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Tom Jervis

Tom joined the Auto Express team in November 2021, after working at the BBC for six months post graduating from university. Originally writing for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric, Tom has since moved across to Auto Express under the title of Consumer Reporter. He now spends his days covering the stories that matter to all motorists – enthusiasts or otherwise.

Tom says…

“What impresses me most about the Auto Express team is the sheer breadth of knowledge available. From forgotten concept cars, to modern vans, to mainstream family cars of the 1980s, there’s always someone to answer a question and provide you with an interesting fact to take away. I feel honoured to be a part of the Auto Express family, which are undoubtedly the most talented bunch of automotive writers in the business.”

Tom's main areas of expertise

  • Politics
  • Modern-classic cars
  • Electric cars and sustainability
  • In-car technology
  • Formula One

Tom Jervis Q&A

Q: What was your first car?

A: "I was very lucky with my first car; my parents had saved up since I was little and bought me a 64-reg Lapisluxury Blue MINI One. While it only produced a modest 101bhp from its three-cylinder engine – one, I’d like to brag, that also featured in the BMW i8 hybrid sports car – heavy steering and a notchy six-speed manual meant it was a real hoot to drive. It was a fantastic first car that never let me down until the end and I’ll always be grateful for it".

Q: What is your dream car?

"Ever since it caught my eye in a Beaulieu Motor Museum guidebook, I’ve been utterly entranced by the Ferrari F40. I’m not sure what caught my attention at first: the pop-up headlights, the giant rear wing, or that esteemed 201mph top speed. Of course, five-year-old me absolutely had to have one, so I set up a bank account to start saving. Unfortunately, nowadays an F40 will set you back over £2 million, so I’m further away from my dream now than ever! All that being said, I’m pretty happy hooning around in my current ‘whip’: a Hyundai i20 N".

Q: If you could change one thing about the car industry what would it be?

A: "The obsession with screens! Don’t get me wrong: anything with a screen – including something as mundane as a vacuum cleaner – will excite me. However, it feels like certain manufacturers are prioritising screen real estate over actual interior design and ergonomics. I’ll never get over having to delve into a touchscreen in order to open the glovebox in a Tesla Model Y… Having the latest tech is all fine and dandy, but I’d like more switches and dials, please!".

Social media and e-mail

When is a pothole not a pothole? Inconsistent council repair policies make bad situation worse
Pothole sign

When is a pothole not a pothole? Inconsistent council repair policies make bad situation worse

A new TV documentary shows how different councils operate on different parameters when it comes to deciding whether to fix a pothole
News
22 May 2024
Late May bank holiday to bring pre-COVID levels of traffic chaos
traffic

Late May bank holiday to bring pre-COVID levels of traffic chaos

The RAC believes as many as 20 million trips will be made by car in the UK over the course of four days
News
20 May 2024
UK self-driving car “revolution” incoming: new law allows autonomous vehicles by 2026
Tesla Model Y - interior

UK self-driving car “revolution” incoming: new law allows autonomous vehicles by 2026

A new law is set to bring self-driving cars to UK roads in two years and puts responsibility in the hands of manufacturers if there is an accident
News
20 May 2024
New EV grant brings £5k electric car discount… but only if you’re an Uber driver
Electric car hooked up to chargepoint

New EV grant brings £5k electric car discount… but only if you’re an Uber driver

Uber drivers in London can now save up to £22,000 off the price of a new EV as part of the firm’s push for electrification
News
20 May 2024
Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app
Octopus Energy’s Electroverse

Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app

Octopus’ ‘Plunge Pricing’ events promise to save electric car drivers an average of £6.50 per charge
News
17 May 2024
UK faces “epidemic” of young uninsured drivers
Car crash

UK faces “epidemic” of young uninsured drivers

The number of young people convicted of driving without insurance has tripled since 2021, due to sky-rocketing premiums
News
17 May 2024
Young drivers “priced off the roads” as car insurance for 17-year-olds hits £3,500
Car insurance explainer

