Questions you need to answer before buying a car

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Sliding behind the steering wheel of a new car can be one of the most thrilling experiences any of us get to enjoy, with the feeling of a whole world opening up around us. This vehicle will accompany us on road trips, school runs, shopping excursions and so much more; unofficially, many of us get to the point where we feel like the car is an extension of our family.

How to reduce the financial burden of driving

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Most families would struggle to survive modern life without their cars. Unfortunately, buying and running a vehicle is far from cheap. Therefore, you need to go the extra mile to ensure that car ownership doesn’t completely destroy your finances. 

By building the right strategy, you can actively drive the costs of driving down. Those savings can be used to actively enjoy more adventures. Or you could use the extra money for other bills and expenses. Either way, it has to be better than your current situation. 

8 Great reasons why making your next car a 4X4 is the perfect investment

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Let’s face it; your choice of vehicle is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make in life. It can influence your daily life, financial status, and even career opportunities, which is why only the right type of car will do. A 4x4 might be the perfect investment. 

Car insurance risk factors

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Motor insurance is something that all drivers require. When it comes to the premiums you need to pay, rates differ dramatically, and this all comes down to one thing: risk. Insurance is all about risk. You are going to be subject to more expensive premiums if you are considered a great risk.

Advantages of car leasing

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If you are looking at getting a new car but can’t afford to purchase a vehicle outright or are fed up with having an older car that requires lots of mechanical repairs then perhaps leasing a car is the perfect option for you.

What is car leasing?

Put simply leasing a car is a long term rental. When leasing a car you pay a fixed monthly fee to use the car for an agreed amount of time and number of miles.

MOT matters - all you need to know about MOT testing

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If you are a car owner and driver chances are the words ‘MOT test’ fill you with dread. Will the car pass first time? Or will it fail and need repairs and a re-test? Will you be faced with hefty bill to get your car in a roadworthy condition to pass?

Learner drivers who are new to the world of driving must discover the importance of ensuring the vehicle they drive has a valid MOT especially when they own their own car.

As MOT testing is a big part of being a responsible driver and car owner here we take a look at the ins and outs of the MOT test.

 

The safety risks of worn tyres

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When it comes to car safety and maintenance one of the most important checks drivers should make is the condition of the vehicle’s tyres.

For safety it is imperative that tyres are checked on a regular basis, with responsible drivers checking tyre pressure, tread depth, ensuring tyres are fit for purpose and looking at overall condition of tyres to ensure there is no sign of defect or damage.

When it comes to tyre tread depth there are safety and legal consequences if tyres are worn. As the safety risks of worn tyres are an accident waiting to happen we are going to take a look at tyre tread depth and the safety risks associated with worn tyres.

Drive Safely, It’s In Your Hands

When learning to drive people have to pass their theory and practical driving test. The tests highlight a person's understanding of road safety and ability to drive in a safe and correct manner.

Once the 'L’ plates have been ripped up and a full driving licence granted it us up to us individuals on the road to adhere to driving laws and take responsibility for driving safe.

As a driver it is one's own responsibility to drive safely, as the safety of ourselves along with passengers, other road users and pedestrians can be affected by our actions.

Juniors get behind the wheel with Track Days!

From a young age many children are curious and attracted to cars. Racing toy cars around excites them and sparks imaginative play. Cars capture their interest and evoke a sense of fun.

For some children the fascination with cars evolves from toy cars to real life cars. The passion they have for cars in various forms develops over time and stays with them from young childhood to teenage years through to adulthood.

Both of my children are mad about cars. From when they were tiny toddlers, toy cars have been firm favourite toys. Their love of cars has grown and grown over the years.

A guide to the school run

Mornings can be a stressful time of day – sleeping in, getting ready, rushing around trying to make sure you don’t leave anything behind. Then comes the added stress of sitting traffic, hoping you manage to make it on time. The same applies to the school run, except you are now responsible for more than just yourself. According to a recent survey, 77% of parents describe the school run as more stressful than work or grocery shopping, and 80% confessed to losing their temper with their children on the drive to school.

One in five cars on the road during the morning peak are doing the school run. This is no surprise – in 2014, nearly half (44%) of primary school children travelled to school via a car. However, this could be about to change. Following recent reports about the UK’s attempt to reduce air pollution from fossil fuels, by banning the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2040, parents who drive the school run could be fined up to £130 under a new pilot scheme. The scheme aims to improve road safety and crack down on air pollution.

Car safety guide

I have been a driver for nearly 15 years since I passed my test all those years ago when I was 17. Living in the countryside I was keen to pass my test as soon as possible so that I could give my mum a rest from being taxi and gain a little more independence. I worked hard to pay for my money to pay for lessons with a driving instructor and my theory and practical tests.

When I passed my test I could not wait to spend my hard earned money on a little car to call my own. All those years ago when buying cars along with making sure it was safe, mechanically secure and had MOT, my priorities were how the car looked, the car’s colour and whether it had a good stereo.

My first car was a lovely little Punto which served me well as a cheap, practical and reliable car. Whilst I loved the car and I did like how it looked, loved the colour - a deep red, and it had a smashing stereo installed it was not my dream car.

7 Car tyre checks for family safety on the road

There is nothing that is more important than maintaining the safety of your car and this is especially the case when you drive around with little ones on board. All sorts of drivers neglect their cars’ safety systems imagining that they don’t need to take any action. However, when it comes to your tyres nothing could be further from the truth.

Tyres are not just there to allow your car's wheels to turn. They help you to steer into positions of safety and avoid potential trouble. Of course, another important job tyres do is to help you brake properly. They shouldn’t be overlooked as an essential part of your family’s safety. What do you need to know? Take a look below as we look at tyre safety.

Dangerous drives

Driving is a lifeline to us. Living in rural Wales where public transport can be sporadic at best driving and having our own car means we can get anywhere and everywhere without hassle.

As the children are getting older the stereotype of parent being a taxi driver is coming true with us having to taxi them to friends parties, playdates, toddler groups and sports classes. Whilst having our own car is a blessing to be able to keep up with the kids’ busy social life as I am driving around precious cargo I make sure to be extra careful and vigilant when driving on dangerous roads.

Here in Wales driving can be rather hazardous. Small country roads can cause chaos and accidents galore. Whilst many roads travel through beautiful surroundings such roads that wind through magnificent mountains and small one-way country roads lead to idyllic beaches, the roads can be very dangerous to drive on especially during summer time when the roads get busier with holidaymakers who are unsure where they are driving and don’t know how to deal with the country roads!

Are you driving on the right side of the law?

As soon as I turned 17 I put on my L plates and started learning driving. When I learnt how to drive and passed my test over 10 years ago (eek where have the years gone?) I soon realised the importance of knowing and sticking to driving laws.

Whilst the obvious driving offences such as speeding, drink driving and dangerous driving should be known by all drivers there are a number of driving laws that are in place in the UK that most drivers won’t know about.

Simpson Millar have created a Driving on the Right Side of Law infographic to showcase driving laws that may not be common knowledge to the majority of UK drivers who may well be breaking the law without even knowing it.