New car first-time MoT test failures have thrown up a few surprises. Top of the list was the Mercedes-Benz EQC, an electric SUV, with a first-time MOT fail rate of 17.2%. Just over 4,000 checked in for an MoT last year, and of those 717 failed. Both electric and internal combustion engine cars feature in the top 20, with the Ford Tourneo Custom just … [Read more...]
Used cars spark most complaints about retailers
A new Insight Report from The Motor Ombudsman has shown that disputes in relation to buying a used car from a retailer, accounted for just under half (40%) of all the new cases opened by customers in 2024. This figure mirrors the trend seen by the Ombudsman’s independent and impartial Alternative Dispute Resolution service during the previous two calendar … [Read more...]
More time needed for EV infrastructure network
In a sector under pressure to be at the forefront of the green transition, more time is what it’ll take to get us there, say drivers. Research by Close Brothers Motor Finance found that almost a third (30%) of British motorists feel that the delay to the new petrol and diesel vehicle ban will allow for more time for an expansion in electric vehicle … [Read more...]
Renewable fuels are answer to ev shortcomings
Climate protection solutions are urgently needed in road transport and politicians must make a clear commitment to renewable fuels, according to a learned German body. Slumping new registration figures, consumer reluctance and increasing doubts among vehicle manufacturers indicate the all-electric approach to passenger cars promoted by European and German … [Read more...]
EV toll-tax opposed to encourage greener motoring
More than half of motorists are against a new proposal to make electric vehicle drivers pay six pence per mile to counter a tax shortfall compared to petrol and diesel cars. July’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 55% believe such a move would not be fair while 40% say that EV tax should be kept low by the government in order to encourage take-up. Also, 22% … [Read more...]
Government damaging confusion over cleaner vehicles
This week’s government ambivalence over the longstanding 2030 EV sales deadline is potentially “damaging for fleets” who are committed to electrification, says FleetCheck. Peter Golding (below), managing director at the leading fleet software provider, said that prime minister Rishi Sunak’s equivocation when asked about the deadline by an interviewer had … [Read more...]
Used fleet-evs are slowly shifting
Ex-fleet electric vehicles are taking more than twice as long to sell as internal combustion engine models, according to new data from epyx, but the situation could change relatively quickly, the company added. Figures drawn from its 1link Disposal Network platform show that petrol cars and vans are taking an average of 10 days to sell, and diesel 11 but … [Read more...]
EU Automotive trails rest of the world, warns boss
Ahead of the unveiling of the Green Deal Industry Plan, Luca de Meo, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association and Renault Group CEO, is urged EU leaders to put in place an ambitious and structured automotive industrial policy, to rival those of other world regions. Concerned about the EU industry’s eroding competitiveness on the … [Read more...]
Winter will drive up fuel costs
Poor fuel efficiency caused by cold weather over winter will cost car drivers an extra £1.7bn, new research by Go.Compare Car Insurance has revealed. All vehicles will require more energy to run during the colder months, leaving Brits with yet another extra expenditure during a period of rapid inflation and economic uncertainty. Many factors lead to … [Read more...]
It’s getting tougher for Welsh automotive sector
The UK Automotive industry is unlikely to return to previous high levels of production and component suppliers in Wales must look elsewhere to survive, delegates to the Autolink 2022 conference were told yesterday. The gloomy outlook and warning was given by Prof Ian Henry, managing director of AutoAnalysis and a HM Government advisor on the motor industry … [Read more...]
