Expert shares advice to cut costs as price of car insurance soars (2024)

3 minutes agoBy Joel Kulasingham

Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer picks his most underrated motors

Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer has revealed his favourite underrated cars.

Speaking to Sun Motors, Mike hailed a cheap hatchback that “drives like asports car“.

Mike explained: “There are some brands out there likeKiaorSkoda.

“They’re really good cars.

“Some of the smallerVolkswagenslike the UP! are good.”

DO THE DEAL TV's Wheeler Dealers star Mike Brewer pick his most underrated motors

Today, 22:00By Joel Kulasingham

How potholes damage your car

Potholes are all too common on Britain’s roads, damaging cars and enraging drivers everywhere.

Potholes specifically cause harm to your car’s suspension, tyres and exhausts.

Deep potholes can even leave you with flat tyers or cause your car to lose power.

Today, 21:30By Joel Kulasingham

Modifying your car could shorten its lifespan

Drivers should avoid making modifications to their cars, according to advice from RAC.

Making extensive changes to a vehicle, such as tuning the engine for more power, can put strain on other components.

Meanwhile, adding stiffer suspension can cause damage to the chassis, subframes and bushes.

Perhaps most importantly, making changes to your car will often lower its value, making it tougher to sell.

Today, 21:00By Joel Kulasingham

MOT – explained

An MOTstands for Ministry of Transport.

They created the test as a means to determine if cars were safe to stay on the roads

An MOT is a test to make sureyour vehicles, including motorbikes, meet legal safety standards.

Drivers should try to organise an MOT test with a qualified mechanic BEFORE their certificate expires.

How much yourMOT costswill change depending on the type and size of vehicle you drive.

Today, 20:30By Joel Kulasingham

Drivers warned over little-known rule that could land you £5,000 fine

Drivers are being warned over a little-known rule that could land you a £5,000 fine.

The fine can be given out for the way you use yourair conditioning– as according to theHighway Codeyour car must be “well ventilated”.

The reason for that is drivers need toavoid drowsinessandfalling asleep at the wheel.

Sleepiness can make you adangerous driveras you can make poor decisions and are not fully in control of the motor.

Rule 237 of the code reads: “You must keep your car well-ventilated to avoid drowsiness”.

Failing to adhere to these guidelines and therefore not having proper control of the vehicle could land you with a £5,000 fine in the most serious cases.

An expert at insurance companyZegosaid: “A well-ventilated car helps in keeping the driver’s senses alert and minimises the risk of drowsiness. Even a brief loss of concentration can lead to accidents.

“A well-regulated cabin temperature can significantly reduce such risks.”

Today, 20:00By Joel Kulasingham

How much does it cost to learn to drive?

Learning to drive is seen as a rite of passage for many young people, but, with the cost of living continuing to rise, it can come with a steep price tag that some can’t afford.

Here, we take a look at exactly how much it might cost to learn how to drive in 2024.

First, you need a provisional license which will set you back £34 if you apply online.

Now for the lessons…

According to the RAC, lessons typically cost between £25 and £45 per hour.

They recommend that new drivers have 45 hours worth of instruction, bringing the maximum cost of lessons to £2,025.

Now, a theory test will cost £23 while a practical test costs £62 on weekdays.

You will also need to factor in the cost of a test car, which the RAC says could cost around £30.

In total, that’s approximately £2,174 before you factor in the price of a car and insurance.

Today, 19:30By Joel Kulasingham

Top tips to prevent falling asleep at the wheel

IAM RoadSmart’s advice on how to avoid the dangers of drowsy driving:

• Extreme tiredness can lead to micro-sleeps – a short episode of drowsiness or sleep that could last a fraction of a second or up to 30 seconds. A car driving at 70 mph will travel 31 meters per second, giving plenty of time to cause a serious crash during a micro-sleep.
• The effects of losing one or two hours of sleep a night on a regular basis can lead to chronic sleepiness over time. So ensure you are well rested and feeling fit and healthy before you set off.
• Make sure you take regular rest breaks to split up the journey when driving on a long, boring stretch of a motorway. It’s good practise to stop at least every two hours and it’s essential to take a break before the drowsiness sets in.
• Plan an overnight stop. If you feel too fatigued to carry on driving, book yourself into a hotel at the next service station and sleep it off. It’s good to note that a caffeine high may be a quick fix, but it is not a long term solution and certainly no substitute for proper sleep.
• You’re bound to be tired after a full day at work, so avoid setting out on a long drive after you have finished for the day. It’s best to start your journey earlier on, and when you’re more alert.
• Avoid driving between the two peak times for sleepiness. These are between 3am and 5am and also between 2pm and 4pm.
• If you have taken prescribed medication, seek advice from your GP as to whether you should be driving or not. If bought over the counter, read the instructions on the pack or speak to a pharmacist.

