May 4, 2017
The car finance market is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK. Its current value is estimated to be around £40 billion. Some 86% of new vehicles are purchased through personal contract purchase (PCP).
Now, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced it will begin investigations into what it classifies as “irresponsible” lenders. This will include assessing who buys car finance, how cars are sold and whether or not sales staff are carrying out enough checks to make sure that borrowers can afford the repayments. Lenders found by the FCA to have mis-sold policies could find themselves in hot water – the FCA could potentially force them to pay out millions of pounds in compensation to consumers.
Impact on car finance
The effect of the FCA crackdown in the short-term could be that drivers will find it more difficult to secure car finance, as dealerships are forced into performing more thorough credit checks before allowing customers to purchase vehicles. Of more concern is the worry that the current boom in car finance could be causing a financial bubble, in much the same way that we saw a few years ago with mortgages. With the mortgage crisis, too many people found themselves on payment plans that they were subsequently unable to repay, causing a financial crash. The fact that so many drivers are now stuck on contracts with repayment arrangements that they may not fully understand (after staff encouraged them to take out plans on the spot) could mean that we will see history repeat itself.
Our advice
We recommend steering clear of the car finance market altogether. One reason for this is that car finance can add thousands of pounds to the value of the vehicle you are purchasing. There are also other factors to consider, such a depreciation – you may find that the vehicle you’ve toiled so hard to pay off is worth a fraction of your initial outlay, once the three-year payment period is over.
If you do intend to dip into the car finance market, we strongly recommend you go to more than one dealership and get quotes from each. In addition, don’t fall into the trap of buying on the spot – make sure you take the time to thoroughly read through all the paperwork associated with the purchase. Using a service like Carwow is also a sensible move. You input the details of the vehicle you want to purchase and it provides quotes from various dealerships, enabling you to find the cheapest offer. PetrolPrices.com has a fuelback offer in place with Carwow here, where you can earn £50 of fuel when you buy a car with them.
Before you do go ahead and make a purchase, we also recommend visiting a bank to find out how much a loan would cost to buy the car outright. Compare that figure against the prices you have been quoted at the dealerships before you commit to taking out a contract. You will often find that a bank’s repayment plan will be far more cost-effective than that of a dealership. In addition, the bank will thoroughly vet you as an applicant, to make sure that you can afford the repayments before it gives you the loan. It is also worth remembering that by financing a new vehicle in this way, you will actually own the car and won’t be penalised for any dents or scratches it may pick up.
Is your vehicle on a PCP plan? If so, we would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below. If you haven’t taken out a PCP plan, would you be more wary of purchasing a vehicle through one now, given the FCA’s concerns? Let us know in the comments.
Image credit – Pixabay
May 3, 2017
Thousands of people die every year due to air pollution. The European Commission is finally forcing the UK government to tackle the issue. As a first step, the UK must publish a strategy outlining how it will deal with the crisis.
The strategy should have been published two years ago, but the government has dodged and delayed, presumably because it knows that the strategies in the policy will not be popular with drivers. The most recent delay saw the government claiming that purdah rules now applied to the strategy, due to the upcoming general election.
However, the High Court has stepped in and ordered the government to publish its draft strategy by 9 May, with the full strategy published by 31 July.
Why is tackling air pollution so controversial?
The government seems afraid of the air pollution strategy’s potential impact on votes. However, the High Court judge, Mr Justice Garnham, was clear that,
“The continued failure of the government to comply with directives and regulations constitutes a significant threat to public health.”
So why is the government so worried? Without having seen the draft strategy, we can of course only speculate, but it seems likely that the policy will contain controversial and unpopular measures to cut air pollution.
What we think will be in the pollution plan
We expect the pollution plan to include policies such as clean air zones, which will see motorists who drive heavy polluting vehicles facing city centre access charges. The idea is that the charges will dissuade them from driving into city centres where pollution levels are high. This is likely to apply to several major cities, including Manchester, Southampton and Leeds (amongst others). This measure is likely to be unpopular with small businesses, construction firms and HGV operators, who will see their transport costs increase. This could then be passed on to consumers as higher prices.
These concerns have led to the Freight Transport Association to call for a longer timescale for these changes to be introduced. That would give small businesses time to adapt, as well as time for a market for compliant second hand vehicles to emerge.
