September « 2010 « MotorQuoteDirect

Archive for September, 2010

Vehicle recalls on the increase

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

The motoring world has become more than a little accustomed to vehicle recalls in the last couple of years. A quick visit to the government controlled Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) will be enough to disturb anyone who is thinking of getting a motor insurance quote for a new car, let alone owning an older model.

The agency has been operating since 2003 when it started life on the inauspicious date of April 1^st, as a result of the merger of two motoring agencies, the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network division of the Department for Transport.

From that date it has been striving to increase the safety and roadworthiness of vehicles in the UK, and as such is involved in logging the recall of vehicles for faults by motor manufacturers.

The first day of 2010 saw the release of Bulletin 71 concerning vehicle recalls. Astonishingly so far this year there has been 50 campaigns to recall cars totalling over half a million different vehicles. The defects range from faulty tyre wall crack on the Alpha Romeo 147 that could have caused loss of control on the vehicle, all the way through the alphabet to Volvo whose V70 and S80 models risk catching fire because of a faulty joint on a high pressure line.

In between, the bulletin is littered with the names of famous manufacturers and well known models. The Audi Q5 (airbag fault) is there as is the world famous Porsche Boxster which has a problem connected to its windscreen. In fact it is hard to find a famous car manufacturer that has not had to make a recall. Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen are all featured. As are Hyundai, Vauxhall, Chrysler, Chevrolet and Jeep.

And just to show there really is no guarantee whatever make of car you buy, Ferrari have just announced they will be recalling all 1248 models of the Ferrari 458 Italia supercar after reports in the press of the model catching fire due to a fault.

VOSA also list 21 campaigns featuring goods vehicles, which affects 26612 vans, and 8 recall campaigns for motor bikes which concern over 15,000 bikes. All in all it appears VOSA are kept busy working to make our roads safer.

Tags: Car Insurance, Car recalls, VOSA
Posted in Car accessories | No Comments »

Car Data Checks a must for used car purchase

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Most cars purchased in the UK are second hand and many of these are bought privately. It is always a good idea to complete as many checks as possible on the details of the car. Never arrange to meet the seller anywhere but his home address and certainly not in a car park. Motoring organisations such as the AA offer several services that any purchaser of a second hand vehicle should consider using.

It is a fact that around 30% of used cars sold have some sort of hidden history. This can range from the car being stolen (over 150,000 vehicles are taken without consent every year in the UK) to having the mileage altered.

A Car Data Check (CDC) can cost around £20 for one vehicle with many organisations offering a cheaper rate for multiple checks. Judging by the results, it could well be money well spent. Amazingly, 4% of cars checked turn out to be one of the 600,000 vehicles written off by insurance firms every year. A massive 25% reveal the car has finance on it and 20% have had a number plate change at some time in their lives. The CDC will also ensure the vehicle has the correct Vehicle Identification Number.

Once the car has passed the Car Data Check it is worth spending a little more on a vehicle inspection. A comprehensive inspection will give the potential purchaser a check on many key elements of the car. The interior, including all visual electrical and mechanical equipment, plus the body and paintwork on the exterior of the car, will all be checked detailing any previous accident or damage. A robust 10 mile road assessment is carried out, and at the end of the inspection the purchaser is given a verbal and written report.

This may sound over the top for the purchase of a second hand car, but many vehicles change hands for well over £10,000, a figure that usually represents the second biggest purchase of their lives. Spending an extra £100 or less to achieve at least an element of peace of mind represents good value on a big investment. Of course once all the checks are done and the purchase is agreed, the buyer must get a motor insurance quote on the vehicle before proceeding.

Tags: Advice, advice on buying cars, Car Insurance, Motor insurance, Used Cars
Posted in Advice, Buying used cars, Car Insurance, Cheap Car Insurance, selling a car | No Comments »

Renault DeZir, the future is getting closer

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Renault has a lot riding on the electric DeZir. It is the first vehicle produced under the new design director, Laurens van den Acker, who has been put in charge of breathing new life into the Renault range after Patrick le Quement’s departure. The DeZir will be the first of six new Renaults to be overseen by Mr van den Acker during the next two years and Renault hope that many drivers will be getting a motor insurance quote for a new Renault car.

The DeZir car heralds a new design for Renault, which has seen the small car market become increasingly stylish and smart. Renault hopes that the DeZir will have everyone talking about Renault again as a manufacture of seductive, beautiful cars.