Today, 19:00By Joel Kulasingham

No claims bonus – explained

Simply put, car insurers favour safe drivers and will give you a discount if you have a track record of no claims.

The longer you go without a claim, the higher your discount could be.

Making a claim will then set your record back to zero.

Today, 18:30By Joel Kulasingham

Does my credit score affect car insurance?

Insurers will often do a soft search of your credit report to confirm who you are and your address.

This won’t show up on your report as it’s not a full search.

However, if you choose to pay monthly, insurers will most likely do a credit check.

This is because you are entering into a financial agreement with the company.

Having a low credit score could impact this.

Today, 18:00By Joel Kulasingham

Top tip for removing scratches

Motor expert Tim Alco*ck, fromLeaseCar.uk, has revealed that a well-known petroleum jelly-based product is the best thing to use on scratches on your car.

And while there are, of course, other solutions out there, Vaseline could prove to be the most cost-effective for drivers.

While it won’t completely erase those horrid white lines on the outside of your motor, the product will help to fill in scratches to make them less noticeable.

Costing just £1.25 atTesco, you won’t even have to fork out for your new solution either.

All you need to do before applying the Vaseline to your motor is to first ensure the area is clean, and then use a cotton pad to gently rub it into the scratch.

“Not all car scratches need to be fixed by professionals,” said Alco*ck. “They can be easily fixed with some simple DIY.”

Today, 17:30By Henry Moore

Drivers warned to avoid TikTok hacks that could cost you hundreds

Experts have warned drivers to avoid popular TikTok hacks that could end up costing you hundreds.

Motorists are often tempted to tryhackspromoted on social media rather than take their cars to the garage.

But specialistinsurancebroker ChoiceQuote has warned car owners that following these hacks could often cost more than just getting the issue resolved traditionally.

MOD SQUAD Drivers warned to avoid 3 TikTok car hacks that can cause £100s in damage

Today, 17:00By Henry Moore

Doescruise control use more fuel?

Cruise control only reduces fuel costs when driving on a flat straight surface, according to RAC.

That's why it's usually recommended for driving on motorways.

If you decide to use it on winding, bumpy roads it is unlikely to save you any cash and could, in fact, add to your fuel costs.

Today, 16:30By Henry Moore

How potholes damage your car

Potholes are all too common on Britain’s roads, damaging cars and enraging drivers everywhere.

Potholes specifically cause harm to your car’s suspension, tyres and exhausts.

Deep potholes can even leave you with flat tyers or cause your car to lose power.

Today, 16:00By Henry Moore

Common item could add hundreds to your fuel bill

Experts have warned of a common item that could add hundreds to your fuel bill.

Leaving bike racks on the roof of your car empty could reportedly increase expenses, experts say.

“Cars are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, meaning they are designed to reduce drag but external additions can decrease this aero-efficiency and increase drag," a motors whizz atCarShopsaid.

“Roof racks and boxes are common additions tocarsbut can add to fuel consumption as research suggests driving with a roof box uses up to 25 percent more fuel."

RAISE THE ROOF Drivers could save hundreds by removing common item from their car

Today, 15:30By Henry Moore

Speedy motors you can get for under £2,000

Getting your hands on a speedy car can be expensive, so we've listed five of the best motors you can grab for under £2,000.

• Skoda Fabia vRS
• Fiat Panda 100hp
• Suzuki Swift Sport
• Toyota Yaris T-Sport
• Alfa Romeo Mito TB 155

To find out more about each car, including their top speeds and average costs, check out the article below...

REV ON Five most economical fast cars you can pick up for less than €2,000

Today, 15:00By Henry Moore

Shocking German fuel law

In Britain running out of fuel is no more than an annoyance but inGermany,it can be a criminal offence.

It’s illegal to run out of fuel on Germany’s famous Autobahn.

