Motors tips — Martin Lewis’ advice to cut car insurance plus Wheeler Dealers host’s sneak peek at new series

What is the drink driving limit?

While the drink-drive limit is the same for everyone, how it influences you behind the wheel changes.

• There’s no foolproof system where you can safely have one pint or one large glass of wine and definitely be under the limit.
• As a general guide it takes around two hours for a pint to leave your system although stronger beers and ciders will take longer.
• A large glass of wine (250ml) is still in the blood for four hours and a single measure of a spirit takes just one hour.
• Plus you’ll need to add on an hour for the alcohol to be absorbed into the system. So, if you have four pints and stop drinking at midnight, you’re not safe to drive until at least 9am – a bottle of wine and you have to wait until 1pm the next day.
• These numbers vary from driver to driver, too, depending on a number of factors including weight, age, sex and metabolism. When and how much you’ve eaten and stress levels at the time are all part of the equation, too.
• The easiest way to avoid being caught out and to ensure you’re safe behind the wheel is not to drink at all if you’re planning on driving and give yourself plenty of time the next day before setting off.

The easiest way to avoid being caught out and to ensure you’re safe behind the wheel is not to drink at all if you’re planning on driving and give yourself plenty of time the next day before setting off.

Britain’s most iconic cars revealed

The Mini Cooper is Britain’s most iconic car, a new survey has revealed.

The research found that a third of Brits (27%) feel affection towards the small motor, placing it ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (23%), James Bond’s Aston Martin DB-5 (22%) and even the Jaguar E-Type (22%).

1. Mini Cooper – 27%
2. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost – 23%
3. Aston Martin DB5 – 22%
4. Jaguar E-Type – 22%
5. Morris Minor – 15%
6. Aston Martin DB11 – 15%
7. Land Rover Defender – 13%
8. Ford Escort MK1 – 13%
9. Ford Cortina MK1 – 13%
10. Aston Martin Vanquish – 13%

What is the punishment for driving without insurance?

Driving on public roads without insurance is illegal and can lead to some serious punishments.

As per RAC, the police can:

• Hand out a fixed penalty fine of £300.
• Dock 6 points off the driver's license.
• Seize the vehicle.
• Destroy the vehicle.

A court can then issue:

• An unlimited fine.
• Disqualification from driving.

Is it always illegal to drive without insurance?

Yes, driving without insurance on a public road is against the law.

However, if the land you are diving on isn't accessible by the public you do not need insurance.

The minimum cover you need to drive on public roads is called "third-party insurance."

This covers you if you're deemed responsible for a road accident that causes damages to another person or their property.

Why do young people pay more in car insurance?

It's a frustration for young drivers everywhere, you work hard to get your license, save up for a car, only to find your insurance payments are through the roof.

But why do young people pay higher premiums on car insurance?

According to road safety charity Brake, drivers aged 17-19 make up just 1.5% of UK license holders. However, they also make up 9% of fatal and serious crashes.

This disparity sees insurers up the rates young drivers must pay.

Your postcode can impact car insurance prices

Perhaps unfairly, your postcode can actually impact the price of your car insurance.

Living in busy, built-up areas will usually increase costs due to the higher probability of an accident.

Postcodes aren't the only strange factor considered when insurers decide the price of your cover.

They may also factor in the weather, living near a river may see them consider the cost of water damage.

Tesla unveils new ‘quicker, more powerful‘ Model 3

Elon Musk’s Tesla has unveiled a new version of the company’s popular Model 3 Performance.

The new EV has gone on sale for £59,990 and is promised to be an upgrade to the favourite.

First released in 2017, the Model 3 was Britain’s second-best-selling car in 2021.

Tesla said in a press release they had made: “what we consider to be a perfect, high-performance daily driver.”

Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer gives update on explosive new World Tour series

Mike Brewer, host of beloved motors show Wheeler Dealers, has given fans an update on the upcoming spin-off series.

The presenter posted a  on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing off some highlights from the globe-trotting series.

"MONDAY 9PM @DiscoveryUK, we can’t wait it’s so bloody exciting! By the way it’s perfectly safe now to please go and follow the #WheelerDealer #facebook page and keep on top of all the news," he wrote.

ON THE ROAD

Martin Lewis' tip to cut car insurance & Wheeler Dealers new series sneak peak

Don’t ignore the tiny details

When buying a used car, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for the tiny details, mechanic Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestly has warned.

