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As more consumers take out Personal Contract Hire and those that have Personal Contract Purchase end up with cars that are worth less than the final payment, more cars are being returned to the leasing companies at the end of the contract that must be in ‘reasonable condition for its age and mileage’. But what is reasonable? One lady wrote to me complaining that she had some unreasonable Read more »

One of the side affects of the current recession and the drop in value of used cars are  the poor settlement figures being offered by insurance companies as a result of total write offs compared to the settlement figure required by the finance provider. Another involves the early settlement figures being asked for by lenders when drivers wish to early terminate a finance agreement, this could be as a result of Read more »

We are entering a very strange period at the moment in the motor industry. Many manufacturers have reduced production of new cars. Some have stopped altogether for up to 4 months. This drop in production is the result of a corresponding drop in demand (sales of new cars have dropped by 30 – 40% over the last few months). So  could it be that consumers and businesses are switching from new to used cars? If Read more »

I had a great response to last Friday’s FAQ’s which will now become a regular feature. Thanks for all the kind words and sharing my liking for Hob Nobs! I like to think that I am probably the UK’s leading expert when it comes to vehicle finance and I love to over deliver to my customers and friends by providing as much information as I can to help you make the best finance decision for your circumstances. I don’t Read more »

A recent poll showed that 61% of motorists would not welcome a drop of acceptable drink driving levels from 80mg to the more common 50mg but that is probably because of the draconian punishment handed out if over the limit. If you are guilty of driving even slightly over the limit in the UK you are automatically facing a 12 month ban whilst in some countries in the EU the chances of being caught in the first Read more »

There has been a marked increase in the number of drivers talking on mobile phones whilst driving. The reason has been put down to increased work pressure by employers on employees who fear that missing critical calls or failing to call back customers could cost the company orders. The employees are doing it, even though they know it’s illegal, because they also need the commission. The sad fact is that Read more »

Insurance rules are about to change as a result of proposed legislation that is going through the consultative stage. If introduced it will become an offence simply to keep an uninsured vehicle as opposed to the current legislation that makes it an offence to drive an uninsured vehicle. Road safety minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, said ‘Increased police powers already mean that 400 uninsured vehicles are seized every day Read more »

For those of my readers that find it essential to be dressed in the right colours for the current season I can now reveal the car colour to be seen in to be (drum roll please) Black. Black overtook Silver last year and has retained the honours for this year according to car paint manufacturer, DuPont. However, hot on its heels, along with silver, as the most popular tints is white. The question is how did they arrive at Read more »

MOT test changes are coming. Of course this won’t affect those hugely sensible people that lease their cars from me but will affect those that still like to drive cars beyond their three year old birthday. If you are one of my clients then now would be a good time to make that cup of  Earl Grey and crack open the Hob Nobs, for those that may have a car that is MOT’d the changes probably won’t affect you anyway unless Read more »

New legislation is to be introduced in 2011 regarding the eyesight of drivers. The legislation was passed in 2006 and is set to come into force by member countries in 2011. It is expected that the new legislation will lead to earlier detection of cataracts, glaucoma and other disorders as well as prevent accidents. The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO) explained that drivers will have to get their eyes tested every Read more »