The Motor Ombudsman has seen the highest volume of service and repair cases brought by consumers in a single quarter so far this year. Between 01st July and 30 September, the Ombudsman for the automotive sector accepted a total of 1,348 new submissions from motorists, up 10% from 1,226 in the second quarter, and equating to a 13% increase versus the volume seen during the opening three months of … [Read more...]
KIA is king but Stellantis is hopeless, say traders
Kia is the best and Stellantis the worst brands to be selling, say car dealers. The NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey was conducted last month and asked franchised dealers questions about the on-going business relationship with their respective manufacturers. It brought 2,531 responses from 32 franchised networks, equating to a joint record response rate of 68%. The 2023 Summer Survey showed a general … [Read more...]
Cost of living risks to road safety
With the cost-of-living crisis showing no signs of lifting any time soon, TyreSafe is urging drivers and riders not to compromise on their safety. Tyres are a vital, safety critical component, arguably the most important for staying safe on the roads. Replacing tyres is costly but trying to save a few pennies can be a false economy. Ultimately, how well a vehicle accelerates, brakes and … [Read more...]
Motorists ill-prepared for emergencies, says Go.Compare
Less than a fifth of drivers feel prepared for dealing with a vehicle emergency, a new survey from Go.Compare Car Insurance has revealed. The insurance comparison site asked UK motorists whether they feel equipped for a car maintenance emergency, but shockingly, the majority of motorists did not think they were, with 82% stating as such. Men claim to feel better prepared for a car emergency, as … [Read more...]
EVs tyres are wearing sooner
Tyres on electric cars are wearing out sooner than on other models, say service analysts. Tyres fitted to electric vehicles are lasting, on average, 6,350 fewer miles than those fitted to petrol or diesel cars, new fleet data from epyx suggests. The first tyre change for electric cars is taking place at an average of 17,985 miles and 551 days old, compared to 24,641 miles and 585 days for … [Read more...]
Used market uplift expected in 2024
More than half of dealers (55%) expect 2024’s used car market to be better than this year’s, suggests new research. September’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 45% also believe there will be better stock supply and 43% that demand for electric vehicles (EVs) will increase. However, just 25% expect there to be an improvement in consumer confidence. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor … [Read more...]
Running costs drive motorists’ buying decisions, says Startline
The effect of rising living costs on which used cars are chosen by consumers has grown strongly in the last six months, according to September’s Startline Used Car Tracker. Running costs are the most important factor now named by 74% of motorists compared to 62% in April, followed by the cost of living, which is now at 65% against 61% over the same period. Similarly, inflation has risen from 26% … [Read more...]
Halfords extend ev-servicing centres
Halfords announces a groundbreaking achievement in electric vehicle servicing accessibility to mark World EV Day tomorrow. An extensive footprint representing 80% of the UK population can now conveniently access top-tier EV servicing in under 20 minutes from their home, reiterating Halfords' commitment to ensuring servicing is accessible in both cost and speed for the entire motoring community … [Read more...]
Servicing boost follows ageing cars and vans
ATS Euromaster has seen a significant increase in the volume of SMR work it is now completing, with work on brake changes up 27%, commercial vehicle servicing up 41% and the number of MOTs completed increasing by 8%. The tyre and maintenance provider believes a combination of factors is behind the increased SMR workload and is seeking about 100 employees on a rolling basis until the posts have … [Read more...]
Showroom prices slide in pre-September sales
There are new car bargains to be had as dealers report manufacturers are dropping prices and supporting lower rate finance deals to lift sales. The traditional slow August sales before the new registration plate arrives on 1 September has been followed by an unseasonally slack demand for new models arriving from today. Rising new car prices and higher interest rates have combined to stall demand … [Read more...]