Page 5 – PetrolPrices

Unleaded Prices Drop to Jan 2022 Level While Diesel Remains Higher

Mar 29, 2023

Unleaded prices have continued to fall during 2023, with the average reported price falling below 145ppl for the first time since January 2022. Unleaded prices peaked in the summer of 2022, hitting 190ppl, but have dropped back 24% since July 2022.

Diesel users are not seeing the same reduction at the pumps as prices remain over 161ppl, up from 149ppl in January 2022. Diesel has only dropped by around 15% since the July 2022 peak. As a result, diesel users are paying more than 17ppl more than petrol; this compares to just 4-5ppl a little over a year ago.

However, this difference is reducing. Since the start of 2023, unleaded prices have dropped by 5ppl while diesel prices have dropped back in the region of 10ppl. Reductions in unleaded, diesel and other energy sources have started to help steady the inflation rate.

As well as seeing a reduction in prices, the range of prices is also narrowing. Fuel prices can vary significantly between petrol stations. This variation is especially true when there are significant changes in wholesale prices. As wholesale prices have become more stable, we have seen a reduction in price variations across unleaded and diesel. There has been a 4ppl reduction in this spread since the start of the year. However, shopping around for the best prices can still bring significant savings.

Two major reasons we are seeing this increase in diesel prices compared to unleaded are how we source diesel and unleaded and how diesel demand has grown.

The latest refining figures from gov.uk show the UK refineries produced over 4.1 million tonnes of unleaded in the third quarter of 2022, but the demand was only 2.8 million tonnes, meaning that the UK is a net exporter of unleaded. In comparison, the UK only produced 3.2 million tonnes of diesel but had a demand of 5.7 million tonnes, so it needed to import the shortfall. This can put pressure on the diesel supply chain and result in higher costs. The UK has also shifted away from Russian imports in favour of imports from the Netherlands, Belgium and Kuwait.

In addition, diesel demand increased by 5.2% compared to the third quarter of 2021, while unleaded fell by 3.9%.

Other factors that can influence the prices are refinery and forecourt margins. These continuously change depending on market conditions. Using the PetrolPrices mobile app and website remains the best tool to compare UK fuel prices and help drive competition between fuel retailers.

Hydrogen Filling Station UK Network Development

Mar 22, 2023

Hydrogen Filling Station UK Network Development

Two hydrogen pumps are included in plans for a service station development submitted by the forecourt dealer group Euro Garages to Aberdeenshire Council. The company has applied for planning permission for a service station adjacent to the A90 comprising a petrol filling station, EV charging and hydrogen refuelling.

A planning statement with the application states that the hydrogen refuelling station will be supplied by Element 2, a UK company aiming to develop a network of hydrogen refuelling stations across the UK. The statement adds: “Element 2 see the application site as being a strategic location for the provision of a hydrogen refuelling station as it is located on the main road transport route from the central belt to the north-east of Scotland, passing through the major cities of Dundee and Aberdeen. This will be one of a few hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK that can serve both HGVs and cars….The refuelling area will comprise two refuelling bays located under a canopy, accommodating two vehicles, with space behind the bays for additional queueing vehicles.”

The new site in Aberdeenshire follows the Euro Garage group’s investment of £25m in a UK company developing a hydrogen fuel cell heavy goods vehicle (HGV) in October of last year. HVS (Hydrogen Vehicle Systems Ltd) has already completed its first hydrogen medium commercial vehicle (MCV) prototype and is well underway in developing its second flagship HGV.

The two companies said they aim to advance the UK government’s declaration to become the first country in the world to commit to phasing out new non-zero emission HGVs. With their partnership, they said, EG Group has the potential to provide hydrogen refuelling infrastructure nationwide. At the same time, HVS offers zero-emission freight vehicles, working together to bring hydrogen to the market.

EG Group initially invested £5m into HVS in 2021 and has now injected a further £25m.

The UK Hydrogen Refuelling Market

There are currently 15 hydrogen filling stations in the UK. An earlier government and industry forecast estimated there would be 65 refuelling stations in Britain by 2020, a plan that has not been met. However, there have been some developments in recent months that have highlighted a more confident and expansionist mood for hydrogen enthusiasts.

