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Most reliable cars revealed

Consumers are treading more carefully than ever before when purchasing cars, as not only do they want a good price and low running costs, they also want to make sure the vehicle is reliable to avoid any unexpected repair or damage costs.

Small cars

Small cars are certainly increasing in popularity, mainly because they are cheaper to buy, run and maintain. Eco-friendly cars tend to be small cars which mean drivers benefit from not having to pay road tax as they often emit less than 100g/km of CO2 and they are also exempt from the London congestion charge.

The Citroen C1 is a reliable, small supermini vehicle. A number of leading experts have recently praised the vehicle’s reliability record, which explains its appeal to consumers.

The Kia Picanto is a popular small car, and was launched in 2011. It has proven itself to be a reliable choice of car when purchased as a used car or brand new.

Medium cars

Typically, three or five door hatchbacks are classed as a medium-sized car, and they are generally more comfortable to travel in than a small car.

The Mazda 3 has gained widespread praise regarding its general reliability. Also, the Mercedes A-class has received positive reviews despite the first generation A-class having issues with its build quality.

Large cars

Large cars are often bought by private buyers as well as company fleets. More affordable brands such as Vauxhall and Ford generally provide reliable cars but, surprisingly, large premium vehicles such as those made my BMW and Mercedes have proven themselves to be lacking in the reliability stakes.

In contrast, the Honda Insight has been commended for its reliability, as it scored 97% in the 2011 Which? Car Survey.

The Lexus IS saloon is a consistent favourite with car owners as it is extremely reliable. While the reliability of this model is not in question, its running costs could be better as its fuel consumption is generally quite high.

You can never be too sure of how reliable your car is going to be. Breakdown Cover could provide peace of mind.

Is it cheaper to travel by train or car?

Irrespective of the reason for travelling, there is one question which haunts all travellers: is private or public transport cheaper?

Determining whether it is more affordable to travel by car or train is something we all must do at some point in our lives – but how can you find out?

The problem with comparing the cost of travelling by train and car is that there are too many variables to take into consideration.

Whilst public transport may seem cheaper as there is only one fare to pay, as opposed to the infinite list of expenses associated with motoring, the convenience of private transport could be seen to outweigh this and cars can prove to be more economical over longer distances.

Train fares

A report on the BBC at the end of 2011 revealed how rail fares were set to increase by just shy of 6% in 2012. Whilst this was a smaller increase than the 8% which had been previously predicted, it still means that public transport is not as cheap as it once was and that could drive individuals back to the comfort of their cars.

Of course, seasonal tickets can be purchased for those eager to save on regular commutes, but arguments over the reliability and practicality of public transport can remain a deterrent to those who own their own vehicle.

Fuel efficiency

For personal vehicles, the main area of expense is petrol and motorists will be more than familiar with the numerous price increases which have afflicted this resource recently. However, the automotive industry’s continual focus on energy efficiency and ‘green’ motoring mean that cars are now more efficient than ever, achieving more miles to the gallon and thus offering better value for money.

Despite this, motoring costs can still be high and drivers need to remember to factor insurance premiums, road tax charges and maintenance costs when evaluating the affordability of their car.

Even products such as breakdown cover can have a significant impact on the overall cost of driving – although, with firms such as Asda Finance offering cover from as little as £7.50 a month, this is one expense which is unlikely to have a huge impact on drivers.

Around the world in…. a Land Rover

The popular Land Rover Discovery is about to make a ‘round the world’ trip as part of a global expedition to China.

To celebrate the production of its one-millionth vehicle, Land Rover is making a trip from Birmingham to Beijing as its most ambitious fund-raising project ever.

The leading car manufacturer hopes to raise £1 million for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Trekking from Birmingham to Beijing, the journey is over 8,000 miles in just 50 days.

The expedition will take the crew and car through 13 different countries and hopes to drive into China for the Beijing Motor Show on the 23rd of April.

The Discovery model has been a strong seller for the car manufacturer since it was introduced in 1989. Sold in over 170 countries, over 80% of the production comes from the growing Solihull factory.

