The car, recently listed online, was available for all proud Mancunians for just £790.
Do you love Manchester United more than any of your friends? Do you want to show your mates how committed you are to the Reds? Then we’ve got the car for you!
Listed on the Trade Cars Cleckheaton website, the Mazda 323F is absolutely covered in imagery from the famous Manchester club.
At just £790, it’s certainly cheaper than getting a tattoo sleeve.
UK Drivers have been warned about a scam text message circulating that could give crooks access to their bank accounts in minutes.
Phishing scams trick innocent victims into giving over personal details such as bank information, often by sending text messages claiming to be from a legitimate company or business.
This simple scam could deceive victims into losing thousands of pounds within just a few minutes.
The messages usually claim either that a motorist has overpaid their car tax and is due to a refund, or that there has been an issue with a tax payment, and they need to log into the fraudulent website to update their details.
Last year, there was a huge increase in the number of motorists reporting suspected fraud to the DVLA. In the three months to September 2020, the agency saw a 603% increase in reported cases compared with the same period a year previously.
What to do if you’ve been targeted by a phishing scam?
Suspicious text messages can be forwarded free of charge to your network provider on 7726. You can also report it to Action Fraud or the police if you think you have fallen victim to such a scam.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed the top ten best-selling cars in the UK for 2021 so far.
The Vauxhall Corsa is currently riding high in 1st first place, with the Evergreen Ford Fiesta (top-selling car for the last three years), a close second.
Here are the top 10 best-selling vehicles in the UK in 2021 so far, according to figures from the SMMT.
Thinking of buying a dashcam but not sure which one to get, or even where to start? Our dashcam buyer’s guide includes everything you need to know.
What is a dashcam?
A dashcam (short for dashboard camera) is a small camera that records what’s happening on the road in front of you (or behind, depending on the model). Dashcams can offer drivers peace of mind on the road, safe in the knowledge that police and insurers can find out precisely what happened in the event of a crash.
A good dashcam or dashboard camera is able to record high-quality video footage to help prove what happened in the event of a crash, or protect you from false claims.
What types of Dashcam are available?
The two types of dashcams available on the market are forward-facing and front-and-rear. A forward-facing dashboard camera records the road ahead only. A front and rear dash cam is a multiple-lens system that offers both forward-facing and rear-windscreen cameras to record what is happening both in front and behind you.
What are the benefits of having a dashcam?
The best benefit of installing a dashcam is having evidence that can be used to prove that you aren’t at fault if your car is involved in a collision or accident. Your dashcam footage could be used by the police or insurers to evaluate precisely what has happened, potentially assisting you to avoid any issues with insurance claims or legal matters. Some models of dashcam also include a parking mode, meaning that any collisions that happen when you aren’t in the vehicle are still recorded.
Does the resolution of the footage matter?
All dash cams support at least HD resolution (1,280 x 720 pixels to be precise) but it’s more common for dash cams to record in Full HD ( that’s 1,920 x 1,080 pixels). Some newer models can record up to 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels).
A higher resolution doesn’t always mean better quality. If you can, look for example footage online of the model you are thinking of buying before you purchase.
Other features to consider
Not every feature offered with some Dashcams are essential, but some can make using your dashcam easier. Here are a few features to look for:
G-force sensors: This means that the camera will automatically save moments of high G-force, generally during a collision. This means the footage – which is recorded on a loop – will be protected from getting overwritten.
GPS: This allows you to pinpoint your exact location at the time of the collision. It will also show the route you were on and your speed. This could be helpful for building up a picture of precisely what occurred in a crash.
Parking mode: This means that your dashboard camera will automatically begin recording if it detects a collision or impact while you’re parked. Useful for finding out who bumped your car in a busy car park.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi lets you send the footage wirelessly from the camera to your device, meaning you don’t have to remove it and take it inside.
DVSA issues important warning to all petrol owners after E10 fuel changes
The DVSA has issued a warning to all petrol vehicle owners after new fuel changes.