The UK will have a nationwide network of hydrogen refuelling stations operational at the end of this year as plans by British start-up Element 2 take effect. The initial push is to service heavy trucks and light commercial vehicles, but private cars like the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo and the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be able to use Element 2’s pumping technology.

Trucks and buses are the number-one priority for Element 2’s hydrogen because the 600,000 trucks operating daily in the UK contribute 18% to road transport emissions. There’s also a better business case for refuelling stations focused on trucks and buses since a truck typically consumes 50kg of hydrogen per day, a bus 20kg and a car just 1kg. Given that 1kg of hydrogen costs £15, including 20% VAT (but no fuel duty), just 1,000 trucks moving to hydrogen will generate £750,000 of revenue per day.

So far, Element 2 has made rapid progress with £6.5 million of investment, but two further funding rounds totalling £100m are planned for this year. Ultimately, investment is likely to hit £1 billion by 2027.

The hydrogen fuel cell has been tomorrow’s technology since the mid-1990s, but Carbon Zero policies have accelerated their introduction in heavy trucks, soon to be followed in light commercial vans and pick-ups.

“From all we hear from operators, about 30% of operations, mainly urban work, can be met by battery-electric haulage. For other operations, it’s the fuel cell that can replace the internal combustion engine,” said Brendan Bilton, chief technology officer at Element 2.

Element 2 is concentrating its network on the UK’s 147 truck stops to fulfil this emerging demand. It estimates it needs 800 individual nozzles – about five per truck stop – by 2027 to provide comprehensive national coverage. Last July, it announced its first two sites with planning permission approved, one at Coneygarth on the A1 near Northallerton and a second on the M6 near Carlisle.

At its truck-stop sites, the hydrogen pumps will be located on their forecourts, away from petrol/diesel areas. They will be fed by 40-foot-long compressed-gas tanker trailers towed from a central depot. Element 2 has a hydrogen supply contract with chemicals giant Ineos from its Runcorn plant on Merseyside.

5.3 million drivers are risking running out of fuel when driving, new research finds

Mar 1, 2023

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Over half of motorists could be at risk of costly repairs because they wait too long to fill up their vehicle, a new study reveals.

Research carried out by Motorpoint found that 42% of drivers wait until their fuel light comes on before putting fuel in their car, and a further 16% admitted trying to use up every mile of fuel before refilling – risking damage to their engine.

Explaining why you shouldn’t wait for your fuel light to come on before filling up, Tim Rodie, driving expert at Motorpoint said: “You don’t need to wait for the fuel light to come on to visit the petrol station – it’s something I would encourage drivers to get out of the habit of doing.

“Whether you have a petrol or diesel vehicle, regularly running your car close to empty can cause a range of issues that can be expensive to fix. It’s important to remember that the fuel warning light is designed to make it clear that you must fill up your car, nothing good can come from trying to run down your remaining mileage.”

How much fuel is left when the warning light comes on?

The fuel light is designed to warn drivers that they are beginning to run low on fuel and help prevent unnecessary breakdowns.

As Tim Rodie explains: “As a general rule, the warning light will only come on when the total capacity of your fuel tank drops below 10 – 15% – how far this will get you is completely dependent on how good your fuel economy is and the way you drive.

“There isn’t a standard distance you’ll be able to travel with your fuel warning light on, so it’s always better to be cautious and fill up as soon as possible. The longer you leave it to fill up, the greater the risk is that you’ll unknowingly cause damage to your engine – which will cost you much more in the long run to fix.”

Is it illegal to drive with low fuel?

While it isn’t illegal to drive with your fuel light on, if your car breaks down as a result of not filling up and causes an obstruction or accident, you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

According to the Highway Code, if you run out of fuel when driving and cause an obstruction or accident, this can be viewed as ‘careless and inconsiderate driving’, which carries an unlimited fine and between three and nine penalty points.¹

Based on current driving habits, Motorpoint predicts that 5.3 million drivers will be at risk of running out of fuel in 2023.

Tim said: “As a motorist, you have a responsibility to drive in a way that won’t put yourself or other road users at risk and running out of fuel can be dangerous. Breaking down and having to wait at the side as a result of your fuel running out is completely avoidable and can lead to accidents – particularly if it were to happen on a motorway or other busy road.”

