Nearly a quarter of drivers have ignored a red X sign on a smart motorway, according to new research.
Blog Post
Drivers urged to clean up their act as part of national litter campaign
Highways England today called on drivers to join them in doing their bit to reduce litter levels on the nation’s motorways.
Motoring
Over half of drivers still uses phone while driving
Around 60% of drivers still uses their mobile phone while driving, despite the introduction of tougher penalties more than two years ago.
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Record number of MOT failures expected this month
A record number of MOT failures are expected this month as 609,000 vehicles registered in March 2016 have their first MOT.
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Long-lasting repairs to stop potholes
Utility companies could be better held to account for poor road repairs that cause potholes or dangerous road surfaces.
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Fuel price rise in February ends three months of cuts.
Three consecutive months of price reductions on the forecourts came to a crashing halt in February as both petrol and diesel went up.
Blog Post
Buyers beware! Half of used vehicles checked turn out to have a hidden history
Drivers looking to buy a used car in 2019 need to be on their guard as figures from the RAC suggest more than half (52%) have a hidden history that could lead to problems for new owners.
A sample of RAC Vehicle History Checks covering more than 32,000 separate used cars for sale flagged up a multitude of possible issues that should make prospective buyers very wary before handing over their cash.
The most common issue was a change of number plate, with more than one-in-four (27.5%) vehicles analysed having recorded such a change. While this may simply be a switch to or from a personalised number plate, it could also be a sign that an unscrupulous former owner has tried to hide the vehicle’s true identity.
Next was the remarkable finding that nearly one-in-five (17.6%) vehicles were still in the process of being ‘paid off’ by previous owners despite being advertised for sale. This is something that should be a huge red flag for any buyer – it is likely to mean the car is still being leased or is legally still owned by a finance company under a hire purchase (HP) or personal contract purchase (PCP) arrangement, and cannot be sold on.
A surprising 14.2% of vehicles checked were deemed insurance write-offs – not the sort of vehicle most buyers would want to be parting with their money for – while 1.9% were either imports or exports, vehicles that warrant closer inspection as they must always be sold with particular documentation. A slightly smaller proportion (1.4%) of vehicles had had their colour changed at some point in their histories.
But perhaps most worryingly of all, a very small number for sale were either listed as stolen (0.2%) or technically scrapped (0.1%).
With used car values buoyant, the RAC is reminding drivers they need to be on their guard more than ever to ensure the money they are putting towards a car is cash well spent.
RAC Motoring Services spokesperson Francesca Mann said: “Drivers might be alarmed to see just how many vehicles for sale have hidden histories that could end up costing them dear should they decide to go ahead, but this is precisely why we make these checks in the first place – to give them the information they need to make the right choice.
“Forewarned is forearmed, and drivers that do their homework on vehicles put themselves in a much stronger position to negotiate on price, or simply walk away from the sale if they feel they are taking too great a risk. This is particularly relevant this time of year, as the arrival of 19-plate vehicles sees a rise in drivers seeking a good deal on used cars.
“We recommend every buyer insists on a comprehensive history check for any car they are looking to buy – they should ask to see one if buying through a dealer, or get their own if trawling used car advertisements. Any concerns should be raised directly with the seller before parting with any money.
“Of course, it is important to remember that red flags around things like a number plate change don’t necessarily signal bad news. Having this information to hand allows buyers to have an honest conversation with seller so that they can satisfy themselves nothing is awry. However, when it comes to things like discovering if a vehicle could still belong to a finance company despite being advertised for sale by a private seller – it is clear a history check could make the difference between a really good buy or a really bad one.
“And drivers looking for extra peace of mind before purchasing should consider the benefits of having the car professionally inspected by the RAC.”
Blog Post
New DVLA campaign highlights consequences for drivers who evade vehicle tax
A new campaign by the DVLA is warning drivers that they have nowhere to hide if they don’t tax their vehicle.
Blog Post
Almost 2.7 million drivers have penalty points on their licence
Almost 2.7 million motorists in England and Wales have three or more penalty points on their driving licences, according to new figures.
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Drivers will save 25 minutes during the half term commute
Drivers will save a total of 25 minutes or more on their commute to work next week – thanks to the school half-term break.
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70% of Drivers don’t know how to merge in turn
Nearly three-quarters of motorists are completely unaware of how they should behave if a lane is closed on a motorway or A-road, according to new research.
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Youngsters’ first year of driving could cost more than £9,000
Young drivers are spending more than £9,000 during their first year of motoring alone, according to new research.
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Government figures show reduction in drivers using phones
Use of mobile phones while driving could be falling, according to government statistics released this week.
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Middle-lane hogger filmed by police for three miles
A driver has been caught on police dashcam hogging the middle lane of a motorway for three miles.
Motoring
Driver jailed 3 months for using a jammer
A businessman who attached a “jammer” to his BMW to dodge speed cameras has been jailed.
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Fuel prices fell for the third consecutive month
Fuel prices fell for the third consecutive month in January, with both petrol and diesel dropping more than a penny a litre.
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Cost of car insurance fell in 2018 for first time in four years
The cost of car insurance fell last year for the first calendar year since 2014, according to figures released by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Blog Post
Nearly 90% of cars stolen without keys
Figures published by Tracker show that 88% of all cars it recovered last year had been taken without the thieves having access to the keys.
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Top 10 tips for driving in the snow
The blast of cold weather has caused treacherous conditions on many UK roads.
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Four in five of UK’s best-selling cars vulnerable to keyless theft
Four out of five of the UK’s best selling cars are susceptible to keyless theft, it has been claimed.