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Parking your car in a garage overnight could add £54 to your insurance

Parking your car in a garage overnight could make it more expensive to insure than leaving it outside your home, new data has shown.

Comparison site Go Compare reviewed car insurance policies bought through it between May and July of this year and found that the average insurance premium for drivers who kept their cars in a locked garage was £710, compared with £656 for vehicles left in other areas of the home.

According to the research, the difference was more obvious in ‘fire and theft’ policies. The average third-party fire and theft policy came in at £1,053 for those who parked their car in a locked garage, contrasting the £875 someone who parked their car elsewhere around the house would pay.

While keeping a car on the drive is better for insurance premiums than using a locked garage – costing £627 on average, or £85 less than a garage-user would pay – it’s still better to keep a car in a garage compared with parking on the public road outside your home. Drivers will pay £729 to keep their car on the road outside their house or £741 in a residential car park.

Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go Compare, said: “There are various reasons why keeping your car in a garage may result in a more expensive premium. Some insurers may feel garages can pose their own security risks. If the garage is connected to your property, your car could get taken in the event of a home break-in, while if the garage is unconnected, you may be unable to hear the thief entering your car.

“Insurers may also feel the car is more likely to be damaged if you keep it in a garage. For instance, there could be a greater chance of bumps and scrapes when trying to fit today’s larger cars into small garages. Items being stored in the garage, like a toolbox, could also fall onto the vehicle and damage it.”

However, Go.Compare’s data shows a falling number of people using their garages for parking, dropping by 28 per cent between 2018 and 2022. In contrast, the number of policies for people keeping their car in a work car park overnight has doubled in the same period, with a 38 per cent increase being seen for drivers keeping their vehicles in a secure car park. However, the most popular parking space remains a home driveway, with 60 per cent of policies covering this area overnight.

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McLaren’s GTS builds on the GT experience

McLaren has revealed the new GTS which arrives as an updated version of the previous GT model.

The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 now produces 626bhp in total, up by 14bhp over the previous GT. McLaren has also managed to shave 10kg off the GT’s weight, too, taking the total kerb weight for the GTS to 1,520kg. The GTS comes with a claimed 0-60mph time of just three seconds – 0.1 seconds less than the GT.

McLaren has also upgraded the nose-lift system in the GTS, which means that it can now raise the nose of the car in half the time of the original GT. The exterior design of the GTS remains much the same as the GT’s, with a sharp front nose section sitting between slim headlights. It’s a similar story at the rear, where the ultra-thin rear lights sit above twin exhaust outlets.

As standard the GTS gets a gloss black finish on the exhaust tips, mirror caps and window surrounds while new GTS badges feature on the side of the car. As with other McLaren models, a number of elements can be replaced for carbon fibre alternatives such as the front splitter and side skirts via a full carbon pack.

Inside, the GTS features the same driver-focused setup as before with a button-free steering wheel. McLaren has equipped the GTS with more luxurious materials inside, while the seven-inch infotainment system is the same one you’d find in the previous GT.

Prices for the new McLaren GTS are expected to be announced shortly.

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First Drive: Is the Ineos Grenadier an old-school off-roader with modern touches?

What is it?

When Land Rover took the original Defender out of production, it left quite a gap. Fortunately, Jim Ratcliffe – billionaire CEO of chemicals firm Ineos – decided that this space couldn’t be left unplugged and set to work creating an off-roader that would deliver the same kind of rough-and-ready experience as the original Defender, but with a few more creature comforts and fewer rough edges. The result? The Grenadier.

It’s an uncompromising go-anywhere vehicle designed to give an option to drivers who want a car that’ll go here, there and everywhere while bringing a little extra charm than you might find in the current crop of largely road-focused SUVs. We’ve been testing it out to see what it’s like.

What’s new?

The Grenadier is a heady mix of old and new. Underneath, we’ve got a traditional ladder chassis to help with rigidity and outright assuredness off-road, while optional lockable differentials should ensure that it can drag itself out of the stickiest of situations. Sitting on top is a boxy body with a rough exterior that is designed to be fixed easily and quickly if things get damaged.

And despite its British-ness, the Grenadier isn’t a product of these shores; built in Hambach, France, using largely German components, it’s been co-developed by Austrian specialists Magna Steyr which counts the legendary Mercedes G-Class among its list of car-building accomplishments.

What’s under the bonnet?

Ineos hasn’t wasted time developing its own engines for the Grenadier, instead turning to BMW for two of its trusted powerplants. While a petrol version is available, we’ve been driving the diesel which, for many drivers, will be the go-to option thanks to its plentiful 550Nm of torque. You’ve got 248bhp, too, sent to all four wheels via a smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed gearbox – again, a trusted choice in the market.

