I’d like to get one thing straight first off, MTI quite likes Quentin Willson. I won’t go as far as to say we’re best mates with him but some of our “people” met him (even though Quentin didn’t actually realise it) at the recent Automotive Management Used Car Conference at The Birmingham Motorcycle Museum and found him to be a … [Read more...]
Pre-budget report 2009 motoring round-up
December 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
VAT As we know VAT will return to 17.5% as from 01 January 2010 and this will obviously impact on buyers of new (and some used) cars from the start of next year. Fuel Duty As already announced by the Chancellor in his 2009 Budget, fuel duty will continue to rise by 1p a litre above inflation each year from 2010 to 2013. Vehicle Excise … [Read more...]
DVLA launch new 0300 car tax line
November 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
DVLA has launched a new memorable 0300 telephone line for motorists to tax their vehicles. The new number, 0300 1234 321, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and takes less than 4 minutes to use. The service automatically checks that correct insurance and MOT documents are in place. The popularity of the environmentally-friendly phone and … [Read more...]
HPI joins forces with Police over car cloning
September 7, 2009 By 2 Comments
Vehicle information expert, HPI, supports calls this week from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to increase the amount of available data that can be used to clamp down on car cloning. Cloning is the vehicle equivalent of identity fraud where the stolen vehicle is illegally disguised as a similar vehicle already on the road. HPI … [Read more...]
‘One in five’ young drivers uninsured
August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A fifth of young drivers are on the roads without car insurance, a new report from the Motor Insurance Bureau has revealed today. The report finds that around 243,000 young drivers are uninsured. A far greater proportion of young drivers are uninsured compared to the average driver, which is one in 20. Given that young drivers are more … [Read more...]
Drivers “don’t trust” road taxes
July 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Motoring taxes have been handled so badly that drivers no longer trust what ministers say the charges pay for, an MPs' report says. Inconsistency over justification for green taxes "tarnished their image", according to the transport committee. … [Read more...]
Cheap car insurance – but at what cost?
July 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment
With the recession hitting hard, motorists in the UK are trying to save money. With rising fuel prices, expensive road tax and maintenance costs, it is possible to save by cutting back your car insurance – but doing so could have far reaching implications for safety and finances in the event of an accident. Fortunately, while UK motorists … [Read more...]
Is it possible to get carbon neutral car insurance?
July 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment
If you are one of the increasing number of people who are seriously concerned about the environment and the effect we are having on the global climate, driving a car can pose something of a dilemma. Even with the most eco-friendly model, driven as carefully as possible, you still produce quite a hefty dose of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. … [Read more...]
London Mayor urged to look again at congestion charge policy
July 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is being challenged by Volvo UK to review the basis of charging for the London Congestion Charging zone. The people at Volvo believe the principle of hybrid cars being … [Read more...]
DVLA 5 days grace on tax disc – who wants to put it to the test?
June 1, 2009 By 1 Comment
After years of telling people that failing to display a valid tax disc will make them liable for a fine, it seems that if you order your tax disc online and provided you do so before the old one expires you can, in fact, drive your car legally … [Read more...]
Saying goodbye to company car insurance
April 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
With the current economic climate, many people will have found company benefits such as company cars severely cut back, while many more have been made redundant and currently face having no vehicle … [Read more...]
Car dealers and customer service – are the lessons being learnt?
January 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Following a recent survey by Which? it appears that although there have been vast improvements in the sales process resulting in a much better experience for customers in after-sales, some dealers still aren’t getting … [Read more...]
Solent Motors go bust
December 18, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Private car dealer group Solent Motors based on the south coast are the latest company to collapse with the loss of 100 jobs. The multi franchise group which includes Citroën and, Mazda … [Read more...]
Teens driving us up the wall (and themselves down the cinema)
December 6, 2008 By 1 Comment
Last Sunday our daughter turned seventeen, we knew it was coming, we knew she would no longer want cheesy "Happy Birthday" songs, or fluffy animals, or a pink Princess cake, or balloon parties, for us she would always be about five! … [Read more...]
Car tax hikes delayed but petrol duty up
November 24, 2008 By 1 Comment
Car tax hikes delayed in the Pre-Budget Report, but motorists will not benefit from the VAT cut as petrol duty is raised by 2p. Chancellor Alistair Darling said that a wider range of car tax bands reflecting fuel efficiency would still be introduced, but all rates would go up by a maximum of just £5 next year. … [Read more...]
Government u-turn on car tax
November 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Hot on the tails of our article about the car business in this country needing a bit of help from the government comes the news today that the Government’s plan to increase vehicle duty appears to have been delayed for a year. "Changes in the budget meant from next year all cars which had been on the road since 2001 would face above inflation … [Read more...]
Dealers out of pocket from January
November 8, 2008 By Leave a Comment
An important piece of new legislation regarding tax refunds is coming into effect in January 09. Only the registered keeper (the name on the log book) or last recorded keeper of a vehicle will be entitled to claim a Road Fund Licence (RFL) refund. … [Read more...]
It’s a changing landscape for car sales
November 1, 2008 By Leave a Comment
“It’s tough out there” is probably the understatement of the year and by the time you read this yet more car dealerships will have gone under. It is predicted that in the not too distant future there will be far fewer dealers anyway as manufacturers continue to impose … [Read more...]
Is that car a write-off?
October 6, 2008 By 3 Comments
As used car values tumble and the credit crunch bites, buyers need to be aware of the term 'Insurance write-off' as recent reports suggest a significant rise in vehicle write-offs in the last 5-10 years which will only continue to grow in current conditions. … [Read more...]
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