In addition to this, there may be incentives such as price and tax subsidies for using public transport and purchasing electric vehicles . We also think it’s highly likely that the government will introduce a diesel scrappage scheme.
Not so long ago, the government told drivers to buy diesel. Thus it’s hardly surprising that the administration that prioritises removing diesels from the nation’s roads will face backlash from drivers. However, the government has reassured motorists that it will help, with recent reports suggesting that the scheme will include paying owners up to £2,000 to scrap older, heavier-polluting vehicles from the most polluted UK cities. The government is yet to confirm any final details.
Such schemes cost money and revenue of this nature is likely to come from drivers themselves. The 2015 Conservative Manifesto pledge not to increase any taxes looks set to be dropped entirely thanks to the snap election. An increase in vehicle excise duty for diesel vehicles and the expansion of charges for diesels to enter city centres across the UK are both distinct possibilities. Neither will go down well with the UK’s 12 million or so diesel drivers.
An unpopular move
There is no avoiding the fact that these policies will be expensive to run. The Guardian reports that for London alone the measures could cost more than £500m.
What makes the situation so difficult to swallow for many diesel drivers is that just ten years ago the government was actively encouraging people to buy diesels. Government policy encouraged the purchase of diesel cars by offering cheaper road tax due to their lower carbon dioxide emissions, which led to the number of diesels on Britain’s roads more than doubling.
Now, those same drivers look set to pay for a system under which they will have to scrap their vehicles and replace them with more environmentally friendly ones. Such an unpopular move could well cost the government votes at exactly the time that it is trying to increase its power.
EDIT: Since publishing this article on Wednesday, the draft plan has come out on Friday and as we predicted it’s been massively watered down. Client Earth has labelled it “woefully inadequate” and “passing the buck to local authorities” in other words a complete avoidance of the main issues causing pollution because a General Election is about to happen. The Government’s draft plan is so poor, they may face more court action because of its inadequacy.
What are your views on pollution targets? Do you think that the health benefits of increasing air quality are worth higher taxes, and policies that pull the heaviest-polluting vehicles off the roads? Let us know in the comments below.
May 3, 2017
We’re living in uncertain times. The Brexit process is likely to bring with it a range of surprises and impact on many areas of daily life. One of those areas is the cost of fuel. As such, we’ve taken a look at recent historical events to assess their impact on fuel prices, in order to try and predict what Brexit, the forthcoming general elections in the UK and Europe, and Britain’s final exit from the EU could have on fuel prices over the next two years.
Recent historical factors
The first major recent historical factor to affect fuel prices was OPEC’s decision to increase fuel production in November 2014. The decision to oversupply was to try to prevent competition outside of OPEC from getting the funding and traction needed to extract fuels from shale oil and fracking projects. By January 2016, fuel had dropped to 98p a litre. The last time it was at that level was in May 2009, during the financial crisis.
Between January 2016 and the June referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU or leave, fuel prices rose by 10p a litre. When British voters chose to initiate the process to leave the EU on 23 June 2016, it led to an immediate fall of 20% in the value of the pound against the dollar. Some experts went as far as hailing “the end of cheap fuel in Britain.”
However, fuel prices went up by less than a 0.3p per litre in July, then went down by 1.4p per litre in August. Fuel prices did start to rise in September, but driven by the increase in the cost of crude oil per barrel, not Brexit.
Another major recent historical factor was Donald Trump winning the US Presidency. Trump is known for his support of shale oil extraction and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Although we saw no change in prices for his inauguration in January 2017, by February OPEC had decided to reduce oil production in anticipation of a likely increase in US oil output. This saw average prices rise by 5p a litre.
Thus, while recent fuel prices haven’t changed as a direct result of political events, those events have impacted on currency value. That has been paired with the decisions taken by the major oil producing countries, impacting supply and the price of crude oil per barrel.
General election
The direct impact of the snap 2017 general election announcement has been increased confidence in the financial markets that Brexit will be delivered. This has led to a stronger pound (up by 2.5%) and a resultant decrease of 2p a litre on fuel.
However, before the election on home soil, there is also the French election. This has the potential to cause a major upset in the financial markets if the far-right leader Marine Le Pen wins. It could mean fuel prices fall by as much as 5p a litre, as the value of the euro could drop and thus benefit the pound.