This is not the first time that car lovers have taken on a worldwide trip in their favourite vehicle.

The route to China was inspired by ‘The First Overland Expedition in 1955’ by Land Rover, which was also to Beijing. The Series 1 Land Rover was used during that journey.

In another epic journey, Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson recently took a Land Rover to the Antarctic. Racing with fellow Top Gear presenter James May, Jeremy Clarkson took a four-wheel drive Land Rover across just five inches of frozen lake in the Antarctic.

It has been widely reported that May won the race, although Clarkson has disputed this.

Other famous Land Rover Discovery users include Bear Grylls, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ray Mears, Monty Hall and Ben Saunders.

Helping you plan the perfect road trip

If you’re going to get out on the open road this spring, we’ve got some great tips on how to make sure your car is in great shape for those long journeys, click here to find out more. Asda Breakdown Cover offers home start, roadside and recovery for just £7.50 a month.

Most common Sat-Nav blunders

Sat-Navs are designed to make your life easier and, for the most part, they do. However, every now and then they can form a mind of their own and take you on an unfamiliar route.

They have revolutionised the driving experience, bringing joy (and misery!) to millions of motorists across the globe. As drivers entrust their full faith in the little gadget, sometimes it would not hurt to have a little common sense as well.

Here are a few examples of when things have gone horribly wrong following a Sat-Nav:

Misspelling

There are often place names and locations that can easily be spelt incorrectly. Two Swedish tourists should know this better than most, as they were attempting to reach the island of Capri but ended up 400 miles away on the other end of the country when they mistyped ‘Carpi’ into their Sat-Nav.

Postcode problems

Postcode problems must be one of the most common reasons for a Sat-Nav mishap. Recently, a group of builders put up scaffolding on the wrong house because it shared the same postcode with the correct house. While both properties share an SG8 postcode, they are situated eight miles apart in different counties.

This is not the only incident when people have been left baffled by Sat-Nav directions. Tourists looking for the falls in Neath Valley, Wales, often end up at a nearby cul-de-sac because they share the same postcodes.

A villager told The Telegraph that there was one incident when a Chinese family parked on a resident’s driveway and walked to the front door thinking it was the entrance to the falls.

Alterative routes

Whilst the Sat-Nav might know the fastest route or shortcut, it does not know how large your vehicle is. A number of bus drivers and lorry drivers have ended up stranded down small country lanes as a result of trying the shortcut.

One lorry driver was directed to a small country lane in the Cotswolds, but his vehicle fell into a ditch on a bend and blocked the road for five days.

Contractors had to bring a digger to remove the vehicle.

You might not be able to call on diggers to help you out of a sticky situation, however, you could always count on breakdown cover to help.

‘Cash strapped’ Brits risk safety by delaying repairs

Millions of people rely on their car every day, for all aspects of life. Whether it’s going shopping, driving to work, or dropping the kids off at school, many of us simply couldn’t function without a car.

But driving is one of the most expensive aspects of life. Car insurance can run into the thousands, and petrol prices are rising all the time.

But new research has found that some drivers have found a way to keep costs down, and put themselves and others in danger at the same time.

It has been found that millions of motorists are delaying getting maintenance on their cars in a bid to save money.

While this does save money, the majority of defects are rendering motorists’ cars illegal – risking much higher costs in the long run.

It was found that almost a quarter of motorists admit to driving their car while it has damage that makes it illegal to drive.

The most common problems for cars are broken windscreen wipers, defective brake lights, and even faulty brakes.

Many drivers don’t realise that the defects they are driving with make their car illegal. One in five didn’t realise that damaged brake lights render a car illegal, while 19% are unaware that driving with faulty brakes is also illegal.

“In 2010, poorly maintained vehicles caused 52 road deaths. Neglecting maintenance only leads to bigger repair bills later on, lower second-hand values, and increased fuel consumption,” said Neil Greig director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

“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.”

