All the latest motoring news

A new, ultra-efficient version of the Audi A3 1.6 TDI – already the most economical premium sector car with the lowest CO2 output – is available to order this week, extending the compact hatchback’s lead by paring back CO2 output even further to just 99g/km and boosting combined economy to up to 74.3mpg. This exceptional [...]

December 31st, 2009

The sales are well underway and recent reports suggest that bargain hunters have been out in force since Boxing Day. The keen shoppers aren’t just hitting the sales on the high street; a record number of bargain-hungry motorists are making their way to showrooms across the country. One such retailer feeling the benefit of the [...]

December 30th, 2009

After an extended holiday period, the RAC is expecting that 4 January 2010 will be one of the busiest days in 2010 for vehicle breakdowns as millions of motorists return to work. The severe weather in the eight days prior to Christmas led to RAC attending almost 80,000 breakdowns. Since then many motorists have not used their [...]

December 30th, 2009

Car auction giant, British Car Auctions (BCA) has been sold to the owner of the Hertz car rental group. US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice (CD&R) has agreed to buy BCA from Mantagu Private Equity in a deal said to be worth £390 million. Europe’s largest car auction company operates in 12 countries [...]

December 30th, 2009

Drivers who abandoned their cars in the snow are returning to find them damaged. Claims are also coming in for cars stolen off drives while warming up, says AA Insurance. Snow and black ice have brought up to 40 per cent more insurance claims than for normal December days – but some display a distinct [...]

December 29th, 2009

Customers using the internet to buy general insurance, such as motor and home cover, can benefit from guidance published today by the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Over two-thirds of customers are now using the internet to arrange their motor insurance alone. The good practice guidance is for insurance comparison websites, insurers and brokers selling [...]

December 29th, 2009

A form of high-cost secured borrowing known as logbook loans or bills of sale, could become outlawed under new proposals being considered by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan announced the plans on Tuesday (December 22) to ban the use of an outdated law used to sell high-cost loans. Logbook loans are [...]

December 28th, 2009

A new ATA iPhone app which helps drivers locate a skilled and fully-qualified technician has now been launched. The free, easy-to-use app can be downloaded immediately to help drivers make sure their car is safe before driving off to visit relatives. The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) developed the programme, which helps locate a garage [...]

December 25th, 2009

Family business focuses on a quality service with as much emphasis on care as on cars. RT CarCare is launching officially at the beginning of 2010, offering people a valeting service with a difference. “First of all, this is a family business, I am launching this with my brother-in-law Rick Golds who was formerly a [...]

December 24th, 2009

The introduction of the congestion calming M42 hard shoulder for traffic has been voted as the best automotive invention of the last 10 years. Leading fast fit network HiQ has celebrated the end of the ‘noughties’ by asking customers for their favourite innovation of the decade, with the motorway’s hard shoulder being used at peak [...]

December 24th, 2009