If, as expected, the Conservatives win the UK general election by a large majority (of 100 seats or more), the value of sterling would likely rise again. This could perhaps reduce fuel prices by a further 2p a litre. In the unlikely event of a small majority or hung parliament, negotiations with the EU could become very tricky, while shaky confidence in Brexit being delivered could lead to a further devaluation of the pound. This has the potential to take fuel prices back above 120p a litre.
Agreeing the exit and ‘divorce settlement’ terms
If the UK fails to agree on the terms of its exit and divorce settlement from the EU, it will face the possibility of a ‘hard’ Brexit. That means going outside of the EU and trading using World Trade Organization tariffs. The likely result would be an immediate slump in the value of the pound, with fuel prices increasing by as much as 20%. Such events have the potential to trigger another recession, as the shock on the heavily indebted UK economy would prompt many businesses to shed workers and move investment away from the UK.
If the UK does reach agreement with the EU on the terms of its exit, then a ‘soft’ Brexit will be the likely possibility. This would potentially involve maintaining existing trade relationships within the European single market, but accepting certain conditions. This possibility could lead to fuel prices remaining the same as they are at present, or even decreasing slightly as confidence about stability of the EU holds fast.
Exiting and negotiating new trade deals
In June 2019, when Britain eventually leaves the EU, it is predicted by many that a period of uncertainty will follow. New trade deals and transition agreements will come into play as the UK is effectively left to fend for itself.
The uncertainty that surrounds the outcome of Brexit after June 2019 will likely manifest itself in fuel price fluctuations. We would expect to see sharp increases in prices coinciding with the temporarily weakened pound. Conversely, any good news about trade deals with new partners outside the EU could have a hugely positive impact on the pound’s value and thus on fuel prices.
One would anticipate that the government will prepare a series of quick trade deal announcements, to boost the economic outlook soon after fully leaving the EU. We expect deals with Commonwealth countries, such as New Zealand and India. A trade deal with an oil-producing country such as Saudi Arabia would also be a smart way to boost both the economic outlook and fuel prices at the same time.
It is almost certain that there will be many notable highs and lows in the cost of fuel during the Brexit process and beyond. We have done our best here to give you an idea of what you can expect fuel prices to do. However, the only certainty is that prices will be volatile during the Brexit process, so make sure you shop around and use our service to make sure you always get the best value.
What do you think the Brexit process will mean for fuel prices? Do you think a hard Brexit would be a good thing? Let us know in the comments below.
May 3, 2017
Few things can make your pulse quicken like being handed the bill for your car’s service. Why is it that it is always more than you’d initially accounted for? Now, a new study has revealed the cheapest and most expensive areas in the country to have your car serviced.
According to the survey, the average price for labour in Britain is around £67 per hour. However, that rockets up to £234 per hour at the country’s most expensive garage – and that’s just for the labour! The study also revealed that Surrey is the most expensive place in the UK to have your car serviced, with an average price of £81.07 per hour for labour. Meanwhile, the cheapest place is the Scottish county of Selkirkshire, where an hour’s labour from a mechanic will set you back around £50.
How can you get the best deal?
The statistics reveal that having your car repaired can be a financial minefield. For those looking to cut down on motoring costs, here are some helpful tips and tricks you can use, which may aid you in saving money next time you visit a mechanic. Firstly, a good rule of thumb is to avoid chain and franchised outlets. These generally charge you more and you may even sacrifice the quality of work done on your vehicle. The cost of an independent mechanic versus a franchise can go from £56 to £99 per hour in some areas.
We recommend that you go in search of the cheapest garage and compare prices at the different garages local to you. We’ve found that this can save you a small fortune. We also recommend that you do some research online to find out the average cost of the work you’re having done. Before instructing your mechanic to proceed, compare the average cost to your quote to ensure you aren’t overpaying.
Be cost-conscious
After the work on your vehicle has been completed, double-check the final bill and look for any irregularities that may appear on it. A statistic found that nearly 31% of a test group didn’t even check the final bill before paying it. By falling into this trap, you are putting yourself at risk of sneaky additions appearing on the final bill.
The fact that many motorists are so unaware of labour costs is part of the issue. It aids garages that seek to ramp up the final bill as much as possible. The statistics indicate that 77% of motorists have no idea how much the hourly rate was the last time they took their vehicle to be serviced.
