A new technology time-bomb is ticking in the used car trade. Robin Roberts reports. Rapidly changing vehicle technology means that the remarketing sector is going to have to undergo an unprecedented period of upskilling over the next decade, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation – which represent companies that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 … [Read more...]
Contributors
Turbocharged 1.0 litre automatic MG ZS – Road Test
MG ZS 1.0T GDI Executive auto SUV – with a compact but big-hearted engine. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Sometimes it’s the little things that bring the biggest surprises, like the MG ZS SUV with a sub-1.0 litre petrol engine and an automatic gearbox. Now years ago you would have baulked at a five-seat family car with a 999cc engine and lumbered with an automatic … [Read more...]
‘Our Friends Electric’?
UK drivers buy more cars but are turned away from plug-in hybrids as a vital buying incentive is withdrawn... Robin Roberts tells the story. As the Geneva motor show opens, figures show UK car sales beat expectations and rose 1.4 percent February, boosted by rising sales of petrol and alternative-fuelled cars, according to the SMMT. Sales rose to 81,969 units from 80,805 in February … [Read more...]
Financial Conduct Authority investigates customer over-charging in the car sales market
Too much interest... Robin Roberts reports... Some methods used by finance brokers to reward car dealers that end up overcharging an estimated 560,000 customers about 300 million pounds a year are to be banned. The Financial Conduct Authority found widespread use of commission models that allow brokers to set the customer interest rate and thus earn higher commission. “We found that some … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Combo Life – Road Test
VAUXHALL COMBO LIFE FIVE SEATER – VERSATILE AND VALUE FOR MONEY MOTORING. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) gives his verdict… The Vauxhall Combo Life is one of a trilogy of new van derived MPV, multi-purpose vehicles also known as ‘people carriers’. Its stablemates are the Peugeot Rifter and Citroën Berlingo and they are all available with five and seven seat versions with standard or … [Read more...]
Revised Fiat 500X – Road Test
UPDATED FIAT 500X - FASHION AND FUNCTION COMBINED. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). With the on-going arrival of all-new SUVs of all sizes in full swing, the popular market sector also offers updated versions of SUVs which have been available for much longer. At the compact end of the SUV market one such revised and refreshed model range made its UK debut at the end of last … [Read more...]
Commercial break… Toyota Land Cruiser LCV – Road Test
Toyota Land Cruiser SWB Light Commercial Vehicle… Road-tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). In recent weeks I have watched a variety of documentaries from the wildest and most remote places on earth and while the presenters change with each programme there seems to be a satisfying, reassuring continuity as they are all conveyed in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Its reputation to … [Read more...]
New diesel powered Vauxhall Grandland X – Road Test
LATEST VAUXHALL GRANDLAND X – KEEPS CALM AND CARRIES ON. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Given the turmoil in the world’s car industry, the faltering global economy, falling sales, demonization of diesel engines and in the UK that touchy issue about Brexit, Vauxhall’s latest advertising strapline for their Grandland X mid-sized SUV, ‘Keeps Calm – Carries On’, looks like sensible … [Read more...]
SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate – Road Test
The SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate petrol auto SUV with 2WD... Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Everyone likes surprises, especially if they give you even more than expected, such as with the SsangYong Tivoli SUV. I think it’s a bit of liberty calling it an SUV when the petrol version tested is only 2WD and is little more than a taller hatchback, but the Tivoli goes … [Read more...]
Post-War ‘Baby’ Austin A30/A35s galore to visit Dorset…
The ‘Jurassic Rally’ in Wareham is the destination for A30/A35 enthusiasts from around Britain and Europe (and beyond) to get together in May… Kim Henson reports. Each year the Austin A30/A35 Owners’ Club holds its annual International Rally in a different part of the UK. This coming May, over the late Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 24th to Sunday 26th, with the main rally day being the Sunday), … [Read more...]