Our Trialmaster-specification car rides on chunky BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres as standard, too, while differential locks front, middle and rear are equipped from the off on Grenadier, too. In terms of efficiency, Ineos claims 23.3mpg for the Grenadier while CO2 emissions of 310g/km are pretty high.

What’s it like to drive?

If you’re stepping out from a modern, road-focused SUV – or any other modern car, for that matter – then it’s quite the adjustment process driving the Grenadier. It uses a classic recirculating ball-hydraulic steering system which, at low speeds, is wayward and pretty loose.

Even turning into a junction or navigating a roundabout takes more concentration than you’d expect. It’s better with speed, however, and on the motorway the Grenadier bowls along nicely with a surprising lack of wind noise. The chunky tyres don’t generate too much roar, either, and the engine has a pleasantly robust noise to it.

But off-road, it all makes sense. This loose steering inspires a bit more confidence on the rough stuff – it has less tendency to ‘snap’ around like other modern power steering systems – while the short overhangs mean you’re never scared about clanging the front or rear when climbing or descending. We put the Grenadier through some pretty tough Welsh routes and it never faltered and, though we did lock the diffs on occasions to help out, it felt as though it could handle all of it without anything being engaged.

How does it look?

We think it’s pretty easy to see where the Grenadier’s design inspiration has come from. It has similar proportions and chunky dimensions to the original Defender and that means today it really stands out in the new car market. You can get it in a variety of specifications which slightly tweak it, too, but all versions get the same flat-panel appearance which did get the nod from various drivers of ‘original’ Defenders during our time with the Grenadier.

The one thing we would say is that this is a tall car, so entering or exiting it can be a bit of a task, particularly in a car without side steps like our test vehicle. We’d definitely add these if you want to make getting access to the car easier.

What’s it like inside?

There’s plenty of space to be afforded those inside the cabin of the Grenadier. Those sitting up front have a nice wide view of the road ahead, though the placement of the pedal box for the driver is slightly off-set with a large hump to the left meaning that there’s not an awful lot of room for your feet. However, unlike a classic Defender, there is plenty of room for your right arm, so there’s no need to drive with the window down for the whole time.

The fit and finish is good, though, and everything feels ruggedly put together. The slightly bewildering number of buttons does take getting used to initially, as does the lack of any kind of speedo ahead of you as a drive – it’s on the right-hand side of the main screen instead. We’d much rather have the speed ahead of us, really.

What’s the spec like?

Much of the Grenadier’s specification is there to make it as capable as possible off-road. There are extra ‘packs’ to add, too, with our test car’s Rough and Smooth packs adding the locking front and rear differentials, chunky off-road tyres and parking sensors, alongside puddle lamps and extra charging points for devices inside. The 12.3-inch main screen is the most high-tech feature you’re getting, but it works well and has smartphone mirroring services included. It’s controlled both by touch and also a rotary dial which are both intuitive ways of accessing the system.

But what about price? Well, if you just want the Grenadier as a load-carrying vehicle then the two-seater version will do the job, priced from £64,500. The Station Wagon, like our test vehicle, kicks off from £76,000 which is quite a lot of change, whichever way you look at it. Add some packs and extras and you could easily go past the £80,000 mark.

Verdict

It’s quite tricky to nail down the Grenadier. For one, you can’t fault the approach by Ineos to bring the best in the business on board, so all of this car’s fundamentals are sound. The engines, gearbox and off-road-handling are all top-notch, as is the car’s sense of character which is so often lost in most modern vehicles.

It would’ve been good to have slightly better on-road manners in the Grenadier, particularly when it comes to this car’s wayward steering. But if you’re after a car to rely upon – and have some great adventures with – then the Grenadier could well be the car for you.

Facts at a glance

  • Model: Ineos Grenadier
  • Price as tested: £78,729
  • Powertrain: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel
  • Power: 248bhp
  • Torque: 550Nm
  • Max speed: 99mph
  • 0-60mph: 9.7 seconds
  • MPG: 23.3
  • Emissions: 310g/km

 

 

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Drivers feel safer with assistance tech but don’t want to pay for it – survey

The vast majority of drivers feel safer behind the wheel in a car fitted with advanced safety systems but nearly half would be happy to buy a model without them fitted, a new survey has found.

Advanced Driver Safety Systems (ADAS) are fitted to many of the latest cars on sale and include a variety of different features including active lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and speed limit recognition. However, more than a third of drivers admitted to deliberately switching off some of these features because they were ‘annoying’.

