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  • Ask What Car? ? live Q&A

     What Car? will host its latest live lunchtime Q&A session on Tuesday, August 10, between 1-2pm.

    Join us here on whatcar.com, where our experts will be on hand to answer any car buying questions you have.


    Whether you're looking for advice on buying a new or used car, or have some other motoring-related issue that you'd like to try and resolve, our team of experts will be on hand to help out.



    How will it work?
    Simply log on from 1pm, submit your question and we'll get through as many as we can.


    This week's experts
    Answering your questions will be the following What Car? team members:
    • Iain Reid: whatcar.com producer
    • Jim Holder: What Car? magazine editor
    • Peter Lawton: whatcar.com deputy editor
    • Matt Sanger: What Car? used car editor
    • Ivan Aistrop: What Car? road tester


    Depending on how many questions we get we might not be able to answer them all, and some issues might be too involved to clear up in the limited time we have available.

    Set the date
    Make sure you don't miss the opportunity to put your questions direct to the What Car? team by entering your e-mail address in the box on the right ? and you'll get a reminder sent direct to your inbox before the Q&A session starts.

    Get interactive with whatcar.com...



  • Petrol prices to soar

     Petrol prices will go up this month, and are set to soar next year, it was predicted today.

    Record-high forecast
    The Retail Motor Industry, which represents around two-thirds of the UK's petrol stations, said petrol prices could rocket to an all-time high of 125.9p-a-litre next year.

    The perfect storm for prices
    The planned increases in fuel duty in October and January, and the 2.5% VAT increase in January are to blame for the long-term increase in prices, while the rise in the cost of crude oil and fluctuating exchange rates could result in a 4p increase in fuel by September.

    Brian Madderson, RMI Chairman Petrol, said: 'A crude oil price increase will feed through the supply chain and could result in prices going up by as much as 4p-a-litre in the next three weeks.

    'We also need to remember that the new Government did not cancel Labour's Budget commitment to raising fuel duty by 1p-a-litre from October 1 and a further 0.76p from January 1, with both having VAT added.

    'Then we have the coalition's emergency Budget proposal to increase VAT to 20% from January 4, so the outlook remains extremely difficult for motorists and retailers alike. We could see new record pump prices within six months.'

    Beat the price rises
    Fuel prices might be on the up, but that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to limit the effect on your wallet. Have a look at these money-saving features.

    Petrol or diesel
    Could you save money by switching your fuel from petrol to diesel ? or even vice-versa? Have a look at our petrol vs diesel calculator.
    Petrol or diesel calculator



    Green driving tips
    Cut your bills by following our green driving tips. Simple actions could save you a significant amount of cash.
    Green driving tips




    Get interactive with whatcar.com...



  • Top cop: 'Don't turn off speed cameras'

     The UK's top traffic policeman has told the Government that switching off speed cameras will lead to more people being killed on our roads.

    The Government has pledged to end funding for fixed speed cameras, and Oxfordshire council has confirmed it will switch off its 72 speed cameras to save money.

    Top cop warns of increased fatalities
    However, chief constable Mick Gianassi, the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on roads policing, claims there will be a rise in fatal road accidents as councils axe speed cameras because they can't afford to operate them.

    'The evidence is that road safety camera partnerships have resulted in significant reductions in road casualties over the past decade,' said Gianassi. 'There are almost half the number of casualties that there were eight years ago.

    'There is clear evidence that the public accept speed cameras. We recognise that we have to save money, we recognise that road safety has to play a part of that, but these cuts are a particular threat to the sustainability of the system.

    'I am working with the Government to persuade them that action needs to be taken to protect the system and the future of our road safety'

    Get interactive with whatcar.com...




  • Skoda Roomster driven

     The recently refreshed Skoda Roomster is a bit like the motoring equivalent of a loft conversion.

    It?s just a little longer than the Fabia supermini it?s based on, but that elevated roofline and big side windows makes the cabin feel much bigger and airier.

    Whether there are two or three grown-ups in the back ? or two child seats ? there?s plenty of space for all and the Varioflex seat system makes the Roomster more versatile than most family cars: the seats can fold, tumble forward, slide back and forth or be taken out altogether. The middle seat can also be removed and then the two remaining seats pushed inwards for a bit more elbowroom. There?s plenty of space for odds and ends too, while the 450-litre boot will easily swallow the entire contents of the kids? toy cupboard.

