Author: Ryan Hirons

What is it?

Though crossovers are all the rage in the new car market and the race to electrification is seeing a world of hybrids and EVs coming to the fray, the, err, crossover between the two has been rather minimal so far.

Sure, it’s possible to buy an electric MG ZS and a variant of the new Peugeot 2008 will be battery-powered too, but those seeking a more eco-conscious option from their pseudo-SUV have been largely restricted to the former and, in more recent times, Hyundai Kona variants.

There is an alternative, however, and one that has led the way in hybrid within its segment. That’s the Toyota C-HR, which has featured an electrified variant ever since its 2016 introduction. It’s been far from a flop either, with 14,600 shifted in its first year on the UK scene — though this does include pure internal combustion choices.

Keen to build on its success and perhaps even take on the class-leading Nissan Juke, Toyota has opted to refresh the car for 2020 — but is it enough to grab a stronger hold in arguably the most competitive new car arena?

What’s new?

Toyota is a firm proud of its ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrains, and it’s decided to offer only electrified units in the refreshed C-HR. The previous 1.8-litre option remains with a little bit of fettling to boot and now lines up with a fresh 2.0-litre alternative drafted in from the Corolla hatchback. Examples powered by the latter see some suspension and soundproofing tweaks, too.

Visual changes are subtle but certainly present, with a little bit of a touch-up to the front and rear bumpers while head- and taillights receive updated LED tech.

Rounding out notable changes to the crossover is a (much-needed) upgrade for its infotainment system, which now also boasts support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What’s under the bonnet?

We’re behind the wheel of the refreshed Toyota C-HR with the new 2.0-litre unit sat underneath its bonnet. The four-cylinder unit is linked to a 650v electric motor, with the two combining to produce 184bhp. Power is fed to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.

As a result, 0-60mph takes eight seconds with a top speed of 112mph said to be possible. Toyota claims the C-HR returns 49.6-54.3mpg in mixed driving conditions with emissions weighing in at 92g/km.

Those looking for an engine that’s effortless and efficient should fix their eyes this way. It’s happy to sit in EV-only mode for most lower-speed driving, with the transition to using its petrol engine seamless. Power does thin out early in the rev band and its CVT does result in a fair bit of noise under heavy throttle usage, but low-end torque makes for a smooth driving experience.

What’s it like to drive?

If there’s one thing Toyota didn’t need to alter about the C-HR, it was the driving experience — and fortunately, it hasn’t.

Town capabilities are impressive as ever, with the car taking the difficulty out of driving thanks to its well-judged steering and compact dimensions, which is sure to win buyers over. Visibility is still compromised as a result of its unconventional styling, though.

Its strengths as an urban runaround don’t compromise its capabilities elsewhere, either. A supple ride and low wind noise make it relaxing at motorway speeds, while a keen chassis means there’s fun to be had on twisty roads — though the car will fight hard against any yobbish mannerisms with an intrusive traction control system.

How does it look?

Admittedly, your only way of distinguishing a new C-HR from an old one would be by lining up the cars side-by-side and having someone who already knew the difference pointing it out to you. That, or by looking for a post-69 registration plate.

It’s not without changes, though. Very subtle tweaks come to the front and rear bumpers of the car, while Toyota proudly boasts new LED tech in its head- and tailights. Fresh alloy wheels designs are introduced as well.

Though perhaps not as opinion-dividing as the previous Nissan Juke’s aesthetic, the Toyota C-HR certainly has a bolder approach to design than most conventional crossovers. We’ll let you make your own mind up whether that’s a good thing or not, but from our perspective, we’re quite taken by it.

What’s it like inside?

You may have picked up on a theme of changes being minimal but effective, and that continues into the C-HR’s cabin. It remains spacious up front, with an impressive deployment of premium-feel materials around the cabin. Build quality continues to be impressive too — with the sense that nice stuff is built to last.

Boot space hasn’t been altered with the new powertrain, remaining at 377 litres with all seats in place. That puts it well below the new Nissan Juke’s 422 litres — giving its key rival a leg up.