The survey of 7,125 drivers by What Car? found that 42 per cent of respondents had ADAS technology in their cars. A similar number of people had none of this technology fitted to their cars, while 17 per cent were unsure whether or not their vehicle had ADAS functions.

Steve Huntingford, What Car? editor, said: “While most drivers feel safer with advanced driver assistance technologies in their cars, a significant proportion have switched them off at some point, suggesting these systems often aren’t as user friendly or intuitive as motorists would like.

“With ADAS due to become mandatory in new cars from July 2024, it will be all the more important that safety bodies like Euro NCAP not only make it clear to car buyer’s how effective each manufacturer’s ADAS tech is, but also whether or not it’s frustrating to use.”

While 58 per cent of those with ADAS-equipped cars said that they felt safer with them fitted, just 34 per cent would rule out a car if it wasn’t fitted with them while 47 per cent said that they would be happy to buy a vehicle which didn’t have ADAS if it meant paying less. That figure rose to 66 per cent for drivers who don’t currently own a car with ADAS systems.

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UK hits 10,000 rapid EV charger milestone

The UK has installed its 10,000th rapid electric vehicle charger, according to a leading device mapping provider.

New data from Zapmap suggests that the 10,000th charge point was installed at Sedbergh Leisure Centre in Bradford as part of the GeniePoint network of charging stations. It now means that there are over 10,000 rapid and ultra-rapid charging devices installed across 5,000 locations nationwide.

These high-output chargers are able to top-up an electric vehicle quickly, with some of the speediest devices able to take a compatible EV from 10 to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes. The power rating of charge points being installed is increasing, according to Zapmap, with devices of 100kW or more becoming ‘increasingly prevalent’.

At the end of 2020, there were just 788 devices capable of delivering 100kW of power or more in the UK. As of December 2023, this number has risen to 4,504 devices making up 45 per cent of the total number of high-powered devices installed in the UK.

Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said: “Hitting the 10,000 high-powered charging devices mark is really important for electric car drivers across the country. Having surpassed 8,000 rapid and ultra-rapid devices as recently as May 2023, it’s fantastic to see this latest milestone arrive just in time for Christmas.

“The availability of more than 5,000 charging locations with rapid or ultra-rapid chargers spread right across the country, many of which are hubs, will give drivers confidence to drive electric wherever they go during the festive period.”

This milestone doesn’t account for slower devices which can be a better option for longer stops in an electric vehicle. As of November 2023, there were 53,029 individual chargers of all speeds placed at 30,853 locations. Last month, 1,513 new electric chargers were added to Zapmap’s charging database.

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New car registrations rise again in November with growth fuelled by increased fleet demand

New car registrations grew by 9.5 per cent in November as figures closed in on reaching pre-pandemic levels.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 156,525 vehicles were registered during the month, down by just 96 units on pre-pandemic 2019’s sales.

Growth was largely pushed through by fleets ‘investing in the latest vehicles’ according to the SMMT, with registrations in this area growing by 25.4 per cent to account for 94,049 vehicles and a 59.4 per cent share of the market as a whole.

Private demand, meanwhile, fell by 5.9 per cent to 60,506 registrations, while business uptake dropped by 32.7 per cent to 2,970 units.

The picture for the market overall looks good, however, with year-to-date figures up 18.76 at 1.762 million units as the segment continues recovering steadily over a period of 16 months.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Britain’s new car market continues to recover, fuelled by fleets investing in the latest and greenest new vehicles. With car makers gearing up to meet their responsibilities under new market legislation, and COP28 currently underway, now is the time to take sensible steps that will multiply that economic growth and minimise carbon emissions.”

The SMMT’s figures show that November proved fruitful for both hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles which saw rises of 27.8 and 55.8 to 20,525 and 15,871 units respectively.

Demand for electric vehicles continues to remain largely within the fleet segment, as of the 24,359 new electric vehicles delivered during November 77.4 per cent were taken on by fleets or businesses. Overall battery-electric vehicle sales fell by 17.1 per cent in the month, though the SMMT says that this was ‘atypical’ and put it down to a surge in electric registrations in November 2022 following supply-chain disruption.

Year-to-date figures show that electric vehicle registrations are up 27.5 per cent with a 16.3 per cent market share and the SMMT expects this to rise to 22.3 per cent next year.

Hawes added: “Private EV buyers need incentives in line with those that have so successfully driven business uptake – and workable trade rules that promote rather than penalise the transition.”

