Owning a car comes with the responsibility of upkeep, but many drivers don’t know how to properly maintain their car. Uswitch car insurance recently conducted research to investigate what car maintenance checks drivers lack knowledge on the importance of, possibly neglecting essential upkeep. The survey also digs into where drivers seek advice on looking after their vehicle.

Main maintenance checks drivers are neglecting: 

The research demonstrated that drivers are not well informed about car maintenance checks, including not knowing how to carry them out and not performing them frequently enough. 

A staggering 67% of drivers stated that they are unaware of how to check their car’s battery health and less than one in four (22%) check their battery before a long drive. Monitoring battery health is important as battery issues are the leading cause of breakdowns in the UK [1]. Spotting issues before the battery fails completely can also help save money, since replacements cost up to £400 [2]. 

Additionally, almost two in five (37%) drivers admitted they don’t know how to check that their exterior lights are in working order and 61% don’t check them prior to a long drive. Exterior lights not only help you see the road, but help other road users see your car. It’s also a legal requirement to have two fully working brake lights, with potential penalties being anything from a verbal warning, to a £60 fine and three points on your licence, or you could even get your car towed [3]. 

Almost two-fifths (37%) of drivers also admitted they don’t know how to check their car’s tyre tread depth. Tyre tread depth reflects the tyre’s ability to grip the road; as the tyre wears down, their grip decreases posing a danger to the driver. The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm [4], with those who fail to meet this facing a fine of £2,500 and three points on their licence per tyre [5]. 

Furthermore, a quarter (25%) of drivers stated they’re unaware of how to check the oil level in their car. Checking your oil levels is essential for engine health because the oil is responsible for preventing friction between metal engine parts as well as keeping the engine cool and clean.

Regular car maintenance is essential for ensuring driver safety, fuel efficiency, optimal performance, preventing unexpected repair costs and helping retain the car’s value. Most modern cars alert drivers when maintenance is due through dashboard warning lights, but it’s best practice to consistently monitor the condition of your car, especially since one in six (15%) cars lack any automatic alerts. 

Top 5 car maintenance information sources: 

Although the majority (41%) of drivers seek car maintenance advice from friends and family, the car’s handbook or manufacturer is the best place to obtain information, since the guidance will be personalised to the vehicle’s specific make and model. 

The most popular online source is YouTube (32%), demonstrating that many drivers value visual tutorials. 

Uswitch car insurance expert, Leoni Moninska, shares tips on steps you can take to ensure you’re properly caring for your car: 

• “Write a maintenance checklist: It can be useful to make a list of each car part that should be checked prior to a long drive to ensure your safety, optimal performance of the vehicle and prevent breakdowns mid-drive. The most important aspects to check are fuel level as well as tyre and battery health, but even parts like your windscreen wipers should be inspected, as they’ll be crucial if you encounter bad weather. 
• “Prepare for professional services: On top of carrying out maintenance checks at home before a long drive, or within the timeframe recommended by the manufacturer, you should also inspect your car before a professional service. UK drivers have professional services done every nine months on average. Checking your vehicle prior to the service means you’ll be aware of any necessary repairs so you won’t be caught off-guard or be quoted for something unnecessary. It also allows you to financially prepare, comparing prices from different mechanics to find the best deal.
• “Know your car terminology: Car maintenance can be daunting, but being clued up on the relevant terminology can make the process clearer by helping you better understand your vehicle and follow instructions more easily. It will also help when you attend professional services, as you will understand any issues flagged and be able to engage with the mechanic. Uswitch partnered with KwikFit to create an ‘AutoLingo’ translator tool to simplify car terminology.”

[1] https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/top-ten-breakdown-causes

[2] https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/average-car-battery-cost-uk

[3] https://www.wearemarmalade.co.uk/driver-hub/car-maintenance/knowing-your-external-car-lights

[4] https://www.halfords.com/tyres/advice/what-makes-tyres-illegal.html

[5] https://www.halfords.com/tyres/advice/what-makes-tyres-illegal.html

Pump prices fell around three pence per litre through June, with the average unleaded price dropping below £1.45 per litre and diesel below £1.50 per litre. During the second half of June, Morrisons consistently had the lowest price of all four supermarkets on both fuel grades.

However, this decrease occurred when crude oil wholesale prices increased from a low of $77.50 in early June to $86.60 by the end of the month. Until now, the forecourts have appeared to not pass this increase on to motorists and have either absorbed the increase in cost or are yet to be affected.

On July 1st, prices at 25% of Morrisons locations increased. These increases, while not unexpected given the status of the market and Morrisons’ position as the lowest-priced supermarket, raise a crucial question: How will the other supermarkets respond? The potential for a ripple effect across the industry, with other supermarkets following suit, is a cause for concern.