Authorities consider running out of fuel a preventable problem and say stopping on the side of a road that often hasno speed limitis extremely dangerous.

Today, 14:30By Henry Moore

Follow our motors blog for all the latest tips, deals and news

This is your one-stop shop for all the latest car news, deals and tips.

From cheap gadgets to car insurance deals you’ll find everything here.

Today, 14:00By Joel Kulasingham

Tips to save on car insurance

Here are eight tips to save on car insurance, according to SheTalksCars.

• Buy in advance - 23 to 26 days before you need cover is the sweet spot
• Add a named driver - even a learner can knock money off
• Try different parking places - a garage isn't always cheaper
• Choose the right job title - make sure they are always accurate
• Shop around - comparison websites are your friend
• Pick a multi-car policy - share it with others in your household
• Add your licence number
• Pay annually rather than monthly - save yourself interest payments

Today, 13:30By Joel Kulasingham

How to get cheaper car insurance while getting more perks

Martin Lewis has revealed how drivers can get the cheapest car insurance possible while enjoying handy added extras.

The personal finance guru claimed that many motorists could be missing out on better coverage for a lower price than their current deal.

Martin explained that some Brits could be overpaying based on a common misconception about which type of coverage is the most affordable.

He toldITV's Tonight Show: "If you want the cheapest, sometimes comprehensive policies can be cheaper than third-party policies.

"Comprehensive is seen as a lower risk by some insurers and that outweighs the fact you're getting more for it."

Today, 13:00By Joel Kulasingham

What car grab handles are really for

Above each door in most cars you'll find a handle.

Most would assume this was to give passengers something to hold on to if the ride is a little bumpier than usual.

But, these handles are actually there to be used by someone with limited mobility trying to get in or out of the car, according to cars.com.

A wheelchair user or anyone who's unsteady can hold on for stability when being assisted into the vehicle or while getting comfortable in their seat.

Today, 12:30By Joel Kulasingham

Is it legal to stand in a parking spot to save it?

It is legal to simply stand in aparking space.

You can stand there until yourcaror a friends car arrives and fills the gap, whether or not another driver believes differently.

However, the situation can easily get complicated.

PARKING WARS Is it legal to stand in a parking spot to save it?

Today, 12:00By Joel Kulasingham

How many mph over the speed limit is allowed?

There isn't a specific amount of miles per hour that you can go over by, in fact you shouldn't even be going over them.

It is possible that you could be fined forexceeding the limit by just 1mph.

However,researchby road assistance service Royal Automobile Club (RAC) concluded that there is a very small limit that authorities sometimes close an eye to.

There is the "10 per cent plus 2mph rule" which suggests that drivers will be given leeway if they are going just over the speed limit.

But despite what people think, this isn't a rule, and is more of a guideline.

Today, 11:30By Joel Kulasingham

First person to drive around the world in an EV

An intrepid motorist has become the first to drive around the world in an electric vehicle.

The record-breaking stunt saw Lexie Alford, 26, visit all six continents in as many months in the new electric Ford Explorer.

The challenge, Ford's Charge Around the Globe, was set to demonstrate the true capability ofEVs.

Lexie - aka Lexie Limitless - had already broken the record for the youngest person to travel across each of the world's 196 sovereign nations at the age of 21.

Today, 11:00By Joel Kulasingham

Mini Cooper voted most iconic British-built car

The Mini Cooper has been voted the most iconic British-built car of all time, according to a new survey.

The research, which was commissioned to celebrate the 100th episode of TV show Bangers & Cash which airs on Thursday 19 April at 8pm on TV channel Yesterday, found that a third of Brits (27%) feel affection towards the small motor.

The Mini Cooper placed ahead of other iconic cars like theRolls-RoyceSilver Ghost (23%),James Bond’s Aston Martin DB-5 (22%) and theJaguarE-Type (22%).

Today, 10:30By Joel Kulasingham

Britain's most popular car brands in 2023

Despite the cost of living squeeze, new car sales topped 1.9million last year, up almost a fifth on 2022.

Volkswagenwas the most popular car brand with more than 162,000 sales.

Here are Britain's 10 most popular car brands in 2023:

1. Volkswagen
2. Ford
3. Audi
4. BMW
5. Toyota
6. Kia
7. Vauxhall
8. Nissan
9. Mercedes
10. Hyundai