As someone who usually grabs whatever pound shop car shampoo is on offer, I never imagined I’d be raving about a premium detailing kit. But the Car Gods Ultimum Perfectum Detailing Kit* genuinely surprised me.

The first thing I noticed was the smell. I expected the usual harsh, chemical tang you get with cheap products, but everything in this kit smells lovely clean, fresh, and surprisingly enjoyable. It’s a small detail, but when you’re spending time scrubbing away, it makes the whole job feel far more pleasant – well for me anyway.

And the real test? My boot liner.

Between muddy buggies, bikes, wellies, and everything my family insists on hauling around, the back of my car is usually a disaster zone. Thick mud, dried grime, dusty footprints the kind of build-up that basic cleaners barely touch. Using the Car Gods kit, I was honestly shocked at how easily everything lifted off. The cleaners cut through the dirt without endless scrubbing. By the time I’d finished, the boot already looked better than it had in years.

The Proteus Pure Shampoo in particular really impressed me. I’m used to watery cheap bottles that need half the container to make a half-decent foam. Car Gods’ shampoo needed barely any product, lathered up beautifully. Then there’s the Hermes Wheel Perfection Cleaner. I’ve never bothered with tyre dressing in my life, but this one made an instant difference.

A Gloomy UK Morning… but a Gleaming Car

The real “wow” moment came the next morning. I opened the door expecting the usual dulled-down finish, especially in this gloomy weather that’s hit the UK, only to find the entire car gleaming. Even the areas I’d only half-focused on looked newly restored.

It genuinely lifted my mood. The nursery run felt calmer, the commute felt lighter, and I actually enjoyed getting into the car instead of sighing at the usual dirt and dullness. It might sounds dramatic, but there’s something about a clean car that just makes the start of the day feel more put-together.

As a car-cleaning novice, I went into this expecting a fancy box full of complicated products, but I think I’ve become out a total convert. The Car Gods Ultimum Perfectum Detailing Kit* didn’t just clean my car it made me enjoy the process, and I finally understand why people love proper car care. If you’re a beginner wondering if it’s worth the hype, I’d say this kit absolutely is.

And the biggest surprise? I’m actually looking forward to the next wash. There was something unexpectedly satisfying about whacking on a good podcast, rolling up my sleeves, and spending a Sunday afternoon giving the car some love. I may have started as a reluctant car cleaner… but after this, consider me a believer.

Winter brings the usual mix of grit, grime and gloomy roads and if you’re anything like me, that means the car gets dirty fast. I normally give mine a semi-regular wash at home, so I was genuinely keen to try out the Car Gods Snow Foam & Cannon bundle*. I’ve seen cars coated in thick white snow foam before, but I’d never actually used it myself, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The metal and plastic cannon was well made. It attaches straight to a pressure washer, and the plastic bottle simply screws underneath. Filling it up and getting it connected couldn’t have been easier and once I remembered to turn the water on, I was ready to go!

The cannon has two simple controls: one for the foam level and one for water flow (a bit like adjusting a hose nozzle). I usually wash my car with a sponge and a couple of cloths, so I was genuinely surprised by just how much foam came out and how fast it blanketed the car.

What impressed me most was how effectively the foam lifted the brake dust off the front wheels which I find is normally the worst part of the job. The instructions on the bottle say to simply rinse with a pressure washer afterwards. In my case, whether it was my pressure-washing technique or just hard local water, I did need to give the car a wipe down to get the finish I wanted. But once I did, the results were excellent.

You’ll still need a specialist wheel cleaner if you want your alloys absolutely spotless, but the foam certainly made the job easier and was far better than scrubbing away with a brush from the start.

If you already own a pressure washer, or you’re thinking about getting one, the Car Gods Cannon and Snow Foam bundle is well worth adding to your kit. It’s quick to set up, gives great coverage and leaves a really satisfying finish.

You can pick up this bundle*, along with plenty of other cleaning products, at My Motor World. They currently have a Black Friday Car Cleaning Event, including this snow foam set*.

Pump prices edged slightly lower through October, with the average price of unleaded at 134.8ppl and diesel at 142.4ppl. But that trend may soon reverse.

On 23rd October, the US imposed sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, a move designed to limit Moscow’s oil revenues and weaken its ability to fund the war in Ukraine. The announcement pushed Brent crude up by around 5%, from $62.13 to $65.18 per barrel — and crucially for UK motorists, wholesale prices for both diesel and unleaded followed suit.