    Not just for kids
    The grown ups will be happy, too. For starters, the interior now looks and feels better, with the dashboard in particular getting some nicer, soft-touch plastics.
    The new engine line-up includes three 1.2 petrol engines and two 1.6 diesels, so the Roomster is now cheaper to run than before. You can also add a DSG automatic gearbox to the most powerful petrol.

    We drove the 1.2 TSI 105 with the semi-automatic DSG ?box, and the 1.6 TDI 90 with manual change. Both have enough power to whizz the Roomster past slower cars or lorries, but the diesel is noisier than the petrol model and it vibrates a bit more, too. The DSG gearbox can be a bit slow to react, especially when you?re pulling away, and the manual ?box is a bit clunky, but you can easily live with either.

    It?s the same with refinement: there?s a rumble of road noise on rougher roads, and the door mirrors whip up a bit of wind noise, but you won?t need to raise your voice too much to be heard over it.

    What Car? says:
    Cheap, cheerful MPV that?s good family transport



  • Which celebs work for car makers?

     Victoria Beckham has landed a job at Land Rover working on the new Evoque and Everest-conquering climber Bonita Norris is the face of the Nissan Juke.

    Do you know which other celebrities have tied in with car manufacturers?

    Try our quiz to see how many real pairings you can spot and how many fictitious partnerships we've invented.


    How to play
    Just look at the pairings, below, decide if they're for real then click for the answer.



    DI Burnside (from The Bill) and Fiat


    Click here

    for the answer




    Craig Phillips (from Big Brother 1) and Mitsubishi


    Click here

    for the answer



    The England Cricket Team and Jaguar


    Click here

    for the answer



    Tom Cruise and Bugatti


    Click here

    for the answer



    Ricky Hatton and Subaru


    Click here

    for the answer



    Jodie Kidd and Maserati


    Click here

    for the answer



    Wayne Rooney and Mercedes-Benz


    Click here

    for the answer



    Justin Timberlake and Audi


    Click here

    for the answer



    Stephanie Twell and Citroen


    Click here

    for the answer



    Get interactive with whatcar.com...






  • What Car? video blog: Matt on matt

     What Car?'s Matt Sanger takes a practical look at the latest trend in car colours, matt black.































  • Drug driving kits by 2012

     Kits to test if drivers have been using drugs could be available to police forces by the end of the year.

    The kits, dubbed drugalysers, would mean officers no longer have to get a doctor's permission to take a blood test to gather evidence that could be used in court.

    Drugalysers within 'months'
    Road safety minister Mike Penning has revealed that drugalysers could be installed at every police station by 2012, but that the first test devices could be in use within months.

    'It is vital that the police have the tools they need to tackle those who drive while impaired by drugs,' said Penning.

    'This selfish minority show a flagrant disregard, not only for their own lives, but for the safety of others and we are determined to tackle this menace.

    'That is why we are taking urgent steps to make drug screening technology available as soon as possible.'

    Roadside test on the way
    The first versions of the kits are expected to be ready in September, and will initially be for use in police stations. The Government has put £300,000 towards designing a device that could be used at the roadside.

    Julie Townsend, campaigns director for road safety charity Brake, said: 'The introduction of drugalysers is long-overdue. However, we need to go further than just introducing testing kits in police stations.

    'In other countries, screening devices are used at the roadside to catch drug-drivers; we need to be moving urgently towards this type of screening in the UK. We also desperately need to close the loophole on drug-driving by making it an offence to drive with illegal drugs in your body, so police don't have to prove impairment.'

    Drink-drive figures fall
    Provisional statistics on accidents reported to the police involving drinking and driving in Britain in 2009, show that fatalities have fallen by 5% to 380, from 400 in 2008. It is the first time drink-drive fatalities have fallen below 400 a year.

    Seriously injured casualties fell by 9% from 1620 in 2008 to 1480 in 2009; slight casualties resulting from drink-drive accidents fell by 8% from 12,990 in 2008 to 11,990 in 2009.

    Get interactive with whatcar.com...




  • Tyre test on video

     Cheap rubber might be easy on your wallet, but is it really worth the saving? We tested a selection of budget tyres against three premium brands to find out.

    Pop in to your local tyre fitter and you?ll have the choice of dozens of brands. Some will be expensive ? up to £100 each, including fitting, for a basic Ford Focus or VW Golf ? while others seem a snip at half the price.

