Every driver knows how nostalgic it is to think of your first car. Just like the stuffed animal you wouldn’t go anywhere without as a child, our first cars are special to us. And new Dick Lovett research finds that more than a third (34%) of British drivers admit to missing their old banger. 

Is it a case of the ‘car that got away’ for British drivers? Well, it seems first cars occupy a special place in British nostalgia, with 3 in 5 (58%) drivers feeling nostalgic when they think about their first car. Another two-fifths (41%) of drivers even went so far as to say they still feel attached to their first car.

While Brits may miss their first cars, Dick Lovett’s research found that they didn’t hold onto them for long, as the average driver only kept their first car for around 3 years. 

However, with the average age of cars getting scrapped in 2023 sitting at 17, there’s a good chance many Brits’ first cars aren’t around anymore. Similarly, as car manufacturers discontinue old fuel models in favour of EVs, many of the UK’s most popular first cars could now be at risk of ‘extinction’. 

But, which ones could be the first to go? 

To allow Dick Lovett to make their extinction predictions, they looked at which of the UK’s most popular first cars are no longer in production and analysed how many of them are still licensed to drive on British roads, as well as the rate at which they’ve been scrapped over the past 5 years.

Which of the UK’s favourite first cars are the ‘rarest’? 

While some of the UK’s first cars are more at risk of extinction than others, which are you least likely to see on the roads? 

Looking at all the most popular first cars – both those still in production and discontinued – Dick Lovett’s analysis found the following 10 to have the least amount of ‘road-worthy’ cars left in the UK: 

Is your car on the list? Let us know in the comments. 

New research from Dick Lovett reveals that 7 in 10 (68%) British drivers don’t know how to merge in turn properly with lane closures.

Merging in turn is a traffic flow measure that makes cars from two or more lanes merge into one. Basically, all it does is allow multiple lanes of traffic to join together, with road users taking turns to merge into the new singular lane. Seems simple, right? Think again.

The correct way to merge in turn sparks debate wherever you go, and Dick Lovett decided to survey British drivers to see exactly which methods Brits are using most.

Their research shows the majority of drivers (68%) tend to move out of a closing lane immediately – or as soon as possible – after seeing a lane closure warning sign for road works or an accident. Why? Their main reason is to be ‘polite’ to other drivers.

If there’s something Brits are good at, it’s queuing. And a resounding 7 in 10 (69%) drivers told Dick Lovett they think it’s rude when other drivers don’t queue to get in from a closing lane early on.

What’s more, a third (33%) of drivers even said they actively try to stop other drivers from merging in turn when they do so at the ‘last minute’. Interestingly, men are 6% more likely to do this than women (36% vs 30%).

So, should you queue early for the sake of politeness or merge in turn? What exactly is the correct thing to do?

According to the Highway Code, drivers should wait to merge in turn at the point at which the two lanes merge into one unless it’s not busy, with section 134 stating: 

“You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed.

“In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily.

“Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching roadworks or a road traffic incident. 

“It is not recommended at high speed.”

The driving experts at Dick Lovett comment: “If the 68% of drivers moving lanes too early out of politeness decided to use both lanes, up until the merge in turn sign, it would result in less congestion during a lane closure as it allows the traffic to have a more consistent flow.  

“Next time drivers find themselves in slow moving traffic that’s approaching a merge in turn sign, they should try to resist the temptation to move over too quickly out of politeness and use all available lanes until they can’t anymore. 

“Granted, it’s difficult to beat the deep-routed British societal expectation of queuing, but moving over too soon will merely cause extended congestion. 

“Also, try to resist joining the third of drivers who stop people merging if they think they’re doing it too late.

“This could be classed as dangerous driving, and it’s not your right to stop people entering the queue.”

Brent crude oil prices fell through July, topping out at a little over $87 a barrel on the 4th  before falling throughout the month to close around $80 a barrel.

At the pumps, motorists had enjoyed a downward trend on unleaded through June, whereas July has been much more consistent, with unleaded prices averaging between 144.5ppl and 145.5ppl for much of the month. However, the wholesale price drops appear to be making their way through to the pumps, as the month closed with an average unleaded price of 144.2ppl.

