Author: Alex Street

I’m sure we have all been guilty of overlooking the importance of breakdown cover at some point or other, maybe in a bid to save a few extra pounds for Friday nights at the pub or even a trip abroad. It’s the moment when you’re driving down the motorway at 60 and you lose power that the reality of not having cover really hits you. After insurance, breakdown cover is the next must-have motoring essential, yet possibly the most overlooked. Although it’s not and probably never will be a legal requirement, it could single-handedly save you a small fortune and…

No matter how much pride you take in looking after your car, sooner or later it’s going to get a scratch. You can’t stop wear and tear completely. The same is true if you’re buying a used car. It’s not going to look like it has just rolled off the production line. Either way, there are steps you can take to remove and repair scratches in your car’s paint and make sure it looks its best. It will help if you clean your car regularly. Birds and squirrels can leave behind unpleasant deposits which can damage the paint if left for any…

1. Bullitt Will there ever be a better car chase on celluloid than this Steve McQueen classic? (That’s a rhetorical question. We know the answer is ‘no’.) The chase scene in Bullitt is nine minutes and 42 seconds of muscle-car heaven that took three weeks to film. It’s impossible to watch without desperately wanting to own a 1968 Ford Mustang GT. Unfortunately, we’re unlikely to ever have one in stock (though if we do we promise it will be cheap). 2. Ronin This film serves up more car chases than a posh French restaurant serves courses. There are so many in the…

If you’ve ever stepped foot in a Motor Show you will have probably glimpsed an exotic looking vehicle – all curved chrome and glass – and then spent subsequent years wondering why you’d never seen one pass you in the street. This will have undoubtedly have been a concept car, and the truth is that very few of them actually make the leap from idea to reality. Concept cars are produced by manufacturers for a number of reasons; to trial new technology, to demonstrate a new approach, or often just to create a buzz at motor-shows and get people talking…

Inspecting a used car can be a minefield. Where do you start? Modern cars are so complex and few of us have much mechanical knowledge. Follow these tips, though, and you should avoid the lemons and pick up a peach. This advice should be especially useful if you plan to buy your next car privately. Check the paperwork Don’t just examine the car – ask to take a look at the paperwork. Make sure the seller shows you the car’s service history. Don’t take their word that every service has been carried out on time. Check the stamps in the service book. Ideally,…

We all love a good joke, even us petrol heads and when it comes to motoring there’s literally boot loads to choose from. Given that summer has come to a miserable end and there’s little more than dull rainy days on the cards, what better way to brighten up your day than a mega long list of car jokes and acronyms, 24 to be precise. Manufacturer Specific Car Jokes Ford – What’s the best thing about buying a Ford? They roll of the production line with the problem already circled. BMW – What’s the difference between BMWs and porcupines? Porcupines have their…

For many people, a car is essential for their daily routine. It’s likely that, when you’re commuting to work or taking your children to school, you’re not thinking much about maintaining your car’s value. However, you then could be in for a shock when you come to sell or part-exchange your vehicle. You might find that your car’s value is much lower than the price given in a car valuation guide. By taking a little time and making some extra considerations, you could maintain your car value, and get much less of a shock when you sell. Avoid Excessive Mileage…

Us petrol heads love a good hot hatch, it’s been that way since the 1975 introduction of the Golf GTI. Now in 2014, over three decades later, there’s an insanely talented bunch of pre-loved examples readily available on the second-hand market. The question is how hot can you go on a modest £3k budget? The result of my search is square eye syndrome, excessive caffeine intake and obsessively used cars classified browsing disorder, but most notably, a top ten list containing some of the greatest hot hatches ever to drive this earth. And, here they are, the best cheap hot…

Here are a few tips to step up your driving. Take an advanced driving course Everyone likes to think they’re a great driver, but the truth is we could all do better. An advanced driving course – or even just one lesson – will help smooth off the rough edges and bad habits we all develop after a few years on the road. You’ll be a better, safer, more confident driver. Check your oil levels Engines need oil. Let the level run too low and you could cause hundreds or even thousands of pounds of damage to your engine. Check the oil…

There are dozens of accessories you can buy for your car. Just because you can, though, it doesn’t mean you should. There’s a corner of your local car accessory shop where you really don’t want to go. It’s the land that taste forgot. Money spent on the tat you’ll find here is not money spent wisely. Here’s MotorPaper’s guide to the accessories you really ought to avoid: Fluffy dice These were rubbish in the ’80s. It’s now 2019. Don’t do it. His and hers windscreen stickers Congratulations, you are in a relationship. Hopefully, you are intelligent enough to remember the…