If you would like to dispense with the cost of garages altogether, it’s worth checking out ClickMechanic. They provide fixed price quotes online for the cost of your repairs. The company then sends out a mechanic to whichever location is most convenient for you. You can find out more about the benefits of using the service here. Note that we also have a promotional offer running with them, which allows you to save 10% on all bookings when you use the code UNLEADED10 at checkout.
Let us know in the comments section below what you think of these new statistics. What do you do to save money when you get your car serviced? Do you know how much you paid for labour last time your car was repaired?
Image credit – Pixabay
Apr 27, 2017
Parking operators are spending up to £12m a year on the names and addresses of drivers they want to chase and fine for parking offences, ThisisMoney.co.uk reports.
The driver data comes from the DVLA, which charges £2.50 per information application. Last year, parking companies bought 4.7m records from the DVLA, amounting to nearly £12 million in fees.
Parking firms earn £500m a year from these fines, so the £12m cost is more than worth it.
How are they getting away with it?
The government has faced criticism for selling personal details in this way. However, they insist that the £2.50 charge only covers administrative costs, thus ensuring that the applicant foots the bill rather than the taxpayer.
The DVLA has a legal duty to provide this information to car park owners for legitimate fines. However, the sheer number of applications being made is an abuse of the system. The number of details requested was a million more than last year, and a staggering 15 times more than a decade ago, according to The Times.
The rise in private parking firms buying drivers’ details is largely due to The Protection of Freedoms Act from 2012. The law was introduced as a way to protect motorists from being clamped on private property but has led to a surge in parking companies buying details from the DVLA in order to pursue drivers for unpaid fines.
The information exchanged includes drivers’ names and addresses, in addition to the details of their vehicles.
Abuse of information for profit
The millions of requests to the DVLA in the last few years shows how many fines parking companies are issuing, yet not all of those fines are justified. Some companies have been found guilty of having unclear signs, while technology faults, over-enthusiastic attendants and even altered photographs have also all resulted in the issue of parking charges.
One company, Parking Eye, even tried to fine a driver who circled a car park but never actually used it. Meanwhile, The Standard reports that two council-run carparks near Heathrow Airport gave some users up to five parking tickets at the same time, even though the cars’ owners had actually paid for a meet and greet service with secure parking.
In total, parking companies made a combined £500 million last year through receiving drivers’ information from the DVLA. This has triggered some debate, with several MPs arguing that the practice should be banned, especially as some companies have gone to ruthless and excessive measures to obtain information. Labour Commons Transport Committee member Robert Flello, commented:
“Parking firms which resort to bully boy tactics should be blocked from obtaining drivers details from the DVLA.”
Are you facing a fine?
The government is looking at reforming some of the laws regarding private parking companies. Meanwhile, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. We always recommend appealing if you feel you’ve been unfairly ticketed, and be sure to photograph any evidence that might help you – such as an unclear sign or ticket. Getting a witness to write a statement can also help your case.
You can also follow your local council’s appeal process, which should be fair and impartial – the same might be true with parking companies’ own appeal processes.
You can also use websites such as donotpay.co.uk, which offers free legal advice. Another great resource is the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Should the DVLA be allowed to sell this data so that parking firms can hassle drivers? Are parking firms operating fairly inside the law? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Apr 26, 2017
New rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority, which came into effect last week, stipulate that car insurance firms must be more transparent. Firms are now obliged to reveal how much a renewed premium costs compared to the previous year’s renewal.
In theory, by increasing pricing transparency, any price hikes should require valid justifications. However, some of the team here at PetrolPrices.com have noticed from their own experiences this week that insurers are sending emails to customers without the old price one to two weeks before the official renewal letter, in the hope this will convert customers before they see the price difference in the letter.
Rising costs
Premiums have risen by 8% since last year, according to the Association of British Insurers, so this new tactic is adding insult to injury. The average premium is now £462 – the highest it’s been since 2012. Meanwhile, the average comprehensive policy has risen by 16%, to £781.
Research compiled by Consumer Intelligence predicts that average insurance premiums could hit £1,000 in a year’s time. Insurers cite an increase in repair bills, compensation calculation changes, insurance premium tax and fake whiplash claims as causes of the price hikes.