What can happen if you drive with low fuel?

Beyond the risk of breaking down and having to call for help, driving with low fuel can damage parts of your engine, warns Tim.

“Making a habit of driving with low fuel can affect the health of your whole fuel system, but particularly the fuel pump and filter, which are both essential to keep your car running smoothly.

“When it comes to your fuel pump, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of if you make a habit of going too long between fuelling up. Not only can air be drawn into your fuel system, which can lead to your vehicle stalling or refusing to start, but your fuel pump isn’t designed to work without fuel running through it, which can cause it to overheat.”

“As your fuel level starts to run low, any debris that has collected at the bottom of your tank can be picked up and run through your fuel system. Over time, this debris can clog your fuel filter, limiting the amount of fuel that makes it to your engine, potentially causing a failure.

When should you be filling up your car?

Rather than waiting for the fuel light to come on, Tim recommends filling up your tank when it gets below a quarter full.

“It might seem counterintuitive to head back to the petrol station while you still have fuel in your tank, but it really is the best thing you can do for your vehicle and might even save you miles, as you can plan to fill up when passing a petrol station rather than needing to go out of your way.

“No one likes holding their breath and wondering if you have enough miles left to get to the nearest petrol station, so always having some fuel in your tank is the safest way to drive. Not only is it the only way to prevent running out and any of the other issues that can arise from driving on empty, but it could also save you a costly repair bill down the line.”

For more information, visit: https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/press/uk-motorists-will-see-nearly-400-added-to-fuel-bills-new-report-finds

Survey conducted by SurveyGoo on behalf of Motorpoint with a sample of 2,083 UK car owners in January 2023. All statistics and findings have been rounded to the nearest whole number. A full data set is available on request.

1) https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/penalty-table.html

Tim Rodie

With over a decade’s experience in the automotive industry, Tim heads up Motorpoint’s YouTube and TikTok channels, where he reviews a huge range of nearly new cars, pointing out their useful features, flaws and surprising extras.

Check out his latest video here: https://www.youtube.com/@motorpoint

Motorpoint

Established in 1998 Motorpoint is the UK’s largest independent retailer of nearly new cars and vans. All vehicles are under 30,000 miles and less than four years old.

Proposed MOT Changes Raise Safety Issues

Feb 22, 2023

In mid-January 2023, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation to seek views on changing MOTs in light of changes in vehicle technology. The department said they would seek opinions regarding the need to update MOT testing for cars, motorbikes and vans to ensure roadworthiness checks continue to balance costs on motorists while ensuring road safety, keeping up with advancements in vehicle technology, and tackling vehicle emissions.

The consultation seeks responses to proposals to require most vehicles to have their first MOT four years after they are registered. Under existing regulations, most vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales that are three years old or over must have a current MOT test certificate. It must be renewed annually at a maximum legal cost of £54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle. The MOT test comprehensively checks everything from windscreen wipers and headlights to structural bodywork condition and handbrake efficacy. In Northern Ireland, tests are compulsory after four years. Drivers who do not have a valid certificate can be fined up to £1,000.

The DfT said delaying the first test for new vehicles could save around £100m a year for motorists. Officials added that significant developments in vehicle technology had increased road safety since MOTs were introduced in 1960. DfT figures show 26 people were killed in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2021 when vehicle defects were a contributory factor. The department said the number of casualties in crashes caused by vehicle defects is low and government analysis shows delaying the first MOT should not impact road safety.

Any changes to the MOT will be supported by an information campaign led by the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to inform drivers of the updates to MOTs and remind them of their responsibility to keep vehicles roadworthy. Undertaking roadworthiness testing four years after the vehicle’s registration is already standard practice across many European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Concerns raised by motoring organisations and retailers

Several motoring organisations and retailers have raised concerns about the proposed changes. The AA president Edmund King argued, “With one in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we strongly discourage the Government from extending a car’s first MOT to the fourth anniversary due to road safety concerns. When this proposal was last considered in 2017-18, the four-year policy did not obtain public support, with many citing concerns over vehicle safety as the main reason for opposing the move. We do not believe this to have changed over time. Safety items like tyres and brakes can often be deficient after three years.”