The main change inside the C-HR is the new infotainment system. It’s an updated version of Toyota’s existing set-up rather than a total overhaul. It’s certainly better than before, but we still think there’s room for improvement — its satellite navigation can be slow to react, responsive isn’t up with the best and it’s far from the most intuitive option on the market. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto presents alternatives, but we think it’s time for a ground-up rethink of the Toyota software.

What’s the spec like?

Pricing for the refreshed Toyota C-HR kicks off at £25,625. As standard, it’s offered with 17-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, the firm’s new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support out of the box and LED reflector headlights. There’s also Toyota’s Safety Sense package, bringing tech highlights like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, automatic high beams and automatic emergency braking.

We’re behind the wheel of the car in an equivalent spec to the UK’s limited-run Orange Edition. Only 500 units of this are slated to arrive on our shores and brings with it 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, keyless start, satellite navigation, blind spot monitoring, full LED headlights, a JBL audio system and that eye-catching orange paintwork among other goodies.

Though it’s certainly well-equipped in this spec, it does come in at £32,595 and is only offered on 2.0-litre engined cars. For our money, we’d look to drop to a lower-spec model.

Verdict

Tweaks to the new Toyota C-HR may be minor, but they each enhance the overall package without compromising too much.

Its new powertrain immediately stands out as the sweet-spot in the line-up, though its high price point will likely steer buyers toward the smaller-capacity unit. The model is showing its age though, with its boot capacity now outclassed since the car’s original 2016 introduction. More needs to be done infotainment-wise to keep up with the times as well.

With that in mind, however, the C-HR continues to be an effortless drive, exceptionally stylish and offer a lot of equipment.

Facts at a glance

Model: Toyota C-HR Orange Edition
Price: £32,595
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid
Power: (bhp) 184
Torque (Nm): 190Nm (engine) 202Nm (electric motor)
Max speed (mph): 112
0-60mph: 8.0
MPG: 49.6-54.3
Emissions (g/km): 92

For most of us regular beings, a supercar is already out of reach. These exclusive machines are a rare breed, and demand the kind of prices only the one per cent can ever dream of being able to afford.

But what about for the 0.1 per cent, for who just a regular old Ferrari, McLaren or Lamborghini just doesn’t cut the exclusive mustard? Step in the ultra-limited supercars, of which only a handful exist. We pick out our favourites…

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+

Not too long ago, Bugatti stunned the world by breaking the 300mph barrier with a modified version of its already-ballistic Chiron. To celebrate, it’s making a tribute model — the 1,578bhp Chiron Super Sport 300+.

Just 30 will be produced — with the first arriving in 2021 — and each will use the modified bodywork, uprated engine and eye-catching carbon/orange colour scheme used on the prototype. Each is expected to cost north of £3.5m.

Pagani Zonda Cinque

Though introduced way back in 1999, the Pagani Zonda has lived on right through to today thanks to multi-millionaires with wads of cash demanding their own special variants.

There’s more to choose from than you can count on either hand, but we’ll give the title of our favourite Zonda to the ultra-exclusive Cinque. Just five units were ever made, and it was meant to be the swansong for the model back in 2009 — though that didn’t prove true. Five coupes were made, alongside

Koenigsegg Agera One:1

Koenigsegg produces some of the most cutting-edge machines on the planet, and the Agera One:1 is one of its finest creations. Named as such for its power-to-weight ratio – which comes in at 1hp per 1kg — just seven were made (six if you don’t count the prototype).

If you use watts as a power of measurement, this was the first production car to ever reach the 1-megawatt mark — which converts to 1,341bhp.

Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta

A regular LaFerrari just not enough for you? The drop-top Aperta may just tick your boxes instead.

It’s effectively the same as the 949bhp, V12-powered hybrid coupe save for one difference — the ability to take the top off and listen to that twelve-cylinder scream impact the atmosphere. Just 210 examples were produced.