If you have a fault that renders your car illegal to drive, you should not drive until you’ve got it fixed. But if you are concerned about your car braking down, it’s a good idea to invest in breakdown cover, so you’re never stranded.

How do hybrid cars work?

With fuel strikes looming, it might come as no surprise that a number of people might consider a more fuel-efficient car, such as an electric or hybrid alterative.

Here is a quick guide on how the hybrid car works:

What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid car is a more efficient and effective way of driving without damaging the environment. These types of cars have been especially designed to combat CO2 emissions and reduce environmental problems.

Different types of hybrid cars

They usually combine two types of energy to power the vehicle. The car can use electric and gas powered mechanisms to get the car moving.There are several different types of hybrid cars however the most common are the ‘Series Hybrid’ and the ‘Parallel Hybrid’.

The series hybrid uses a combination of two types of technology for energy; electrical power and petrol power. These types of hybrid vehicles tend to use a commination of the engine and fuel to get the car into gear. They have generators which can either charge the batteries or power an electric motor to start the transmission.

Parallel hybrid cars, however, have a fuel tank which provides power to the engine and batteries to run the electric motor. Both the engine and electric motor can turn on the transmission at the same time.

For the series and parallel hybrid, the petrol engine never directly powers the car.

Hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient and can have a number of environmental (as well as economic) benefits. Some can even be charged by connecting to a mains supply of electricity.

Regardless of the car’s ability to save the environment and money, it is still, like all cars, subject to potential breakdown. It may be advisable to take out breakdown cover for peace of mind.

How to get your car in shape this Spring

Winter driving is no fun unless you love poor visibility, waiting around for the heating to kick in and a higher risk of accidents. Spring driving, on the other hand, is a welcome relief from the pains of winter driving.

Learn to love your car again and get it ‘ship shape’ for springtime driving:

1. Tyres

If you have winter tyres on, now is the perfect time of year to switch to all-weather tyres. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6m for all tyres, but it’s worth replacing them before the tread depth gets down to 2mm. Check your tyres for cuts, slits and other damage before changing them and don’t forget the spare!

2. Upholstery

If you are one of those drivers who make cleaning your car an annual event, this is the time of year to do so. Give your car a good clean inside and out as the damp clothes and shoes that have been bringing in moisture all winter might have rotted or discoloured the upholstery. By replacing the cover seats or carpets, you could make your car look and feel new.

3. Bodywork

Over the last few months, your car will have collected all sorts of dirt and grime from outside. You can easily remove this and give your car a quick scrub down with some specialist car shampoo. Start on the roof and work your way down so you don’t drag dirt around the body when cleaning.

Make sure the shampoo is fully rinsed off before drying the car to avoid dirt smears. You could then polish the body with some paintwork protection to restore any loss of gloss.

4. Before you Drive

It is always advisable that before you set out on your journey that you check to see if your car is roadworthy. Areas to look at include checking tyre pressure, but also oil, water levels and the state of the windscreen wipers. Whilst you can ‘buff up’ your car inside and out, one undoubted essential for Spring driving is breakdown cover.

Amber alert issues red light to motorists ahead of Arctic weather

The Met Office and Highways Agency have issued an amber weather warning to the UK amid fears of further bad weather, stopping many motorists in their tracks.

The majority of the UK was already hit with snow fall and icy conditions over the week, with the recent warning alerting drivers to the potential for further disruption.

Following the weekend freeze, temperatures are expected to drop once again as the Arctic blast continues through the rest of the month.

Many parts of the country are said to be likely to experience extremely low temperatures – with automotive industries fearing that this could lead to the development of black ice.

Black ice is a major cause of accidents on British roads and is considered a serious risk – hence the decision to issue amber warning.

Drivers are also being advised to remain prepared for poor driving conditions and inclement weather as further Arctic conditions are expected.

Halfords have already announced that drivers are stocking up on basic items such as breakdown kits, anti-freeze, ice scrapers and blankets as fears of a prolonged cold spell hit home.

However, buying this equipment is not enough to protect drivers from the difficult conditions which may await them over the coming days.

