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ServicesureLeasePlan urges drivers to carry out simple checks
UK NewsLeasePlan UK has reacted to the RAC’s 2016 Report on Motoring that revealed car maintenance was the second biggest concern for motorists. Jennifer Gradden, fleet risk management account director at LeasePlan UK, part of the world’s largest vehicle management group, comments, “There is a worrying level of motorists in the UK who are baffled by car maintenance. It’s hugely important to maintain the upkeep of a vehicle, not only to conserve its value and improve fuel economy, but also because poor maintenance can be dangerous and potentially cause an accident.
Vehicle recycler calls for three-yearly Classic MOTs
UK NewsA nationwide vehicle recycling specialist is calling for a three-yearly MOT for classic vehicles, after receiving over 500 disposal requests for cars registered before 1988, in the past 12 months.
The Department of Transport is currently considering changing existing MOT legislation to make any vehicle manufactured before 1988 exempt from MOT testing, instead of existing rules that state vehicles manufactured before 1960 are MOT exempt. However, Remove My Car believes that all vehicles, regardless of age should be made to undergo some sort of inspection and refers to its own statistics to demonstrate that pre-1988 vehicles are being considered dangerous by the British public, and responsibly disposed of.
Survey shows half of motorists neglect maintenance
UK NewsNew research commissioned by one of the UK’s leading motor industry bodies has revealed 50 per cent of Britain’s motorists neglect vital vehicle maintenance checks including oil, tyres and lights – all essential to ensuring the safety of their cars. This equates to a staggering 18 million drivers when equated to the 36 million motorists on UK roads.
The survey of 1,000 motorists by Trusted Dealers, the consumer-facing website of the National Franchised Dealer Association, found one in three drivers (32 per cent) are unaware how often their vehicle should be serviced, with almost seven per cent (6.8 per cent) of motorists admitting they never undertake routine vehicle checks.
18 million drivers neglect basic car maintenance
UK NewsResearch commissioned by the National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA) suggests half of Britain’s motorists neglect vital vehicle maintenance checks including oil, tyres and lights. According to the association, this equates to 18 million drivers when you consider there are 36 million motorists on UK roads.
The survey by Trusted Dealers, the consumer facing website of the National Franchised Dealer Association, found that 32 per cent of drivers are unaware how often their vehicle should be serviced, with 6.8% per cent admitting they never undertake routine vehicle checks.
A return to DIY car maintenance?
UK NewsA survey of 400 used car buyers by vehicle remarketing company, British Car Auctions (BCA) illustrates how cash-strapped motorists have been coping as the UK slowly climbs out of recession. The research revealed that motorists have been rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty with basic car maintenance jobs, rather than going to a garage or mechanic.
2.6 million vehicles with faulty lights
UK NewsA study across 10 major UK cities, quoted on the IAAF e-bulletin, revealed that some 10.1 per cent of vehicles checked in were found to have a failed headlight, sidelight, rear or brake-light; a proportion equating to some 2.6 million vehicles on UK roads right now.
The scale of the problem is also reflected in MOT failure rates with 1.16 million cars tested in 2012 falling short of required standards because of the condition of their lights.
Amateur repair jobs costing UK motorists – Halfords
UK NewsA Halfords survey has suggested that amateur repair or maintenance jobs often have costly consequences. Motorists and householders pay out an estimated £300m a year in order to correct mistakes made by family and friends trying to perform small tasks on cars, with one in six people left regretting accepting help. Maintenance blunders include elementary mistakes involving car batteries, and more serious errors such as using the wrong oil. Almost half (45 per cent) of those who subsequently had to employ an expert were left with a bill of over £100.
Survey: OAP more likely to manage tyre changing than 18-year-old
NewsPensioners are more likely to be able to change a flat tyre than spritely 18 – 24 year olds, according to a survey published today by price comparison site gocompare.com. 48 per cent of those surveyed, which equates to over 13.5 million UK motorists, would not be able to change a flat tyre without help, and that figure includes three quarters (75 per cent) of women drivers.
UK Motorists "can expect 25 years of potholes"
NewsAs winter drags on, the subject of potholes has been much in the news and a recent report from UK online motoring magazine Motortrades Insight makes gloomy reading – it reports that potholes are potentially damaging the finances of Britain’s hard-working, cash-strapped drivers – motorists who are being forced into balancing their finances to pay for additional car maintenance and repairs. Worse still is the potential hazard of trying to avoid them with drivers literally dicing with death on a daily basis.
A recent survey revealed two thirds of motorists have found themselves in a dangerous situation – swerving to avoid a pothole. Drivers in the West Midlands have been worst hit with 76 per cent swerving or braking suddenly to avoid the thousands of crumbling roads with estimates of 2.2 million potholes.
1,000th Vianor sales outlet in Germany opens
NewsThe Vianor tyre retail and car service chain opened its 1,000th sales outlet in Germany. The new outlet is situated in Friedrichshafenin southern Germany. Vianor is owned by Finnish manufacturer Nokian Tyres and currently operates in 24 countries. In addition to tyre services, the sales outlets also provide comprehensive car maintenance services.
HiQ survey suggests some young drivers swerve services
NewsHiQ says that the results of its latest car maintenance habits survey suggest that young motorists are putting themselves at risk by failing to take their cars in for annual services. The fast fit network cites not being able to afford the cost or ignorance of the concept of an annual service as the main reasons for this trend. 34 per cent of 500 drivers questioned opted against paying for a service, relying instead on their cars passing their MOTs in a penny saving measure. 57 per cent of those deciding against a service were drivers aged between 17 and 30, suggesting that the trend is rife amongst younger motorists.
Throw the book at the bad guys…
Editorial/CommentIt is not often that a tyre journalist gets to take a turn at being TV critic, but July’s Panorama documentary focusing on tyre dumping was one such opportunity. This month’s Tyres & Accessories gives the 30 minute documentary the full treatment in the UK section of the forthcoming August magazine, however the issues raised are worth discussing in more detail.
Fill her up – and check the tyres
NewsShell UK has announced plans to bring back forecourt attendants at more than 300 of its petrol stations by the end of the summer, rising to 600 locations by mid-2013. As well as dispensing fuel, the AA-trained staff will also offer basic car maintenance, such as checking tyres.
Cash-strapped drivers delay repairs and risk safety
NewsThe Institute of Advanced Motorists has commented on a recent survey, carried out by Britannia Rescue. The IAM's director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "In 2010, poorly maintained vehicles caused 52 road deaths. eglecting maintenance only leads to bigger repair bills later on, lower second-hand values, and increased fuel consumption. There are also fines if you get caught. More frontline policing and better co-ordination between agencies such as VOSA and the DVLA will help get the worst examples off the road, but In the meantime VOSA should extend the MOT reminder scheme so that no driver can plead ignorance of their renewal date."
