A new technology time-bomb is ticking in the used car trade. Robin Roberts reports. Rapidly changing vehicle technology means that the remarketing sector is going to have to undergo an unprecedented period of upskilling over the next decade, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation – which represent companies that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Turbocharged 1.0 litre automatic MG ZS – Road Test
MG ZS 1.0T GDI Executive auto SUV – with a compact but big-hearted engine. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Sometimes it’s the little things that bring the biggest surprises, like the MG ZS SUV with a sub-1.0 litre petrol engine and an automatic gearbox. Now years ago you would have baulked at a five-seat family car with a 999cc engine and lumbered with an automatic … [Read more...]
‘Our Friends Electric’?
UK drivers buy more cars but are turned away from plug-in hybrids as a vital buying incentive is withdrawn... Robin Roberts tells the story. As the Geneva motor show opens, figures show UK car sales beat expectations and rose 1.4 percent February, boosted by rising sales of petrol and alternative-fuelled cars, according to the SMMT. Sales rose to 81,969 units from 80,805 in February … [Read more...]
Financial Conduct Authority investigates customer over-charging in the car sales market
Too much interest... Robin Roberts reports... Some methods used by finance brokers to reward car dealers that end up overcharging an estimated 560,000 customers about 300 million pounds a year are to be banned. The Financial Conduct Authority found widespread use of commission models that allow brokers to set the customer interest rate and thus earn higher commission. “We found that some … [Read more...]
Commercial break… Toyota Land Cruiser LCV – Road Test
Toyota Land Cruiser SWB Light Commercial Vehicle… Road-tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). In recent weeks I have watched a variety of documentaries from the wildest and most remote places on earth and while the presenters change with each programme there seems to be a satisfying, reassuring continuity as they are all conveyed in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Its reputation to … [Read more...]
SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate – Road Test
The SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate petrol auto SUV with 2WD... Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Everyone likes surprises, especially if they give you even more than expected, such as with the SsangYong Tivoli SUV. I think it’s a bit of liberty calling it an SUV when the petrol version tested is only 2WD and is little more than a taller hatchback, but the Tivoli goes … [Read more...]
Audi A4 Avant 40 TDI quattro – Road Test
2019 model year Audi A4 Avant 40TDI quattro tried and tested. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). While SUVs are the flavour of the season, there’re rich pickings for manufacturers and drivers in cars like the Audi A4 Avant. Most SUVs are rarely used to their full capacity or ability but an estate car, particularly a sporting estate like the Black Edition 40TDI quattro tested, … [Read more...]
Winners and losers in sales of new car sales in Britain…
Robin Roberts reports on the latest car sales figures... Sales of hybrid and electric cars soared over 26% last month and slowed the fall in registrations of recent months, according to figures from the car makers. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders say registrations were only 1.6% down in January at 161,013 new cars, with private buyers leading the way as business and fleet models … [Read more...]
Hyundai Kona 4WD 1.6 T-GDI Auto Premium – Road Test
The latest Hyundai SUV… …Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). There is a lot of noise and hype generated about SUVs at the moment but the Hyundai Kona compact five door SUV does not shout about its abilities, it just delivers them. This fuss-free formula is favoured by those who need the space and equipment of a quality SUV which decides when you can get away with … [Read more...]
‘Hand-built’ Mercedes SL sports car – created in Wales!
Top quality classic Mercedes SL has pride of place at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands. Robin Roberts reports... A remanufactured Mercedes-Benz sports car created in Wales is now taking pride of place in the German manufacturer’s leading UK centre. The hand-built SL sports car dates from 1968 and is owned by former racing driver Paul Rees who had it completely stripped, renovated, and rebuilt … [Read more...]
Kia’s diesel hybrid Sportage – Road Test
Kia Sportage GT-Line S 2.0CRDi auto 48v… Tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Success can be measured or judged in many ways, and one of those is behind the wheel of the Kia Sportage. It is the Korean’s brand’s best-selling model in Britain, and last year a record number of Kia models were sold including their globally best-selling SUV. So it can be said to be … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Combo Life MPV – Road Test
Vauxhall Combo Life Energy 1.5 Turbodiesel 100hp MPV… Assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Vauxhall know about big families or those with big demands, particularly now it’s part of the immense PSA Group. So it’s reflected in the range of models now coming to market with the famous long-lived Griffin badge, and that includes the immensely practical, roomy, agile Combo … [Read more...]
Buying a used car – A few words of advice
Thinking of replacing your car? Robin Roberts passes on some words of wisdom... The new year is finally here and for a lot of us that means a fresh start; a new job, an expensive gym membership or the tempting thought of buying a new or used car. However, today’s high-tech cars can be concealing unknown wallet-crunching problems. Fortunately, you don’t need a degree in electronics or a mobile … [Read more...]
Peugeot 508 Allure – Road Test
Peugeot 508 Allure 1.5 BlueHDi 130hp, manual, hatchback If style alone sold cars, the new Peugeot 508 coupé styled large five door hatchback would be soaring success. Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency) gives his assessment… In an age when we are told SUVs and Crossovers are the golden ticket in the lottery of life, the new 508 makes you think again and realise there is still room for a … [Read more...]
SUVs increasingly popular around the world…
THE RISE AND RISE OF SUV SALES... By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Global sales of SUVs rose 6% in 2018 to a hit a staggering 60% increase over the last five years. The Global Auto Database analysis shows the Toyota RAV4 as the world’s best selling SUV with 830,928 registrations, a 3.7% improvement and the second year in a row it has taken the top spot. Toyota dominated the … [Read more...]
Even better revised Honda NSX – First Impressions
Latest Honda NSX speeds into 2019… Tried and tested by Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). The insanely-hot 191 mph Honda NSX with a zero to 62 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, has had a make-over for the New Year, and its handling is now better than ever. Hybrids are hot news at the moment, but none come hotter than the Honda NSX. With its twin turbo V6 3.5 litre petrol engine and … [Read more...]
Classy Mercedes-Benz C 200 – Road Test
Mercedes-Benz C 200 AMG Line 4MATIC Saloon Tried and Tested. By Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). You should rightly expect something special from the world’s oldest car-maker and you wouldn’t be disappointed with the Mercedes-Benz C-class range, particularly the highly popular C 200 4Matic AMG Line saloon automatic tested here. Almost 100 years after the company was created from the … [Read more...]
Latest four wheel drive Alfa Stelvio 2.2 diesel SUV – Mini Road Test
Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 TD, Q4 Super, better late than never… By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Alfa Romeo took its time entering the booming SUV sector with its Stelvio, the first of its kind from the brand after it debuted the Kamal SUV concept car at the Geneva motor show in 2003. A lot has happened in the meantime and any car-maker with an eye on the future must make an SUV, … [Read more...]
Serious safety concerns: Surprising and worrying Euro NCAP test results…
Crunch time for Fiat Chrysler as the 2018 facelift Panda and the new Jeep Wrangler do not perform well in Euro NCAP tests. Robin Roberts tells all... The 2018 facelift FIAT Panda has been given one of the lowest ratings in Euro NCAP’s history, having failed to achieve more than 50% in any of the car safety organisation’s four key testing categories. The safety of children seated in the rear was … [Read more...]
U.K. new car sales fall – but not in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland…
New vehicle sales are increasing over the borders from England… Robin Roberts reports. Wales bucked the UK trend and pushed up new car registrations in November by 1.03% to 5,579 models. This compares to a rise of 7.1% in Scotland with 12,407 new cars and 3.8% in Northern Ireland to 3,253, while a decline of 4.1 %was experienced in England when figures dipped to 137,039, so the market in the … [Read more...]
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