Diesel has seen a similar trend, with July opening at 149.5ppl before reaching highs of 150.5ppl in the middle of the month before falling back as we closed the month with a price of 149.2ppl.

With Brent crude prices falling throughout July, drivers should expect to see price drops into the first half of August at the least.

Of the supermarkets, Tesco is leading the way on unleaded and diesel pricing. Tesco is currently averaging 141ppl on unleaded and 146ppl on diesel. In general, the supermarkets have been relatively consistent throughout July, with the highest average price of unleaded and diesel, occurring on the 19th of July (141.9 and 146.9, respectively). This comes 15 days after the peak in Brent crude was observed.

In addition to falling Brent crude prices, the pound has strengthened against the dollar. A stronger pound means lower pump prices. At the start of July, the rate stood at $1.26 to the GBP. In mid-July, this reached $1.30 before falling back to $1.28 at the close of July.

Lower Brent crude prices and a strong pound should mean lower pump prices. Drivers should see the pump prices fall over the next two weeks (maybe longer). As always, we will bring daily price changes to the PetrolPrices app, so check for the latest prices. If you would like prices straight to your inbox, consider setting up a Price Alert at a frequency that suits you to stay informed.

Over half of Britons are not planning to make the switch to driving an electric car with 86% say they prefer petrol or diesel vehicles. That’s according to a new survey by the price comparison experts at Quotezone.co.uk who quizzed motorists on making the change to an electric vehicle.

57% of those questioned said they were not planning to go electric with 8% claiming they will only make the switch before the 2035 deadline set by the government.

78% said they are not looking forward to the switch to an electric vehicle with only 9% saying they intend to make the switch within the next two years.  A fifth (19%) say the switch will have to wait 2-10 years.

By 2035 all newly registered cars in the UK will need to be electric or zero emission vehicles. Petrol and diesel vehicles will no longer be for sale. By 2030 80% of new cars sold in Great Britain will be zero emission with that figure reaching 100% by 2035.

These changes fall under the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate (ZEV) which sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030.

Questioned on why they’re not prepared to make the switch to electric earlier, over a third (36%) of respondents said the cars were too expensive with one in five (21%) saying the charging infrastructure wasn’t good enough – with over 62,000 charging points across just under 33,000 charging locations in the UK.

Other reasons included concerns over mileage (11%), the cost of installing a home charging device (4%) and high insurance costs (2%).

Of all engine types, insurance costs are normally highest for an electric vehicle, currently averaging around £996 annually – that’s 54% more expensive than the average petrol vehicle and 13% more expensive than this time last year.  While diesel and petrol insurance premiums look to be starting to decrease slightly throughout 2024 – electric premiums continue to remain high.

Have you thought about the switch to Electric yet?
Has the price of car insurance put you off?

Let us know in the comments.

New research from Dick Lovett reveals nearly half (45%) of British drivers say they’ve experienced another road user deliberately speeding up when they try to overtake them. However, another 1 in 9 (11%) drivers admit to being the ones doing this.

To understand the reasons why, Dick Lovett have teamed up with professional psychologists to explain. The research also reveals how many drivers are guilty of other bad driving behaviours, including brake checking, undertaking, racing other drivers and fast-lane hogging.

If there’s one thing that unites all drivers, regardless of skill or how much they use their car, it’s the passing of judgement on how other drivers are using the road.

However, new research from Dick Lovett into Britain’s bad driving habits reveals that some drivers will even go as far as trying to control the actions other road users take if they don’t agree with them. The research found that nearly half (45%) of British drivers have experienced another road user deliberately speeding up when they try to overtake them. And another 1 in 9 (11%) drivers admit to being the ones doing this.

To get to the bottom of this overtaking behaviour, Dick Lovett teamed up with two expert psychologists, Mark Vahrmeyer, a UKCP psychotherapist and co-founder of Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, and Dr Rebekah Wanic, a psychologist and self-optimisation coach at Vent to Reinvent to explain just why drivers do this.