They have advised drivers to check if their vehicle is compatible with the new petrol type before visiting the pumps.
What is E10 petrol?
E10 petrol has become the standard unleaded petrol at all petrol stations across the UK. It will replace the E5 standard petrol. The E stands for Ethanol, and the 10 stands for the percentage of Ethanol found in petrol. E10 Petrol has been widely used across Europe, the USA and Australia.
Why are we switching to E10 petrol?
The main reason that E10 is being launched in the UK is that it reduces the level of CO2 emissions overall for vehicles. Ethanol is made from plants, so doesn’t need any oil or other fossil fuels in it’s production. By replacing 10% of the petrol we put in our cars with this plant-based fuel then we are reducing the number of fossil fuels we use every time we fill up.
How can I check if my car is suitable for E10 petrol?
The good news is that the vast majority of UK cars will work just as well with E10 standard petrol. All cars made since 2011 will be fine running on E10 fuel. The majority of cars from the late 90s onward are also not affected.
But if you drive a classic car, a low cc moped, or an older vehicle, you should double-check.
What can I do if my vehicle won’t run the E10 Fuel?
If your vehicle does not run on E10 fuel you still have options. Some petrol stations will still stock E5 fuel. However, it will only be the premium ‘Super Unleaded’ variety that is generally more expensive.
Can you mix E5 and E10 petrol in your vehicle’s tank?
You don’t need to worry about this – you can mix and match E5 and E10 without any negative effects.
Having a CCJ can make it more difficult to be accepted for car finance – but that doesn’t have to be the end of the road.
What Is a CCJ?
A CCJ stands for County Court Judgment. It is a type of judgment that can be put against you if you fail to pay any debts that you owe.
Before you have a CCJ applied against your name, your debtors must issue you a notice letter, to let you know that they will pursue legal action if the debt is not paid.
The Judgment will state a deadline for repayment and outline how much you owe the creditor.
CCJs are kept on your credit file for six years, even after the debt has been paid off.
Can Motorly Help me get Car Finance when I have a CCJ?
Having a CCJ on your credit can make it make difficult to get finance. However, you still have options.
Motorly works with a large panel of lenders who help thousands of customers get car finance with lower credit scores, so you’ve come to the right place. This includes people with CCJs.
Nevertheless, we can’t guarantee that you will be accepted, as everyone’s situation is different. We would need to look at your personal circumstances to see if we can match you to one of our lenders.
How can I improve my chances of getting finance?
If you have had a CCJ in the past, you are more than likely to have a lower credit score. There are some simple tips that you can implement to improve your credit score. They include:
Fix any incorrect information on your credit report
Sign up for the electoral roll if you aren’t already.
Avoid making multiple credit applications in a short period of time.
Autumn brings many potential dangers and hazards for drivers. Roads can become slippery and visibility is frequently diminished. Darker evenings and low sun bring their own risks.
To keep you and your vehicle safe on the road, we recommend you get ready for the months ahead by following our top tips:
Tyre Pressure and Tread
It’s a good practice to check your tyre pressure after each long journey you take. Make sure tyres are at a safe level to tackle difficult wet roads.
If the tyre tread depth is below 2-3mm, we strongly recommend replacing the tyres to ensure safe driving. If tyre tread falls below 1.6mm, they become illegal on UK roads.
Bulbs and Lights
It’s a good habit to check your lights every few weeks throughout the year. This is especially true as autumn begins, and we head into the darker months. Your vehicle handbook shows how to change a bulb, but you may need a garage to change headlight ones. Don’t forget to check the brake lights and number plate lights.
Fluid Levels
Make sure that engine fluid levels are all correct and over the minimum recommended. This will help your car run smoothly. Keep extra window wash with you, in your boot, along with a car safety kit. Having extra wiper fluid will help them to work at their best.
Other Points to Remember
Remember that fog also makes the road wet and slippery.
Don’t leave it too late to turn on your lights – it’s best to see and be seen.
Always drive at an appropriate speed for the weather conditions you are facing.