Mark Dolphins, the winter products expert from Halfords explained that “it’s not just de-icing products which are needed” as small problems with cars, such as broken windscreen wipers, can lead to serious problems.

It is, therefore, essential that motorists are fully prepared for every eventuality when taking to the roads by keeping their car well maintained.

Regular checks should be completed before any journey and drivers should also take the time to ensure they have all the necessary materials at hand. Drivers could also consider breakdown cover for extra reassurance in these wintery weather conditions.

7 Ways to Keep Safe on the Roads this Winter

With the day’s getting shorter and the weather colder, as well as generally and wetter, motorists certainly need to take more car on the road during the winter months. Follow these top tips on how to keep safe on the road when driving this winter.

1. Drive Carefully: In winter you can expect to be driving on the road in generally worse conditions than in the summer months. Rain, fog and snow are all more likely to occur in the winter months and all drivers need to be more considerate of other road users. Think about this when driving in winter and give extra space for yourself and other motorists on busy roads.

2. Fit Winter Tyres: According to the AA, winter tyres effectively improve traction, braking and cornering on wet or icy roads, at temperatures below + 7 degrees Celsius. So you may wish to fit winter tyres. Winter tyres can help a car to stop 4.8 metres shorter than summer tyres on wet roads; on icy roads this extends to a massive 11 metres.

3. Fuel: Keep the fuel level above half to prevent the build up of moisture in the fuel tank and fuel lines which could freeze and reduce the flow of petrol.

4. Battery: Check that the cables and posts of your battery are not corroded. You may also want to coat terminals with petroleum Vaseline to prohibit damp. You should also check the oil level of your car regularly over the winter months.

5. Wipers: Check that the windscreen wipers are functioning correctly and top up the washer reservoir regularly with the correct mixture of water and windscreen antifreeze mixture.

6. Be Prepared: If you are unfortunate enough to break down over the winter months you should ensure that you have adequate items in your vehicle to keep you warm. Pack a blanket, some waterproof clothing and a spare jumper or two in the boot of your car. Travel with a bottle of water and some snacks, such as chocolate bars and biscuits, too, to keep you going should you be stranded.

7. Get Breakdown Cover: The unpredictable British weather and poorer driving conditions inevitably means that car breakdowns are more likely to occur in the winter months. One of the easiest ways to ensure you keep safe on the road this winter is to buy adequate car breakdown cover that suits

How to drive in wet conditions

With the unusually mild weather recently, motorists have had to deal with wet weather on the roads.

The dreary winter rain has been pouring incessantly in some places and whilst this might not pose as much of a driving problem as snow, it can still be useful to know how to drive in wet conditions.

Here are some top tips for driving in the rain safely;

Slow down

It takes longer to stop in wet weather so it would be advisable to slow down when driving on wet roads. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front and add more stopping time during particularly wet weather. The last thing you want to do is aquaplane!

Keep your distance

As a result of being unable to stop with your usual speed, you may want to keep your distance when driving. Most driving manuals will suggest that you should have a minimum of at least two seconds of space between you in the car in front in normal conditions. This needs to be doubled in wet conditions.

Turn on your lights

Whether it’s light rain or heavy rain, your visibility is likely to be greatly reduced. It might be advisable to turn your lights on for your own safety and for the safety of others on the road. It is important to note that whilst you may be able to see other drivers, they might not be able to see you. By turning on your lights, other drivers should be able to see you from a safe distance.

Check your tyres?

Have you got enough grip to handle a serious skidding incident? You should check your tyres on a regular basis as bald tyres can significantly reduce your traction on wet surfaces. When your tyres are running on a wet road, the water is compressed between the treads and if the tyres are bald the water has no place to go. In the UK, the legal tread depth is 1.6 mm.

Flood water

If you have to drive through a large puddle, drive slowly and carefully at all times. Floodwater can be very difficult to manage, as you cannot see the water hazards that might be lurking beneath. As a general rule, if the water level is deeper than the bottom of your car doors or the third bottom of your wheels it would not be advisable to drive through it. Don’t forget to test your breaks before and after going through deep water.