Since the sanctions, diesel wholesale prices have risen by more than 5ppl, while unleaded is around 1.5ppl higher than before the announcement.

Adding further pressure, the US dollar has strengthened, with the pound now at its lowest level in seven months. This currency shift accounts for roughly 1.1ppl of the diesel increase and 0.6ppl of the unleaded rise.

While wholesale costs have risen, pump prices have so far remained steady; however, this may not last. Early November data already shows ten times more price increases than decreases for diesel, and twice as many increases as decreases for unleaded.

Current diesel margins are around 3ppl below their six-month average, while unleaded margins are 0.5–1.0ppl lower. If wholesale costs remain elevated, retailers may have little choice but to pass these increases on to drivers in the weeks ahead.

All eyes now turn to the 26th November Budget, where attention will be on whether the government maintains the temporary 5ppl fuel duty (excise duty) cut introduced in March 2022 (reducing the rate from 57.95ppl to 52.95ppl). Initially planned for 12 months, the cut has been extended and is currently scheduled to run until March 2026.

How markets react to the Chancellor’s fiscal policies could also influence the pound’s strength and, by extension, future fuel prices.

Did you use the app to save money this month? Let us know your successes in the comments below

With the clocks going back an hour this Sunday (26th Oct), darker evenings are upon us until 29th March when the days officially become longer than the nights. The cold and dark nights are still ahead of us for some time in the UK, and even with the dark nights ‘officially’ ending after the winter solstice, which falls on December 21st, that doesn’t mean that it’s over immediately. And these conditions can prove a challenge to many of us, especially drivers.

Driving at night can be dangerous, as low-visibility can bring difficulty. In fact, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), approximately 40% of all road accidents in the UK occur during the night.

And although we have features that aid us when driving in the dark, such as our headlights, they can actually cause issues for other drivers on the road.

As such, the automotive experts at Dick Lovett have shared their top tips for driving in the dark, to ensure that yourself, other road users, and pedestrians are safe.

Earlier this year, research from the RAC found that a quarter of drivers (25%) who find other drivers’ headlights too bright are actually choosing to drive less at night. A further three-quarters (75%) of those say they’re choosing to drive less because of the intense headlights from other vehicles make driving uncomfortable or more difficult.

The tips from Dick Lovett hope to help road users drive confidently during dark conditions, and prevent any potential problems such as headlight glare, dazzling, and low visibility.

The tips from Dick Lovett hope to help road users drive confidently during dark conditions, and prevent any potential problems such as headlight glare, dazzling, and low visibility.

1. Clean your windows and mirrors and switch your rear-view mirror into ‘night mode’

Even though this is still hugely important during the day, having dirty windows at night can obstruct your view, making it more difficult to see on the already dark roads. 

Dick Lovett also recommends switching your rear-view mirrors into night mode, a feature that has been in cars since as early as the 1980s. This feature makes your mirror darker and minimises the intensity of any reflections during the night to avoid glare from vehicles behind you.

However, one Reddit user claimed that their passenger was totally unaware of this feature, meaning other road users may also not realise how beneficial this is.

On modern cars, your rear-view mirror will turn into night mode automatically, so there’s no need to turn this on and off yourself. But, for cars that don’t have this automatic feature, to turn your mirror into night mode, simply locate the small lever or tab at the bottom of the rear view mirror and flip it towards you. Then, to switch back to normal, flip it back.

2. Adjust and use your headlights correctly

When driving at night, you must ensure your front and rear lights are properly functioning, as it’s actually illegal if they aren’t. To check your lights are working properly, simply turn them on before your journey to make sure they are functioning correctly.

As well as this, ensure that you use dipped headlights and full beams where appropriate. Dipped headlights should be used when visibility is poor, such as at night, and in bad weather, with full beams used when roads are dark and empty.

The research from the RAC found that 79% of people say they find it hard to tell when some vehicles are indicating, with 77% saying it’s difficult to judge the position of oncoming cars on the road when their headlights are so bright.

So, be sure to use your headlights correctly by turning on your dipped headlights when other road users are around, especially if they are in oncoming traffic, as this can dazzle them, and bring other risks.

It’s also important to adjust your headlights correctly, so the angle of the headlight beam is in the right place, as misaligned headlights can reduce your ability to see clearly at night and may dazzle oncoming drivers.

