Cars on Contract

The Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA) has set up a service to remind people by text that their MOT test is due. The first thing to do to receive these texts is to register for the service with the VOSA, who will then send three warnings direct to your phone to remind you that the test is due, one five weeks before the due date, one a fortnight before and the last the day before.

These texts will show the registration number of the vehicle in question and the date that its MOT test is due. To use the service, you will need the vehicle’s last MOT test number.

When registering for the MOT test reminder service there is a one off payment of £1.50, collected via your mobile phone network provider after your application is accepted. Therefore, if using a pay-as-you-go phone, make sure it has some credit before registering. To register, simply text your last MOT test number to 66848. (The MOT test number can be found in the top left corner of your certificate (VT20) and has twelve digits).

The VOSA will check the information you provide them against their records and check to see if you can make the small payment. If your records don’t match or you phone does not have the credit to pay the charge, the VOSA will decline your application for the MOT test reminder service with no charges being made. You will receive a text confirming your registration, or if denied the text will explain why.

If accepted, the registration only works with the phone used to make it and lasts up to thirteen months. Once your MOT test’s due date has passed, the reminders stop so you will need to remember to re-register so that you will receive the texts again next time the test is due. If you change phone or vehicle in the meantime, you will need to re-register for reminders and pay a further £1.50.

To cancel the registration, simply text STOP to the same number used to register, if this is done within a week a refund may be available.

We all know that Japanese cars are the most reliable and German cars the best performing. But are they?

Stereotypes about cars are difficult to trace; we do not know from where they originated, and different people seem to have different ideas. Most agree that used Volvos score highly in terms of safety; Honda, Mazda and Nissan are very reliable; and Ferraris are for racing. German cars such as BMW and Audi offer fun drives, great performance and luxury. French Peugeot and Renault are stylish and innovative, while the British Mini is just what it is: a national symbol.

Buying it new or used, your car says a lot about you and what you represent. A hybrid makes a powerful statement that you care about the environment, while buying a used Audi for sale means you are a practical, sensible person. Let’s not forget the colour – intelligent people, of course, drive green cars. Jokes aside, these stereotypes might be amusing, but when buying your used car, it might be wise to focus on price and performance as opposed to the colour or make of the vehicle.

Buying a car is a significant purchase and so there are a number of factors you should consider other than make and model before you start researching cars for sale.

Which Fuel?

Car tax is now based on a car’s CO2 emissions and the type of fuel it uses.  Diesel engines are considered to be more efficient and have lower CO2 emissions, so they attract a lower rate of car tax.  Diesel cars may cost more to buy but they hold their value for longer.

Whilst diesel fuel costs more per litre, you will get more mileage out of a tank of diesel than the petrol equivalent.

An annual car service is required for both diesel and petrol cars.

Fuel Consumption

How much your car weighs can have more of an impact on your fuel consumption than engine size.  A big engine in a lightweight car can be very economical to drive. 

Try not to overload your car with unnecessary weight – if it doesn’t need to be in the car take it out.

Whichever type of fuel you opt for, remember, it will need regular car servicing and an annual MOT test to keep it on the road and you and your passengers safe.

Taxing your car is a legal requirement; a car cannot be legally driven unless it has a current tax disc displayed properly in its windscreen.  A car seen to be on the road without a tax disc can be automatically fined.

The amount that an owner is taxed for their car depends on the model of car.  Larger cars that are not very environmentally friendly will cost more to tax than small cars that produce fewer emissions.  Newer cars tend to be greener than older cars and may have reduced tax.  There are also variations in tax, depending on whether the vehicle is used for commercial purposes or not.

You can tax your vehicle online, over the telephone, at your local post office, or by post.  Usually you will receive a reminder in the post about three weeks before the task disc is up for renewal, but you can tax the vehicle as much in advance as you like.  Even if you have paid your car tax a month in advance, you should not display the new disc in your vehicle until the current disc expires as this could result in a fine.  An up-to-date tax disc should be displayed on the passenger side of the vehicle’s windscreen.

If you no longer want to drive a car and therefore do not need to tax it, you must instead make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice) so that you are not fined for failing to tax the car.  With a SORN, the car cannot be driven at all, nor parked on a public road, until it is taxed once again.  SORNs can be arranged online or on the telephone.

Scrapping a car isn’t as simple as you may think. When a vehicle has been written off, or if you simply don’t want to go through the selling process, then the car must be taken to an ATF (authorised treatment facility.) In some cases the insurance company may take the car in return for a junk car value, but this will depend on the insurance plan itself.

How do I Scrap my Car?

The first step is to speak to the ATF and make sure that your car meets the standard requirements of the establishment. This means that the vehicle must be dismantled in the correct way to make sure that is environmentally friendly.

Once the ATF has agreed to take the vehicle, you will be given a document called a CoD (Certificate of Destruction). The ATF will then notify the DVLA to inform them that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle. If the ATF doesn’t contact the DVLA, then you must make sure you speak to them as soon as possible. In most cases you will have to present the CoD as proof that it has been destroyed.

When your car is in need of repair and you cannot do the repair yourself you will need to take it to a repairing garage. If you do not have a preferred garage, try to find one that is signed up to the Motor Industry Code of Practice.

