Month: April 2020

While you might think one of the few benefits of this lockdown situation is that your car is sitting unused, not accruing extra miles wearing out tyres and brakes or costing you a fortune in fuel, cars don’t actually like to sit still.

That’s why tyre expert Jonathan Benson has put together his top six tips for keeping your tyres safe for when you do venture back out onto the road.

Check out the video for more in-depth explanations to the summarised points below.

Prepare and inspect your tyres

Use your new-found free time to give your tyres a clean and dressing to protect from road grime or UV light that might eat away at the rubber. While you’re down there, give them a quick check for damage and tread life, too.

Lift your car

Tyres, in particular, don’t like sitting in the same position for too long, because the weight of the car on the tyre can cause a flat spot. If you can, lift it off the ground on a car lift or axle stands. That’s not always possible, so if you can’t lift it…

Over-inflate your tyres

Normally, you don’t want to over-inflate your tyres because that reduces grip. However, doing so reduces the risk of flat spots, just don’t go over the recommended limit.

Move your car

If you have space and it’s safe to do so, you can also push your car forwards or backwards occasionally so the weight isn’t on the same spot. Don’t use the engine to do this, though, because you’ll drain your battery.

Keep it in shade

Tyres don’t like being exposed to UV light, so if you can park the car in the shade or hide it in the garage, that’s great.

Buy trainers for your car

You can buy small foam ramps that you can drive your car onto, which alleviate some of the pressure on the rubber and help regulate changes in temperature, reducing the risk of damage to the tyre.

Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer is one of the best-known names in the world of buying and selling cars. Having crossed the globe in the search for the perfect used car, Mike has come into contact with vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

Here, Mike gives us an insight into his favourite cars, what he listens to when he’s behind the wheel and what his dream road trip would look like.

What was your first car?

My first car was a classic Mini – and it was hearing-aid beige!

What do you currently drive?

I’ve actually come full circle and I’m the owner of a classic Mini again.

What would your dream car be?

I think my dream car would probably be a Blower Bentley.

What do you listen to when you’re in the car?

I listen to all sorts of things when I’m in the car, but mainly Paul Weller and a lot of The Who.

Do you sing along in the car?

Of course! I’m a rock star when I sing along in the car.

What annoys you most about other drivers?

In general, it’s bad manners which annoy me about other drivers. Oh, and if I’m allowed to say it – certain drivers not indicating!

Do you consider yourself a good driver?

Yes!

Did you pass your test first time?

Yes. However, when I started I kind of bunny-hopped off one of the kerbs. I looked at my driving instructor who was being shaken out of his seat and I thought ‘well, I’ve blown it’. But he passed me!

Do you wash your own car?

If I can, yes. Generally, if I turn up at one of my dealerships my staff tend to do it. But when I’m at home in America, and my car is on the drive I’ll clean it myself.

What would be a dream road trip?

I think my dream road trip would take in some of the roads in South Africa. The roads down there look beautiful.

Wheeler Dealers is currently airing at 8pm on Monday on the Discovery Channel.

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For many buyers, practicality is one of the most important factors when buying a car, and a big boot is often top of the list.

If that’s the case for you, we’ve brought together cars with cavernous boots from a variety of segments, so even if you only have space for a hatchback but want to maximise cargo capacity, we’ve got you covered.

Skoda Fabia – 330 litres with the rear seats up / 1,150 with the rear seats down

Considering Skoda’s ethos is to build the most practical cars possible, it’s no surprise that most of its cars are among the most practical in their segment. That’s particularly true of the Fabia, which offers cargo capacity similar to much bigger cars. Opt for the estate and there’s even more room – 530 litres with the rear seats up and 1,395 with them down.

Volkswagen Tiguan – 615 litres / 1,655 litres

If you’re looking for an upmarket, stylish SUV that’s also super practical, look no further. It might look a little dull in lower trims and be more expensive than many rivals, but it offers excellent build quality, a wide variety of engine choices and a huge boot.

Peugeot 3008 – 591 litres / 1,670 litres

A compelling rival to the Tiguan, the 3008 is packed full of character that the Volkswagen can’t hope to match. Peugeot has really upped its game recently, particularly with the interior, which feels premium but with the practicality to make this both a head and a heart purchase.