McLaren 675LT

McLaren’s 650S was no slouch — capable of covering the 0-60mph sprint in less than three seconds with a top speed of 200+mph, but clearly this wasn’t enough for some buyers.

Thus, the British firm kicked things up a notch with the limited-edition 675LT. This post-gym 650S variant boasted more power, less weight and wilder aerodynamics — and became an instant legend. Only 1,000 examples exist — split evenly between coupe and drop-top ‘Spider’ variants.

Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion

Back in the mid-late ‘90s, to enter the top class at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, a manufacturer would have to produce at least a handful of road-going examples of its racer — spawning some ballistic machines.

One of the most notable is the Porsche 911 GT1 ‘Straßenversion’ (Street Version). Unlike most 911s, this was mid-engined rather than rear, and boasted the same wild aerodynamics as the track racer. It’s thought just 24 were ever built.

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

How do you commemorate one of the most famous British racing drivers ever? Well, if you’re Mercedes, by producing an ultra-rare supercar.

Based on the SLR McLaren, it features a completely reworked body to give it a look of classic speedsters — completely lacking a roof or windscreen. Available only to existing SLR buyers, the Stirling Moss was restricted to only 75 examples.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Lamborghini’s Gallardo could be accused of being a little tame by the firm’s own wild standards, though the Sesto Elemento spawned it spawned certainly ups the ante.

Though it houses the same V10 running gear as its more mainstream brethren, the Sesto Elemento is clad in dramatically-styled carbon fibre bodywork and features an eccentric interior. 20 examples were built, with all of them sold before the car was even publicly confirmed for production.

Van drivers prefer a splash of brown sauce over ketchup on their bacon sarnies, a new survey has revealed.

Fiat Professional quizzed 1,000 UK-based van drivers and found that 40 per cent opt for the tangy taste of brown sauce while 37.5 per cent go for its red rival. Meanwhile, 22.5 per cent have no sauce at all.

Despite the overall preference for brown sauce, younger drivers seem keener on ketchup than most. Of respondents under the age of 30, 48 per cent are in favour of red sauce, with just 30 per cent choosing brown.

Female drivers appear more likely to go without than their male counterparts, with 30 per cent of women who responded preferring a bacon sandwich in its purest form, compared with 19 per cent of men.

That said, women are also more keen on brown sauce, with 36 per cent choosing the fruity condiment – although red followed close behind with 34 per cent of the vote.

Richard Chamberlain, Fiat Professional country manager, said: “Many van drivers like to start their day with a traditional bacon butty, so we’ve made life easier for the transport cafes and roadside traders that fuel the nation’s tradespeople by finding an answer to a question that has divided the nation for years.

“Brown sauce is king, but only by the smallest of margins – although with younger drivers favouring red, it could be that the bottle gets tipped the other way in the not-too-distant future.”

What is it?

SUVs play a strong role in Mazda’s current line-up, with the CX-5 first introduced in 2012 now one of its best sellers, followed by the compact CX-3.

With this area of the market growing both in audience and niches, there are more gaps to fill — leading to this, the Mazda CX-30. Slotting between the CX-5 and CX-3, think of the CX-30 as akin to a Mazda 3 hatchback on stilts.

The Japanese car manufacturer is hoping this new crossover can appeal to buyers looking for a little more space than the CX-3 who previously may have turned to offerings from other brands. Can it reap reward in the sales charts though? We get behind the wheel to find out…

What’s new?

Breaking convention from the firm’s current CX list of names, the CX-30 is an all-new model for Mazda — and its third UK SUV offering.

Mechanically similar to the 3 hatch introduced last year, it borrows a lot of new technology from that car — namely its Skyactiv-X engine technology and the firm’s latest and refined infotainment system.

Other new highlights include mild-hybrid technology and a first-for-Mazda navy blue interior option.

What’s under the bonnet?

We’re trying out one of the two petrol engines available here in the UK — a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated unit producing 120bhp and 213Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, contributing to a 0-60mph time of 10.4 seconds and a 116mph top speed. It also incorporates a 24v mild-hybrid motor.