The RAC’s head of road policy, Nicholas Lyes, added: “While we’re not opposed to delaying a new vehicle’s first MOT, we believe there should be a requirement for particularly high mileage vehicles to be tested sooner. If the Government is looking to improve the MOT, now is the ideal time to take into account how much a vehicle is driven, alongside the number of years it’s been on the road. We’re also disappointed the Government is still entertaining the idea of increasing the time between MOTs. Our research clearly shows drivers don’t agree with this and believe it’s dangerous. It would also likely increase the number of unroadworthy vehicles on our roads – putting lives at risk – and not save drivers any money as they would likely end up with bigger repair bills as a result.”

A recent article in the Times raised the spectre that almost a quarter of a million dangerous vehicles would be allowed on the roads yearly if MOTs for new cars were delayed. Motoring groups and mechanics have hit back at the plans, warning that, on average, 14 per cent of vehicles fail their first MOT at three years. With new car sales averaging 1.6 million a year for the past three years, they argue that 225,000 vehicles that reach their third year of registration will likely be in a dangerous condition.

Halfords, the motoring and bicycle business, said that worn tyres, brake pads, and faulty steering and suspension are among the most common reasons cars fail their first MoT.

“The government is right to look at ways to save motorists money, but that cannot come at the expense of safety,” said Graham Stapleton, the chief executive of Halfords. “There are other steps they could take, such as extending the 5p a litre cut on fuel duty. Many of the issues spotted at the first MoT are easy and inexpensive to fix, but if left to fester, they could turn into an expensive repair, meaning it could be a false economy for many motorists.”

The DfT consultation runs until 1^st March 2023.

London and Nottingham revealed as top EV cities

Feb 8, 2023

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Analysis by the used-car marketplace Motorway has revealed that London and Nottingham are the top two cities in the UK for electric vehicles (EVs). London has been named the city leading the charge on electric vehicle adoption, with EVs representing almost 25% of new and used car sales. It also paves the way with 8,600 public charging points. However, when it comes to charging availability, London ranks at 15, with the ratio of chargers to people standing at 1 to 1,672. Nottingham ranks second on the index, compiled by reviewing EV sales data by region, charging point availability and clean air policies of cities and towns across the UK.

With the 2030 electric switchover fast approaching, motorists are making a conscious effort with their car choices. Bedford ranked third for electric-vehicle readiness, following the development of its extensive net-zero strategy and its focus on installing public charging points. Meanwhile, Newcastle upon Tyne has been named as an electric vehicle hotspot with more electric cars sold in 2022 than anywhere else in the UK.

The top 10 electric car cities and towns revealed by Motorway:

London
Nottingham
Bedford
Manchester
Newcastle upon Tyne
Milton Keynes
Bristol
Oxford
Coventry
Southampton

To read more about the research and results of the analysis of EV cities leading the charge, visit motorway best EV cities

For an estimated valuation of your car, visit motorway.co.uk

EV charging capability expands on UK motorways

Feb 2, 2023

By 2030 EV charging will require 12 times as much energy as we currently have warned Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan, as his company reached a 200 charge-point milestone. In an article in Forecourt Trader, he said engagement from Government and the National Grid to help industry address the challenges faced was vital. He commented, “By 2040, we will need ten times as many chargers to meet the projected increased demand.”

He said that while Moto is optimistic that the challenge posed can be overcome, open discussions are needed. Improving the UK’s energy mix and grid capacity will take leadership from businesses, commercial landlords, the Government, electricity suppliers and charging providers collaborating on solutions.

There are now close to 34,000 public charging devices in the UK, but despite industry efforts to invest in EV infrastructure, range anxiety and charging anxiety continue to be stumbling blocks in the transition to electric vehicles.

Moto now has 211 ultra-rapid electric vehicle chargers available on its network following last week’s opening of 12 new chargers at Moto Reading Westbound. Before the launch, Gridserve and Tesla had already added ultra-rapid chargers to 20 hubs on Moto sites. They created the largest Superhub on the UK’s motorway at Moto Exeter Services, which has 33 chargers.