With a blood red colour, scissor doors, slim-line LED headlights and a paint-splattered inside, the designers at Renault have produced a breathtaking piece of art. For a small car it has larger car proportions, it is almost two metres wide and just over a metre high. The 830kg body sits low on 21-inch wheels, and a thrilling red glow rhythmical throbbing along the spine of the vehicle. This symbolizes a heartbeat which starts at the huge badge at the front and passes through to the back of the driver’s seat and exits through the aluminium air intakes in the doors. Clearly, Renault wants the message to be ‘Wow’. While they also hope this will help them look forward to a bright future. The Dezir does certainly look futuristic; it’s clear; however, that it takes its style from Europe’s rich sports car heritage.

The DeZir is a two-seater coupé with 148bhp electric motor with lithium-ion. There is not a rear window, however two cameras have been included which will offer the driver a panoramic view. Renault says the interior will suggest lightness and inside will feel like floating on a cloud.

Overall the interior is mostly white leather with a few touches of the blood red from the exterior. The one piece seat provides a cocoon like comfort. The vertically-mounted lithium-ion battery is found behind the seat and provides the car with a range of 100miles, which is the norm for an electric vehicle. There are three charging options; a standard charge using a household plug will have the vehicle fully charged in eight hours. Second option is a fast charge using a 400v three phase which will charge to 80% capacity in just 20 minutes or thirdly a fast battery charge using Renault’s Quick Drop technology. To further help with the vehicles range and performance, the weight has been too kept to a minimum. Inside the car, driving is enhanced by a clever sound system, a touch screen display and a smart navigation system.

Tags: car design, Car Insurance, car technology, renualt
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

Used car purchases in the spotlight

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Motorists buying second hand cars should make sure their new purchase is up to the mark quite swiftly as it appears more used car purchasers are becoming disillusioned with their buy.

Statistics for the first half of 2010 show that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) received over 38,000 complaints related to used car purchases. The figure is worryingly higher than previous years and up by 18% on the same period last year.

It is notoriously difficult for any motorist to ensure they are not buying a ‘lemon’ on a garage forecourt but they should try and make as many checks as possible. Many motoring organisations will carry out a pre-purchase road test for a reasonable sum, which could highlight any major faults. There are several other common sense measures to take as well.

Remember that many used car purchases still represent a big money outlay. Treat the transaction as you would any other major spend. Research thoroughly surrounding dealers and car price guides to make sure the asking price is fair, and bear in mind that in a private sale the car should be considerably cheaper than buying from a dealer. It is also much riskier! A dealer must sell a car of ‘satisfactory quality’ and it must be ‘fit for purpose’. No such thing applies to a private sale. Although the car should still be ‘as described’ and roadworthy, it is much more difficult to seek compensation from a private transaction.

Consumer groups also point out that in many cases the car dealer will be liable for fixing problems at his own expense if they manifest themselves inside three months of the purchase. It is always advisable to check whatever warranty is provided with the car before spending money on repairs. They also point out that if the person conducting a private sale is actually a car dealer then the purchaser is protected by his full legal rights.

It is worth considering that although 38,000 motorists were unhappy about their used car purchase, millions more have got a motor insurance quote on a vehicle and are driving around the roads of the UK quite happy with their purchase. Checking before buying is a good way of ensuring you are one of the latter.

Tags: car dealership, Car Insurance, car purchase, second hand cars
Posted in Car Insurance, selling a car | No Comments »

Anger at Hospital parking charges

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Patient groups have reacted with fury to the coalition government’s refusal to scrap car parking charges at hospitals, and they claim that the charges are just a ‘tax on illness’.

Government ministers are set to give each hospital trust the power to make a decision on whether they will continue charging patients and their relatives for parking. The parking charges raise over £110 million every year, with four hospitals taking over £1 million each from the unpopular scheme.

Cancer patients, who have to pay parking charges, make around 53 trips to a hospital during treatment and many find this a huge financial burden. Recent surveys showed that 90 percent of Britons want cancer patients to receive free hospital parking. Currently there is no charge to park at hospitals in Scotland and Wales while in Northern Ireland cancer patients get free parking. In England, a cancer patient could be landed with charges of more than £300 just for parking during the course of their treatment. The coalition government insist there has been no U-turn because it was not they who pledged to axe the fees. The fees are also stopping relatives from visiting sick family members. Some are forced to car share and park away from the hospital to avoid the charges, but this could lead to claims on their car insurance as the surrounding streets are not as secure.