He said: “Things like rubber seals around the doors and windows will perish over time, and become brittle and hard, and the moment you start using the car again, after all that time, they can then suddenly start to fail because they’re no longer soft and supple.

“The car might look gleaming, but it’s the hidden bits that only a discerning buyer would take the time and know where to look, that are important.”

Could premium petrol be making your car run poorly?

A mechanic has claimed premium petrol could actually be making your car run poorly, despite costing £6 more than the standard product.

Scotty Kilmer, who has fixed cars for over 50 years, told his YouTube viewers the premium product is a “waste of money.”

He said: “It’s a waste of money putting premium fuel in a normal modern car.

“With modern engines having better design, lower compression and computer controls they will all run perfectly fine on regular fuel.

“If you have a car that’s made for normal fuel and you put it in, it could actually run worse because it’s set up for normal fuel at a lower compression.”

Elon Musk claims EVs will ‘dominate the market’

Elon Musk has predicted electric vehicles will take over the car market in the coming years, slamming manufacturers who are focusing their efforts elsewhere.

He said: “A lot of other auto manufacturers are pulling back on EVs and pursuing plug-in hybrids instead.

“We believe this is not the right strategy, and electric vehicles will ultimately dominate the market.”

Europe’s top selling cars of 2023

• 1. Tesla Model Y: 251,604 sales
• 2. Dacia Sandero: 234,715 sales
• 3. Volkswagen T-Roc: 204,610 sales
• 4. Renault Clio: 201,604 sales
• 5. Peugeot 208: 193,679 sales
• 6. Opel/Vauxhall Corsa: 188,154 sales
• 7. Volkswagen Golf: 183,716 sales
• 8. Toyota Yaris Cross: 176,285 sales
• 9. Fiat 500: 173,187 sales
• 10. Skoda Octavia: 160,662 sales

Does my credit score affect car insurance?

Insurers will often do a soft search of your credit report to confirm who you are and your address.

This won’t show up on your report as it’s not a full search.

However, if you choose to pay monthly, insurers will most likely do a credit check.

This is because you are entering into a financial agreement with the company.

Having a low credit score could impact this.

How do speed cameras work?

Speed cameras record a vehicle’s speed by either radar technology or markings on the road.

If a car is deemed to be going above the speed limit, an image will be snapped of the vehicle’s registration number, as well as its colour and type.

These images can sometimes include the driver’s face, as well as any passengers in the front seat.

Contrary to popular belief, not all speed cameras flash when they take an image of a car.

Electric ‘supermini’ coming to UK & will be Britain’s cheapest EV

A brand-new electric vehicle is on the way to the UK and it’s set to be the most affordable yet.

The budget BYD Seagull is now heading for forecourts across the UK, it has been confirmed.

Retailing for around £8,000, the Chinese vehicle comes in at just 3.78 meters, making it smaller than the supermini.

Speaking to the media, BYD Company’s Executive Vice President Li said, “Yes, we plan to bring the Seagull to
Europe next year. But it’s not the Chinese-market Seagull.

“It will be a European-market Seagull; a new Seagull. You haven’t seen it yet; even myself, I have not seen it yet.”

When can you drive without wearing a seatbelt?

There are rare scenarios when wearing a seatbelt isn’t a legal requirement.

According to , you don’t need to wear a seat belt if you’re:

• a driver who is reversing, or supervising a learner driver who is reversing
• in a vehicle being used for police, fire and rescue services
• a passenger in a trade vehicle and you’re investigating a fault
• driving a goods vehicle on deliveries that is travelling no more than 50 metres between stops
• a licensed taxi driver who is “plying for hire” or carrying passengers

Are you exempt from VED?

Payment of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), often known as road tax, is a legal requirement to drive in the UK.

However, some vehicles that meet specific conditions are exempt from the payment.

The following vehicle types are exempt from paying VED:

1. Low and no-emission vehicles – those emitting less than 100g/km of carbon dioxide registered before 2017
2. Historic vehicles – those which are more than 40 years old on a rolling basis
3. Vehicles used by disabled people – if you qualify for the higher rate of major disability benefits including Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Child Disability Payment
4. Vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture and forestry – including tractors
5. Vehicles registered Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)

Premium petrol might be making your car run worse 

A mechanic has revealed how premium petrol could be making your motor run worse despite costing £6 more than the standard stuff.

Scotty Kilmer, who has fixed cars for over 50 years, told YouTube viewers that pricier fuel is actually a "waste of money".

The motors whizz explained how most modern cars are actually set up to do their best work on lower-grade petrol.

Premium petrol, often known as super unleaded, includes higher quantities of the chemical component octane (hence why it is sometimes known as high octane fuel).

This allows the fuel to withstand a higher amount of pressure before it ignites to power the engine - this is called the compression ratio.

But, as Scotty explained, most engines these days do not require that higher compression ratio to work.

However, Scotty did reveal one instance in which you might need premium fuel for a modern car and that is if you're running a high-performance model, like a Ford Mustang.

Underinflated tyres reduce fuel efficiency

A common tyre issue could be costing you hundreds of pounds.

Wrongly inflated tyres can make your motor drive less efficiently and therefore cost you more money.

Underinflation can reduce a vehicle's fuel efficiency by 10 per cent, costing the average family about £100 a year.

A poll of 1,000 motorists commissioned by  found that only 15 percent of road users check their tyre pressures weekly.

One in three vehicles have dangerously low oil levels

Car insurance giant RAC has advised all car owners to regularly check their vehicle's oil levels.

According to RAC, one in three vehicles have dangerously low oil levels.

They said: "Check your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your car's dipstick and top up if necessary.

"If you don’t know which type of oil you need to use, refer to your owner’s handbook or speak to your local dealer."

Bright and bold cars lose value faster than other colours

While it may seem like a trivial choice, picking the perfect paint job for your car impacts the resale value and general maintenance.

Lime greens, burnt oranges and sunshine yellows might speak to your personal tastes, but they are notoriously difficult to sell on the used car market.

That’s because, as a more niche choice, it’s tricky to find willing buyers, forcing you to lower the asking price or wait longer for a suitable offer.

Ultra-rare Ferrari worth £2.6m crashed by dealership employee

An ultra-rare Ferrari worth £2.6 million has been wrecked after it was crashed by a 24-year-old dealership employee on the way to a motor show.

The stunning supercar smashed into the wall of a tunnel in Stuttgart, Germany, while trying to make it just 11 miles to the event.

According to , the motor was being piloted by a young employee of the dealer that owned it.

The red 1990 F40 was set to go on sale in the near future with an asking price of £2.6 million.

In an attempt to drum up some demand, it was meant to go on display at the nearby Motorworld Car Show on April 21.

However, around 8am that morning, it reportedly veered off course and hit the tunnel wall nose first.

What is the drink driving limit?

While the drink-drive limit is the same for everyone, how it influences you behind the wheel changes.

• There’s no foolproof system where you can safely have one pint or one large glass of wine and definitely be under the limit.
• As a general guide it takes around two hours for a pint to leave your system although stronger beers and ciders will take longer.
• A large glass of wine (250ml) is still in the blood for four hours and a single measure of a spirit takes just one hour.
• Plus you’ll need to add on an hour for the alcohol to be absorbed into the system. So, if you have four pints and stop drinking at midnight, you’re not safe to drive until at least 9am – a bottle of wine and you have to wait until 1pm the next day.
• These numbers vary from driver to driver, too, depending on a number of factors including weight, age, sex and metabolism. When and how much you’ve eaten and stress levels at the time are all part of the equation, too.
• The easiest way to avoid being caught out and to ensure you’re safe behind the wheel is not to drink at all if you’re planning on driving and give yourself plenty of time the next day before setting off.

The easiest way to avoid being caught out and to ensure you’re safe behind the wheel is not to drink at all if you’re planning on driving and give yourself plenty of time the next day before setting off.

Drivers forking out billions in unexpected repairs

Motorists have forked out a collective £10 billion on unexpected repairs in the last 12 months - thanks to failed MOTs, damaged windscreens, and flat or worn tyres.

A study of 2,000 UK drivers has found 68% have been hit with a hefty repair bill in the last year that they didn’t anticipate.

The study, commissioned by all-inclusive car subscriptions provider, , found the average cost of unexpected repairs amounted to £582 each, with one in 10 paying in excess of £1,500 in a single transaction.

The biggest drawback to owning a large vehicle

Seven in 10 van owners say the biggest drawback to owning a larger vehicle is it frequently being borrowed by family and friends.

A poll of 500 van drivers said owning one can come with its downfalls as relatives and pals want to use it for their own needs.

Moving furniture, visits to the tip and collecting big items from homeware stores were among the top reasons people needed a van-loan.

But 24 per cent said they are rarely or never offered money to cover the cost of using it, and 18 per cent feel uncomfortable saying no when somebody asks.

And 58 per cent feel their weekends often get wasted emptying and reloading their vehicle to help others.