    There can?t be that much difference in performance, can there?

    We pitted three premium tyres against three budget alternatives in a series of braking tests, and the results were shocking.

    In the wet, the budget tyres took an average of 14 metres ? the length of an articulated lorry ? longer than the premium tyres to pull up from 70mph.

    Watch the video
    See our video of the test, then click below to read the full feature explaining why buying budget tyres could cost you dear?


















    Read the full feature here ? Tyre test - why budget tyres could kill




  • Best and worst? family cars

     Family cars lead tough lives ? they need to cope with the kids and eat up the miles of the weekly commute.

    With demands such as these, you'll need to know which cars are up to job ? and those that can't take the heat of family life.

    The best of the best
    Mazda 6


    Our favourite family car is the Mazda 6. It?s fun to drive, well-priced and well-equipped.

    There?s plenty of room inside the 6 and the simple seat-folding mechanism is an extra bonus, which off-sets the fact that some of the interior might not look as snappy and appealing as the exterior.

    While it might not be the quietest contender, as an all-round package it?s still a top performer and highly dependable.

    What Car? pick of the Mazda 6 range - 2.2D 163 TS



    The best of the rest
    Ford Mondeo


    Next up is one of the best-known names in motoring ? the Ford Mondeo. You might dismiss it as too obvious a choice, but you?d be missing out if you did.

    Superb handling ability is matched by a composed, quiet ride that makes the Ford a true all-rounder.

    It?s also a big car, so you won?t want for space inside, and build quality is durable.

    What Car? pick of the Ford Mondeo range - 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec



    Skoda Superb


    A car with this name certainly has a lot to live up to, and the Skoda doesn?t disappoint.

    The sumptuous materials, plentiful equipment and impressive build quality might make you think you?re in an executive car, but the prices won?t.

    Get in the back and you could be in a luxury car ? there?s an amazing amount of legroom ? while the boot is huge. There also the bonus of a clever, combined hatch/bootlid.

    What Car? pick of the Skoda Superb range - 1.4 TSI S



    Volkswagen Passat


    The Passat is an incredibly comfortable mile-muncher, so if you spend a lot of time on the motorway, it could be ideal.

    There?s not as much room as in the Skoda Superb, but the Passat certainly isn?t pokey, and it's well-equipped, too.

    It?s not a bad-looking car from the outside, although some of the plastics in the cabin feel a bit on the cheap side.

    What Car? pick of the Volkswagen Passat range - 2.0 TDI CR 140 S



    Toyota Avensis


    You won?t buy an Avensis to look flash, but beauty is only skin deep, and the Toyota?s talents go way beyond that.

    Reliability is king, while all of the materials in the cabin are top-notch and the controls operate smoothly.

    It?s easy to drive, comfortable to travel in, and now comes with the peace-of-mind of a five-year warranty.

    What Car? pick of the Toyota Avensis range - 2.0 D-4D TR Nav



    The not-so-hot
    There are no one-star family cars, but the Kia Magentis is the only car to get just two stars. The replacement for the Magentis arrives at the Paris motor show at the end of September and will go on sale in the UK early in 2011.

    It should continue to offer lots of equipment and space for the money, but hopefully it will also take a stride forward in terms of the driving experience and quality.

    Renault?s three-star Laguna is next. It certainly looks pretty stylish and is well-equipped, but the ride is harsh and the resale values could make you wince.

    The Vauxhall Insignia is stylish and comes loaded with creature comforts, safety equipment and cutting-edge features, but refinement is just okay, while the steering doesn?t make for a fun time at the wheel. However, the Insignia now comes with a free lifetime warranty (for the first owner ? the second will have to pay).

    The B-Class from Mercedes-Benz has lots of space and can cruise nicely on the motorway. It?s expensive, though, and, again, the way it drives won?t light your fire.

    Our final three-star family car is the Peugeot 407, which is about to be replaced by a car that will closely follow the ?5? concept seen at this year's Geneva motor show. We?re keen to see if Peugeot has improved the poor ride and seat comfort of the outgoing model.

    Get interactive with whatcar.com...




What Car? News Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:19:00 GMT

Removals Ipswich - Removals Ipswich
... home. My brother-in-law was supposed to meet me at 9am in readiness to collect a hire van. He didn`t turn up until lunchtime and I had moved the entire contents of the kitchen into the new home by ...
Visit Removals Ipswich...