Skoda Superb Estate – 660 litres / 1,950 litres

Another Skoda, the Superb has a simply massive boot. If you do a lot of city driving the Superb’s sheer size might be an issue, but for long-distance drivers who need space above all else, there can be few better options.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate – 640 litres / 1,820 litres

Want similar levels of practicality to the Skoda but a bit more badge appeal? Step forward the E-Class. It might be pricier, but the reward is a much nicer cabin with only a small compromise on space.

Ford Galaxy – 300 litres / 2,339 litres

MPVs are the forgotten cars of today’s sales, but there’s still a place for vehicles like the Ford Galaxy. Its seats down space isn’t hugely impressive because it has that extra row of seats, but when you don’t have people in the back it can expand to offer a frankly van-like 2,339 litres.

SsangYong Tivoli XLV – 720 litres / 1,440 litres

Easily the left-field choice in this list, niche car manufacturer SsangYong has been rapidly improving in recent years. The larger version of its mainstream crossover, the Tivoli XLV, is an enticing prospect based on affordability and practicality alone. It might not be quite as nice inside or to drive compared with rivals, but on top of loads of space, it’s cheap to buy and run and comes with great kit.

Audi Q7 – 770 litres / 1,955 litres

Easily one of the best seven-seaters in the market, the Q7 might be pricey but it’s up there with the best when it comes to luggage space. Even with the seats up you get a massive 770 litres, so you don’t need to worry about compromising between people and their stuff.

Mercedes-Benz GLS – 355 litres / 2,400 litres

While you could describe the GLS’s load-lugging ability as van-like, it would have to be one luxurious van. The GLS can do it all, being a genuine seven-seater with a lovely interior and fantastic on-road manners – though it’s certainly not cheap. Naturally, to make the most of the boot you’ll need to fold the third row down, but do so and few can match it for practicality.

Land Rover Discovery – 258 litres / 2,406 litres

And finally, the unrivalled champion of practicality. The Discovery’s seven-seat boot capacity is unimpressive, but with almost endless seating configurations available you can find space for just about anything. Fold all the seats behind the driver down and you get that hugely impressive 2,406-litre capacity. Impressive.

A large number of car manufacturers are causing owners ‘unnecessary stress’ because they can’t get their vehicles serviced during the lockdown.

Drivers who need to get their car serviced are worried that missing a check-up could invalidate their warranty. Usually, car firms penalise those that do miss service intervals by revoking their cover.

Some car manufacturers have come out with blanket extensions to calm worried owners, but other brands are refusing to budge.

AA president Edmund King said: “In these uncertain times, everyone should be following government guidance concerning non-essential travel.

“For the majority of car owners with a vehicle under warranty that is rarely being used, it should not be essential to have a standard service now.

“Expecting drivers to go for a standard maintenance service during lockdown is against the spirit of government advice. We felt that the government took a sensible and pragmatic approach to MOTs and believe that manufacturers should show similar flexibility and common sense.

“Telling drivers to do something seemingly contrary to government advice may also add unnecessary stress to owners.”

Jim Holder, editorial director of Autocar and What Car? Magazines, added: “From a national perspective there is a wider responsibility for car manufacturers to act with integrity at this critical juncture, and they should put the needs of the country and the care of our critical workers before the need to get cars serviced.”

Car dealerships were shut by the government on March 23, but their workshops and garages have remained open. This is designed to keep key workers on the move and not for the general public to have their cars serviced.

An MOT extension of six months and lasting for a year is in place as of March 30 to stop drivers worrying about getting their car checked, and experts believe this should set a precedent for servicing too.

PA Media contacted every UK car manufacturer and asked what sort of leeway they were offering customers when it came to getting their cars serviced.

The VW Group – including Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat – wouldn’t offer a blanket extension. All the brands said they would deal with issues on a ‘case-by-case basis’. Porsche, part of the same group, said customers who made a request for a service in writing that couldn’t be completed due to the lockdown ‘would not be penalised’.

Alongside the VW Group, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Honda and Jeep have all refused to issue an automatic extension. Advice from those brands varied, with most asking customers to contact the firm’s respective customer services department.

BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Vauxhall and Volvo have all issued blanket extensions for their customers who would have needed to get a service during the lockdown. These vary in time and mileage, but will give customers peace of mind.

Kia has put no limit on the time or mileage within which customers need to get their car serviced.