Use the demister and windscreen wipers and always clear your windows of frost or ice before starting your journey.
Always make sure children are belted in and that child seats are fitted correctly.
Your vehicle will take much longer to stop on a wet surface, particularly one covered with wet leaves – adjust your speed and leave a longer following distance so that you are always able to stop in the distance seen to be clear.
September brings the new ‘71 Car Registration to UK Roads. Number plates change two times a year (the other key date is 1 March) and these two months generate huge sales for car manufacturers as motorists rush to drive brand-new vehicles with the latest registration.
Are you planning on getting one of the new registration plates? If the answer is yes, go ahead and share any pictures with us on Twitter @wearemotorly using the hashtag #wearemotorly. Or you can contact us on our Facebook page.
If you are thinking about getting a new vehicle, our easy-to-use finance calculator below will find out what your average repayments could look like. Our quick quote form only performs a soft search, which won’t affect your credit score. If you’d like to complete an application, there’s absolutely zero obligation to go ahead. You can find out what you’re eligible for.
The next registration plate release date will be 1st March 2022, with the ‘22 plate.
Motorly Car Finance
Millions of Brits buy second hand cars each year. Here is our checklist for when are considering your next car purchase.
Dealership or private seller?
Why fall in love with a car before you have the finance together? We don’t go and view a house without a mortgage in place – so why do we do this with cars? It’s a great idea to get your finance organised before you miss out on the car of your dreams. Step into a dealership already approved with motorly.
Generally speaking, dealerships are more expensive, but they can offer additional benefits. They can often offer a part-exchange, and a warranty. Which means you can be more confident that the car has been checked and won’t breakdown.
However, you might pay a better price by buying from a private seller, but you are responsible for checking that the car is in good working order. It would be advisable to hire a mechanic to check it for you, but this could be expensive and of course inconvenient and costly.
When you are ready to buy another car you can step into a trusted dealership with your finance approved with no impact on your credit score. Know where you stand when you’re looking at cars so that the dealer can’t upsell you. This can take you out of your price range, which happens often. Going in with a plan is the best way to be prepared and happy with your car finance deal.
What should you look out for?
There are a few things you need to look for when shopping for a used car
✅ V5C registration document – make you get the V5C registration document, and this tells you who the registered owner is. Make sure it is genuine, and check for any spelling mistakes, along with making sure the number plate and vehicle identification number (VIN) are the same on the car and this form. There should be a watermark and the V5C to ensure authentication
✅ Exterior paintwork – the first impression is usually the right one. Check the paintwork for subtle differences in colour, as this could be a sign of repairs, look for rust, or bubbled paintwork, and check that all doors, windows, bonnet and boot open and close properly
✅ Suspension – give the car a good bounce, pushing down on all four corners, ensure the car bounces back smoothly, if it doesn’t you could be in for a rough ride
✅ Tyres – check for decent tread, if there is less than 3mm then you are going to need to replace them before long (1.6mm is the legal limit). Check the spare wheel and puncture repair kit, along with everything you need to change a tyre
✅ Interior – check the seat belts, that they all plugin and work correctly
✅ Horn, windscreen washers and wipers
✅ Note any warning lights
✅ Heating and air conditioning, radio, sat-nav etc
✅ Adjustment of seats and headrests
✅ Under the bonnet check for any oil leaks. Check the coolant, this should be the same colour as antifreeze, not rusty, brown or discoloured
Test drive the car
We recommend you should always test drive a car and make sure it runs as it should. Listen for any dubious sounds when starting the engine. If it’s manual, get a feel for how the clutch and gears feel. If it’s an automatic, listen out for how the gear shifting sounds.
Check the brakes work properly, they shouldn’t make any noise when braking, and obviously, they should bring you to a stop effortlessly. And then check the handbrake works properly. If you are happy with all of the areas we’ve highlighted, then you can go ahead and buy the car.
There are many options open to you when buying a car, it can get confusing! We’re here to help you at motorly. Use our calculator below to see which options are open to you
