Consumer news
New ‘24’ plate boosts UK new car sales in March after “two tough years”
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
How to check a car’s MoT history online in 4 easy steps
How to check a car’s MoT history online in 4 easy steps
A car’s MoT history can give insight into how well it’s been looked after, and finding this information is easy.
Tesla stock prices tumble as Elon Musk’s EV firm sees worst sales since 2022
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
Government to investigate car headlight glare as drivers report being dazzled
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
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
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
‘Secret’ UK courts are fast-tracking speeding fines say magistrates
‘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
Low on stock: Only 1-in-10 UK supermarkets offer electric car charging
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
Mis-sold car finance scandal: could you be due compensation?
Mis-sold car finance scandal: could you be due compensation?
Did you buy a car on finance between April 2007 and January 2021? You could be owed thousands!
Hydrogen and efuel cars can help save the European auto industry, says Renault boss
Hydrogen and efuel cars can help save the European auto industry, says Renault boss
Renault boss, Luca de Meo’s strategy to save Europe’s car industry includes a bigger role for hydrogen
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: many residents unaware of multi-million pound ‘cash cows’
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: many residents unaware of multi-million pound ‘cash cows’
58 per cent of residents don’t know they’re in an LTN, while less than a quarter say they improve air quality or encourage cycling
HS2 funds can’t solve UK’s £16.3 billion pothole problem
HS2 funds can’t solve UK’s £16.3 billion pothole problem
The Asphalt Industry Alliance’s annual report suggests UK roads are at “breaking point”, despite extra cash promised by the government
Jaguar I-Pace owners angry as firm cuts smart charging access
Jaguar I-Pace owners angry as firm cuts smart charging access
Surprise new security measures mean smart chargers can no longer talk to JLR cars, making smart tariffs untenable
No full inquiry into UK car insurance costs but regulator will ‘assess state of the market’
No full inquiry into UK car insurance costs but regulator will ‘assess state of the market’
The Financial Conduct Authority maintains that the insurance market is ‘competitive’, in spite of driver fury over price hikes
Exclusive: Some Chinese cars ‘almost uninsurable’ as parts and repair support falters
Exclusive: Some Chinese cars ‘almost uninsurable’ as parts and repair support falters
Parts shortages and a lack of technical support are giving insurance underwriters the jitters when it comes to the new wave of Chinese cars hitting th…
No EV incentives in 2024 budget, but fuel duty’s frozen again
No EV incentives in 2024 budget, but fuel duty’s frozen again
The Chancellor extends the 5p fuel duty cut, but ignores industry calls for tax handouts to electric car buyers
Touchscreen backlash? Euro NCAP says physical buttons will be “incentivised” in car safety tests
Touchscreen backlash? Euro NCAP says physical buttons will be “incentivised” in car safety tests
Car makers have been advised not to have important car functions on touchscreens
New car registrations hit 20-year high in February after 19 months of growth
New car registrations hit 20-year high in February after 19 months of growth
The UK car market sees continuous growth despite the rapid diesel decline. EV sales to private buyers are up 21% year-on-year
UK petrol prices take biggest jump in five months as regional inequality grows
UK petrol prices take biggest jump in five months as regional inequality grows
The rising cost of oil pushes up fuel prices, but there are big regional differences in the cost of filling up
Cars are becoming unaffordable in cost of living crisis, say 60% of motorists
Cars are becoming unaffordable in cost of living crisis, say 60% of motorists
The cost of living crisis has seen drivers cut back on journeys, explore car-sharing and using public transport
F1 ace Gerhard Berger’s £350,000 stolen Ferrari found after 30 years: Met police solve 1995 crime
F1 ace Gerhard Berger’s £350,000 stolen Ferrari found after 30 years: Met police solve 1995 crime
Gerhard Berger’s Ferrari Testarossa has been found three decades after its theft from the Imola GP circuit
Electric car tax cuts needed to boost sales, says SMMT
Electric car tax cuts needed to boost sales, says SMMT
The Chancellor is under pressure to slash VAT on new EVs to provide a ‘fair tax for a fair transition’
Plenty of UK car buyers still love a new car number plate
Plenty of UK car buyers still love a new car number plate
Is a new number plate still the status symbol it once was? Our exclusive poll suggests that car buyers do care
UK road maintenance work slashed by almost half in five years
UK road maintenance work slashed by almost half in five years
Council road repairs are down by 45 per cent compared to 2017/18, the latest data shows
6,600 arrested in police annual drug and drink driving purge
6,600 arrested in police annual drug and drink driving purge
The Police ‘Op Limit’ campaign over xmas 2023 resulted in 6,616 arrests, with 14 per cent of over 50,000 tests showing positive results
Don’t hand over new car deposits until you’re ready, says industry watchdog
Don’t hand over new car deposits until you’re ready, says industry watchdog
The motor ombudsman has issued a timely warning as the new number plate sales rush looms this March
Double-cab pick-up truck tax explained
Double-cab pick-up truck tax explained
The inside line on HMRC’s VAT and Benefit-in-Kind tax rules for those using double-cab pick-ups as company vehicles
Never-ending backlog predicted as 5m learner drivers fight for 1.8m driving test slots in 2024
Never-ending backlog predicted as 5m learner drivers fight for 1.8m driving test slots in 2024
Without an increase in driving test capacity learner drivers face more long waits for test slots, and there’s no end to the delays in sight
Car theft “essentially decriminalised” by police charge rate under 1.5%
Car theft “essentially decriminalised” by police charge rate under 1.5%
Official stats reveal London’s Met Police have a shockingly low charge rate for car theft of just 0.69 per cent
London ULEZ claims ‘misleading’, says UK advertising watchdog
London ULEZ claims ‘misleading’, says UK advertising watchdog
The Advertising Standards Authority has responded to high numbers of complaints about Transport for London claims for the ULEZ
Jaguar Land Rover pays for more police at UK ports to curb exports of stolen cars
Jaguar Land Rover pays for more police at UK ports to curb exports of stolen cars
The Range Rover maker spends ‘several hundred thousand pounds’ in effort to thwart stolen car exports from the UK
Electric car incentives are essential to cut prices and drive UK to net-zero
Electric car incentives are essential to cut prices and drive UK to net-zero
House of Lords inquiry sets out measures required to keep EV switchover on track
One million electric vehicles sold in the UK: milestone passed amid concern over private buyer uptake
One million electric vehicles sold in the UK: milestone passed amid concern over private buyer uptake
Fleet sales continue to drive the EV transition, as private buyers hang on to their petrol and diesel cars
Video uploads by ‘citizen police’ drive explosion in penalties for mobile phone use and other driving offences
Video uploads by ‘citizen police’ drive explosion in penalties for mobile phone use and other driving offences
Cameras and phone uploads are driving an increase in fines for phone use but penalties declined for offences requiring police ‘boots on the ground’
The Dartford Crossing: how to pay the Dart Charge toll and appeal a fine
The Dartford Crossing: how to pay the Dart Charge toll and appeal a fine
Our Dartford Crossing guide explains when and how to pay the Dart Charge, how much it costs and how to appeal a fine
How high are UK petrol prices compared to the rest of Europe?
How high are UK petrol prices compared to the rest of Europe?
The latest figures show how the high fuel tax take of twenty years ago has reduced over two decades
‘Madcap’ MoT test changes kicked into touch
‘Madcap’ MoT test changes kicked into touch
The Government cans its plan for two-yearly MoT test, but says diesels could face tougher scrutiny