Interestingly, the number of claims has decreased by 12% year on year, campaigning law firm Thompsons Solicitors said last week.
This raises several important questions about what is actually going on. Are we seeing profiteering on the part of insurers or a genuine shift towards driving becoming a much more expensive thing to do? Are car insurance firms being truthful about premium rises?
Thompsons Solicitors’ head of policy, Tom Jones, said:
“It’s clear that the number of claims – whether they’re up or down – has no bearing on the cost of car insurance, and that the industry is set on increasing premiums no matter what.”
Taxing insurers, not consumers
The government has increased taxes, with Insurance Premium Tax due to rise from 10% to 12% in June. However, the Treasury has insisted that the “Insurance Premium Tax is a tax on insurers, not consumers” and that it is the insurance firms’ choice whether they pass the costs onto customers.
Given the updates to taxes on fuel, congestion and pollution and fines for speeding, littering and mobile phone use that have been reported recently, we’re beginning to wonder whether the government’s plan is to make it too expensive for people to drive on Britain’s roads. That’s certainly one way to go about hitting their pollution targets!
What are your thoughts on tackling the issue? Are we being misled by insurers and the government? Is this part of a grand plan to get motorists off the road to meet pollution targets? Tell us what you think below.
Apr 26, 2017
The government is proposing that newly purchased vehicles have their first MOT when they are four years old (rather than three, as per the current requirement).
This information is from the SMMT. They report that the proposal has caused widespread concern from UK motorists who fear that it could lead to unsafe cars being allowed on the roads.
The government argues that extending the wait for MOTs could save an average of £45 over the course of a vehicle’s lifetime. That works out at a saving of £100 million per year for the UK’s motorists. Of course, the counter-argument is that it will cost the car servicing industry to lose the same amount.
In order to put the proposal into action, a public consultation will occur. If successful, it could lead to the new measures being in place as early as 2018.
It seems, however, that the majority of motorists oppose the proposal. YouGov has conducted a survey on the matter, which indicates that 83% of drivers would rather have peace of mind over the safety of their vehicle than an extra £45. 76% of a similar data set back calls from the automotive industry to keep the law as it stands (currently a three-year wait between the purchase of a new vehicle and its first MOT).
What risk does this bring to road safety?
During an MOT, a mechanic rigorously tests the vehicle against legal requirements. This includes examining lights, seatbelts, tyres, brakes and emission levels. Motorists can receive fines of up £1,000 for driving a car without a valid MOT.
Interestingly, many in the car industry actually believe that the current MOT checks are not rigorous enough. They would prefer reform in this area, rather than a new policy that they see as potentially harming the safety of motorists even more.
In reality, most four year old cars should pass an MOT with flying colours. Indeed, the Department for Transport points out that improvements in manufacturing standards mean that new vehicles stay roadworthy for much longer nowadays.
However, as AA President Edmund King said, the new proposal could see an increase in the number of cars on the road with “faulty tyres and lights,” which an MOT would address and which enhanced manufacturing standards have not necessarily impacted. King did also acknowledge, however, that the new measures would bring “cost and time savings for drivers.”
What do you think about the government’s new proposal? Would you take the £45 saving over the full peace of mind regarding vehicle safety? Let us know in the comments section below.
Apr 21, 2017
From the 24th April, new curbs to tackle excessively high speeding motorists will be launched with new fines capable of charging an offender up to 175% of their weekly wages combined with an automatic driving ban and potentially time in jail.
The new range of fines are a stunning indication of how serious the police and government are at tackling and deterring the impact of speeding on the lives of other motorists on the roads.
According to Think!, in 2015 over 160,000 people were found guilty of speeding, and in 2013 3,063 fatalities caused by excessive speeding states the Metro. The Sentencing Council’s felt that the current charges are not proportionate to the “potential harm of speeding”.
| Band |
MPH over stated speed limit |
Fine (Percentage of relevant weekly wage) |
Number of points on a licence, or length of disqualification |
|
Band A
(For going up to 10 mph more than the speed limit)
|
1- 10mph |
25%- 75% |
3 points |
|
Band B
(For going up to 11 – 21 mph more than the speed limit)
|
11 – 20mph |
75% – 125% |
4 – 6 points
OR
7 – 28 days disqualification
|
| Band C
(For going 21 mph more than the speed limit) |
Over 21mph |
125 – 175% |
6 points
OR
7 – 56 days disqualification
|
Table illustrating the new changes to speed limit fines
Caps for speeding fines will be the same – up to £2500 on the motorway, and up to £1000 elsewhere – but the new law will increase the number of speeders being dealt with the top fines.
