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A new code of conduct is set to be launched this month by the Retail Motor Industry Federation, the association responsible for dealers and workshops. The scheme is set up to promote best practice and help to maintain standards for motorists, covering servicing and repairs. However, not everyone is impressed as there are already others operating similar controls, such as the AA, who argue that there are already too many in operation. AA technical specialist Vanessa Guyll said, ‘Multiple codes Read more »

I’ve heard today that VW have slipped back on deliveries even further on the new Passat CC’s, that we have on order. Deliveries of cars ordered as long ago as September have now slipped back to February/March next year. Touareg’s on order have also slipped back to March. Considering the fact that we were quoted deliveries for end of November this is a disgrace but even worse we still don’t have specific delivery dates. Typical of many manufacturers the marketing team decided Read more »

We all know the expression ‘A little knowledge is a bad thing,’ and it couldn’t be more true at the moment in the area of car leasing. As small businesses and consumers look for ways to reduce their costs, car leasing is being discussed more and more, then armed with sketchy information many are embarking upon leasing without knowing exactly what they are getting into. This isn’t being helped by confusing and conflicting advertising on the Internet as well as some very strange promotions Read more »

What has happened to the colour of our cars? Wherever you went a few years ago you would see a rainbow of colours driving up and down our roads but drive along a motorway these days you will drive along side a series of pretty monotone coloured cars. Three quarters of all cars registered this year are black, white, silver or grey. In 2000 the third and fourth most popular colours were blue and green. They have now dropped heavily in popularity according to leading automotive paint supplier, Read more »

Talk about left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing! VW has had some great deals towards the end of this year. Demand was great but they hadn’t realised that when they promote a car they should make sure that they can meet demand – sounds a bit logical to me. But no, that would be far too simple and obvious so now we have some very unhappy customers who are still not being told when they can expect to receive their Passat CC’s or Touareg’s even though they were originally told Read more »

I was talking to a client recently after he had been to a dealer for a test drive. Whilst there, he was shown a ‘pre-registered’ car that had just 10 miles on the clock and was £3,000 less than the list price. He was interested in the car and asked my advice and as this is quite a common occurrence I thought I would share the facts with readers of my blog. First of all there is no such thing as a pre-registered car with respect to dealers. This was made illegal by Stephen Byers at the time he was Trade & Read more »

Do you ever wonder why some friends, relations or work colleagues drive a better car than you? There is a very good reason – because they know more than you do! Want to know more than them? Then download my book and you could be one step better than them! You deserve to drive a great car. By Graham Hill

We’re getting to that time of year when I’m sure I’ll have plenty of reports relating to tyres but before we get into the summer/winter tyre debates a question has come up regarding speed ratings on tyres. When a car is new tyres are often fitted by the manufacturer that have a speed rating much higher than the car is capable of travelling. For example a car may be fitted with V rated tyres, safe to a speed of 149 miles per hour. The question is should the same tyres be fitted when they are due Read more »

I have always been mystified why the non wearing of seatbelts doesn’t attract points on the driver’s licence. You will receive a fixed penalty fine of £60 but no points for what is considered to be a serious road traffic offense. The Scottish Parliament thinks likewise and has now written to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, pushing for a change in the law claiming that 19 road deaths could have been prevented in Scotland during 2009 if belts were worn. Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, Read more »

If you live in a rural area you could soon be getting more miles for your money as there are plans afoot to introduce a subsidy of 5p per litre in certain out of town areas. European competition rules mean that the proposal would have to receive backing from Brussels. Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, said motorists in the most remote parts of the country were being hit by a triple whammy of high fuel costs, poor public transport and having to travel long distances. The Read more »