Young Driver Car Insurance - Young Driver Car Insurance
...to let go sometimes and when their children reach a certain age and become increasingly independent it can be difficult to cut the apron strings. You tend to worry as a parent and want only the best ...
Visit Young Driver Car Insurance...

Cheap Car Hire Birmingham Airport - Cheap Car Hire Birmingham Airport
...need some form of transportation to get you around whilst you are in the city. You might be meeting up with a number of important clients and have asked your company to provide you with a hire car wh...
Visit Cheap Car Hire Birmingham Airport...

Rover Car Parts - Rover Car Parts
...cars are made and to a very high spec. Rover is a name that is trusted the world over but any car no matter how well built will need some spare part from time to time, which includes rover of course....
Visit Rover Car Parts...

Roof Racks - Roof Racks
...r or your van can soon be solved if you get yourself a set of roof racks. In hardly anytime at all you can have the racks fitted and then you`ll be able to use the extra space on top of your roof. T...
Visit Roof Racks...

Taxis In Manchester - Taxis In Manchester
...ning the trip to the airport, prior to jetting of on holiday. In the past I tended to leave the packing to the very last minute which then made me late as I headed off to the airport. These days I p...
Visit Taxis In Manchester...

Mercedes Sl For Sale - Mercedes Sl For Sale
...SL and you had to sit and drool as yuppies drove past you in their bright red Mercs back in the 1980s. Today you are at an age where you find you have a certain amount of expendable income and your s...
Visit Mercedes Sl For Sale...

Momo Helmets - Momo Helmets
...ng scooters will want to get their hands on one of these fine items of head protection. My attention was drawn to the Momo Fighter helmet that came in a range of fine finishes. Matt or glass black m...
Visit Momo Helmets...

Short Term Car Lease Deals - Short Term Car Lease Deals
...onth period as you head-up a new scheme for your firm? A lease car would be ideal but most of them are only available with lengthy types of contracts. This might have been true in the past but today...
Visit Short Term Car Lease Deals...

Bristol Coaches - Bristol Coaches
...to twenty nine people, yet do not know where to go to for good, reliable transport. Do you want spacious and comfortable travel at the most competitive prices. Then look no further. You can now hire B...
Visit Bristol Coaches...

Cheap Insurance For Young Drivers - Cheap Insurance For Young Drivers
...rough your test and then have to shell out vast amounts for car insurance afterwards. Such is the price of wanting to drive for yourself but if you look around you can find savings on some car insuran...
Visit Cheap Insurance For Young Drivers...

Used Motorhomes For Sale - Used Motorhomes For Sale
...of England. It was a fabulous experience and the motorhome that we hired was just like a home from home. It had a double bed in the rear and one over the driver`s cab, thus catering for four people q...
Visit Used Motorhomes For Sale...

Rukka - Rukka
...-weather gear. Having tried a variety of motorcycle clothing in the past you find rukka to be in the premier league. Throughout all of the seasons of the year you bike clothing keeps you warm and dr...
Visit Rukka...

Classic Car Specialists - Classic Car Specialists
... in mind which isn`t a bad thing but they tend to lack in having any kind of soul. Sit behind the wheel of a new car and everything will be functional and precise, dull and rather dreary. A classic ...
Visit Classic Car Specialists...

Airport Taxi Leicester - Airport Taxi Leicester
...u have to make a trip to the airport. One in particular has been making airport runs since 1968 and from this time their service has been exceptional. Book an airport taxi leicester when you are jet...
Visit Airport Taxi Leicester...

Roof Bars - Roof Bars
...ught a second hand car recently and although it was 7 years old it was a one owner vehicle with a cracking low mileage. The previous owner had a tow bar fitted to the vehicle and it also had roof bar...
Visit Roof Bars...

Leicester Airport Transfers - Leicester Airport Transfers
...rport is never going to be a problem if you live in the Leicester area. Local residents are lucky because they can rely on the services of a reliable taxi firm. This firm has been taking passengers ...
Visit Leicester Airport Transfers...

Wedding Cars Kent - Wedding Cars Kent
...ides will be taken to the church where they are going to get married in a tasteful type of transport. Some brides like open, horse-drawn carriages whilst others will opt for a classic type of vehicle...
Visit Wedding Cars Kent...