This may open the door for others to increase prices and pass on the additional costs to UK motorists. Particular attention will be paid to Tesco, which was toe-to-toe in early June with Morrisons as the price leader but fell away in the second half as retail prices slowly decreased. Tesco may see this as an opportunity to hold firm and try to lead once more on price, or they, too, will start to pass increases in cost price on to motorists.

Asda, which has been less competitive in recent times, is now much closer to the other three supermarkets. In early June, Asda’s prices were on average over a penny higher than the other supermarket brands, but this difference has now shrunk to under half a penny. If Asda continues to become more competitive, this could help to limit the price increases from Morrisons, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, offering a glimmer of hope for motorists.

The 11% increase in crude oil prices may well be the main driver of fuel prices in the coming days and weeks. Don’t be caught off guard if you see prices creeping up by a penny or two. Stay empowered by checking the PetrolPrices app, the most comprehensive collection of UK forecourt prices, to stay up to date. If you notice a price change, help others by updating the app, contributing to a more informed community of motorists.

Does having two supermarkets close to one another guarantee lower prices for motorists, or are other factors more important?

To test this, we investigated the impact the proximity of another supermarket has on the pricing of an Asda supermarket. For each Asda, we identified the closest Morrisons, Sainsbury’s or Tesco. We then plotted the price for the Asda supermarket against the distance to the closest competitor.

According to our analysis, the distance to the nearest supermarket has no bearing on the price that Asda charges. We repeated this for each supermarket and found the same result. If the closest supermarket is 50 metres or 5 km away, our results show that it doesn’t impact the price that any of the supermarkets charge. This doesn’t mean it’s not ever a factor or will not be a factor in the future.

So, what does impact the price?

These findings, while not surprising, are encouraging for motorists. They indicate that companies are actively competing for your business. However, it’s important to note that the nearest supermarket price is just one of many factors influencing these prices. Fuel costs, non-supermarket prices, and site costs are among the other factors that contribute to the overall price being charged.

By comparing prices and being open to utilise different fuel brands motorists can affect how stations compete and price fuel.

Motorway has always been first off the bench to give you more money when you sell your car. From family estates, to SUVs, compact cars, vans, and even footballer-worthy sports cars, you can use Motorway to value, sell, and run checks on pretty much any car.

A car’s value is determined by many things. On top of the model and engine type, features and extras like seat upholstery and tech upgrades can add to a car’s worth. But the biggest factor is age – even for a celeb supercar.

What would you be driving, if you were representing your team in one of Germany’s 70,000 capacity stadiums? A Bentley like Harry Kane, or perhaps a Ferrari as favoured by the French superstar, Kylian Mbappé?

For a taste of that winning feeling, sell your car on Motorway and you could get more money.

Are the star players of the Euros driving your dream car?

This summer marks the 17th UEFA European Championship, hosted for the first time in ten cities across Germany. Here’s everything you need to know about the most valuable cars driven by the tournament’s highest earners.

Group A:

Group B:

Group C:

Group D:

Group E:

Group F:

The Motorway cheat sheet

Who’ll bring it home? Does Bentley’s  +11% year-on-year growth on Motorway mean a long-awaited championship for Harry Kane? Or will Ronaldo topple him in Germany as well as here with his £6M Bugatti Centodieci?

Follow along with each Euros match to see if the top performers on Motorway will be the top performers on the pitch.

Ready to feel like a winner? See how much your car could be worth if you sold it today. Simply enter your reg on Motorway’s homepage to instantly see where you sit on the scorecard.

Prices are starting to fall at the pumps as Brent oil prices fall back from the year highs of $91/barrel in mid-April to $77/barrel. This will be welcome news for motorists across the UK who will undoubtedly look to travel as the weather improves.

At the start of May unleaded prices were around the £1.50 mark and diesel at £1.57. Today unleaded has dropped to £1.47 and diesel to £1.52 respectively. This is around a £3 saving on a full tank of diesel. There should be more good news as these recent decreases in wholesale prices won’t have reached the pumps just yet.

We last saw Brent around this level in early February. Back then pump prices averaged at £1.42 for unleaded and £1.50 for diesel. So further reductions are possible and should be expected.

One point to note here is the difference between unleaded and diesel. This now stands at 6 pence per litre, while in February it was 8 pence.

Diesel prices have been reduced by fuel stations quicker than unleaded in recent weeks but both should continue to do so, although the rate at which diesel drops compared to unleaded may well slow.