Whilst the current minimum fine of £100 and 3 points will remain the same, the new law allows courts to fine motorists who are caught driving well above the speed limit 150% of their weekly income, instead of the current cap of 100%.
The court can then adjust the percentage by a further 25% addition or subtraction based on factors such as weather conditions, previous convictions and the number of people in the area.
Average earner fined £1000
According to the Office of National Statistics, the average salary in April 2015 was £27,600, this would mean that the maximum fine an average earner could face would be £928.85, or 175% of a weekly salary.
The current rules regarding disqualification and points on your licence are remaining the same, so you would still also potentially be disqualified for 56 days, or face 6 points on your licence.
Peter Williams, from the RAC said: “Anyone who breaks the limit excessively is a danger to every other road user and is unnecessarily putting lives at risk.
Hopefully, hitting these offenders harder in the pocket will make them think twice before doing it again in the future.”
For those who use SatNavs, we strongly recommend that you keep them regularly updated to know what the speed limit is for that road. If you have a car with a speed limiter or warning indicator, we strongly recommend you set it so a level to ensure you know that going beyond that speed will hit you in the wallet.
What do you think about the new speeding fines to be launched next week? Are they a good thing, do you think they will deter speeders? Let us know in the comment section.
Apr 20, 2017
It is an expensive time to be a motorist in the UK. Not only has car insurance been rising steadily, but the recently announced charges for diesel drivers mean that more and more of the average motorist’s disposable income is spent on driving-related expenses.
Now, shocking new statistics from YourParkingSpace.co.uk have revealed that the situation is even worse than many had imagined. The new data reveals that the average Brit who travels to work by car spends one-fifth of their salary on getting to work. This works out at 19.5% of their salary, equating to around £360 per month, or nearly £4,320 per year. Back in 2013, this figure was closer to £3,500.
The figures are particularly shockingly considering that most of us work in order to earn money, not spend it on getting to and from the office!
The findings suggest that the bulk of this money is spent on car finance, fuel and maintenance. Motorists who have to factor in paying for parking see their monthly outlay rise to around £460.
At a time when the cost of living is rising and fuel expenses are following the trend, this makes for depressing reading for motorists up and down the country.
Ways to cut the costs of motoring
The good news is that there are some simple ways to shave some weight off your annual motoring expenses.
For instance, we estimate that PetrolPrices.com members save on average £240 per year when they check with us for the cheapest fuel prices before they fill up. This figure can rise significantly depending on how often you fill up and the size of your tank.
Car maintenance is another main area of expense. Thankfully, services like Clickmechanic can lead to considerable savings when your car is in need of repair, as they are (on average) 50% cheaper to use than garages and franchise dealers.
For the majority of motorists, insurance is another of their greatest driving-related expenses, particularly given recent price climbs. It’s therefore essential to shop around for the cheapest possible policy by using a comparison service like Quotezone.
There are also ways to offset the cost of driving to work. Renting out an unwanted parking space (or even your vehicle) is a viable way to subsidise motoring expense at times. For many people, services like JustPark or easyCar Club have become a lifeline. Many UK motorists have been able to finance new vehicles from the revenue they’ve earned. If this sounds appealing to you, take a look at our Offers section to find discounts for both of these services.
Finally, when it comes to cutting the cost of motoring, we recommend avoiding the abundance of car finance programmes on the market. The Telegraph recently reported that choosing to finance your car in this way will lead to you being tied into a never ending cycle of add-ons and extra expenses, culminating in you having to finance a new car every three years. As an alternative, we recommend going directly to your bank and taking out a loan to fund an outright payment for a new car. This option means you won’t have to answer to anybody over any knocks and bumps your vehicle may pick up, nor will you be trapped in a cycle of leasing a car every three years. Using a service like carwow to shop around and find the cheapest deal on your chosen vehicle can also save you a small fortune.