Wedding Cars Surrey - Wedding Cars Surrey
...ou opt for a Merc as the transportation to the church on your wedding day or pick a Jag instead? The company who provides the wedding cars surrey has a fine fleet of vehicles that are available to hi...
Visit Wedding Cars Surrey...

Motorhome Hire - Motorhome Hire
... long time; its little wonder that many people are now thinking about their summer holidays. Itâ??s at times like these, when itâ??s freezing outside that we long for a long, hot summer. We Brits ar...
Visit Motorhome Hire...

Car Service Derbyshire - Car Service Derbyshire
...t has a full service history. People on the lookout for reliable runabouts like the peace of mind that a full history brings. It shows them that whoever has owned the car before has kept up with all...
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Minibus Hire Bristol - Minibus Hire Bristol
...round the town so it`s up to the best man to get it sorted out. The ideal type of transport for a large group of lads would arguably be a minibus. Blokes based in Bristol will be ok because they can...
Visit Minibus Hire Bristol...

Short Term Car Lease - Short Term Car Lease
... be tied into a 3 or 4 year contract. Would you be interested in contract hire if you could give the car back after 3 months without any penalties? It`s possible to lease cars from short term car le...
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Manchester Airport Taxis - Manchester Airport Taxis
...abroad. Come the day of departure and I become like a child full of building excitement and bubbling enthusiasm. My packing will be done the night before and I always make sure that I use the same t...
Visit Manchester Airport Taxis...

Luxury Car Hire London - Luxury Car Hire London
... the capital you can certainly benefit by booking a Luxury Car Hire London. You`ll find there are dedicated firms that have fabulous cars in their range so when you need Luxury Car Hire London they`ll...
Visit Luxury Car Hire London...

Used Rover Parts - Used Rover Parts
...and. I can remember my dad bring home a Rover Sd1 in the late 1970s and thinking to myself, wow, what a luxurious car. Sadly the writing was on the wall for Rover as it went into decline during the ...
Visit Used Rover Parts...

Suv Rent London - Suv Rent London
...n of size, performance and image. Many celebrities choose to drive SUV`s for their style and protection. They are possibly not the most economical or practical cars on the market but still they are a ...
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Cheap Car Hire Heathrow - Cheap Car Hire Heathrow
...cars in my time and the prices can certainly vary depending on where you hire them from. Shop around and it`s possible to find hire companies that offer hire vehicles at fabulous prices. These days I...
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Vw Campervan Sales - Vw Campervan Sales
... of Brits decided to holiday at home. They looked for cheaper ways to enjoy themselves in their own country and the sales of camping gear and campervans started an upward spiral. Cheap and cheerful ...
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Motorhome Dealers - Motorhome Dealers
...test motorhomes that you can hire or buy? They are amazing and they come packed with a host of creature comforts to make life on the road an absolute joy. New or used models can be bought through mo...
Visit Motorhome Dealers...

Campervan Hire - Campervan Hire
...ondrous sights if you consider a campervan hire. Can you think of better way to tour around the country than in your very own campervan? Groups of four people can fit comfortably inside the camperva...
Visit Campervan Hire...

Removals Norwich - Removals Norwich
...e that you moved home or have you permanently erased it from your mind? All you can remember was you hired a van and attempted the move yourself and the rest is a bit of a blur. Moving home can be s...
Visit Removals Norwich...

Scooter Clothing - Scooter Clothing
... place to go to get the very best accessories and Scooter clothing from. Visit one of the best retailers of all your scooter needs on line today and take a look at all the fabulous accessories and clo...
Visit Scooter Clothing...

Brake Services Nottinghamshire - Brake Services Nottinghamshire
...portant their brakes are, all drivers have to stop abruptly at some point and when they put their foot on that brake pedal they really need their car to perform. That is why it is important to take go...
Visit Brake Services Nottinghamshire...

Campervan Hire Scotland - Campervan Hire Scotland
...iday for this year. You know how it is, the bad weather in January and the inevitable let down after Christmas makes you yearn for a holiday. However, we have decided not to holiday abroad this year ...
Visit Campervan Hire Scotland...

Motorcycle Clothing - Motorcycle Clothing
...e and you can`t quite grasp the concept of only being a fair weather rider. The weekend is the time when you can really put your Kawasaki through its paces and the stresses of the week are left far b...
Visit Motorcycle Clothing...


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