Diesel drivers up and down the United Kingdom should be able to find diesel under the £1.50 mark. ASDA has recently reduced prices of diesel significantly to join Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and the current price leaders Tesco. Morrisons are the most consistent of the big four so always check your local area to find the best deal for you.

Northern Ireland, South Wales, and the East Coast of England are among the best places to find diesel below £1.50. East Anglia, Cornwall, and the Highlands are among the most difficult areas to purchase diesel below the £1.50 mark, but it is still possible.

Unleaded prices have also dropped across the supermarkets. Morrisons, Sainsburys and Tesco have all been switching places as the pricing leaders across the supermarkets over the last few weeks. These are good indicators for the motorist as the supermarkets appear to be competing more on price. Motorists should keep an eye out for prices dropping below £1.44 .

However, people should also look outside of the supermarkets to save on their fuel. There are several independent petrol stations under the brand’s Gulf, Harvest Energy, and TotalEnergies in particular that are also leaders in price in rural locations.

If you have any tips or stations that can help other motorists please write them in the comments below.

Drivers across the UK are familiar with diesel being sold for a higher price per litre than unleaded petrol. Currently, the average diesel per litre price is just below £1.57, while unleaded retails on average at £1.49. However, some stations are bucking the trend and are selling diesel at or below the level of unleaded.

We have identified just over 70 stations across the United Kingdom where diesel prices are below unleaded. This is less than 0.5% of stations in the UK, so it’s still a very rare sight.

Are they selling unleaded at a high price?

Many of the stations pricing diesel below unleaded are smaller independent operators and are generally in more rural areas. So, these tend to sell fuel at a higher price than the national average. However, 28 petrol stations are pricing unleaded below the current national average, and there isn’t a trend to indicate higher-than-normal unleaded prices for these stores.

Essar in Grindley Brook is currently chaarging diesel at 141.9ppl and unleaded at 143.9ppl, both significantly below the UK average. (30/04/2024)

In our analysis, only one supermarket station had diesel and unleaded priced at the same value. That is Sainsbury’s Kelso in the Scottish Borders. The price of both products is 152.9ppl (30/04/2024). It’s a good deal for diesel drivers, but it’s the highest unleaded of any Sainsbury’s petrol station.

Gulf was the most common brand to have diesel at or below unleaded, with 13 locations meeting this criterion. These sites do tend to be in rural areas, so both unleaded and diesel can be higher than the national average. However, this isn’t always the case.

Gulf Oasis in Long Riston near Hull is currently pricing diesel at 147.9ppl and unleaded  at 148.9ppl (01/05/2024)

Drivers in Northern Ireland are the most likely to see diesel prices at or below unleaded. Twenty-five of the stations are in Northern Ireland. So, not only are you likely to pay less in Northern Ireland for unleaded or diesel, but you are also seven times more likely to pay the same or less for diesel than you are in the rest of the United Kingdom.

So, will we see more of this?

Possibly. Diesel isn’t trading at a premium to unleaded in the wholesale market. Where independent retailers are pushing down on diesel prices, supermarkets will need to follow suit to see a wider change in the pricing status quo.

Brent crude oil prices have fallen slightly from the start of April, when they touched $91 a barrel. Prices did gain some momentum in the last week of April before falling away slightly to close the month a little over $86 a barrel.

We have also seen Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons drop diesel prices in the last few days while unleaded has remained constant. However, with the average difference between grades hovering around 7- 8 pence per litre, there is a long way to go before the majority of drivers see price parity between grades at the supermarkets.

Do you have a station near you that’s selling diesel below unleaded? Share your experience in the comments below.

BBC Panorama has discovered that the technology behind England’s smart motorway network regularly stops working.

In a recent TV episode, Panorama detailed information that showed hundreds of incidents when crucial safety equipment was out of action.

What is a Smart Motorway

Smart motorways are stretches of road where technology is used to regulate traffic flow and ease congestion.

There are three types of smart motorway currently in use:

Controlled motorway, where the hard shoulder is still available for use in an emergency and speed limits are variable and controlled via a regional traffic centre. This covers 140 miles of motorway.

Dynamic hard shoulder, where vehicles can use the hard shoulder at peak times and speed limits and lane use is controlled by the regional control centre. Emergency breakdown areas are available at intervals on these stretches of motorway, which cover just over 60 miles of the motorway network.

All lane running, where there is no hard shoulder. The regional traffic centres control speed limits, emergency breakdown areas are available, and lanes are marked as closed if a car breaks down in the inside lane. There are around 193 miles of this type of smart motorway.

Safety Concerns

Radar and cameras are used to spot broken-down vehicles, and electronic warning signs are then utilised to close affected lanes. However, there have been many instances where broken-down vehicles have been left stranded in a stream of fast-moving traffic, and emergency vehicles have struggled to get through to an incident.