Most modern cars will do this for you automatically, but there are some ways you can do this manually as well. Typically, the headlight adjustment button can be located on the steering wheel, represented by the headlight symbol (a dome-shaped symbol with downward-pointing lines) and a dial with numbers. This will alter the angle of the headlights as you turn the dial.

If you’re unsure on how to adjust the headlights correctly for your vehicle, the user manual should contain the specifications.

But when performing manual adjustments without this feature, there are a few steps you must follow:

• Park on flat, level ground – First, position your car on a flat surface, around 5-7 metres away from a wall or garage door.
• Mark the beam pattern – Then, turn on your headlights and use masking tape to mark the centre of each beam on the wall.
• Adjust the screws – Next, locate both the vertical and horizontal adjustment screws, and alter the beam so it aligns just below the marked level, as this will help to avoid dazzling other drivers.
• Test the lights – Finally, take the car for a short drive to ensure your visibility is improved, without any excessive glare.

3. Wear anti-glare driving glasses

Anti-reflective coated glasses are most effective for night driving, as the coating on the lenses minimises any glare and reflections, which can enhance contrast and overall visibility in dark conditions. You can purchase these glasses from many retailers.

As well as this, many drivers may struggle with astigmatism when driving at night, as this can cause blurred vision, halos around lights, and reduced contrast sensitivity.

According to Specsavers, mild astigmatism can be corrected with ordinary gas-permeable lenses, while others with higher amounts of astigmatism might benefit from special ‘toric’ soft lenses to fit your eye shape. Be sure to keep these lenses clean to avoid any further glare.

4. Wear prescription glasses

With visibility already low during the night, ensuring that you wear your glasses is more important than ever.

In fact, driving without prescription glasses when you legally need to wear them can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and could also lead to three penalty points on your driving license.

Make sure to wear your glasses when driving, or, keep a spare pair of glasses in the car in case you forget to take them with you.

5. Reduce speed and stay alert

As mentioned, approximately 40% of all road accidents in the UK occur during the night, and whilst you should never speed under any circumstance, this is even more so at night.

Drive at a moderate speed and leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead to allow for more reaction time, and this is also important when keeping an eye out for any pedestrians or hazards in the road that could be harder to see in the dark.

The Services King Feature

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My second week in Scotland saw me venture further towards the north and east of the country, with site visits in Perth & Kinross and Aberdeenshire the main focus. The end of the second week saw a visit to a Gleaner forecourt.

Located on the main A96 trunk road between Aberdeen and Inverness, Ashgrove Service Station is one of Gleaner’s smallest forecourts but caters well for the passing traffic despite its size. The own-brand forecourt offers regular unleaded and diesel fuels and a small unbranded shop, with the forecourt also being one of the last remaining sites in Aberdeenshire to offer LPG.

Whilst visiting Ashgrove, I caught up with Site Manager Audrey McLean and cashier Jane who always appreciate a visit to the site from The King whilst he is in Aberdeenshire. Ashgrove is such a different offer compared to the much grander sites in England but this is made up for by the outstanding customer service from the team at Ashgrove.

I always enjoy my annual trip to Scotland as the way forecourt businesses that operate in the country are such a vast contrast to their English counterparts and it’s always great to receive some friendly Scottish hospitality.

To read marticles from Rich Cross The Services King follow him on LinkedIn here.

Scotland’s countryside is full of breathtaking places waiting to be explored. What’s your favourite rural Scottish spot? Tell us about the places that made your road trips unforgettable in the comments!

Ashgrove Service Station

Location – A96, Cairnie, Huntly AB54 4TL

Opening Hours – 6am to 7pm, Monday to Friday

7am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday
Shop Brand & Facilities – Small unbranded shop, Tchibo machine, jet wash bay

Number of pumps & fuel grades – 6 pump islands with unleaded and diesel, LPG pump also available

Supercar or Track Day Driving Experience

Nothing excites a petrolhead more than getting behind the wheel of a car they’ve only ever dreamed of. Gift vouchers for supercar track days, rally driving adventures, or even a classic car road trip provide unforgettable memories.

Why it’s a great gift: A gift you wouldn’t typically buy yourself, it will create great memories for the car enthuiast in your life.

Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner

For families with kids, dogs, or anyone who spends lots of time commuting, a cordless car vacuum cleaner* makes a brilliant stocking filler. Compact and easy to keep in the boot, it ensures their pride and joy stays spotless.

