It’s time to buy a new car. You’ve done some research – looked at reviews, checked out specs, asked friends and family for their views – and you’ve drawn up a shortlist. Now it’s time for a test drive, which is always enjoyable. It’s fun to try out a few different models – and it’s also necessary. You might have a favorite in mind, but if it doesn’t work for you and your lifestyle you’ll need to reconsider. That’s why try-before-you-buy is so important when it comes to car shopping. Most of us keep our cars for several years, so you need more than a few minutes behind the wheel before you make a final decision. Here are a few...

How often do you clean your car? For many motorists it’s part of the weekend routine, and quite therapeutic after a busy week at work. For others, it’s another chore they struggle to find time for. Yet it’s important to look after your car’s bodywork. Dirt builds up quickly, even if you only travel short distances. In winter, grit and salt sticks to panels, wheels and tires and can cause them to deteriorate. While a regular professional valet service would be wonderful, it’s not always an option. Garage car washes have their place, but there’s nothing quite as effective as doing it yourself. Grab a bucket and a wash mitt, and follow our tips on how to wash your car...

It’s one of those rites of passage. Once our children are old enough, they take driving lessons. All being well, after a while they pass their test. Then they want a car of their own, plus yours is too big/fast/precious to let them take out alone. Once you agree, there’ll be some discussion around what car is best for a new driver. Their ideas are unlikely to match yours, and there’ll be some debate before a compromise is reached. Once the dust settles, it’s time to start looking seriously. Here are a few tips you might want to bear in mind when looking for your child’s first car. Safety first Your top priority when choosing a car for your young...

It’s been an exciting week in the EZFIX camp, but we can finally announce the news we’ve been bursting to share – our new technical partnership with MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square. When the team begins its maiden campaign in the British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park this weekend, we’ll be cheering on their drivers knowing EZFIX is playing a part in keeping their race cars in top condition. The new partnership will see our range integrated across both MB Motorsport Honda Civics, including key areas on the bodywork and wheels, at each race weekend during the 2020 BTCC season. As well as ensuring they stay looking good for drivers Jake Hill and Sam Osborne, and the team’s...

Whatever car you drive, one of the main expenses it brings is the fuel you need to run it. We might gasp when we get our insurance renewal quote, or bemoan an unexpected repair bill, but putting fuel in our vehicles is an essential, regular and increasingly costly task. Most of us are keen to find the cheapest price at the pumps, and we’d bet we’re not the only ones who will drive across town to save a few cents. There’s another way to reduce your fuel costs too, though – and that’s by improving the mileage you get from your car. Take a look at our list to see what steps you can take to get more miles to...

Summer is a time to get out and about. Day trips, picnics, exploring attractions near and far – they’re all high on our list of to-dos, and generally mean we use our cars more and drive longer distances. With Covid-19 restrictions still limiting overseas travel, more people are finding ways to enjoy their vacation at home – which in turn inevitably leads to increased traffic on the roads. Our advice will help you stay comfortable and safe on the roads this summer. Before you go Plan your route. If you’re driving somewhere new, keep stress levels down by planning a basic route – especially if it’s a long way. Google maps, sat nav and the like make travel much easier,...

Whether you’re a motoring fanatic or your vehicle is simply a way to get from A to B, if you own a car then chances are you spend quite a bit of time in it. There’s the daily commute, the school run, the supermarket shop, taking the kids to dance lessons – and that’s without using it for your own leisure. While there’s nothing quite like the feeling of collecting a shiny new car from the showroom, for most of us that’s not an option more than once in a while. And there’s nothing wrong with that. We get comfortable with our cars the longer we have them. We learn – and love – their quirks. We cherish them. Now...

We all know the importance of first impressions. Experts say we form our opinion of someone new within the first seven seconds of meeting them, with some claiming it happens even more quickly – in just a tenth of a second. Whether we like to admit it or not, we tend to judge on appearances. We’re also told there are certain details that make a great different to our overall presentation, but which many of us often overlook. The style of accessories or jewelry you wear, the kind of briefcase or handbag you carry, even the pattern on your tie – all affect how you are perceived by others. The same is true of your shoes, to take the most...

If the time has come to change your car, you might be wondering about the best way to sell your existing vehicle. For some people, a trade-in or ‘we buy any car’ dealer is attractive because it’s relatively hassle-free. However, selling your used car privately has one big advantage – you’ll get a higher price for it. Even if your vehicle isn’t worth much, you’ll be able to ask more than if you offer it in part-exchange – usually a difference of 10% -20%. With that in mind, a private sale suddenly seems an appealing option. There are a few things you can do to speed along a sale, however – here’s what we recommend. Get your paperwork ready This...

Restrictions may be easing in many places, but coronavirus is still very much with us. We need to work out how to continue with our lives while staying safe – and our cars are playing an important role. As more people return to work, they are choosing to drive themselves rather than potentially put themselves at risk by using public transport. It’s preferable to join the queues of rush hour traffic than wonder if the person sneezing on the train simply has hay-fever or if it’s something more serious. In Berlin, for example, one of the first cities in Europe to relax lockdown measures, it’s reported use of public transport is down by 61%. The number of people driving, however,...