Let us know in the comments section below what you think of these new statistics. What do you plan to do to cut your motoring costs?
Image credit – Pixabay
Apr 19, 2017
Much to the delight of motorists everywhere, summer is fast approaching.
For many of us, summer means long road trips across the country in the sunshine. With this in mind, it could be time to ditch that outdated car sound system and treat yourself to a newer model.
While newer cars tend to come with decent sound systems, those of us with older vehicles (myself included) have to look elsewhere for a solution to our audio needs.
Luckily, PetrolPrices.com has filtered down the array of options on the market and put together a list of our top five favourite car sound systems.
1. GHB Bluetooth Car Stereo
This stereo is one of the best on the market. It represents spectacular value for money compared with similar stereos.
It has USB and AUX outputs, which means you can simultaneously charge and play music from your phone (so no more dodgy old CDs skipping while you drive).
In addition, it also features an SD card slot, while its sleek, modern design includes a colour LCD that will look at home in any vehicle.
Positives:
- Great value for money
- Fits in a wide number of cars
- Has both USB and AUX slots
Negatives:
- Small screen
- No CD player
Our rating:
4/5
2. OCDAY Digital Car Stereo
Although this is one of the more expensive stereo systems on the market, there’s good reason for the cost. This particular model comes packed with features, such as its ability to play video through its 4.1-inch display (obviously not while you’re driving).
It supports Bluetooth hands-free calling and music, as well as having rear parking camera functionality, with the display showing you what’s behind you when parking. This feature can come in really handy in packed car parks.
Positives:
- Large display
- Reverse parking capability
- Plays video
Negatives:
- No CD player
- Not many customer testimonials
Our rating:
3/5
3.Lacaca 7″ F6065B
For those of you with a larger stereo spot on the dash, this product from Lacaca could be a winner.
This product features a large touchscreen display and can play DVDs, which is great for in-car entertainment.
Further to this, it has SD card and USB slots, in addition to an AUX cable output.
Positives:
- Touchscreen
- DVD and video playback capability
- Large screen size
Negatives:
- Only fits a minority of cars
- Time-consuming installation and setup
- Extra functionality comes at a cost
Our rating:
4/5
4. Cherryou Car Stereo
If you’re in the market for a simple, good value, quality product, this could be the one for you.
It is easy to use and comes at a great price without sacrificing modern necessities such as AUX and USB slots.
It is also the only product in our top five to feature a CD player.
Positives:
- CD player
- Suitable for the majority of vehicles
- Competitive price
Negatives:
- Very small display
- No Bluetooth
Our rating:
3/5
5. Sony DSX-A400BT
This Sony model is significantly more expensive than the other stereos on this list. Its saving grace, however, is the longevity and the quality for which the brand is known.
It has a clean, minimal design and high quality contrast screen. This is definitely helpful, as some stereo displays can be difficult to see in certain lighting.
This product also comes with a fairly comprehensive backing of customer reviews and testimonials, which some others on the list lack.
Positives:
- NFC and Bluetooth capability
- High quality
- Clear, high contrast display
Negatives:
- No CD player
- Costlier than many similar models
Our rating:
5/5
How to fit a stereo
There are a number of ways to fit a stereo in your car. The cost can vary greatly depending on how you do it.
- Do it yourself – This is by far the best option if you think you’re capable of it. The obvious benefit is that you swerve the fitting costs you will likely incur elsewhere. However, make sure you thoroughly read up on the correct installation process before you jump in and risk harming any costly equipment!
- High street – If you want a quick and easy fitting at a relatively low cost, look towards the high street for a solution. Prices to fit a new stereo at Halfords, for instance, range from £30-£50, depending on whether the system is Bluetooth or just audio. Most of the time going somewhere like Halfords is a safe bet. However, it’s worth noting the occasional horror stories you hear about high street fittings.
- Auto electrician – If you want the job done to the highest possible standard, seek out an auto-electrician. Bear in mind, though, that you will pay a premium for this level of service.
- Scout social media – If none of these options is for you, check out car enthusiast forums on social media sites. Many include members who are just as skilled as specialists and willing to do the job for half the price.
We hope you enjoyed reading this feature. Which stereo will you opt for this summer? If there are other features that you would like to see PetrolPrices.com write in the future, simply let us know in the comments.