Initially, 12 Gridserve chargers were launched as part of the latest network expansion at Moto Reading Westbound on the M4, with the capacity to expand when future demand requires. Supplied by renewable, net-zero carbon energy, the 350kW-capable ultra-rapid chargers claim to deliver up to 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes.

All 12 chargers have been online since late January. This newest investment expands the number of chargers available on the M4 with a total of 53 ultra-rapid chargers across Moto Heston (West), Reading, Leigh Delamere, Severn View and Swansea, with more scheduled to come. Moto Reading, Woolley Edge and Hilton Park now have ultra-rapid charging facilities on either side of the carriageway, becoming Moto’s first twin Motorway Service Areas with an EV offering.

McMeikan said: “When we opened our first ultra-rapid EV Charging Hub at Moto Rugby, we knew it represented a major turning point in the feasibility of EV vehicle ownership – signalling the arrival of more accessible, more reliable and quicker on-the-go charging options. Now, just 18 months later, having over 200 such charge points across our network is a vast achievement. Together with our partners, we have overcome significant planning, legal and infrastructure barriers to deliver a better charging experience for EV owners, as well as make the prospect of EV ownership more attractive. Work doesn’t stop here, however. UK demand for EVs continues to grow and already accounts for almost a fifth of all new car sales. Our network-wide roll-out continues at pace to meet that demand and work towards our ambition to install more than 1,600 ultra-rapid chargers by 2030.”

Recent projections from Moto reveal what the future of EV driving will look like on UK roads over the next two decades, with one in 25 cars on the road in 2023 being EVs, one in 10 by 2025, one in 3 by 2030 and four in five by 2040.

The Value of Tracking Your Assets – How much is my car worth?

Jan 25, 2023

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According to research carried out by Motorway, the used-car marketplace, the average British person has assets worth £294,000, but almost half don’t track the value of anything they own. Second only to property, cars are the most valuable asset 9.1 million of us own, whilst stocks and tech are also contributors to our net worth.

For almost three-quarters of those surveyed in Greater London (72%), their vehicle is their most valuable asset, compared to 50% of those surveyed in the North West, as property ownership is often higher outside of the Capital.

Despite the sizable value of Brits’ assets, almost half (48%) don’t track the value of anything they own. The younger generation (ages 18 to 23) are more savvy, with 59% who own a car checking its value at least once a month. Whilst just over a third of the older generation (ages 55 to 73) check the value of their car once every one to three years. Aside from cars, the younger generation is most likely to track the value of their mobile phone (23%), whilst the older generation keeps a close eye on the value of their property (23%).

With tools and apps available such as Zoopla to track the value of a property and Monzo to track finances, it’s now easier than ever to manage the value of the items you own. Despite this, two-fifths of respondents who own a car (41%) say they don’t know how much their car is worth, and more than half (52%) of Brits think that a car always goes down in value – which is not necessarily the case.

Used Car Price Trends

Previously, car depreciation almost always followed a downward trend, but the industry has experienced unprecedented changes over the past two years. Global supply chain shortages, a slowdown in new car production and a rapidly changing economy have resulted in used cars holding their value at a better rate – and sometimes even going up in value. For example, between the end of 2020 and the end of 2021, the average price of a used Ford Fiesta sold on Motorway increased by over 50%. While prices of the Ford Fiesta decreased over the course of 2022 by 8%, they are still significantly up on pre-pandemic prices (end of 2019). Due to these changes, it’s now more important than ever for car owners to track the value of their vehicles to sell at the best time.

Motorway has teamed up with Rachel Riley MBE, maths genius and TV presenter, to reveal how regularly tracking the value of our assets could put more money in our pockets. Rachel commented: “January is the perfect time to take control of your finances and the first thing you can do is take stock of your assets. Think about what you own that could be of material value: a car, a mobile phone, a gold necklace? All of these items could be considered assets and as such they depreciate and appreciate depending on market conditions and trends. An asset such as a car will see prices rise and fall, depending on demand in the used-car market, meaning it’s important to track the value of your car to understand the best time to sell.”

To track the value of your car, visit motorway.co.uk/track

Research conducted by Censuswide, with a national representative sample of 2,000 adults (aged 18+) between 07.11.2022 and 12.12.2022.