Young drivers “priced off the roads” as car insurance for 17-year-olds hits £3,500

While drivers of all ages are suffering from spiralling premiums, data shows the youngest are being hit hardest
News
16 May 2024
New tech to crack down on drivers using ‘stealth plates’ to avoid fines
Speed camera van window

New tech to crack down on drivers using ‘stealth plates’ to avoid fines

Estimates suggest as many as one in 15 drivers are fitting their cars with number plates boasting anti-ANPR technology
News
14 May 2024
Last chance: have your say on ‘unfair’ PCNs and traffic fines before government consultation ends
Parking ticket

Last chance: have your say on ‘unfair’ PCNs and traffic fines before government consultation ends

Motorists can submit their concerns and evidence via the gov.uk website as part of the DfT’s investigation into councils profiteering from fines
News
8 May 2024
Petrol prices rise 10p per litre, with ‘pump price gulf’ creating regional inequality
Petrol pump

Petrol prices rise 10p per litre, with ‘pump price gulf’ creating regional inequality

The price of fuel has risen by an average of £5.50 per tank so far in 2024 with, on average, prices 5p per litre cheaper in Northern Ireland
News
3 May 2024
AI drives major rise in car insurance fraud as criminals fake evidence
Ford Transit Courier with AI-generated cosmetic damage

AI drives major rise in car insurance fraud as criminals fake evidence

Finance firm, Allianz, has found that the number of fraudulent insurance cases regarding doctored photos and video has trebled in the last year
News
3 May 2024
More 20mph speed limits in Glasgow despite UK Government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’
20mph zone road sign

More 20mph speed limits in Glasgow despite UK Government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’

Almost 4,000 additional streets in Glasgow will get a 20mph speed limit, with introductions set to be phased
News
2 May 2024
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UK new car buyers love a Mercedes-Benz but Ford is favourite when used
Mercedes A-Class - front cornering

UK new car buyers love a Mercedes-Benz but Ford is favourite when used

Data from YouGov’s BrandIndex shows that Mercedes-Benz is a top choice with new car buyers, with used buyers favouring Ford
News
2 May 2024
UK diesel car market to be “decimated” in 4 years, due to EV laws
Diesel pump

UK diesel car market to be “decimated” in 4 years, due to EV laws

Diesel car market share will fall to as little as three per cent in the next four years due to the “legislative direction” around zero-emissions vehic…
News
29 Apr 2024
Stable charging costs make EVs look cheaper as petrol prices rise
Fiat 500 connected to a Gridserve rapid charger

Stable charging costs make EVs look cheaper as petrol prices rise

The cost of EV charging has remained consistent in the last month, despite surging prices of petrol and diesel.
News
29 Apr 2024
New Private Parking Code of Practice to enforce grace period for parking fines
Parking ticket

New Private Parking Code of Practice to enforce grace period for parking fines

The British Parking Association has announced that it will implement a new Code of Practice for private car parks later this year, with changes to boo…
News
26 Apr 2024
Record complaints about car repairers blamed on cost-of-living crisis by garage watchdog
Record complaints about car repairers

Record complaints about car repairers blamed on cost-of-living crisis by garage watchdog

The Motor Ombudsman has recorded its highest quarterly number of complaints about garage repairs, with rising financial pressures cited as the driving…
News
23 Apr 2024
Faulty smart motorway tech putting drivers in danger
Smart motorway

Faulty smart motorway tech putting drivers in danger

BBC’s Panorama finds smart motorway tech is putting drivers at risk every day, with 397 power outages in last two years
News
22 Apr 2024
Labour to U-turn on 20mph speed limit in Wales after harsh criticism
Welsh 20mph zone road sign

Labour to U-turn on 20mph speed limit in Wales after harsh criticism

Wales’ Transport Secretary, Ken Skates says Labour will reverse its blanket 20mph rules “as soon as we can”
News
22 Apr 2024
Tesla slashes Supercharger membership cost with 42 sites now open to all EVs
Tesla Superchargers