Breakdown cover could be extremely useful, and provide you with peace of mind when travelling in bad weather conditions.

5 key things to do if your car breaks down

Having your car break down can be a stressful and expensive experience. All cars are prone to wear and tear, however, the majority of them will also break down at some point in their lifespan.

If and when this situation arises, you may need to know what steps to follow.

Here are five key things to do if your car breaks down;

Don’t panic

It can be hard to know where and when to stop once your car starts misbehaving. Whilst it is important to get your vehicle off the road as soon as possible, motorway hard shoulders should only be used for emergency use.

Hazard lights

It is vital that you warn other traffic by putting on your hazard lights. If you are on a busy road or street, it could be particularly important to notify other drivers. Once you have pulled over to the nearest suitable spot, leave your sidelights on and turn the hazard warning lights on. Do not use a warning triangle on the hard shoulder. You can, however, use a warning triangle on non-motorway roads.

Passengers

If you have passengers, make sure that they are all out of the vehicle once parked. It would be advisable to park as close to the left as possible with the wheels turned left as well. All passengers should exit through the left hand side, in case of any oncoming road users. Leave any animals inside the car or in an emergency keep them well under control. Keep passengers as far away from the road as possible, especially children.

Call for help

Once you have pulled over to a safe place, your lights are on and all the passengers are out of the car, you need to call for help. Use your mobile phone to call your breakdown provider for assistance and if you don’t have one or have run out of battery, walk to the nearest emergency phone on your side of the carriageway. Alternatively, use one of your the phones belonging to the passengers in your vehicle. It is also important to try and describe your location accurately.

Don’t attempt any repairs

If you don’t have breakdown cover and are worried about the costs, don’t attempt to carry out any repairs yourself. It could cost you more in the long run and also put your life at risk potentially. If you do not have the correct skills or knowledge, you could end up damaging your vehicle further.

Average journey times – UK commuters face the hard facts

Commuting is often seen as the bane of any worker’s daily routine. With the state of the economy currently being so dismal, employees are willing to travel far and wide to keep hold of their job though.

The latest figures from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) reveal that the average employee spends nearly 200 hours a year, that’s the equivalent of five weeks, traveling to and from work!

With cities pulling in workers from all directions, it may come as no surprise that London has the longest commuter times with an average of 37.8 minutes per journey, each way. The TUC revealed that the average commute for men is 26% higher than for women as they spend 219 hours a year travelling compared to just 174 for women.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber commented on the findings; 'Unnecessary long commutes are frustrating and expensive for staff, and bad for business too.”

'Smarter working must be part of the modern economy. Staff want greater access to flexible and high quality home-working and employers need to do more to provide it.”

Not only are commuters spending several weeks of their lives stuck in traffic or on trains, they are also spending over a quarter of their annual wages on transport. A survey by Hay Group has revealed that the average season ticket on the train is £2,028, which is 8% of the average salary (£25,176).

For those travelling over 50 minutes into Birmingham and London this increases to a massive 21% of the average salary. Yet figures from the Office for National Statistics show that those who commute for longer actually earn more.

Increasing congestion on the roads and largely unreliable public transport can significantly add to commuting times. As many rely on their vehicles to get them to and from work on a daily basis, it could be advisable to ensure you are fully prepared in the event of a breakdown.

Calling out an emergency recovery service without having breakdown insurance could cost you time and money, adding further stress to your journey.

Breakdown cover varies and so it might be worth checking that you have onward travel within your policy.

Should you get winter tyres?

The roads are becoming icier, the air is getting colder and some parts of the country have already reported snowfall. It’s THAT time of year again when you find yourself asking – do I need winter tyres?

According to research from Manheim Auctions, less than 5% of motorists are planning on buying winter tyres this year. However, after the last few years of winter weather chaos, many are concerned as to whether or not they should buy them.