Mazda claims the CX-30 in this guise is capable of 45.6mpg while emitting 116g/km in CO2 emissions.

If refinement and ease of use are high on your shopping list, this might be a strong option. Power delivery is impressively smooth, while the engine can barely be heard even when wringing it out – perfect for those long-distance journeys. It’s fair to accuse it of feeling gutless though and really has to be worked to make the most of its output.

A brief turn in a Skyactiv-X car saw a more impressive level of torque available, though these pre-production units have yet to be finalised so we’ll hold full judgement off for now.

What’s it like to drive?

Mazda has built a reputation for creating engaging cars, and that’s the case with the CX-30. It feels stable even under harder cornering and can quite comfortably deliver some fun on tighter roads.

Around town, it’s a dream. Its impressive agility makes darting around easy, while excellent all-round visibility takes extra stress out of driving.

We touched on its low engine noise previously, and this, combined with a supple ride and low cabin noise in general, allows the car to be very relaxing when coasting along at motorway speeds. Few crossovers can claim to offer strong long-distance capability, but this is one of them.

How does it look?

The CX-30 uses the latest iteration of Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ corporate design, meaning slim headlights flank a large grille. At the back, a narrow single circle taillight design features, while smooth bodywork is present around the rest of the car rather than a more angular approach taken by some rivals.

We’d almost claim to be big fans of the overall design of the CX-30 — though the masses of plastic cladding let it down at the last hurdle. Mazda will tell you it’s to invoke a proper SUV spirit, but we’ll tell you it makes the car look cheap.

What’s it like inside?

Hop inside the Mazda CX-30 and you’re met with a fairly minimalistic, but very well laid out cabin. Controls fall perfectly to hand, while materials used throughout really look the part. Take a touch of the dash and they don’t feel quite as nice as you’d expect, though to Mazda’s credit it uses these lower-quality materials in places you’re rarely likely to make contact with.

The cabin feels otherwise very spacious, with room in the back plentiful for an average-size adult. In terms of boot space, 422 litres are offered with the upgraded Bose stereo system — lacking slightly on the Volkswagen T-Roc’s 445-litre capacity and the Honda HR-V’s 448 litres.

What’s the spec like?

As standard on the Mazda CX-30, standard equipment highlights include LED headlights, radar-guided cruise control, a head-up display, 16-inch alloy wheels and an 8.8-inch infotainment display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features coming at no extra cost are namely blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and hill start assist.

Did someone say plastic cladding? pic.twitter.com/m4tUhRIihv

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) September 5, 2019

Pricing for the SUV starts at £22,895, though our GT Sport Tech-equivalent test car weighs in at £27,995. Luxury additions here include 18-inch alloy wheels, all-round parking sensors with a reversing camera, automatic headlights, a heated electric driver’s seat, a handsfree tailgate, a brown and black leather interior plus the impressive Bose audio system.

It sounds pricey at the top end of the range, but the CX-30 does present a lot of equipment for the asking price.

Verdict

Mazda is on to another winner with its CX-30. It takes the firm’s ability to build an impressive-driving car, and sticks that into a well-kitted, spacious and impressively refined package.

Looks-wise, it nearly has the formula cracked but we really think the heavy use of plastic trimming doesn’t complement an otherwise well-styled car. The slight drop in boot space may put off some buyers, as may the gutless Skyactiv-G engine (X powertrains look set to rectify this, however) though its efficiency and comfort make up for those in our view.

Model: Mazda CX-30
Price: £22,895 (£27,995 as tested)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power (bhp): 120
Torque (Nm): 213
Max speed (mph): 116
0-60mph: 10.4 seconds
MPG: 45.6
Emissions (g/km): 116

Goodbye summer, hello school run. Yep, it’s that time of the year where the kids head back to school — perhaps a time of celebration for those parents looking forward to having quiet afternoons back, or misery at the prospect of getting up early to shuttle them in for an early start.