Best for: Practical car owners who love gadgets.

Motorsport & Car-Themed Merchandise

From Formula 1 caps and jackets to vintage racing posters and books, motorsport gifts for car lovers are timeless. You can also find merchandise tied to their favourite car manufacturer from Porsche mugs to Ferrari jackets.

Suitable for: Fans who spend as much time watching cars as they do driving them.

A great seller are these guys F1 Authentics*

OBD-II Car Diagnostic Tool

For the DIY mechanic, an OBD-II scanner* is a game-changer. Features include: built-in OBD2 DTC lookup library, which help you to determine the cause of the engine light, read code, erase code. 

Great for: Tinkerers who like to know exactly what’s happening under the bonnet.

Fuel or Detailing Gift Vouchers

When in doubt, practical car vouchers never fail.

Why it’s useful: It lets them choose exactly how to spend it.

Some popular sites are: Euro Car Parts*, Autodoc*, My Motor World*

UK motorists are starting to see pump prices rise after months of stability, as retailers finally respond to sustained increases in wholesale costs. The last three months have put pressure on retail margins, and September has marked a turning point in the market.

Wholesale Costs Climbing Since July

Since the start of July, wholesale unleaded (E10) has increased by around 5 pence per litre (ppl), while pump prices over the same period have risen by just 0.5ppl. Diesel has followed a similar trend, with wholesale costs climbing 3.5ppl against a 2ppl rise at the pumps. This growing gap has weighed on retailers, who have absorbed some of these price increases but are now beginning to take action.

September: A Shift at the Pump

September has seen the most pronounced change. Since the 9th of the month, there have been more than eight times as many daily increases in pump prices as decreases across the UK. On average, supermarket unleaded rose by 0.8ppl, while diesel climbed 0.7ppl. National averages remain relatively steady, but regional variations show that some drivers are already feeling the pinch more than others. For motorists in Scotland and the East of England, the impact has been sharper, with unleaded rising by 0.93ppl and 0.66ppl respectively.

The Global Oil Market: Stability and Risk

Brent crude has traded in a relatively narrow band of $65–70 per barrel since late June. This stability masks significant underlying pressures. On the one hand, the coalition of oil-exporting countries, OPEC+, continues to increase production quotas, which should weigh on prices. On the other hand, geopolitical risks remain high.

Ukraine’s continued drone strikes on Russian refineries have taken an estimated 640,000 barrels per day of refining capacity offline. The September attack on Russia’s Primorsk port, a key export terminal on the Baltic coast, further disrupted product flows and helped support global prices. With diesel already in short supply in Europe, these supply disruptions add further uncertainty for the months ahead.

Additional Price Pressures: Ethanol Costs

For petrol drivers, there is another factor to consider. The price of Ethanol, a key component blended into unleaded petrol (E10), increased by almost 15% in September. This alone has added around 0.6ppl to wholesale unleaded costs, compounding the squeeze retailers are facing.

Looking Ahead

In the short term, motorists should prepare for further gradual price increases at the pump, particularly for diesel. Margins remain under pressure, and if wholesale prices stay elevated, retailers will have little choice but to adjust. The diesel–petrol price gap may widen again if supply disruptions in Europe persist.

In the longer term, however, the picture looks different. Analysts are broadly forecasting weaker oil prices into 2026 as global supply continues to outpace demand. Goldman Sachs, for instance, expects Brent crude to average $64 per barrel by the end of 2025, before easing further to $56 per barrel in 2026. For UK motorists, this suggests that while short-term pain is likely, relief could be on the horizon in the medium term.

Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are designed to improve air quality, by charging drivers of high-polluting vehicles that enter into a specific area. London was the first city to introduce one of these zones, with a number of other cities following suit in recent years.

With this in mind, taxi insurance specialists ChoiceQuote aimed to determine the number of vehicles fined since the introduction of clean air and low emission zones, how much each council has fined drivers in this period and whether these zones are effectively deterring high-pollution vehicles from the area or motivating people to invest in low emission vehicles.

In total, over 11 million Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) have been issued by councils since their introduction of clean air and low emission zones. However on average, the number of PCN issued has decreased by 39% since their introduction which is encouraging to see.

The study analysed Freedom of Information data from Transport for London and local councils across the UK to identify which areas have issued the most fines and which have experienced the largest decreases in PCN since the introduction of the zones.