The number one reason why drivers have traditionally steered clear of winter tyres is because of the cost. The research found that 41% of them said they could not afford them this year, 28% of drivers claimed that they didn’t think that the weather would be that bad and a further 16% didn’t really know what winter tyres are.

The survey also found that 92% of motorists drive differently in the snow. 63% of those surveyed didn’t believe their driving skills were good enough to handle all weather conditions.

Regardless of getting winter tyres or not, it is worth noting that the legal tread depth is 1.6 mm. Tyre maintenance, pressure and air may also need to be checked in preparation for the winter.

Craig Mailey, Marketing Director, Manheim Auctions said; “Winter tyres are an investment in safety. They will help to keep you on the move and on the road, reduce the risk of accidents and can be used over several winters”.

It could be important to prepare your vehicle for winter, otherwise you could be at risk of breaking down.

Breaking down is often a stressful and difficult experience, yet breaking down during the winter months could add further pressure to your situation, especially if you are travelling home for Christmas.

Breakdown insurance cover could be ideal as it may be extremely expensive to call out a recovery van and you could end up waiting even longer for assistance.

Cars that hold their second hand value well

Not everyone has the cash-flow to buy new cars and second hand ones are the best way to get a great car within your price range.

With that in mind, it could be worth looking at some of the best used cars around. Here are the top three second hand cars that hold their value well;

BMW 3-Series

According to Auto Express, the BMW 3-Series tops the charts as the best buy for second hand cars. The powerful vehicles are fuel-efficient and even the 2005 models don’t look out of date yet. They tend to have good service histories, giving extra confidence and more reliability.

Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 could be a great little city car, ideal for zooming down the streets and finding smaller parking spaces. The car is between £5,000 and £8,000 a year, and is built to last. The five year unlimited mileage warranty can be transferred from owner to owner as well. However, this model is fairly new and second hand ones may not be that common.

Ford Mondeo

If you’re in need of a new family car, the Ford Mondeo could be the answer. The Mondeo is a particularly popular vehicle in the UK and is also widely available. It also comes at a reasonable price as well, as low as £7,000 in some cases. The new style Mondeo is only three years old, however, there are many within this range.

However, buying a second hand car can be time consuming and stressful. The last thing you want to do is end up forking out cash for an unreliable car.

Not only would you be faced with transport issues, but the process of consistently fixing your newly bought car could be extremely expensive. If you don’t have breakdown insurance this could become even more costly as the price of emergency callouts can be extortionate.

Top five most unreliable cars

Cars and personal vehicles are one of the most important components of daily life, yet unfortunately, not all of them deliver the services that we desire. Unreliable cars come in many shapes and sizes, but what are the five most unreliable around?

Land Rover Discovery

According to the Daily Mail, Land Rovers have been voted the most unreliable cars by Which?, with the Land Rover Discovery being named the most unreliable, despite its £46,000 price tag. The costlier Range Rover Sport was also hailed as being notably unreliable, as was the more financially friendly Freelander.

Renault Megane

In an article on the most unreliable car, The Telegraph explained that both of these next entries had features that helped them to earn this title. Renault Megane drivers are said to be consistently plagued with an electrical fault, affecting nearly 40% of these cars.

BMW M3

The same article explained how 40% of BMW M3 vehicles needed repairs to axle and suspension components, making them another likely candidate for the most unreliable car. The notoriety concerning this fault means that the model is now synonymous with such problems.

Ford Focus

Despite the fact that the Ford Focus routinely appears as one of the best selling cars for the UK, it is also said to be one of the most unreliable. According to thisismoney.co.uk, the CC version of this car came eighth in a top ten list of unreliable cars, scoring just 77.2% for reliability – compared to 98.1% for the dependable Kia Picanto.

Renault Espace

Renault certainly seem to be dominating the unreliable charts, with their Espace also being considered unreliable. According to a report on the Daily Mail, this vehicle boasts the unenviable feat of having the highest breakdown costs – with 17% of breakdowns leaving motorists stranded at the roadside.

This highlights the need for consumers to invest in breakdown cover, irrespective of whether they are driving the most or least reliable car.