Concerns over the safety of smart motorways led the government to announce last year that it was halting the roll-out of new smart motorways and would provide additional money to make the existing network safer.

Figures released following Freedom of Information requests by Panorama show that between June 2022 and February 2024, there were 392 incidents when motorway technology lost power, making it difficult to detect when a vehicle has broken down. These outages sometimes lasted days.

In addition to the power fault issues, Panorama found that in 2022, the radar system designed to spot stationary vehicles had 2,331 faults, the average lasting more than five days. National Highways says the radar detects 89% of stopped vehicles, but that means one in 10 are not spotted.

At least 79 people have been killed on smart motorways since they were introduced in 2010. National Highways’ latest figures suggest that if you break down on a smart motorway without a hard shoulder, you are three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than on one with a hard shoulder.

However, although 150 additional emergency refuge lay-bys were supposed to be built by next year, only 13 have been completed so far, and 34 are under construction.

In response to the Panorama programme, National Highways says reinstating the hard shoulder would increase congestion and that there are well-rehearsed contingency plans to deal with power outages. It also stated that “smart motorways are our safest roads”.

If you have been to a petrol station recently, you may have noticed prices have been increasing once again.

Crude oil, from which unleaded and diesel are refined, had been increasing in price from mid to late March and has continued this trend into April. Brent Crude now sits shy of $90 a barrel, a price not seen since October 2023. This is an $8 (10%) increase in the last 30 days.

October 2023 saw prices for unleaded and diesel at £1.54 and £1.62, respectively, around 4% higher than where they are currently. This was the start of a decrease in price as we headed into the new year. Prices at the pump bottomed around mid-January. Since then, prices at the pump have increased steadily, taking a brief slow-down in March before the recent increases.

These crude price increases have, in turn, pushed prices at the pump north, with average unleaded prices sitting around £1.48 and diesel at £1.56.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco had been the lowest-priced supermarkets leading into April. Both have increased prices since the Easter Bank Holiday, along with all other brands. Sainsbury’s currently has the lowest average price of all brands. They also have a low pricing spread across their petrol stations. This means that no matter where you are in the country, the prices are quite consistent.

Morrisons has the lowest pricing spread of any brand, but price increases in the last few days may make them less competitive than the other supermarkets.

Asda, which has historically been the lowest-priced brand, wasn’t as competitive as the other supermarkets across March and increased prices towards the end of March when other supermarkets were able to hold their prices. Since then, however, their prices have held and are now in line with those of other major supermarkets.

Brighton, Dumfries and Glasgow are among the highest-priced regions in the UK, with Bolton and County Down enjoying the lowest prices.

Checking the PetrolPrices app ahead of filling up is the best way to ensure you can make an informed decision on where to buy. We have been working hard to improve our service, and we now have more price updates than ever, with over 200,000 price updates each week.

The outlook for prices over the next week is quite bleak for drivers. Brent Crude prices have been increasing over the last couple of weeks, and we haven’t yet hit October pump prices when crude was at a similar price.

Crude prices have, however, found some resistance at $90 and fell back slightly over the past few days, with news that Israel had reduced its troops in southern Gaza and began a new round of ceasefire talks with Hamas.

How do prices look locally near you? Have you seen them increase? Let us know in the comments below.

Last week, the average UK price of unleaded petrol reached just over £1.45 for the first time since 6th December 2023. This is a 3.4% increase from a month ago. The year-to-date low point was in the middle of January when prices dipped below the £1.39 mark but have been increasing weekly since. The end of February saw drivers pay 4ppl more at the pump than at the start of the month.

Diesel drivers are also paying more than at the start of the year, with the average diesel price reaching over £154.5. Diesel price rose 4.5ppl during February.

Wholesale Brent Crude Oil, the main product component of unleaded and diesel, has been driving the increase in pricing at the pump. However, prices have started to hold steadily around $83 a barrel. Investors are balancing OPEC+ supply cuts with uncertainty surrounding interest rate changes and lingering demand concerns.

The impact of this is that pump prices may start to become steadier in the short term as wholesale prices slow their rate of increase.

What are your thoughts on the fuel duty freeze? Let us know in the comments. 

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Businesses looking to refresh their fleet or provide employees with company cars can benefit greatly from leasing options available on Auto Trader. Leasing offers tax advantages for businesses, with monthly payments often being tax-deductible. Moreover, leasing allows businesses to conserve capital that can be allocated to other areas of operation, providing financial flexibility. With a wide range of vehicles available for business leasing, including electric and hybrid options, companies can align their fleet with sustainability goals while reducing fuel and maintenance costs.

Final Thoughts

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