. A litre of diesel closed the month costing drivers an average of 159.43p across UK forecourts while petrol was unchanged at 146.5p. This is the sixth month that the average pump … [Read more...]
Car makers push fleet & business sales
The UK new car market recorded its ninth successive month of growth in April, with an 11.6% increase to reach 132,990 registrations, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The performance marks the best April since 2021’s 141,583 units but remains -17.4% down on 2019 volumes. Large fleet registrations grew by a third (33.1%) to 68,537 units as the … [Read more...]
Fleets warned over accelerated EV tyre wear
Fleet managers should be prepared for altered tyre wear rates on electric company cars and vans. As increasing numbers of fleets move to electric, the balance of SMR spend will alter, argues ATS Euromaster. EVs are expected to cost less to service, thanks in part to fewer moving parts and the absence of requirements such as oil changes, but tyre life expectancy is likely to change compared with … [Read more...]
Secure your van and livelihood
Builders, roofers, landscapers and the like will be ferrying specialist equipment in their vans to sites across the UK as spring arrives and work comes in. It’s kit that’s essential to someone’s livelihood. And that’s why it’s so important for tradesmen to ensure they’re protected from theft. With that in mind, Select Car Leasing ha provided tips on how to keep your van - and its content secure … [Read more...]
Compact fire fighting to extinguish ev blazes
The booming number of electric vehicles on the roads may be considered good for the environment, but it is causing concern among fire fighters. Although electric vehicles are statistically less likely to catch fire than an internal combustion engine car, incidents involving a lithium-ion battery can be far more serious and difficult to extinguish – especially if in an enclosed space such as an … [Read more...]