Over £627 million has been generated by clean air and low emission zones throughout the UK, with almost 200,000 PCNs given out per month on average, amounting to over 11 million since the zones first began.

London launched its Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019, initially covering inner London, before, expanding to cover all 32 boroughs by 2023[1]. In its five years of operation the capital has received over £386 million in fines during this period, with over 108,000 penalty charge notices being issued each month to drivers.

Birmingham introduced its clean air zone in June 2021 and over a 48 month period, drivers in the city have received over 2 million fines, averaging out at nearly 48,000 per month. This equates to fines of over £100 million, or nearly £2.2 million per month.

Bristol Introduced its clean air zone in 2022 and has issued fines totalling over £125 million, or an average of £3.2 million per month. Despite receiving fewer fines overall, Bristol drivers pay £1.2 million more on average per month than drivers in Birmingham. This suggests a significant presence of repeat offenders in Bristol, which raises the average fine amount from £60 to up to £960.

(London data excluded due to expansion of ULEZ in 2021 and 2023 inflating figures)
*% decrease since the introduction of CAZ and LEZs
**Yearly average decreases in number of PCNs

Phil Leese, Taxi and Specialist Motor Trading Manager at insurance broker ChoiceQuote, comments:

“It’s positive to see that the introduction of low emission and clean air zones within UK cities is working in minimising the amount of high polluting vehicles travelling through congested areas. In some areas the number of fines issued has reduced by half! These zones have influenced driving habits, not only by prompting drivers to avoid certain areas but also by encouraging investment in more environmentally friendly vehicles.

Data indicates that while a high number of people were charged in the first month of low emission and clean air zone introductions people are now aware of which roads to avoid if their vehicle is not compliant. However, if you are visiting a city for the first time is can be tricky to navigate which roads you can and can’t travel on.

Motorists are advised to look out for signs indicating the boundaries of clean air and low emission zones within a city and do their research on whether their vehicle is compliant before making any journeys through these zones. If you are a Google or Apple Maps user, these apps will provide you with alternative routes to avoid restrictions so it’s important to always pay attention and plan your route before setting off on your journey.”

The Services King Feature

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The first week in September saw me venture to England’s Border County, Northumberland, and this gave me the chance to check out one of the latest Asda Express site refreshes.

Situated on the busy A19/A189 Moor Farm Roundabout, this forecourt was developed as part of a larger service area on the new Annitsford bypass. The forecourt opened in 1992 and was initially operated by Heron Service Stations, with the shop fascia Snax 24 and them referring to the site as Exhibition Service Station. By the early 2000s, the site had rebranded to JET fuels.

The forecourt was redeveloped in 2007 by Somerfield who added a large convenience store to the site. Co-op acquired Somerfield in March 2009, which saw the shop fascia flip to a Co-op Food store whilst the fuel brand transferred to Total. The site became one of the last Total branded sites in the country, lasting until in 2015, despite a nationwide shutdown of the brand in 2012. Following on from this, the canopy also rebranded to Co-op in 2016.

Asda Express acquired the site as part of their purchase of the Co-op filling stations in October 2023. Following this, Moor Farm (known to Asda as Annitsford) became one of the first to switch to the Asda Express brand and relaunched on 8 November 2023.

The reason for my return to the site on 10 September was to take a look at the most recent changes to the site. In August 2025, Asda Express added a new Greggs concession to the store as well as replacing the former Costa Express offer with We Proudly Serve Starbucks and adding a new jet wash at the back of the shop building. Annitsford was one of the first three fomer Co-op locations in the UK to gain a Greggs concession, with Asda Express expected to introduce more of these towards the end of 2025.

Whilst visiting the site, I caught up with store manager Adam Mulvey who informed me that the Greggs addition has been super popular since its launch and continues to draw more local trade to the site as well as continuing to serve the travelling public.

The investment and improvements made at Asda Express Annitsford are great to see and I wish the teams there every success in their new store.

To read more articles from Rich Cross The Services King follow him on LinkedIn here.

Asda Express Moor Farm (Annitsford)

Location – A19/A189 Moor Farm Roundabout, Annitsford, Cramlington NE23 7QA

Opening Hours – 24 hours, 7 days a week

Shop Brand & Facilities – Asda Express store, Greggs concession, We Proudly Serve Starbucks machines, New Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine

Number of pumps & fuel grades –6 pump islands each featuring unleaded and diesel, with premium unleaded and premium diesel on select pumps

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