A sad day for the British motor industry as Honda announces the closure of its Swindon facility
The end of an era for Honda in Britain... by Kim Henson. This morning it has been confirmed by Honda that the company will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021, with the loss of approximately 3,500 jobs. This devastating news for those involved, and in the supply chain, and of course in the local economy in the Swindon area, amounts to one of the saddest ever days in the history of car … [Read more...]
Brand new Toyota Corolla – First Impressions
GOODBYE TOYOTA AURIS – HELLO AGAIN TOYOTA COROLLA. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) explains and drives the new line-up… 14 years after the Toyota Auris name replaced the Corolla we see the return of the World’s best-selling car brand name – Corolla –å and it’s on sale in the UK from the new registration plate change month of March. The range is priced from £21,300 up to £30,340 with 21 … [Read more...]
Latest Citroën Berlingo seven seater MPV – Road Test
New Citroën Berlingo functional as well as potentially fashionable… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test drives a seven seater version. MPV multi-purpose vehicles, or ‘people carriers’, as we knew them in their heydays of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, have lost out in terms of sales to the growing desirability of owing an SUV – ‘sports utility vehicle’. But manufacturers of MPV type … [Read more...]
John H. Haynes OBE, creator of Haynes Manuals and founder of Haynes Publishing Group, passes away…
Legendary creator and publisher of technical motoring books, John H. Haynes OBE, will be sadly missed by countless do-it-yourself enthusiasts and mechanics he has helped over many decades... Kim Henson pays tribute... I was extremely sad to hear this evening (11th February) of the news of the passing of John H. Haynes OBE. Countless car owners (including me, on many occasions) and … [Read more...]
Audi A4 Avant 40 TDI quattro – Road Test
2019 model year Audi A4 Avant 40TDI quattro tried and tested. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). While SUVs are the flavour of the season, there’re rich pickings for manufacturers and drivers in cars like the Audi A4 Avant. Most SUVs are rarely used to their full capacity or ability but an estate car, particularly a sporting estate like the Black Edition 40TDI quattro tested, … [Read more...]
Winners and losers in sales of new car sales in Britain…
Robin Roberts reports on the latest car sales figures... Sales of hybrid and electric cars soared over 26% last month and slowed the fall in registrations of recent months, according to figures from the car makers. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders say registrations were only 1.6% down in January at 161,013 new cars, with private buyers leading the way as business and fleet models … [Read more...]
Hyundai Kona 4WD 1.6 T-GDI Auto Premium – Road Test
The latest Hyundai SUV… …Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). There is a lot of noise and hype generated about SUVs at the moment but the Hyundai Kona compact five door SUV does not shout about its abilities, it just delivers them. This fuss-free formula is favoured by those who need the space and equipment of a quality SUV which decides when you can get away with … [Read more...]
Stolen Ford Anglia recovered….
Delighted to say that the Ford Anglia 123E 1200 Super stolen last night near Exeter has now been recovered... Further to our feature on Wheels-Alive earlier today about the prized possession Ford Anglia 1200 Super stolen last night from near Exeter, thankfully the car has now been traced and recovered... The widespread and immediate power of social media came into play, and incredibly, a friend … [Read more...]
Have you seen this Ford Anglia, stolen last night 31st January (near Exeter)?
STOLEN! THIS LOVELY FORD ANGLIA 1200 SUPER Just in case any Wheels-Alive readers spot this car, I am very sad (and even more angry) to report that this excellent condition, and much-loved, Ford Anglia 1200 Super, belonging to a friend, was stolen last night between 7pm and 8pm from his driveway near Exeter in Devon. If you spot this vehicle, anywhere, or if you hear anyone talking about it in … [Read more...]
Citroën C5 Aircross mid-sized SUV – First Impressions
Latest SUV from Citroën – the new C5 Aircross; first drive, plus news and views... ...from David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). 2019 is a big year for the French Citroën brand. It’s their 100th anniversary and already the year has got off to a successful start with their products picking up several Car/Van of the Year Awards in the current round of annual ‘Oscars’ given by the motoring … [Read more...]
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