Recommendations from the Independent Review of Net Zero

Jan 18, 2023

Over three years ago, the UK signed a commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 into law. Since that commitment was signed, the world has experienced many challenges. For this reason, an Independent Review of Net Zero was commissioned in September 2022 to ask how the UK could better meet its net zero commitments, taking account of these global changes. It was also commissioned to ask how the UK might deliver its net zero targets more affordably and efficiently.

The commission was chaired by Chris Skidmore MP, the former Energy Minister responsible for signing the UK’s net zero commitment into law.

The Review covered all aspects of the net zero commitment. With regard to the transport-related elements, the Review observed that Electric Vehicles (EVs) should be made more accessible to those who need them and improvements must be made in the public charging infrastructure, including the sorting of cost discrepancies –where those without home charging have to pay a lot more to charge their vehicles.

Several critical areas identified transport as an area where improvements were necessary. The recommendations for the transport sector fell into three main areas:

Encouraging the uptake of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)

Swift delivery of a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate to apply from 2024 while maintaining regulations and funding to support EV/ZEV uptake and continue driving emission reductions from internal combustion engines.
Enabling the provision of long-term finance required for initiatives to decarbonise the existing transport fleet.
The benefits to net zero are not all guaranteed – and depend on the government’s decisions today. This Review directly considered the risks UK households might face from the transition to net zero. These include cost; 17% of adults have no savings, and one in ten has £100 or less in the UK. For many, there are real challenges to affording an electric vehicle regardless of their support for net zero or the fact that it may save them money in the long term. The government has recognised this risk, but more action is needed to help people afford the changes they will need to make.
Organisations like the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), representing the major car brands, highlighted that the government’s ambitious and binding targets for rolling out ZEV cars and vans must be underpinned by equally ambitious and binding targets for EV charging infrastructure. A stable and supportive fiscal environment will also be of critical importance.”

More and better-targeted government action

Government to publish the Low Carbon Fuels Strategy in 2023.
Government to continue to work with industry to set out a straightforward programme by 2024 to accelerate the decarbonisation of the wider freight sector through modal shift and deployment of new technologies, building on the Future of Freight Plan.
Government to adopt a public engagement strategy to communicate to people the need to reduce car journeys and the benefits of doing this.
The government should amend the regulatory framework to incentivise transport providers to increase demand and improve services and work with them on this vision by 2024.

Making sure that public transport plays a more significant role

Government to act to reduce the costs of public transport.
Measures to enable intermodality so people can more easily take different modes of transport to complete a journey.
Measures to encourage the choice of active travel or public transport, or using shared services.
The development of more sustainable and cleaner travel. Electric vehicles, alongside the increasing use of public transport, cycling, and walking, also have benefits beyond air quality. They can reduce noise and congestion and provide more reliable and affordable services. Cycling and walking can deliver significant improvements in public health and well-being.

The Review comments on the number of respondents frustrated by a lack of long-term thinking, siloed behaviour from government departments, and uncertainty over the length of funding commitments. There were suggestions that this is holding back the deployment of green technologies, hampering investment across all sectors and inhibiting the ability to create British jobs.

The Net Zero Review believed that “we are heading in the right direction but also that we urgently need to step up the pace as well as bring everyone along with us.”

Expert Insights: These Are the Most Popular Cars to Lease

Jan 11, 2023

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Getting a new car is exciting but with so many models on the market deciding on what you want can be tricky. Plus, with factors such as price, availability and personal preference all coming into play, it can be common to be overwhelmed.

To find out what car leasers in the UK are looking for in their next car, new research has been undertaken by car leasing comparison site Moneyshake. They’ve analysed their enquiry data to reveal insights into the cars and manufacturers people are choosing to drive across the UK.

Nissan is the Most Popular Car Manufacturer to Lease

Looking into the last years’ worth of enquiries, Moneyshake found that Nissan was the most popular car manufacturer to lease, making up around one in eight of all enquiries during this time. This was closely followed by Volkswagen with 11.2% of all enquiries and Kia with 10.2%.

