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Rows are a brewing when it comes to tyres amongst the manufacturers. All is harmony when it comes to trying to improve fuel efficiency, noise and safety but the rows are growing over minimum tread depth. Continental is fighting to increase the minimum from the current 1.6mm to 3mm, which it claims would result in a marked reduction in traffic accidents. But the claims are being challenged by Michelin and Read more »

There has been a large increase in the number of cars fitted with run flat tyres over the last few years. However, many drivers, when renewing tyres have replaced run flats with cheaper alternatives in order to save money. But TyreSafe warn that by doing this drivers are changing the handling characteristics of their cars. Although, according to Michelin it can be done as long as the replacement tyres are Read more »

I know I seem obsessed with potholes at the moment but they are such a pain and costing motorists a fortune. The Germans came up with a solution in the village of Niederzimmern near Leipzig. They sold their potholes for 50 Euros which the council filled with asphalt and a metal plaque which carries the owner’s name or a tribute to a loved one. Of course not wishing to miss an opportunity the Brits are planning Read more »

a few people have been asking about new cars and when a new car is a new car. I have explained this in detail in my book, An Insider Guide To Car Finance, which can be bought and downloaded online. But to summarise, the car must not have been registered to anyone else before you receive it, not even to the dealer and it must not have an ‘unreasonable’ mileage on the clock, expressed in one court case to be no more than 500 although I find this excessive. The strange rule is that Read more »

Following a survey carried out by ATS Euromaster it has been found that large numbers of tyres are having to be replaced prematurely as a result of damage that could be avoided. In fact 1 in 5 tyres were found to be replaced early in a survey that involved 100,000 vehicles. The main causes of avoidable damage were punctures (31%), sidewall damage (27%) and drivers exceeding the 50mile/50mph rule when run flat tyres are fitted. Not sure how you avoid a puncture but obviously the boys at Read more »

For those that like to personalise their cars with a cherished number plate you might be interested to learn that 1 HRH was purchased by a Berkshire based millionaire recently for £113,815. Even better was 1 O which had a reserve on it for £10,000. The owner must have had a Fools and Horses moment when it went for £210,242.50! Phew! By Graham Hill

Most car cloning has been carried out to avoid parking tickets and speeding tickets but insurer Direct Line has warned of another reason for cars being cloned, to carry out a crime. The most common, according to Direct Line is forecourt petrol theft. According to the British Oil Security Syndicate, thieves are stealing a significant amount of fuel with the average offender escaping with fuel worth Read more »

Warnings have been issued with regard to illegal parking in spaces reserved for disabled people. Many local authorities are now removing cars that are illegally parked in these bays including those showing a disabled badge where the person named on the badge had not been in the car when parked or being picked up. The officers are removing all doubt by calling the person named to see if they are at home and if they are the car is being removed to a pound and a stiff fine imposed. Drivers who argue that they are on an errand for the disabled person will receive no sympathy as drivers are only permitted to park in the bay if they are transporting, dropping off or picking up the disabled badge holder. By Graham Hill.

If you are an F1 fan you may be interested to know that the DVLA are about to release the series of F plates for sale from F1 to F20 followed by 3 letters. One of the expected quickest to go when the sale starts on 7^th October is F1 DAD (get the pun?). Log onto their website to see what numbers are available. By Graham Hill