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Tesla’s Cybertruck arrives with 340-mile range and 845bhp

The first Tesla Cybertrucks have been delivered to customers, with the futuristic-looking model bringing a range of up to 340 miles and a claimed ability to be completely bulletproof.

Revealed at a customer delivery event where the initial models were handed to their new owners, the Cybertruck was first revealed in prototype form back in November 2019 where it was promised that production would begin.

The first production model was shown in July this year, but is only now that production has commenced in earnest with Tesla boss Elon Musk stating that “I think it’s our best product.”

Tesla claims that the Cybertruck will return up to 340 miles from a single charge, while a top-level tri-motor setup will deliver 845bhp and a 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds. However, a regular version with ‘just’ 600bhp and two motors instead of three will also be available.

Equipped with adaptive air suspension the Cybertruck is claimed to be ‘built for any planet’ while 35-inch all-terrain tyres and 17 inches of ground clearance should enable it to tackle larger obstacles. It also features locking differentials for even better capability off-road. All-wheel-steering – which effectively helps to shorten its wheelbase – means that the Cybertruck should have a far smaller turning circle than a typical car of its size.

Its stainless steel exterior helps it to resist corrosion while Tesla says that this material is easy to repair with dents and low-level damage simple to sort. The shatter-resistant glass is said to be able to resist ‘the impact of a baseball at 70mph’, too.

The Cybertruck still remains unavailable to order fully, though customers can place a $100 (£77) deposit in order to reserve a build slot.

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New Dacia Duster arrives with hybrid technology and more sustainable materials

Dacia’s new Duster has hit the road with a fresh new look, efficiency-boosting hybrid technology and a variety of new ‘green’ materials.

The Duster has proven to be a hit for Dacia, with over 2.2 million units produced during its 13 years on sale. Well-known for its value-orientated approach, the Duster has often been one of the cheapest SUVs on the market.

The new third-generation Duster arrives with an eye-catching new design which incorporates a similarly boxy look to its predecessor but with plenty of updated touches. Its front end features far sharper headlights than on the older model, while Dacia’s new logo sits at front and rear. The back of the Duster is noticeably different to its predecessor with distinctive lights which appear to wrap around the sides of the car.

Many classic Duster off-road hallmarks remain, however, including front and rear skid plates and wheel arch surrounds which, on this new model, are made from a material called Starkle which is up to 20 per cent recycled.

Inside, there’s a new 10.1-inch infotainment screen which is positioned towards the driver to make it easier to operate when on the move. A seven-inch digital dashboard is also included on all models, while wireless smartphone charging comes as standard on more premium specifications.

The new Duster is underpinned by the CMF-B platform which has already been used on the latest Sandero and Jogger models. It allows the Duster to use more efficient engines than before, with a headline powertrain being a Hybrid 140 setup which combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors. Already used on the Jogger, it can allow the Duster to offer fuel consumption reduced by 20 per cent compared with a standard engine setup.

A 1.2-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid setup will also be offered, linked to a six-speed manual gearbox in all versions. With a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup that can cut CO2 emissions by 10 per cent compared to a traditional internal combustion engine, according to Dacia.

Dacia will continue to offer the Duster with an alternative ‘bi-fuel’ setup which blends petrol and LPG power. With two tanks holding 100 litres between them – 50 petrol and 50 LPG – which can drive for up to 808 miles when fully filled. The LPG tank is also located under the boot floor, so luggage space remains unaffected, too.

Dacia has yet to announce any pricing information for the Duster, but has stated that interested customers will be able to express their interest by registering on its website.

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These are the best gifts to get the car-mad person in your life this Christmas

Christmas isn’t too far away now and with it comes the often challenging prospect of buying the right gift for that special person. Fortunately, if they’re into cars – or motoring in general – there are plenty of options out there for a variety of different budgets.

This year we’ve collated some of the best presents to check out, from rock-solid phone mounts to cooler bags that can make any car adventure a little easier. Let’s see what’s on offer.

Quad Lock Car Mount – from £27.99


Quad Lock makes some of the most reliable phone mounts in the business, not only for cars but also motorcycles and bikes, too. The car mount provides a rugged place to keep your phone when you’re on the move using a special smartphone case with an integrated locking system which works in conjunction with the mount itself.

Plus, you can add a wireless charging head which will keep your phone charged up when it’s in the mount. You’ll just need to connect it to a socket within your car and have a wireless charging-enabled phone.

