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Sales of new cars surged by 19% last month over sales for March last year according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It sounds like a large increase but the sales last year were abysmal but hey we’ll take any glint of light that indicates things are moving in the right direction. Having said that, the sales in March were the highest monthly sales for 2 years, so it’s Read more »

There is pressure mounting to introduce a total ban on mobile phones whilst driving. Latest research shows that even drivers using a hands free phone took 20% longer to hit the brakes in an emergency when on the phone. Following distances increased by 30% as drivers failed to keep up with traffic in front and memory performance fell by 11%. The study was carried out by the University of Utah. Road charity, BRAKE Read more »

The Institute of Advanced Motorists has carried out a poll which has brought older drivers under fire. When asked if they would report older motorists if they had concerns over their driving, 73% of those polled said they would whilst 68% backed compulsory re-testing at 70. Sounds to me like they only polled 18 year olds! The IAM maintained that younger drivers pose a much bigger danger than oldies, as borne Read more »

Finally got our price list out this week. There are a few deals starting to creep through but the manufacturers still have a way to go. Hopefully we will be following on the lead taken by the leasing companies in the US. They are launching some great incentives over there including no deposit and no first monthly payment (see last week’s blog). We are unlikely to see such aggressive pricing over here but hopefully the Read more »

As we know, we tend to follow behind America, whether it’s the weather, release of new technology, a recession, an economic recovery and so on. So I was pleased to read in the Wall Street Journal that the leasing industry is just taking off big style in the US with (surprisingly) Toyota leading the way with Honda following up offering incredible deals to move new cars with rates dropping lower than they were at the Read more »

I’ve got an electric tooth brush! No this isn’t a piece about the importance of dental care but I have to say that it is important! I plug my 2 pin plug into the razor socket  and put the toothbrush on the plastic stub that sticks out of the bottom of the charging bit. Now I don’t profess to know anything about electricity but if I do that at night, by the morning my toothbrush is fully charged and all set to give my gnashers a Read more »

According to Auto Express size matters, something, of course, that I have always subscribed to! Ooer missus, stop that tittering in the back, I’m talking about car safety – obviously. It seems that the bigger the car the less likely you are to be injured. Mind blowing as that might be, equally mind blowing is the most dangerous car is one of the smallest, the Rover Mini (not to be confused with the BMW Mini). The figures Read more »

Do you know what elephant racing is? You have probably and irritatingly come across it whilst driving. Apparently it’s when one massive truck is overtaking another massive truck on a motorway or dual carriageway where the difference in speed is about 1 mph. Yep, experienced that one! Well the Highways Agency, probably as a result of being delayed for their dinner or tea break, have extended their Read more »

Kwik Fit have revealed the puncture capital of the UK, yep, it’s true they have actually carried out a survey and found that London is the capital, not only of the country but also for punctures. Amazing or what? In fact drivers in London are twice as likely to get a puncture than drivers in the East Midlands. 4 in 10 drivers in London had a puncture last year compared to 2 in 10 in the East Midlands. Nationally the Read more »

Online garage finder Motor Codes have been running a competition to find the UK’s number one garage providing the highest quality of service. Motor Codes polled 9,000 people to end up with a final 10 that only included 2 franchised dealers, Arnold Clark Renault of Paisley, Renfrewshire and SERE Motors of Lisburn, N Ireland. All other finalists were independents. The overall winner was family run Kinghams of Croydon. Other finalists were: 

• A1 Motorcare, Cardiff, Wales
• ABP Motorsport, Crewe, North West
• Anglo Continental Cars, Milton Keynes, Midlands
• Arnold Clark Renault, Paisley, Scotland
• Clive Woolford Motors, Tewkesbury, South West
• Fred Henderson, Durham, North East
• Kings of Witcham, Ely, East
• Prestige Services, Wakefield, Yorkshire
• SERE Motors, Lisburn, Northern Ireland  

Motor Codes runs a garage finder site where they say you can find trusted garages who all operated under a Government backed code of practice. Find them at: http://www.motorcodes.co.uk/ By Graham Hill