Health minister, Simon Burns, said “For a long time we have been unconvinced that Labour’s car parking idea was properly funded and practical. We will publish a response soon and all decisions will be subject to the spending review. Andy Burnham himself was forced to retreat from his initial commitment on hospital car parking and even some members of his own party didn’t support his proposal. That said, it is clear that where parking charges are preventing friends and family from visiting, then hospital trusts have a responsibility to respond.”

Tags: advice for motorists, Car Insurance, car parking, Cost Management
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

Low Carbon Vehicles in focus

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Motorists will be joining technology experts, politicians and many dignitaries interested in the new green technologies at the LCV 2010 exhibition later this week.

The show which is now in its third year is being held at the Milford Proving Ground, in Bedfordshire, and will be highlighting the advances made in Low Carbon Vehicles up to present day. This will give an insight into the groundbreaking technologies that will be available to motorists in the next few years.

Although it is not open to the public, almost everyone there will be motorists and as such will be treated to a drive in cars that members of the general public will be getting a motor insurance quote for in the near future.

The new Honda Clarity, which is powered by hydrogen fuel will be available in the ride and drive circuit on Thursday. The show will be the first opportunity anyone has to drive the Jaguar Land Rover Limo Green model and Intelligent Energy’s Fuel Cell Taxi will be available on the ride and drive circuit at some point of the show.

Delegates will get the chance to drive the much touted and long awaited Nissan Leaf and Vauxhall’s shining star on the LCV front the Ampera, will be on show though not available for test drives.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, will be speaking at the show and giving an insight into the government’s commitment to LCV, and will hopefully confirm the £5000 subsidy promised by the previous government on LCV’s due to start next year. Paul Everitt, the Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, will be stressing the need to keep the UK at the centre of Low Carbon Technology and Michael Hurwitz will give an update on the Office of Low Carbon Emissions plans for creating plug in vehicle facilities around the country, without which the whole industry could falter.

As is fitting for the show, delegates will be ferried around the Exhibitions by the new Zytek eVito electric Taxi.

Tags: Car Insurance, car technology, LCV Exhibition, pollution
Posted in Car Insurance, car technology | No Comments »

Older Nissan models being targeted by thieves

Monday, September 13th, 2010

Everyone is worried about their car being damaged or worse still, being stolen. It is why we all get a motor insurance quote. Owners of top of the range cars such as a Bentley or an Aston Martin can breathe easy as thieves in Surrey are currently more interested in old Nissan vehicles, such as the 1990′s Micra models and also old Nissan Sunnys.

Sergeant Dan Gutierrez, explained “They are being stolen because they are so easy to break into. That’s why they are being targeted. We have had fourteen stolen in the last four weeks. They are being taken from the north of the county, especially the Caterham and Warlingham areas. We found one burning near Chaldon Church, and the fire brigade had to put it out – but then it disappeared, so it seems the vehicles are being set on fire to destroy any distinguishing marks and serial numbers before presumably being sold for scrap.”

The police think all of the cars are being stolen by one gang who are working in the New Addington area and think they are coming more into Surrey from the north. Surrey Police are working with scrap merchants in the local areas in an effort try and track down where the stolen cars are being sold. To date 14 Nissan older style cars have been stolen from not just the roadside but from driveways in Caterham and Merstham. Not every car has been sold on by the thieves as two of them were found abandoned and burned in Church Lane, Warlingham.

Not all owners of older Nissan models are worried, Donna Talbot 53, said “I’ve had this car for years and if anyone wants it, they can have it. It’s insured, after all, and it probably doubles in value every time I fill it up with petrol. I won’t be getting a crook lock. What’s the point? But I have to say, despite its age it’s always been a very reliable little car.”

Tags: Car Insurance, Car Safety, nissan, safety, theft
Posted in Car Insurance, Car Safety | No Comments »

Motoring body warns the stars

Friday, September 10th, 2010

The bosses of Formula 1 racing are attempting to extend their power of influence even further, with some controversial ideas that will affect professional drivers when driving on the open road. The results of which could see famous names such as Jensen Button getting a motor insurance quote just like any other member of the public.

Federation Internationale de L’automobile (FIA), the governing body of motor sport, is proposing to change its sporting code in such a way that the rulers of the sport can penalise professional motor sport drivers for motoring offences committed on public roads. It is thought the high profile arrest of Louis Hamilton in Australia earlier this year for a motoring offence could have precipitated the decision.

The proposals will include the requirement of all super licence holders to have a road driving licence and offences on the public highway could result in the loss of the super licence.