Good Practice

If you are booking a car service it will help the garage if you let them know in advance the age and mileage of your car.  This will allow them to check the manufacturer’s schedule as to what parts will need changing.  They can then ensure they have the parts in stock and give you an estimate as to cost.

If it is a standard service at a set price then make sure you know what is included before any work is carried out.  You do not want to be hit with a surprisingly high bill at the end of the car service.

If you have a specific car repair you need doing it is advisable to explain exactly what the problem is to the mechanic directly. This will allow the garage to schedule enough time to do the car repairs without causing a backlog of car repairs.

Even with the best intentions unseen problems can arise so allow for the fact that your car repair may not be completed in the specified time.  Until the mechanic removes all the nuts and bolts there is no way of knowing the extent of the problem.

Fix small car repairs early and you will soon have your car back on the road, happy in the knowledge that it is safe and legal to drive.

Commercial vehicles are those used by a business, usually for carrying goods or people.  There are a number of different types of commercial vehicles including lorries, vans, trucks, and buses.

There are three main categories of commercial vehicles.  Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) are relatively small vehicles for carrying light loads, such as small trucks and vans.  They may be primarily used by businesses, such as plumbers or electricians, which provide a service and require space to carry equipment rather than goods.  Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are usually lorries; they are far larger and designed to carry large quantities of goods.  Passenger Carry Vehicles (PCVs) are buses and coaches and are designed for transporting large numbers of people.  In order to drive HGVs and PCVs, special licenses are required; for LCVs, a standard British driving license is sufficient.

Insuring a commercial vehicle can be far more expensive than insuring a normal car because they tend to be larger and more powerful.  It is essential to tell the insurer that the vehicle under the policy is a commercial vehicle.  Businesses may find that insuring a fleet of vehicles (more than five) is more economical than insuring just one.

If you are looking for a used car that is sporty, reliable, and a little on the luxurious side, think about purchasing a used BMW. This car maker has been in the business for decades and has a solid reputation for well-made, reliable cars. Their most successful and popular model to date is the 3 Series.

In the way of equipment, the BMW 3 Series will typically come with the basics of air conditioning, keyless entry, fog lights, CD player and onboard control. Many of the sportier models such as the BMW 320d M will come equipped with features such as; illuminated door handles; sports suspension; shortened gearshift; cruise control; contoured sport seats; and rear parking sensors.

Some of the used BMW 3 Series for sale models include their E-21, which was produced from 1975 to 1983. Buyers can also choose from E30 built from 1984 to 1994; the E36 made from 1992 to 1998; the E46 which was manufactured from 1999 to 2006 and; the saloon E90 which began production in 2005. There is also the coupe E92 and the convertible E93, both of which began their production dates in 2007.

Regardless of which used BMW car you choose, it is important to do your own research before heading off to look at a used car. Take your time when making a decision and do not allow anyone to pressure you into making a hasty purchase. Taking a simple, common sense approach to buying your used BMW can help you avoid making a purchase you will regret.

Used Citroen vehicles are a good buy.  If you can come across a C-Crosser consider yourself lucky.  The SUV has many upgraded features that make the late model used car a good choice, offering some of the features that you will find on only brand new vehicles.
 
A 2009 used Citroen C-Crosser, for example, features a new dual clutch system on its transmission and diesel engine.  The low emissions of CO2 make it a green choice and the fuel cost will save you money in running the car about if you travel any distance on a regular basis.

This model also features a new automatic option which is unusual in a diesel.  It has a 6-speed electronic transmission along with the 2.2 HDi engine.  The interior has an improved look and is more convenient in the layout.  Bluetooth technology is standard in this car, making it safer for hands free mobile phone communication.

It has 7 seats which gives you plenty of room to stretch out on long journeys.  The economy factor gives you 40 mpg and the taxation charges are low due to the low emissions.  Purchasing a 2009 model will give you the features of a much newer car for the economy price of a used car.

Whatever used car you choose you’ll be receiving great value for your money.  Since cars lose value once they are purchased brand new, you will be the one who wins out as a late model used car with few miles on it is almost as good as new.

When it comes time to sell your car, one of the most popular options is using a specialist website such as We Buy Any Car. By advertising the vehicle online, it is possible to get a quick and easy sale. Online adverts can reach many thousands of buyers, increasing the chances of a fast deal.

Selling a used car online is very easy, but there are some measures that can help sellers obtain the best price and a speedy transaction. The most important part of selling a car is determining the price. If sellers are asking “How can I value my Audi?” there are some steps they can take. First, compare other cars that are for sale. Try to find another Audi that is the same age and in similar condition and you will be able to get a better idea of what to ask for a selling price.
 
It may be beneficial to lower the price to attract more attention. Most buyers will be looking for a bargain, so if they compare your Audi with similar models available and find your car is the cheapest, you will have a better chance at selling the car more quickly. Buyers will also be conducting research to determine what the car is worth, so offer a fair and honest price and the sale should go smoothly.

It is also be beneficial to include pictures when selling a used car online, as this will attract more buyers and give them an idea of the Audi’s condition. Make sure the vehicle is clean and that the pictures present the car in an appealing manner. Be sure to include images of special features or upgrades that make the car stand out from others.

When you sell a used car online, you will receive cash, which can help in negotiating down the price of a new or replacement vehicle. Unlike a part exchange deal, it also means that you can purchase the vehicle from any garage or private seller.