Your choice of car can make or break the ease or enjoyment of the trip to school. Be you a first-time runner, or an experienced veteran of dropping the kids off, you’re likely here to pick out the best car for the start of term. We pick out some options…

SsangYong Turismo

Got lots of kids to take on the school run? The SsangYong Turismo might be the perfect car for you. This affordable MPV puts space and practicality above all else — and is capable of seating seven adults, let alone kids, in good comfort. Better still, if you can forego the rear row, there’s enough room in the boot to load as many school bags and packed lunches as you can imagine.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

If you want your kids to be the talk of the playground, a Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo could be the way to go. This machine from Stuttgart boasts all the usual Porsche trademarks — calculated but head-turning looks, an impressive driving experience and tremendous engines — but comes with an added dose of practicality too. Once you’ve dropped the kids off, you can go off to make an equally interesting impression in the work car park too.

Skoda Kodiaq

When it comes to an SUV that can do just about everything in a pleasant and easy manner, the Skoda Kodiaq is the way to go. Available with five- or seven-seats, it’s a versatile option for families of all sizes with enough boot space to support an entire school trip to the beach.

Suzuki Jimny

Let’s face it, the prospect of getting up to take the kids to school is not something many people are excited at the thought of. If you can sacrifice some space, though, why not get a motor that’s bound to put a smile on your face each time? Step in the Suzuki Jimny – perhaps the most cheerful car on sale. The dinky Japanese 4×4 is a real bundle of joy, and is bound to get the seal of approval from your kids, their mates and other parents.

Ford Focus ST

Hot hatches are the perfect car for the petrolhead parent. Based on regular family cars, they’re practical and can seat kids in comfort — yet hide enough performance to scare more exotic machinery on a tight back road. Ford’s new Focus ST is our pick of the bunch, boasting more power, more tech and arguably better looks than ever before.

MG ZS EV

Want to help cut down on local emissions, but need a practical car that would rule out most electric options? Consider the MG ZS EV. This affordable crossover packs an electric powertrain that’s said to allow for 163 miles between charges — more than enough as an urban runaround — while boasting an impressive 470 litres of boot space.

Porsche has at last revealed its Taycan — the firm’s first all-electric vehicle.

Plans for production of an all-electric Porsche were first revealed in 2015, and now that has been realised.

Launching in two trims — Turbo and Turbo S — the Taycan uses a 93.4kWh battery in its most potent guise. Linked to a motor on each axle, 750bhp is sent to all four wheels in Turbo S form, resulting in a 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds and a 161mph top speed. Range is pegged at 252 miles between charges.

Turbo variants produce less power at 670bhp, with 0-60mph covered in 3.2 seconds and a top speed identical to the S, while range is boosted to 279 miles.

Unusually for a road-going EV, the Taycan uses a two-speed gearbox. This first gear is said to maximise acceleration, with the second aiding refinement at higher speeds.

Equipped with an 800v charging system, the Taycan is said be capable of receiving 62 miles worth of charge in five minutes when plugged in to a DC charger. Porsche also says the battery can be charged from flat to 80 per cent in 22.5 minutes ‘under ideal conditions’, with maximum charging power coming in at 270kW.

Aiding performance is the addition of Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control and Active Suspension Management systems. Additionally, ‘Range’ mode joins the line-up of selectable driving settings, alongside ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport Plus’ and ‘Individual’.

Inside the car, Porsche has done away with the majority of the traditional switchgear, replacing most buttons and dials with touchscreen functions in the 10.9-inch infotainment display. A new ‘Hey Porsche’ voice control system is also set to feature.

An entirely leather-free interior will be offered for the first time on a Porsche, instead using ‘innovative recycled materials’. The lack of an internal combustion engine also allows for two boot spaces — 81 litres up front and 366 litres at the rear.

Pricing for the Porsche Taycan starts from £115,858, securing a Turbo model, with Turbo S variants available from £138,826. The firm has confirmed lower-output and ultimately more affordable variants of the car will be available later in the year, with a more practical Cross Turismo bodystyle arriving at the back end of 2020.

Electrified cars are sweeping the new market, with just about every new vehicle launched having some kind of battery-powered or assisted variant.