Yeti Hopper Backpack Cooler – £275


Though it might be hard to think about warmer temperatures in the middle of winter, it’s nice to imagine those balmy summer days when all you can think about is getting out to explore. The Hopper Backpack Cooler is one of outdoor brand Yeti’s latest offerings, combining the rugged build quality that the firm is known for with some great go-anywhere features.

It’s ideal for slinging in the boot of a car before a trip and it’s got space for 20 cans of your favourite drink. Plus, there’s a handy pocket at the front for your car keys or other loose items you want to keep safe.

Bentley Bear – £65


Bentley’s Bears have become a mainstay for Christmas, with these loveable and plush characters designed and created with the same sense of care and attention-to-detail as the luxury carmaker’s vehicles.

There’s even a new Special Edition Signature Bear, which comes with flexible joints and a smart-looking double ribbon necktie. A Bentley-branded ear tag completes the look.

Renault 5 E-Tech Prototype Pedal Car – €295 (circa £256)


Renault’s new electric 5 isn’t even on the roads yet, but smaller drivers can get behind the wheel of a very special ‘prototype’ pedal car depicting the stylish new EV. Complete with working lights at front and rear, the car even has an adjustable seat so that riders aged over 3 can get comfy.

It’s even finished in the same bright yellow paint scheme as the full-size prototype, meaning that it’s bound to turn heads at the local park.

Lego Peugeot 9X8 24h Le Mans Hypercar – £169.99


Nothing says Christmas quite like settling down to complete a good set of Lego and the new Peugeot 9X8 kit – which depicts the French firm’s latest Le Mans racer – is bound to keep groups of all ages happy for many hours.

It’ll take some time to complete, too, with 1,775 individual pieces making up this 19.5-inch monster. And no pressure, but Lego specialists managed to build a scale-version of the 9X8 in the iconic plastic blocks in just 24 hours at this year’s Le Mans event…

Variable Valve Timings: Memoirs of a Car Tragic by Chris Harris – £22


Chris Harris is one of the best-known experts about, having made a name for himself in the pages of Autocar magazine before launching a successful YouTube presence and presenting hit series Top Gear alongside Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff.

Variable Valve Timings is a look into how cars became a key part of Harris’ life and is packed full of exciting escapades, motoring insights and ‘unhinged geekery’.

Porsche 911 Dakar with Christmas Tree – £70


The 911 Dakar has been one of the most exciting cars to come from Porsche in recent times, combining the sporty nature of the iconic 911 with go-anywhere features which allow it to go far further off the beaten track than you might expect.

Needless to say, the Dakar’s £173,000 price tag puts it out of the reach of most people, but we absolutely love this scale model finished in ‘Oakgreenmetallic’ with matching roof-mounted Christmas tree – very festive indeed.

Nextbase IQ Dashcam – £349


The popularity of dashcams has soared in recent years, with a growing number of motorists finding it reassuring to have a watching eye over their driving at all times to record any incidents while on the road. Nextbase is one of the most trusted names in this field and its new release – the IQ – packs in more features than ever.

It can scan for threats while the vehicle is parked, give you a live view around the car via a smartphone app and even alert you if an intruder is trying to break in. There’s even the ability to sound an alarm at the push of a button via the app.

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Nearly half of van drivers admit to overloading their vehicles

Nearly half of van drivers overload their vehicles despite the vast majority of them knowing the legal weight restriction for their light commercial vehicles.

That’s according to a new survey from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which found that 48 per cent of UK van drivers admitted to overloading their vans in the last year despite it carrying a fine of up to £300. Collectively, the nation’s van drivers could be risking a £703 million fine for putting too much weight into their vehicles.

Vans loaded beyond 30 per cent of their gross vehicle weight could see owners hit with a court summons and even a custodial sentence in the most extreme circumstances.

The survey of 1,000 van drivers found that 66 per cent of drivers aged between 18 and 24 had overloaded their van in the last year, followed by 63 per cent of over-65-year-olds.

The tradespeople most likely to overload their vans were carpenters, too, followed by builders, electricians and painter decorators.

A DVSA spokesperson said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their vehicle is safe to drive. They should make sure they know the maximum permitted gross vehicle weight and limits on each axle of their vehicle.

“We take enforcement action against drivers and operators who risk people’s lives by overloading or not securely loading their vehicles. Our accessible online guidance provides everyone with the information they need to load their vehicle safely and avoid risking the lives of other road users.”

In the UK, the maximum gross vehicle weight for a light commercial vehicle is 3.5 tonnes or 4.25 tonnes for an alternatively-fuelled vehicle. Even exceeding this gross vehicle weight by 9.99 per cent carries a £100 if caught, too.

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