A spokesman said: “We don’t know how long it will go on for so we don’t want to put false limits on the length of time, so that people don’t need to worry about getting their car serviced – people can’t have it done right now, we understand that, and they shouldn’t worry.

“People need to look after their car wherever possible if they can by checking the oil and tyres, but car servicing is not important right now – what is important is staying home and protecting the NHS.”

MG and Rolls-Royce both failed to respond to PA Media’s request for comment.

All car manufacturers offering extensions and for how long

Maker / Time extension / Mileage allowed
BMW – Three months / 2,000
Citroen – Three months / 1,800
Dacia – One month / Not specified
Ford – Three months / 1,000
Hyundai – 3 months / 1,500
Jaguar – Two months / 2,000
Kia – Not specified / Not specified
Land Rover – Two months / 2,000
Mazda – Not specified / 1,875
Mercedes – Three months / 3,728
Nissan – Not specified / Not specified
Peugeot – Three months / 1,800
Renault – One month / Not specified
Vauxhall – Three months / 1,800
Volvo – Three months / Not specified

Former Top Gear host James May will host a pub quiz this Wednesday evening to help ease the boredom of lockdown.

James May’s Live Pub Quiz will take place on Wednesday April 8 at 8pm BST on the FoodTribe YouTube channel.

There will be five rounds with questions from the fields of general knowledge, food, famous people who fronted car shows, geography and film.

James May told the PA news agency: “I love pubs, but I hate pub quizzes. Unfortunately, the pub isn’t open for some reason. So we’ll just have to do the quiz, online, at a safe distance. There will be no cheating, obviously. No-one’s going to look up the answers on Google. That’s not allowed.”

May will be joined in hosting duties by FoodTribe editor Rachael Hogg, with viewers across the globe competing for fun – and the chance to win a personalised video presented by James.

FoodTribe is the latest venture from May and his former Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, who also helped launch car content platform DriveTribe in 2016. Founded in September 2019, the new site allows users to share food photos, recipes and opinions with other foodies, with the YouTube channel passing 100,000 subscribers in January.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused something of a sales crisis across many industries, and the latest figures from the UK show the automotive sector is one of the hardest hit.

Sales in March were down 44 per cent compared with the previous year, far worse than the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, because dealerships have shut down. Figures from France and Italy, which saw drops of 85 and 72 per cent respectively, indicate the misery is set to continue into April in the UK, with those countries going into lockdown before us.

However, despite the doom and gloom, there was some positivity to be found, with reasonably priced family cars continuing to do well. Here are the 10 best-selling cars from March.

Volkswagen Golf – 7,103

Volkswagen’s hugely popular hatchback continues to be the go-to car when a safe and secure purchase is needed. It’s being boosted by a new model having been released, which also sees old stock sold off with some great deals. It’s the second-best-selling car of the year, too.

Ford Fiesta – 6,687

Ever-present in the UK’s best-selling lists, the Ford Fiesta is still at the sharp end of the sales charts. Its combination of affordability and best-in-class driving characteristics make it a no-brainer for buyers who want something small, economical, but still practical and well-made.

Mini – 6,019

Another British icon, Mini’s small hatchback saw itself rise up the rankings last month to take third after being seventh in the yearly rankings. Despite the financial restrictions many are facing, this premium city car is clearly still striking a chord with buyers, bolstered perhaps by its excellent reputation.

Ford Focus – 5,985

One of the most popular family cars the UK has ever seen, the Focus retains its spot in the best sellers list. Like the Fiesta, the fact buyers can trust that it will be well made and economical to run while costing less than many less-established rivals makes it mighty appealing.

Nissan Qashqai – 5,907

The car that’s often credited with kick-starting the crossover boom, the Qashqai finds itself filling out the top five. The latest model comes with Nissan’s vast suite of safety systems and driver aids that are usually reserved for more expensive rivals, making it feel like great value for money for safety-conscious families.

Vauxhall Corsa – 5,820

While used examples are often associated with rowdy youths, the recently introduced new Corsa is a far more grown-up affair. Benefiting from Vauxhall’s new Groupe PSA ownership, it looks smart, has plenty of on-board technology, and it’s even available with an all-electric version for zero-emissions motoring.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class – 5,351

Much like the Mini, the A-Class represents a more affordable entry to premium brand ownership. The latest model has moved the game on considerably, featuring one of the most impressive and tech-heavy interiors in the segment.