Though these models promise efficiency and low-cost motoring, the cost of a new hybrid can be expensive as a result of the technology onboard. That doesn’t mean finding an electrified car on a budget is an impossible task though, with plenty of affordable used models sweeping the classifieds. We take a look at some of the best for £10,000…

Toyota Prius

Sure, the Toyota Prius may once have been the laughing stock of petrolheads across the world — seen as the car to end all fun on the roads.

But there’s a reason this hybrid sold well in its second-generation — being one of the first affordable and efficient electrified cars on the market. Popularity means there’s a lot out there on the second-hand market, with plenty of well-used examples available in our budget. These cars are notoriously reliable though, so there shouldn’t be much to worry about.

Honda Insight

Honda’s answer to the Prius, the Insight never quite took off the same way its competitor managed to — but still delivered bags of efficiency in an affordable package.

Our budget brings cars as recent as 2014 into the realms of possibility, with mileage from 30,000. Much like the Prius, these are renowned for reliability as long as they’re well-maintained.

Lexus RX 400h

Hybrid SUVs are quickly becoming commonplace, but Lexus was well ahead of that game with its RX 400h.

Back in the day, this Japanese machine proves hybrid technology didn’t have to be the preserve of aerodynamically-focused and spartan-designed city cars — and that the efficient tech could work in a more premium package. Reliability is strong, with very little to be concerned for.

Toyota Auris

The third Toyota-designed product on this list isn’t the last, and it continues to show just how ahead of the game the Japanese firm is with hybridisation — and how popular its models proved to be.

The Auris packed cutting-edge technology into an otherwise unassuming package, meaning it’s a car that’s unlikely to alienate drivers. High-mileage examples from as recent as 2015 can be had in budget, though we’d recommend looking for a slightly older, but higher-spec and lower mileage variant.

Honda CR-Z

When Honda revealed the CR-Z as the turn of the ‘10s, it looked set to be a proper sporty hybrid hatch — in the vein of the original and much-loved CR-X.

It didn’t quite prove to be the hot-hatch wannabe that many enthusiasts hoped for, but the CR-Z was still a fun little car — even packing a manual gearbox — and a stylish and efficient one at that. Plenty of low-milage examples can be had in budget and, much like the rest of this list, there are very few issues to report.

Suzuki Ignis SVHS

The newest car on the list may not be a hybrid in a full-blown sense, but Suzuki’s Ignis SVHS packs some clever electrified technology at an affordable price.

Its ‘mild-hybrid’ system allows for less time with the petrol engine in use — with pulling away and coming to a stop resulting in the power unit being switched off as a result of its larger battery. High-spec SV5 examples from 2017 come within budget, meaning any purchase should still be within Suzuki’s warranty.

Infiniti M

A 3.5-litre, V6-powered saloon producing 302bhp doesn’t sound like a natural addition to this list — but the Infiniti M is just that, and qualifies for our £10,000 hybrid goal.

It’s no performance car, but this premium effort from Nissan is a rare sight on UK roads — and packs plenty of luxury and kit considering the price point. Mileage will be high, but the six-cylinder engine is well-proven in its many applications so should be fairly bulletproof.

Honda Civic

From the unusual to the outright unassuming, Honda’s hybrid Civic never really set pulses racing — but that’s the charm of the package.

It takes the dependable Civic saloon platform and packs in its incredibly efficient hybrid powertrain to create a car that’s affordable to run and will never be a trouble to run. Examples top out at around £8,000, meaning there’s plenty of wiggle room in our budget.

If you’ve ever looked at a car, you will know what a licence plate is. They exist for each individual car on the road to have a unique identity, allowing information on the car to be pulled up for a huge number of reasons.

To the untrained eye, a licence plate may seem like nothing more than a random combination of characters — but there is in fact logic and reasoning to its format. Looking to learn what the meaning behind a UK plate is? Read on…

How is a licence plate formatted?