Tesla slashes Supercharger membership cost with 42 sites now open to all EVs

Tesla has cut the costs of its Supercharger Membership, which grants access to lower charging rates, by £2 per month
News
19 Apr 2024
Food or car insurance? Tough choices for low income households as costs spiral
Car insurance

Food or car insurance? Tough choices for low income households as costs spiral

Citizens Advice has told parliament’s Treasury Committee that people of colour pay, on average, £250 more for car insurance
News
18 Apr 2024
How to sell your car without an MoT
Mot testing centre sign

How to sell your car without an MoT

Don’t fret if your car has failed its MoT; we show you how to sell it avoiding the pitfalls.
Tips & advice
17 Apr 2024
Banks told to brace for billions in potential car finance scandal payouts
Hand building piles of coins

Banks told to brace for billions in potential car finance scandal payouts

The FCA is investigating now-banned ‘discretionary commission arrangements’, which could result in huge compensation payouts for motorists
News
15 Apr 2024
Real-world car emissions and fuel economy are 20% worse than advertised figures
Emissions tests questioned

Real-world car emissions and fuel economy are 20% worse than advertised figures

European Commission has found that, on average, most cars are far less fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than official WLTP test results sug…
News
12 Apr 2024
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New ‘24’ plate boosts UK new car sales in March after “two tough years”
DVLA V5C document and car keys

New ‘24’ plate boosts UK new car sales in March after “two tough years”

According to the SMMT, over 300,000 new cars have received the new ‘24’ registration plate so far, with new car sales up 10% year-on-year
News
4 Apr 2024
Continual rises in fuel prices causing “misery at the pumps”
High fuel prices.

Continual rises in fuel prices causing “misery at the pumps”

New RAC and CMA data shows rises in fuel prices and retailer margins since the beginning of the year
News
4 Apr 2024
Tesla stock prices tumble as Elon Musk’s EV firm sees worst sales since 2022
Tesla Model 3 driving down the road

Tesla stock prices tumble as Elon Musk’s EV firm sees worst sales since 2022

Tesla has reported its first year-on-year drop in sales since 2020, with stock prices dropping as much as 5% as a result
News
3 Apr 2024
Government to investigate car headlight glare as drivers report being dazzled
Full-beam car headlights shining from a distance

Government to investigate car headlight glare as drivers report being dazzled

Almost nine-in-ten drivers think car headlights are too bright and now the Government says it’s looking into the matter
News
2 Apr 2024
Car tax bands: 2024/2025 VED bands explained
Road tax documentation

Car tax bands: 2024/2025 VED bands explained

Our guide to the VED road tax bands for cars first registered from 1 April 2017 onwards
Tips & advice
2 Apr 2024
Top 10 best ‘Easter eggs’ in cars
Best car easter eggs - header image

Top 10 best ‘Easter eggs’ in cars

Easter Sunday – commonly referred to as ‘stuff your face with chocolate day’ – is rapidly approaching, so what better way to celebrate than exploring …
Best cars & vans
29 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Tax

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
News
28 Mar 2024
Eggs-perts warn of Easter weekend traffic ‘carmageddon’
Traffic

Eggs-perts warn of Easter weekend traffic ‘carmageddon’

Current estimates suggest over 14 million journeys will be completed as the Easter weekend and school holidays clash
News
28 Mar 2024
‘Secret’ UK courts are fast-tracking speeding fines say magistrates
Speed camera van window

‘Secret’ UK courts are fast-tracking speeding fines say magistrates

New guidance from Magistrates’ Association calls for reform and aims to expose ‘secret’ Single Justice Procedure system
News
26 Mar 2024
Low on stock: Only 1-in-10 UK supermarkets offer electric car charging
Polestar 2 and LEVC TX connected to Sainsburys EV chargers

Low on stock: Only 1-in-10 UK supermarkets offer electric car charging

A survey by Zap-Map and the RAC reveals only 13% of supermarkets are equipped with EV chargers, despite a 59% increase in the past year
News
22 Mar 2024