The 10 most popular car manufacturers to lease are:

Nissan – 11.9%
Volkswagen – 11.2%
Kia – 10.2%
Audi – 9.0%
Vauxhall – 6.3%
Hyundai – 6.1%
Mercedes Benz – 4.9%
BMW – 4.3%
Toyota – 3.7%
MG Motor UK – 3.5%

The Nissan Qashqai is the Most Popular Car to Lease

Delving deeper into the specific cars people are looking to lease, the Nissan Qashqai is the most enquired-about car, making up one in twelve of all enquires. This is followed by the Vauxhall Corsa which made up 5.5% of enquiries and the Kia Sportage with 4.4%.

The 10 most popular cars to lease are:

Nissan Qashqai – 8.4%
Vauxhall Corsa – 5.5%
Kia Sportage – 4.4%
Hyundai Tucson – 2.6%
Volkswagen T-Cross – 2.3%
Audi A1 – 2.3%
Kia Niro – 2.2%
Fiat 500 – 2.1%
Volkswagen Polo – 2.1%
Tesla Model Y – 2%

Eben Lovatt, CEO of the car leasing comparison site Moneyshake comments that “it’s no surprise to see that the Nissan Qashqai is the most enquired-about car as it represents great value for money in the popular SUV section of the market. There’s a range of engines available, meaning there’s always a Qashqai to meet anyone’s needs. On top of that, they’re well equipped and the more recent design improvements add to their desirability.”

MG Motor UK, Fiat and Kia Have Seen a Surge in Popularity

Looking into the year-on-year changes in enquiries, it was revealed that the manufacturer MG Motor UK has seen a huge surge in popularity, with a 516% increase in the number of enquiries about their cars. Fiat has also seen a big uplift year-on-year with a 211% increase in the number of enquiries and Kia saw a 129% increase.

On the surge in popularity of these manufacturers, Eben explains that “MG Motor UK, Fiat, and Kia are all manufacturers whose cars offer great value for money. The Fiat 500 has long been Fiat’s flagship model and it continues to be popular, available at prices in the £150 range.

“MG has brought some really strong electric vehicles to the market and is pushing range boundaries with the MG4. Kia has definitely upped their game in recent years too, with modernised designs and improved in-car technology to go with their market-leading warranties.”

Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar Have Seen a Decline in Popularity

On the other end of the scale, Volvo saw a large 78% decrease in the number of enquiries about their cars. Land Rover also saw a dip in popularity with a 75% decrease in the number of enquiries and Jaguar saw a 73% decrease.

SUVs are the Most Popular Body Type to Lease

The type of car is also another factor to think about when choosing your next car. Looking into the last years’ worth of enquiries, SUVs are the most popular body type of car to lease, making up 45% of all enquires.

Looking into the year-on-year changes in enquiries, 4x4s have seen a big surge in popularity in the last year, almost doubling with a 96% increase in the number of enquiries. On the hand, convertibles have seen a big fall with a 66% decrease in enquiries.

Christmas road trip ahead? Get prepared with Start Rescue

Dec 16, 2022

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… For many, that means packing up the car and getting on the road to visit friends and family.

This year the current climate has led to a lot of us looking for ways to save on costs where we can. However, if breakdown cover is one of the costs you are considering cutting, is it really worth running the risk, especially so near to those all-important festive road trips?

Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough not to have suffered a breakdown and are looking to take the gamble, but you just know it’s going to be Murphy’s Law that the time you don’t have breakdown cover in place, the worst will happen.

Breakdown cover doesn’t have to cost you a fortune though and a little investment can offer a huge peace of mind.

Affordable breakdown cover from a Which? recommended provider?

Indeed, depending on the age of your vehicle and the level of cover you require, breakdown policies from Which? Recommended Start Rescue, are available from as little as £19.75 per year.

If you break down without cover and you will be facing a one-off call out charge that is likely to be in excess of £100 minimum. This is without factoring in whether you will require a long distance recovery, overnight accommodation or assistance with your onward journey. Before you know it, the costs can soon mount up.

There is of course also the consideration of how easy it is going to be for you to independently source a competent recovery operative during this busy festive period.

The importance of breakdown cover for winter travel

Start Rescue sees a spike in breakdowns each winter when inclement weather such as ice, frost and snow causes everything from battery faults to tyre problems.