A statement issued by the FIA said “Competitors at FIA events must act as ambassadors for the sport, be aware their conduct on the road must be exemplary and respect road safety rules. A proposal to amend the international sporting code will be submitted to the FIA General Assembly to clarify that any holder of an International Super Licence must also be in possession of a current road driving licence. Additionally, the Code will be amended to clarify that if an International Super Licence holder is involved in a serious road traffic offence recognised by a national police authority, the FIA, depending on the severity of the case, may issue a warning or refer the matter to the International Disciplinary Tribunal, which may temporarily or indefinitely withdraw the competitor’s International Super Licence.”

Tags: Car Insurance, Car Insurance Quote, Fully Comp, Insurance Cover Types, Insurance Premium
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

The Stig unmasked

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Well it’s true then, motoring enthusiasts and in particular, ones that watch BBC TV have finally found out who is the mystery face behind The Stig!

To the uninitiated it more than likely sounds nothing more than a load of rubbish, but fans of the programme and the programme producers themselves took the disclosure a lot more seriously. So serious in fact that the BBC went to court to prevent the disclosure of Ben Collins as the mystery figure on the Top Gear programme. Obviously they lost.

So now we know who the latest Stig is or as now seems more likely, was, why the fuss. The show is now in its 15^th year and seemingly goes from strength to strength. The presenters are all household names with Jeremy Clarkson in particular a favourite with millions of viewers. His reporting style changed the way motoring shows were presented forever. No longer was it important to explain how it worked, the important thing being how fast it can go and how good it looks combined with the engineering.

James May has been with the show now since 2003 and has earned himself the rather unfair title of ‘Captain Slow’ this probably represents his more studied approach to motoring. He seems to be more thoughtful in his appraisal of the motors and certainly sits more quietly in his seat when driving. James would be the one you would listen to if he was talking about a motor insurance quote.

The third presenter known by name is Richard Hammond or ‘The Hamster’ as he is affectionately known throughout the land. Hammond’s enthusiasm appears to know no bounds. This was never as obvious as in 2006 when tearing round a race track in Yorkshire driving a dragster car named Vampire. Hammond crashed as a front tyre failed and finished embedded upside down in grass and very seriously injured. After a frantic flight by helicopter to hospital the seriously injured Hammond gradually made a full recovery. The speed of the car when crashing was recorded at 288 mph!

So with three household names as presenters, why go to court over a mystery man. Ben Collins a formula 3 driver is actually the second Stig, the first one getting sacked for exactly the same thing, revealing his identity in a book. He is said to be sure to be dropped by the programme. The real question is will we get The Stig mark III or will the show turn to pastures new.

Tags: Car Insurance, Motor insurance, the stig, top gear
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

New models to be exposed in Paris

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

The Paris Motor Show next month is promising to be every bit as exciting as it has been in the past. The show will be held at the Paris Expo centre at the Porte de Versailles and will be the setting for a few world premiers.

Widely awaited is the unveiling of the new Lamborghini. The Italian luxury car manufacturer is certainly keeping the motoring world on tenterhooks as it has only just revealed the first of six images that it is feeding to the press over the next few weeks. The image has the header ‘Discover the way to the future of supersports cars’ which may or may not have lost something in the translation. Whatever, all will be revealed on October the 2^nd. Another ‘supersports’ manufacturer, Lotus, are reported to be unveiling two front engine hybrids at the show, one a four door hatchback and the other being the more traditional Lotus offering a two door coupé.

Another vehicle to be launched upon the public at the show and one that will bring in a slightly smaller motor insurance quote is the Hyundai ix20. The Korean manufacturer has also fed a little taster to the public in the way of an image as well, although it must said the sketch of the ix20 is nowhere near as mysterious as the Lamborghini offering.

It promises to be quite a show for Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPV’s). Alongside the Hyundai ix20, which was designed in Germany and goes on sale almost immediately after the show, Chevrolet launch the Orlando MPV and Toyota will be in their fighting with their latest version of a mini MPV, the Verso-S. The real show-stopper, however, in the MPV section could be Peugeot’s offering, the 3008 MPV that will be the world’s first diesel hybrid offering fuel economy at 3.8 litres per 100 km.

Other cars to be launched at the show will be the Chevrolet Cruze, the American manufacturers first attempt at a hatchback in the Cruze range, and Renault will be presenting their new version of the Laguna.

The show launches on October the 2^nd and runs until October the 17^th. Opening times are 10am to 8pm with late night opening on Thursdays extended to 10pm. Admittance charges are 12 Euros for adults, half price for 10-18 year olds with under tens getting in free.

Tags: Car Insurance, motoring, New car models
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »