Success for Volvo at Used Car Awards

  • Volvo S90 crowned Best Used Executive Car and scoops the overall bronze award
  • XC90 voted Best Used Large SUV
  • S90 wins for a third year in succession, impressing with its comfort, refinement and value for money
  • Judges praise the XC90 for its style, versatile seven-seat interior, load space and value
  • These and all other Volvo models available through Volvo Cars Selekt Direct, the UK’s first end-to-end online service for approved pre-owned car sales direct from the manufacturer

The lasting quality, style, customer appeal and value of Volvo’s prestige models have been rewarded with three honours in the 2022 Auto Express Used Car Awards, announced this week.

For a third successive year, the S90 has been crowned Best Used Executive Car. It also scooped the overall bronze award, marking it out as the third-best used car of all on sale, according to Auto Express. Meanwhile, the XC90 triumphed in the Best Used Large SUV category.

The S90’s pre-eminence in the awards continues with the judges once again impressed by its “compelling combination of style, comfort and value”. In awarding it the overall bronze award, the judging panel said “the S90 is something of a phenomenon and feels a cut above its German rivals”. So high do they rate the saloon’s all-round quality, they already consider it the prime contender for a fourth executive car award in 2023.

The judges praised the XC90 for its “head-turning style”, the versatility of its seven-seat interior, the quality of its infotainment system and its boot capacity. They added: “With the earliest versions now nearly eight years old, you can add superb value to that list of strengths.”

Motorists looking to invest in these award-winners and any other pre-owned Volvo can be assured of the best quality cars and customer support from the Volvo Selekt Approved Used service. Earlier this year, this was made even more convenient and customer-friendly with the introduction of Volvo Cars Selekt Direct, the UK’s first end-to-end online service for purchasing pre-owned cars direct from the manufacturer.

The models on offer are subject to more than 150 quality checks, including software upgrades to ensure optimum performance. Each car comes with 12 months’ Volvo roadside assistance, cover for its next MoT test and a comprehensive warranty. Customers can exchange their car within 30 days or 1,500 miles if they are unhappy with their purchase for any reason.

Andy Dolan, Volvo Car UK’s National Used Car Sales Lead, said: “These awards are a great affirmation of the quality and value that Volvo models offer used car customers.

“We are proud to back this up with the peace of mind and convenience of our Volvo Selekt Approved Used and Volvo Cars Selekt Direct services, which are the best ways to access the finest used Volvo cars on the market.”

More details and the full terms and conditions of the Volvo Selekt Approved Used service can be found at www.volvocars.co.uk/used. For Volvo Cars Selekt Direct, please visit volvoselekt.findvehicles.co.uk/en-gb/store/all.

‘Thunder fever’ could cost motorists up to £5000

The unusual weather this summer is causing issues for drivers that could result in fines or penalty points – adding to the mounting cost of living expenses.

This week alone has seen warnings from medical experts about ‘thunder fever’ – a rare weather phenomenon that makes hay fever (and asthma) much worse with a combination of thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts across the country. It happens when moisture and lightning brought by the storm, shatter pollen normally too large to enter the lungs into tiny pieces.

Whilst drivers need to be careful that sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes brought on by hay fever doesn’t impair their driving ability, there is a serious risk for those suffering with the pollen.  The government legislation that bans driving while under the influence does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications. 

This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness. One in four people in the UK has hay fever, which equates to approximately 16 million people.

Other  distractions that could be classed as careless driving include  ‘rubber necking’ at the storm itself or failure to see through the windscreen properly, if caught in heavy rain.

Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says if drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.

However, any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods that accompany thunder storms might not be covered by insurance policies. Quotezone.co.uk warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “The weather has been extreme this summer and driving in the heat alone has been challenging but there are things drivers need to know to avoid risking penalty points or fines and keep themselves safe on the roads.

“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more travel time, note drivers may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – drivers can be fined if they can’t see clearly out of all windows.

“Hay fever symptoms can come on unexpectedly and some types of medication do cause drowsiness, or carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”

It’s always sensible to check the weather before setting off on long journeys and err on the side of caution, Met Office pollen count forecasts available here.

Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including  breakdown cover,  and niche products such as motor trade insurance – helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products.

Recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk.

Two out of three drivers won’t go electric unless ‘absolutely necessary’

As the cost-of-living rockets, price comparison experts Quotezone.co.uk asked consumers how they really feel about electric versus fossil fuel cars (petrol/diesel) and which they found most cost effective. 

The new survey reveals that 59.3% of petrol/diesel drivers will only consider buying an electric or hybrid vehicle ‘when I absolutely have to’.  26.2% said they would buy ‘within the next 5 years’, 10.3% said they would ‘buy now / as soon as is feasibly possible’ and only 4.3% said they’d buy ‘just before the deadline’ – 2030, when the government plan on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.  

The research also found that the main barrier that is stopping people from buying an electric car is the price, with 35.7% of drivers saying they are too expensive, followed by 20% of people who said range anxiety was a major concern, while worries about the availability of public charging points were cited as an issue by 19.3% of respondents. 

Interestingly though, 57.8% of those with electric cars said they were saving over £100 per month compared to their previous fossil fuel vehicle – with 36.6% saving under £100 per month.  Only 5.6% didn’t believe they were making savings.  

When electric vehicle owners were asked what they didn’t like about their cars, 24.8% said there weren’t enough readily available charging points, followed by range anxiety (20%), broken charging points (19%) and rising energy costs (18%).  

The data, compiled by Quotezone.co.uk, was taken from a survey of 500 electric and petrol / diesel car insurance policyholders, completed in August 2022.  

Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder, Greg Wilson, comments: “It’s really interesting to see what’s holding people back from going electric and again, lack of infrastructure and car price, appear to be the top offenders that are making it impractical for many to make the switch.   

“The hike in car prices is most likely due to the new car shortage, brought about by lack of materials and logistical issues across Europe, causing a spike in shoppers choosing ‘nearly new’ second-hand petrol cars.  

“One positive point to bear in mind for those worried about costs is that electric car insurance is now more readily available as the majority of insurance providers have added electric cars to their offering – making it easier for consumers to shop around and get a competitive premium.”   

Currently only 2% of cars are hybrid and 3% are electric in the UK.  Data from Quotezone.co.uk shows a small increase in customers with electric or hybrid cars of 0.2% from June 2021 compared to June 2022 – with the average cost of those electric vehicles increasing by £5k from £34,000 to £39,000. 

The government has been increasing investment in charging points, including grants for motorists, as well as tax relief to help make electric vehicles more affordable.   

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products including electric car insurance, Tesla car insurance and standard car insurance.

Quotezone.co.uk is recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk. 

Harry Potter fans have to try this Scottish road trip this summer

  • Drive across the beautiful Highlands, stopping at Harry Potter filming locations along the way
  • There are six magical locations to explore, including Glen Etive, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Morar
  • The Harry Potter road trip takes 7 hours 54 minutes to complete by car

As the fifth most popular filming location in Europe, Scotland has provided a beautiful backdrop for countless Hollywood blockbusters over the last few decades.

Harry Potter is perhaps the most famous and beloved of these film series to shoot scenes north of the English border, with stunning Highland scenery featuring across each of the eight exciting instalments.

And now fans of the franchise can visit its most iconic filming locations, as Macklin Motors has curated the ultimate road trip route of Scotland for Potterheads.

Taking 8 hours to complete by car, this road trip is perfect for Harry Potter fans who want to feel the magic of their favourite scenes, while taking in beautiful Scottish landscapes at the same time.

The journey starts in the astonishingly beautiful valley of Glen Etive, before driving just over half an hour to Rannoch Moor’s Insta-ready autumnal shades, both of which featured in the Deathly Hallows.

The next stop is Steall Falls, the second highest waterfall in Great Britain, a popular beauty spot that made an appearance in the adrenaline-pumping dragon chase scene in the Goblet of Fire.

Drive 40 minutes further and drivers will find the most iconic Harry Potter filming location in Scotland: Glenfinnan Viaduct. Potterheads will certainly recognise this stunning railway viaduct from the Chamber of Secrets’ unforgettable flying car sequence.

The penultimate stop on the road trip route is Loch Morar, which eagle-eyed fans will immediately recognise as Hogwarts Lake from the Prisoner of Azkaban. Then, a long drive across the Scottish Highlands will reveal the very last filming location on the map: Black Rock Gorge. This stoic cavern featured in the Goblet of Fire, taking centre stage during the Triwizard Tournament.

Macklin Motors spokesperson commented: “Whether for a bank holiday weekend or a week in the Summer holidays, finding the perfect holiday destination for the entire family is always a tricky task.

“With our Harry Potter road trip, we want to provide the best of both worlds for kids and parents alike, touring beautiful Highland hotspots with a magical twist. Plus, at just under eight hours in total, drivers can complete this road trip in a day or take their time with it throughout their holiday in Scotland.

“So, pack the car with snacks, ready your family’s favourite playlist, and set off on a bewitching adventure around Scotland’s stunning scenery.”

For more filming location road trips around Scotland, visit the Macklin Motors blog or take a look at the route on Google Maps.

Scottish drivers face growing car insurance premiums

The average cost in Scotland is now £435, following a £31 (8%) increase year-on-year, according to the Confused.com car insurance price index

  • According to the data, Central Scotland is the most expensive region, with motorists paying £477 for their car insurance, on average. This is an increase of £34 (8%) year-on-year.
  • Drivers in the Scottish Borders pay the cheapest price for car insurance, despite a £29 (9%) year-on-year increase. Drivers in this region can expect to pay £366, on average.
  • Further research shows that almost half (45%) of drivers who received a renewal quote last quarter saw a price increase of £41, on average. However, drivers who shopped around on a price comparison site saved £54, on average (1) .
  • Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com urges drivers to shop around ahead of time and to consider opting for annual payments, which could save drivers as much as 10% on their car insurance(3)
  • How to save money on your car insurance: Confused. money on your car insurance: Confused.com expert tips aim to help drivers save more on their insurance as the cost of living rapidly increases.

Car insurance costs across the Scottish regions are at the highest in almost two years following the steepest increase in prices since before the COVID-19 pandemic (Q4 2020), new data reveals.

The average cost of car insurance in Scotland now stands at £435, on average, with drivers seeing an increase of £31 (8%) compared to this time last year. That’s according to the latest car insurance price index (Q2 2022) from Confused.com, powered by WTW. Based on six million quotes a quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK.

However, some drivers could expect to pay more than the national average, depending on the region in which they live. The data shows that drivers in Central Scotland pay the highest prices for car insurance, with the cost now £477, following a £34 (8%) increase compared to this time last year. Despite an annual increase of £29 (9%), drivers living in the Scottish Borders pay the cheapest costs for their car insurance, with an average premium of £366.

Meanwhile, drivers in East and North East Scotland are now paying £399 for their car insurance, following a £27 (7%) increase year-on-year. And drivers in the Scottish Highland and Islands are paying a premium of £394, on average, following an increase of £30 (8%).

Region Average Premium YOY £ YOY %

Scottish Borders £ 366 £29 9%

Central Scotland £ 477 £34 8%

East & North East Scotland £ 399 £27 7%

Scottish Highlands & Islands £ 394 £30 8%

It’s a similar picture across the rest of the UK, where prices increased by £32 (6%) over the past 12 months to £554. This is the highest prices have been across the UK in almost 2 years.

The reports of steeper car insurance costs might come as bad news for Scottish motorists, which is why it’s never been so important to shop around for the best deals when it’s time to renew.

However, while prices are increasing for most drivers across the UK, further research by Confused.com shows that many loyal customers are still taking a bigger blow, having seen their renewal increase more than the price of a new policy, on average.

A survey of 2,000 UK drivers(1) found that almost half (45%) of those who received their renewal last quarter saw their price increase by £41, on average. This is despite 1 in 10 (10%) drivers who have renewed their car insurance since January 2022 believing that prices wouldn’t increase after Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)(2) changes earlier this year. However, while prices are increasing for new policies too, the data shows that drivers could still save money by shopping around and taking out a new policy.

In fact, those who shopped around after receiving a more expensive renewal price saved £54, on average, after using a price comparison website and switching insurers.

Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com reminds drivers that the recent FCA changes do not always mean a cheaper or like-for-like renewal price, as any increase to the average UK car insurance costs will be reflected in renewal premiums. And it’s likely that prices will continue to increase as motorists spend more time on the road, meaning that likelihood of claims will increase too.

It’s evident from the latest data that increases have been seen across other regions too, with the UK average premium now £554 – that’s £32 (6%) more expensive than 12 months ago.

However, despite annual increases across all regions, some areas in Scotland have in fact benefitted from a decrease in costs over the last quarter. For instance, although there has been an annual increase of £59 (16%) in Shetland, the average cost for car insurance in the area has actually decreased by £19 (4%) since the last quarter. Drivers in Aberdeen have also seen the average premium cost decrease by £2, making their annual cost £397, on average.

But despite small wins for some, other areas continue to see increased car insurance costs. For drivers in Glasgow, the average cost for car insurance is £523. This is a £39 (8%) increase compared to this time last year and also currently makes Glasgow the most expensive area in the whole of Scotland.

While prices are on the increase, data shows that female drivers are still paying cheaper prices compared to males(4). For males aged 17-20 in Central Scotland, car insurance prices are the most expensive in comparison to all other Scottish regions.

These costs have increased by an eye-watering £110 (8%) in the last 12 months, on average. Female drivers in Central Scotland also saw a 6% increase year-on-year, but this equates to £59 in comparison. In the past 12 months, the total cost for drivers aged 17-20 in this region has increased to £1,479 for males and £1,140 for females.

With the cost of living crisis worsening and further household bill hikes expected later in the year, drivers need to be savvier than ever. And when it comes to their car insurance, drivers should be shopping around, as it’s one expense that could guarantee a saving.

An option for drivers to save money on their insurance is by choosing for annual payments. While monthly direct debits may be the most convenient option, paying upfront for an annual cost could save drivers an extra 10% when taking out a new policy(3).

With so much to consider when it comes to car insurance, it can be confusing for drivers to know which factors will produce the best savings. To help motorists understand where savings could be made, Confused.com has created 16 tips to get cheaper car insurance costs. And it could be as simple as making sure all of your details are correct when taking out insurance.

Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com comments: “With millions stung by the current cost of living, it can be disheartening to see that car insurance prices are also on the rise. As the latest data shows, we’re seeing some of the highest spikes in prices since before the pandemic.

“With us all still adjusting to life after lockdown, it’s likely that this is due to the number of insurance claims being made increasing as we get back into some sort of routine. Unfortunately, this means that you might notice a price increase when renewing or shopping for your car insurance.

“While prices are increasing, we know that car insurance is one area where you can still save money, which will help to balance out price hikes in other areas. It’s clear from research that renewal prices are often more expensive, and it can be easy to accept a higher price if it doesn’t look too bad given the expectation that everything is increasing at the moment. But please don’t do this. You can pay less!

“The car insurance market is very competitive right now, which is the perfect time to be savvy and shop around for a better deal. Taking some time to research the best available options can really pay off. We know there’s an insurer out there who can offer you a better price, which is why we guarantee to beat your renewal(5). And if we can’t, we’ll give you the difference, plus £20. So, if anything, you will make money!”

Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling new car in the first half of 2022

  • Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling new car in the first six months of 2022
  • More than 22,200 units sold in the first half of the year
  • All-electric Corsa-e is the UK’s best selling electric supermini, with 2,677 sold in the first six months
  • Vauxhall’s private car and van market share grew from 4.9% to 6.1% compared to the first six months of 2021

The award-winning Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling new car for the first six months of the year, according to the latest new car registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

With 5,014 sold in June, and 22,212 in total for the first half of 2022, the Corsa is also the best-selling B-segment vehicle so far this year. The all-electric Corsa-e has been named the best-selling electric supermini for the first half of the year, with 2,677 registrations so far in 2022.

The performance of the Corsa range, alongside Vauxhall’s other new models including the new Mokka, helped the brand grow its private car market share from 4.7% to 5.8% compared to last year.  In June, Vauxhall was the second-best-selling car manufacturer overall, with 9,966 registrations across all car models.

Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “The Vauxhall Corsa was the UK’s best-selling car last year, and we’re on track for another stellar year. The first six months have been difficult for the whole industry, but Vauxhall remains a firm favourite with UK buyers.

“The second half of the year will see the roll-out of our All-New Astra and Astra Sports Tourer – two new models that showcase our new design language, innovative technologies, and our commitment to electrification.”

The Vauxhall Corsa is available with efficient petrol engines as well as with a fully electric powertrain. The Corsa-e is powered by a 50kWh battery and a 136PS (100kW) electric motor and is capable of up to 222 miles (WLTP test cycle) from a single charge. Capable of supporting up to 100kW rapid charging, an 80% charge takes just 30 minutes to complete.

The entire Vauxhall passenger car range can be ordered entirely online via the Vauxhall Online Store. The Vauxhall Online Store brings the brand’s showroom experience straight into the comfort of buyers’ homes.

Customers can arrange a live video viewing of their vehicle via the Vauxhall Virtual Showroom and proceed to the Online Store to configure their vehicle, personalise finance payments, and place an order, all from the comfort of their home.

Nissan Ariya is Auto Express Car of the Year

  • The new 100% electric Nissan Ariya named Best Mid-Sized Company Car…
  • “the newcomer goes straight to the top of the class”
  • … and takes overall Auto Express Car of the Year title
  • “It mixes style and substance seamlessly, and is an advanced EV right for the modern era”
  • Spacious, lounge-like and modern, with a clear attachment to its Japanese DNA, Ariya offers a refined, comfortable, zero-emissions drive

The new Nissan Ariya has been named a double winner at this year’s Auto Express Awards, securing both the ‘Best Mid-Sized Company Car’ trophy and the coveted overall ‘Car of the Year’ title.

Now available for customers to order, with a fully electric range of up to 329 miles, the Ariya features Japanese-inspired design, a luxurious and spacious cabin and advanced technologies.

Andrew Humberstone, managing director at Nissan GB, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition for our incredible new 100% electric crossover and would like to thank the judges for this fantastic award.

“The Ariya perfectly encapsulates the design, tech and performance of our next generation EVs and will continue Nissan’s pioneering journey in electrification and support our route to carbon neutrality.”

Auto Express’ judges were keen to highlight the Ariya’s all-round talents and praised the car’s compelling blend of head-turning looks, premium appeal and composed driving dynamics, plus a range of well over 300 miles.  

For business users too, it was judged that “the newcomer goes straight to the top of the class”.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, added: “The Ariya is the most premium-feeling Nissan we’ve seen yet, but it backs this up with impressive technology, punchy performance and clever storage.

“It mixes style and substance seamlessly, and is an advanced EV right for the modern era, as many motorists seriously consider – with many making the switch – to all-electric motoring. It’s our Car of the Year 2022.”

Drawing on Nissan’s leadership in electrification and segment-defining crossover capabilities, the Nissan Ariya seamlessly delivers advanced driving capabilities and a premium EV experience. 

Hay fever: high pollen warning for Scotland’s motorists

The Met Office is issuing a ‘high’ pollen forecast for Scotland, south of Grampian and The Highlands, which could give hay fever sufferers more than watery eyes from today.

Scottish hay fever sufferers who are vulnerable to grass and nettle pollen and Cladosporium spores, which will increase in intensity during bright warm weather should take note, especially if they take medication to lessen symptoms.

The Met Office forecast has led to a warning from one of the country’s leading car insurance comparison websites, that many motorists are unaware of the fact that ‘driving under the influence’ could result in hefty fines and points on their licence.  Some hay fever medications could see drivers committing this type of motoring offence without even realising it.

Insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk says the government legislation that bans driving while under the influence, does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications.  This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness.

One in four people in the UK has hay fever, that’s approximately 16 million people, according to the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.  Grass pollen is arguably the biggest cause of seasonal allergies, affecting approximately 90% of hay fever sufferers – with peak season from mid-May until July.                                                           

Scotland’s hay fever sufferers could consider the following advice before getting behind the wheel:

Five driving tips for hay fever sufferers

Check medication – antihistamines and hay fever medications can differ in strength, check with the doctor if in any doubt about possible side effects and always read the label – the warning, ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ is commonly found and applies to cars, forklifts and any other heavy machinery.

Plan journeys – check the Met Office Pollen warnings or download the weather app, which gives a 5-day forecast for high pollen counts. 

Keep the car as pollen-free as possible – clean the car regularly to get rid of dust that could trigger symptoms before setting out, regularly change pollen filters in the car’s ventilation system and keep car windows closed during journeys.  

Get stocked up – keep the car stocked with fresh tissues, hay fever medicine, a bottle of water, eye drops, anything used to ease the symptoms, should they strike unexpectedly. 

Drive safely – better to err on the side of caution, giving lots of space to fellow road users and taking breaks if hay fever symptoms start.  If drivers don’t feel well or the pollen count is high, play it safe and don’t make non-urgent journeys.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments:  “A lot of people aren’t sure exactly when the hay fever season starts, it actually runs for seven months of the year – March to September – depending on the type of pollen people are allergic to, so it can catch drivers off guard.

“Most people assume that the term ‘drug-driving’ refers to driving while under the influence of illicit narcotics, but the truth is that driving after taking any type of drug, could result in a motoring conviction if the motorist’s driving abilities are impaired.

“While some hay fever medications are non-drowsy, some types do cause drowsiness, and some prescription hay fever tablets in particular carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”

Quotezone.co.uk compares quotes from over 110 UK car insurance providers, helping over 3 million users find a more competitive deal each year on everything from car insurance to electric car insurance to convicted driver insurance

Oh man! Penalty points hit male motorists where it hurts

Male motorists are clocking-up more than twice as many penalty points as their female counterparts, according to new data from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Male drivers racking up three penalty points on their licences currently total 1,343,700, compared to 606,700 for female drivers, as of the 5 February this year.

The number of male drivers with six points is 395,000, whereas with female motorists the figure is 120,600.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, a leading insurance comparison website, comments: “The data suggests that women are the more cautious drivers – racking up less penalty points. However, the differences are stark to say the least and concerning.”

Greg Wilson warns that law breaking motorists will feel the effect: “At a time when all of us are looking to tighten our belts, penalty points can really hit motorists in the pocket. In addition to legal fines that accompany the points, offending motorists’ insurance companies will reassess how they see their risk and in turn premium.

“Three points can raise insurance premiums by 5%, but can rachet up fees by as much as 25% if a motorist has six points on a licence. Remember, penalty points stay on a licence for four years and the corresponding rise in insurance fees may do so as well.”

The data further shows that 1,120 women and 6,100 men have 12 points on their licences, which leads to an automatic ban – called a TT99. If a driver is disqualified from driving under this ‘totting up’ system, they will have had a TT99 conviction code added to their driving record, which means they’ll likely have to pay considerably more for their ‘TT99 insurance’ after the period of disqualification ends. 

Greg Wilson continues: “Motorists who can prove exceptional circumstances in court may be allowed to continue driving, but the courts are far from pushovers and the judge has the power to award the maximum fine and determine the length of the ban – over 56 days means the driver has to reapply for the license and maybe even retest.”  

Insurance providers are prohibited from using gender as part of their risk analysis calculation, as per The Equality Act established in 2010.  They use other factors such as the level of no claims bonus secured, age, postcode, vehicle specifications and of course, number of penalty points incurred, to help determine the most appropriate premium price per customer.

Motorists who want to reduce the effect of penalty points might try the following to keep their premiums as low as possible:

  • Sign-up to a telematics product recognised by their insurance firm, which allows them to showcase their new safer driving behaviour
  • There are specialist insurance policies for drivers with penalty points that can help – shop around on comparison websites for specialist driver policies
  • Parking in a more secure location overnight can really reduce fees, if they have a garage or a private driveway use it and let the insurer know
  • Choosing a car without branding or modifications and even a smaller engine can also help reduce premiums
  • Installing a dashcam can help too – insurance providers may offer discounts if drivers have one fitted

Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including TT99 insurance and  convicted driver insurance, helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products. Recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk

Citroën welcomes NHS, Teachers & Emergency Services staff by extending ‘Citroën and You’ programme

  • ‘Citroën and You’ friends and family programme extended further to include NHS employees, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel.
  • Programme enables eligible customers to save up to an additional £1,200* on a brand-new Citroën car.
  • ‘Citroën and You‘ programme is available exclusively online through the Citroën Store.

Citroën UK is showing its appreciation for the incredible work of the NHS, Teachers and Emergency Services across the UK in recent years by extending its ‘Citroën and You’ programme.

The programme, previously reserved for friends and family of Citroën employees, welcomes NHS, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel into the Citroën family and allows users to save up to an additional £1,200* on a brand-new Citroën car.

‘Citroën and You’ is available to NHS employees, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel as a fully online experience via the Citroën store. Eligible users wishing to take advantage of the ‘Citroën and You’ programme can review current offers online, configure and personalise their car, place it in their shopping basket prior to checkout and access a discount with a personalised promotional code before completing the order.

The initiative launches this week with dedicated pages already live on the Citroën UK website. The offers extend across the Citroën passenger car range, including C4 and ë-C4 Electric, New C5 Aircross and C3 Aircross SUV.

NHS Employees: https://citroen.co.uk/citroen-and-you-for-nhs.html
Teachers: https://citroen.co.uk/citroen-and-you-for-teachers.html
Emergency Services: https://citroen.co.uk/citroen-and-you-for-emergency-services.html

Last month, Citroën UK celebrated Sign Language Week (14 to 22 March) by extending the ‘Citroën and You’ programme to welcome British Sign Language (BSL) users. Citroën has pledged to become more accessible to the UK’s more than 150,000 strong deaf community. Last year, Citroën partnered with SignLive to become the first car manufacturer to introduce its online video interpreting service for deaf and hard of hearing customers across its entire UK retailer network.

British Sign Language users: https://www.citroen.co.uk/citroen-and-you-for-bsl.html

Eurig Druce, Citroën’s UK Managing Director, said: “Over the past two years we have seen the remarkable work the NHS, Teachers and Emergency Services have provided across the UK in the face of a global pandemic.

“To show our appreciation for the work they have done and continue to do for us all, I am proud to extend ‘Citroën and You’ to all NHS employees, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel so they can save on a great new Citroën vehicle.”

‘Citroën and You’ friends and family programme is exclusively available via the online Citroën Store, which allows customers to configure their vehicle, select the finance package that best suits their needs and order their new vehicle from the comfort of their own home.

*Current offer available at time of announcement. Subject to change in the future.

Exclusions apply. Visit https://store.citroen.co.uk/ to see all available models.