Fleets are paying out more money for fashion-led bigger wheels and tyres than a few years ago. The percentage of company cars being fitted with 18 inch-plus tyres has increased by a third in three years, new data released by epyx shows. In the first quarter of 2021, 42% of cars fitted with tyres through the business’s TyreServe service were 18 inches or over. This increased to 47% in for the … [Read more...]
Publicity affects perception of EVs, says study
Negative coverage mean that more than four out of 10 people (43%) think electric vehicles easily catch fire, shows new research. May’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also reveals that 52% believe EV batteries become useless after just a few years, 26% that they are ultimately more polluting than petrol cars, and 24% that drivers can lose control of the vehicles, which will then run away with … [Read more...]
Poor reliability & higher costs drive change, says Carwow
Reliability and higher running costs are the top reasons for selling their motor according to a new survey by Carwow, the online car-changing marketplace. Nearly eight out of 10 respondents (78%) cited reliability as the biggest reason for changing their cars, while increased running costs (71%) came a close second on their list for choosing to sell. Despite being a nation of vehicle … [Read more...]
Turning the corner with an electric classic car
Since the government’s announcement to ban the sale of new petrol or diesel vehicles by 2035 and as more electric and hybrid cars start to roll off production lines, converting classic cars to electric powered motors is increasing. In fact, searches for ‘electric classic cars’ have increased by 40% in the past month as the rising popularity of converting classic cars to electric power goes … [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...]
How to save costs with an electric car
It’s no secret that an electric vehicle comes with a larger up-front cost than a regular car but the long-term savings you make mean that an electric vehicle is a more cost-effective purchase, said Chris Adams, Operations Director at Brindley Group. What’s more, you can increase these savings with the help of a few handy tips too, added the car dealer. “Take charging the battery, for instance. … [Read more...]
Warnings on motoring costs and insurance pitfalls
IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s leading road safety charity, has launched the eighth edition of its annual Driving Safety Culture report, with its key objective to reveal the biggest issues impacting motorists on the roads. The annual report, which has studied UK motorists’ driving safety attitudes and behaviours since 2015, has highlighted the biggest worries for motorists, with 86 per cent of drivers … [Read more...]
Testing time runs out for MoT change view
A split is developing over the Government’s proposal to extend the first MoT Test from three to four years. Consultation on the proposal ends tomorrow night. The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has responded to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation proposing changes to the MOT frequency and other MOT enhancements. Stuart James, IGA Chief Executive said, “As the voice of the … [Read more...]
Choosing wisely to keep down car costs
With petrol prices hitting record highs, driving is becoming a luxury Brits can no longer afford. The choice of car may be the reason for your higher monthly expenses. Fortunately, CarMats.co.uk has utilised its nationwide sales data to find out the 30 most popular UK cars and their costs to run. In first place for cheapest running costs was the Audi A1, which has the lowest average running … [Read more...]
Annual average car costs rise by £1,000
Annual average car costs have risen by almost £1,000 – an increase of around 20% – since the start of 2022. November’s Startline Used Car Tracker research suggests motorists' annual spending on fuel, insurance, servicing and car finance had risen by £80 a month. The biggest single increase was seen in fuel at £37 per month but insurance and motor car finance both rose by around £20 per … [Read more...]