Here, we’ll be focusing on the licence plate format introduced in 2001. Made up of seven characters split into two sections (except for NI), the UK licence plate is pretty simple. Two letters start the registration, immediately followed by two numbers with a space separating this sequence from the final three characters.

What do the first two letters mean?

Though the two letters at the start of the licence plate may seem a bit like gibberish, there’s actually a method to them. These indicate where in the UK a car is first registered. The very first letter indicates the region — for example, Y represents Yorkshire, L represents London and S represents Scotland. Following that, the second letter indicates which DVLA office within the region the registration is made.

As for the numbers?

Up next, the numbers on a licence plate indicate when a car is first registered — with this identifier changing every six months.

Cars registered between March and August use the last two digits of the year itself. For example, a 17 plate car will have first come onto UK roads in that period in 2017. When it comes to new cars registered between September and February, 50 is added to that value preceding it — meaning a car coming onto the roads in that period for 2017/18 would be designated with a 67 plate.

What about the final three letters?

So we’ve established the first four characters on a licence plate are more than just gibberish, but what about the final three? Well, those are in fact random.

This is to distinguish cars from those registered in the same time period at the same DVLA office and can be any combination of letters from 24 of the alphabet’s 26 — with I and Q excluded. Some combinations are also manually prevented from circulation in order to prevent any that may appear as offensive.

When it comes to buying a new car, boot space is one of the make-or-break deals for many buyers.

Be it swallowing the weekly shop or fitting enough equipment for a trip to the beach, the amount of stuff a car is capable of carrying can be enough to switch buyers from one car to another.

Simply want a load lugger? We’ve picked out the biggest boots available for under £30k…

Citroen Berlingo — 1,050 litres

When it comes to sheer load space, you’ll struggle to find a car more capable than the Citroen Berlingo. With a monstrous 1,050 litres available in XL guise, the French MPV puts practicality above all else. It’s capable of seating seven as well, with all three seats in the middle row featuring Isofix child seat mounting points.

Peugeot Rifter  — 1,050 litres

Sharing a platform with the Berlingo, the Peugeot Rifter matches its sibling’s load space too. This also means it retains the all-round practicality, excellent visibility and easy driving experience that makes it one of the most compelling load-luggers out there.

Ford Tourneo Connect — 1,029 litres

It’s another van-turned-MPV, but that’s not really surprising considering how affordable and incredibly practical the template is. On this occasion, Ford’s Tourneo Connect takes the compact Transit Connect and brings with it road car creature comforts and people-carrying capabilities. That’s along with an impressive 1,029 litres of load space, too.

SsangYong Turismo — 875 litres

SsangYong isn’t a household name, but those looking for affordable practicality may want to consider it when looking for their next purchase. The Turismo is simply huge — offering 875 litres with five seats in place — plus the ability to carry seven in serious comfort if you utilise the collapsable rear row. 

Hyundai i800 — 851 litres

Though Hyundai’s i800 has been on the market for a remarkable 11 years at this point (albeit with a recent facelift), it remains one of the most practical options money can buy. It offers 851 litres of boot space, or seating for eight people, making it one of the most capable vehicles on the market.

Skoda Superb Estate — 660 litres

SUVs may be the ‘in’ thing right now, but the humble estate continues to be more often than not a better option for practicality. Take the Skoda Superb Estate for example, capable of swallowing 660 litres worth of cargo. That’s more than any SUV or crossover on the market, in a stylish and very comfortable package

Peugeot 308 SW — 660 litres

On the topic of estates, the Peugeot 308 SW is more proof of how practical the formula can be. Matching the Superb’s 660 litres despite being a bit long in the tooth in its current guise, the 308 SW remains a compelling option for those after sheer space — and a very handsome one at that.

Volkswagen Passat Estate — 650 litres

Sharing a platform with the Skoda Superb, the Volkswagen Passat does lose 10 litres of capacity but arguably gains a more upmarket edge. Recently given to a facelift, the Passat is now available with cutting-edge kit such as semi-autonomous ‘Travel Assist’ and plug-in hybrid variants.