Having breakdown cover ensures you are always covered for the unexpected when on the road.

Pre-Christmas travel checklist

Breakdown cover offers the reassurance that someone will be on hand to help should you need it. However, it’s best to take steps to try and avoid being faced with any issues on your drive this Christmas, before you set off.

Start Rescue has put together a list of essential checks to carry out before you leave, giving you the best chance of having a trouble-free festive road trip. After all, we all want your Christmas travel to go safely and smoothly, so you don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy Christmas to the fullest!

Pack light

Think about which items you might survive without.

Remember, lugging around unnecessary additional vehicle weight means your engine is working harder.

If you pack your vehicle full you should check your car weight limits, which will be printed in the manual.

An overloaded car will use more fuel than usual, costing you more at the pumps and the risk of a penalty. Driving an overloaded car is a punishable offence by law and the fine can be as much as £300, with three penalty points.

Your braking capability will also be affected – far from ideal if you need to stop suddenly.

Secure all loose articles

If you’re carrying large or heavy items on your journey, don’t forget to strap them securely.

In the event of an accident, a loose item can turn into a dangerous projectile.

Consider keeping heavy items under the seat – or, even better, packed safely in the boot or glovebox.

Save – but don’t scrimp – on fuel

Roads get much busier during the Christmas period so there’s an increased chance of congestion. This could cost you valuable pennies in wasted fuel.

The days leading up to Christmas tend to be the busiest on the road, making this far from the best time to drive during Christmas. Throngs of commuters on the road are joined by holiday traffic, not to mention the last-minute Christmas shoppers.

If possible, it’s best to avoid travelling on these days and opt for a quieter time instead.

Always ensure your tank is at least a quarter full to prevent you from getting stranded by the roadside and take the opportunity to top up your fuel whenever you can.

Vehicle checks

Before setting off, carrying out a few basic vehicle checks can help to lessen the chance of a breakdown.

For more information, refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for details on tyre pressure, engine oil and coolant maintenance.

Antifreeze

When temperatures fall, water in your vehicle’s system can freeze very quickly. To prevent this, regularly check your coolant levels.

Concentrated antifreeze will need to be added to water at a 1:1 ratio.

Check your tyres

Figures from National Highways report that 1 in 5 motorway breakdowns are caused by tyre problems, highlighting the importance of checking your tyre tread and pressure.

When driving in slippery or wet conditions, it’s doubly important your tyres have at least 3mm of tread (the legal UK minimum).

Also check your tyres are pressured to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Underinflated or low-tread tyres make your vehicle harder to control and uses more fuel more quickly. They will also increase your stopping distance when braking.

If your tyres are a little old, now may be a sensible time to get replacements.

Clean your lights

Your car can get a lot dirtier in winter – what with all the rain, sleet and snow – and all that mucky slush being thrown up against your vehicle. As such, it’s important your lights are clean so they make your car as visible as possible.

Visibility is worsened by heavy rain and snow – not to mention the gloom of winter days – making it even more important you can be seen by other road users.

Screenwash

Use a 50/50 solution of water/screen wash to help ensure your windscreen doesn’t freeze over when temperatures plummet.

Investing in a high quality screenwash is advisable.

You shouldalso check the condition of your windscreen wipers to ensure they can keep the windscreen clear, even in the heaviest of rain and dirty spray from the road.

Consider booking a vehicle check

Other common winter breakdown causes relate to engine management problems, mechanical failures and electrical faults.

You may wish to consider booking your car in with a professional mechanic for a check before you begin your festive trip, giving you the best chance of having a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas!

Emergency supplies for your Christmas drive

In case you do experience a roadside breakdown when driving this Christmas, it’s important you have some basic emergency supplies to ease the situation.

Your emergency supplies for your journey should include:

Your breakdown recovery service contact details
Smartphone
Smartphone charger
Snow shovel
Blankets
Warm coats
Torch
Jump leads for your battery
De-icer and ice scraper
Water
Snacks
Screenwash
First aid kit
Old carpet/cardboard to help free you from ice and snow

Start Rescue, are on hand to assist you in the event of a breakdown 24/7, every day of the year (Yes, even Christmas Day!) so why not get a quote for your breakdown cover today?

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