Kia Sportage – 4,988

The SUV segment is big business, and Kia has made an absolute winner with the Sportage, which brings all of the big car features you could want into an affordable package without scrimping on quality. It’s recently had a small update, too, with a new mild-hybrid engine offered.

Tesla Model 3 – 4,718

Tesla’s affordable electric car for the people has proved its place on the best-sellers list was not just a flash in the pan. Falling under ‘other’ in the sales charts because Tesla doesn’t officially reveal its data, the Model 3 is hugely appealing to EV buyers because even in its ‘basic’ £40k form it’s fast and full of tech, with tonnes of brand appeal. Tesla’s ‘no dealership’, online-first buying process arguably made it more resistant to shutdowns, too.

Range Rover Evoque – 4,399

Another car that’s seen an update fairly recently, the Evoque proves premium SUVs don’t have to be the preserve of the rich elite. With smart styling and a fancy interior, it’s easy to see why British buyers are queuing up to support this British brand’s best-seller.

The BMW 3 Series is a household name across the globe. As one of the firm’s most popular vehicles, it’s a common sight on any given road, at any given time. Having been around since the mid-70s, it’s become a motoring staple, going from strength to strength with each generation.

The latest G20-generation 3 Series only arrived last year, which means there are several generations and plenty of revisions to look at. Let’s dive in and check out the history of the BMW 3 Series.

E21 – 1975-1983

The E21 kicked things off for BMW. Replacing the 02 Series, the E21 started with carburetted engines but soon transformed to use more modern, fuel-injected systems. Initially only available as a coupe, it soon spawned a convertible version – called the Bauer – and incorporated many BMW hallmarks that we know today, such as the kidney grilles up front.

Not all that popular in the UK, the E21 is a rare sight on British roads today. It’s also dwarfed in size by the current 3 Series.

E30 – 1982-1994

The E30 is where things really started to heat up for the 3 Series. It’s an iconic design, which pushed forward from the E21 yet managed to retain some of its predecessor’s key styling points. Compact yet impressively well made, over two million E30s rolled off the production line, and there are still plenty of those around today.

Not only did the coupe version arrive, but the E30 spawned a saloon, convertible and even estate variants as BMW reacted to a more demanding audience. Fortunately, the E30 more than delivered.

E36 – 1990-2000

The E36 isn’t often seen as the most ‘classic’ of 3 Series models; it falls right in between being a collector’s item and being a genuine daily driver – though it’s still a car which would happily manage the morning commute.

Again, coupe, saloon, convertible and estate models all appeared, while luxury features like a powered sunroof and – in later modes – anti-lock brakes were all available on the E36, treating BMW owners to more cutting-edge tech than before.

E46 – 1997-2006

After the brief downturn that was the E36, along came the all-conquering E46. Taking the key aspects of the 3 Series – involving driver and premium finish, to name but two – the E46 brought the range into the modern age with more features than before.

Though the cabin didn’t move things on all that much from the previous generation car, the E46 proved immensely popular and remains a common sight on our roads today.

E90/E91/E92/E93 – 2004 – 2013

The E90 is at the point where it still looks modern enough, despite being three generations back from the current model. It gained a mid-life refresh in 2012, though its curvy, rounded looks remained relatively unchanged throughout its life.

With a variety of different engines – including a V8-powered M3 version – this was a 3 Series with an even broader appeal than before. It also represents an excellent used buy.

F30/F31/F34 – 2011-2019

The F30 arrived on the scene with a big change – no naturally aspirated engines, just turbocharged units. Even the powerhouse M3 featured a turbo, showcasing the firm’s attitude towards downsizing.

A new hybrid version – badged 330e – also arrived, and the whole model received a refresh in 2015 which helped to elongate the car’s appeal even further.

G20 – 2019-Present

So here we are, the present day. The current G20-generation 3 Series arrived with even more aggressive looks than before – though it was still recognisable as a 3 straight away. Just saloon and touring layouts are available at the moment, but it’s likely that other variants will be available soon.

Given the success of the previous model, this latest version does have quite the task on its hands, but thanks to excellent dynamics and another rock-solid interior, it’s likely that this latest 3 will be just as popular.