New cars can be very expensive to buy, and for those looking to simply get from A to B, the prospect of forking out thousands of pounds for a box on wheels can seem like a daunting prospect.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Dive into the low end of the used market and, despite numerous scrappage schemes in recent years cutting numbers down, there’s plenty of usable motors to be had on a complete bargain budget. We take a look at what’s in the classifieds for under £500…

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta has long dominated the UK’s top-selling car charts — and the result of that is there’s an absolute boatload of them on the used market.

A £500 budget will nab a well-used Mk V example of the hatchback at best. At this price, expect some bodywork dings and other aesthetic issues but there’s a good chance everything will be fairly mechanically sound. Rust is becoming an issue though, so check for any that may compromise its structure if you plan to hang on to the car for more than a few months.

Vauxhall Corsa

Much like the Fiesta, the Vauxhall Corsa has been a favourite amongst the nation’s drivers — be that those looking for a reliable runaround or a first car to modify with budget items.

Again, this means there are loads of to pick from and plenty are cheap. A Corsa ‘B’ or ‘C’ can be had here, albeit expect very high mileage and patchy service histories. There are a few mechanical issues to be wary of — most importantly cambelt issues which could easily destroy an engine if not fixed.

Ford Focus

As far as ‘normal’ car icons go, the Ford Focus is about as good as they come. Released back in 1998 as a replacement for the Escort, it was hailed for its impressive driving experience and spaciousness.

With many on the roads, there are plenty of examples to be had on a budget. £500 will secure a high-mileage early example, and fairly-well looked after cars should be mechanically sound, even at this price point. Some potentially car-destroying alternator issues are known though, and automatic versions are known to have software problems that can lead to the car cutting out — so it’s worth checking these.

Nissan Micra

First-generation Nissan Micras might well be the face of incredibly cheap motoring — and it’s not hard to see why. Though its looks may be questionable and it’s hardly going to help your street cred, these little Japanese machines are known to be reliable and very affordable to run.

This budget can easily grab a well-kept ‘K11’ Micra though, as with any Japanese-designed car from the ‘90s (though built in Sunderland), it’s worth checking for any rust that could compromise its structure and become very costly if you’re looking at keeping the car in the long run.

Renault Clio

Ok, so early 2000s French cars don’t have the best reputation for reliability in the UK, but the Renault Clio has proven serviceable enough to be a very affordable runabout.

We’d argue a facelift second-generation model would make this the best looking car on our list, and there’s plenty of high-mileage examples to be had in the price range. The list of potential issues isn’t short, though, with brake servo problems, faulty suspension, leaking sunroofs and a plethora of electrical issues all common.

Toyota Yaris

The second of three Japanese superminis on this list — and the traits are the same. The first-generation Toyota Yaris is far from a cool car (with the exception of T-Sport variants), but it is near-enough bulletproof mechanically as well as ferociously cheap to run.

It’s not entirely without problems though. The gearbox is known to have synchromesh issues but these are very cheap to replace, while rear wheel bearings failing are common though again is this a low-cost fix.

Honda Jazz

Rounding out the Far East trio is the incredibly dependable Honda Jazz. It’s the same story too — not a head-turner, but incredibly dependable. It’s not hard to find cars that have done more than 150,000 miles still look in exceptional shape.

Even at this price point, there’s very little to worry about — it might be the ultimate budget banger. Electric windows being slow to respond is a known issue and there may be some clunky CVT gearboxes out there, but otherwise, a car that’s had any kind of care will be a sweet runner.

MG ZS

So the MG ZS may now be just another crossover, but it was once a hot hatch. This beefed-up Rover 45 sports a fruity 2.5-litre engine in its most potent guise — though 1.8 cars are more common at this price — and there’s genuine fun to be had behind the wheel.

Ok, so it’s not without issues — at this budget, you are looking at a shed that’s going to need a lot of work in the long run. But if you’re looking for a fun car to fix up on the cheap, it’s a real bargain — and one that’s quickly only getting rarer. Future classic? You heard it here first…