Rebekah explains that other drivers will participate in stopping other drivers overtaking them as a form of punishment: “Some drivers prevent passing because they are bothered by the speed of another driver and may feel that they are behaving in an aggressive or unsafe way, so the prevention is a form of punishment.”

Rebekah continues: “Punishing others is very psychologically rewarding. There may also be an element of competition for some who don’t like to lose, and feel that getting passed is a sign that they are not winning the race. This mindset is generally not conducive to safe or respectful driving, and when one notices such impulses, it is best to try to reign them in.”

Similarly, Mark explains that for many drivers, “Sharing the road with others is a collaborative, albeit, defensive experience.” When it comes to overtaking, Mark explains that it is “probably the most contentious manoeuvre we can make in terms of how the driver in front or behind may react.”
Mark also explains why some drivers may feel the need to stop other drivers overtaking them on the road: “Being overtaken is very different to ‘letting another pass. The former is done to us and the latter done by us. And therein lies the rub – many drivers experience being overtaken as a win-lose proposition, with the person being overtaken as the loser. For some, overtaking is simply personal and a criticism of their driving.”

The research also revealed the truth behind the number of people behind 4 other common ‘bad’ driving behaviours:

1.     Fast-lane hogging

Dick Lovett’s research found that 1 in 7 (13%) drivers say they prefer to drive in the right hand lane on the motorway or bypass, even when they’re not overtaking another driver. We also found that men are guiltier of this than women (15% vs 10%), and younger drivers aged 18-24 even more so, with more than a third (36%) saying they do this.

Fast-lane hogging may seem more convenient than weaving in and out of the left hand lane, but the fast-lane should only be used by drivers who are overtaking traffic. Once the manoeuvre is complete, the overtaking driver must move back into the slow or middle lane where there is one.

Delaying moving back in after overtaking and ‘hogging’ the fast lane can land drivers with points on their licence and a fine if the police deem it as careless driving under driving laws.

In fact, according to rule 264 of the Highway Code, you should: Keep in the left lane unless overtaking. If you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so.

2.     Undertaking 

Undertaking is when a driver passes another vehicle on the left of a bypass or motorway, and Dick Lovett’s research found that more than a quarter (27%) of drivers say they’d undertake another driver if they felt they were going too slow, with men 10% more likely to do this than women (31% vs 21%). 

In the Highway Code, it is referred to as ‘overtaking on the left’, and while it is not technically illegal, the code does not recommend it. The only exceptions to the rule are when drivers are in slow-moving traffic, if the lane is moving faster than a lane on the right. 

However, it is not deemed an acceptable reason when one driver thinks another is driving too slow. 

3.     Brake checking 

Dick Lovett’s research found that roughly 1 in 6 (17%) drivers told us they ‘brake check’ other drivers if they’re driving too close behind them. Again, young drivers (18-24) are the worst for this, where more than double the amount (36%) say they brake check. 

Brake checking is a bad driving habit that involves sharply hitting your brakes with another vehicle behind you for no other reason than warning the driver behind you that you think they’re too close. The intention is to make the unsuspecting driver slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid rear-ending your vehicle. 

Many people do this from the belief that insurance companies would find the victim of the brake check at fault for not leaving enough space, but brake checking is illegal, and you can be charged with dangerous driving if you’re caught. Dangerous driving in the UK can carry an unlimited fine and a two-year prison sentence. 

4.     Racing other drivers

Street racing and car meets are a consistent problem for traffic police in the UK, and Dick Lovett’s research found that over 1 in 6 (16%) drivers say they’ve raced another driver before. This figure rises to 1 in 5 (19%) when looking just at male drivers (vs 12% for women).

However, the most concerning results were amongst young drivers, where these figures almost tripled. Our survey found that almost half (45%) of drivers aged 18-24 say they’ve raced another driver before. 

UK law considers street racing as dangerous driving under the Road Traffic Act 1998, section 2, and it is subject to severe penalties.

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.