Check your vehicle frequently, particularly the tyres and especially before long journeys! The Motor Ombudsman tells us: (All words and photographs from The Motor Ombudsman). • With ‘Frantic Friday’ only a few days away, as millions start taking to the roads for the festive break, research by motoring expert The Motor Ombudsman revealed that 53% of adults across the nation would not … [Read more...]
BMW 420i – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports: “It’s hard to precisely put your finger on it, but it’s fair to say that the BMW 420i M Sport Coupé fits like a glove around a driver.” A development from the 3-series Coupé and Convertibles, the 4-series has been in the range since 2013 and today comes in both bodystyles as well as a Gran Coupé with a choice of four or six cylinder petrol engines … [Read more...]
MINI Cooper 5-door – Road Test
The Mini has been part of the British and European car market for over 65 years and is still not ready to be pensioned off against much younger rivals, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Since becoming part of the BMW Group in 1994 the famous British Leyland and subsequent Rover Group models have been completely reinvented, modernised and brought very much up to date. You only have to … [Read more...]
Electric vehicle remake of Morris J-Type van to be made in Wales
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... An electric vehicle remake of an iconic van sold in the 1950s is set to be made in Wales, thanks to Welsh Government support. Morris Commercial Ltd will establish a production facility at Bro Tathan for its modern-day reimagining of the Morris J-Type – the Morris JE. The classic van was once a popular sight on British roads and the … [Read more...]
GWM Ora 03 GT – Road Test
Here’s a Chinese whisper - the GWM Ora 03 GT is a good modern BEV, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). To some it looks like a version of the MINI it has helped build in its homeland of China in a deal with BMW, but it comes at a price which really takes on the bigger names. There are three models in the GWM Ora 03 range, and after the EV-grant the costs are £21,245 Pure, £25,235 Pro … [Read more...]
Austin A30/A35 book, ‘Enjoying Your Austin’
Kim Henson writes… If you own, or are considering buying, an Austin A30 or A35, this book may be of interest, and helpful, to you... My A30/A35 book (Enjoying Your Austin A30/A35) is available direct from me. I wrote and published the book in 2004, and it can still be purchased direct from me if you wish, and until the end of December 2025 is on special offer… This is an unused 'new old stock' … [Read more...]
SEAT Leon Estate – Road Test
At a time when so many cars look the same, one stood out with us, the SEAT Leon FR Black Edition, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). There are five trim levels with hatch or estate bodystyles, four powertrains including diesel and manual or automatic transmission from £25,345 to £41,210 for the big 34-model wide range. Continuous improvement means since launching in 1999 there have … [Read more...]
Suzuki gains ground (moving into the top five) in the latest NDFA car dealership survey
Suzuki GB PLC rated in top five of 33 brands measured in the UK in National Franchised Dealer Association’s Summer 2025 Dealer Attitude survey Suzuki tells us: (Photograph and all words from Suzuki). The continued success of Suzuki’s strong relationship with its 100 new car dealers across the UK is once again reflected in the results of the National Franchised Dealer Association’s Summer 2025 … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi returns to selling cars in the UK from 2026
Mitsubishi return to UK car market Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... International Motors Ltd, a leading UK-based vehicle importer and distributor, will introduce new Mitsubishi vehicles to the UK from next summer. The new models, drawn from Mitsubishi Motors’ global line-up, will bring the brand’s latest advancements in innovation and four-wheel drive technologies, to the UK … [Read more...]
SEAT Arona FR Black Edition 1.0 TSI Petrol 115 – Road Test
Volkswagen has decided that SEAT will in future be its entry level brand to the Group and with the Arona that’s a good move, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Instead of going for the upper end of the market and thereby limiting appeal to those with most money, the brand will become all things to all men and women. Its range is wide and benefits from the engineering, design and … [Read more...]
Mazda6e FD – First Impressions
It’s not turned a wheel on British roads but has already been rated as one of the safest cars you can buy. So writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The all-new Mazda6e has achieved a maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP in its recent series of tests. In the two categories of Adult Occupant and Child Occupant protection, Mazda’s latest all-electric model scored an excellent 93%. The … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive visits Burlen Fuel Systems at Salisbury
Kim Henson takes a trip to Salisbury, the home of Burlen Fuel Systems, to see how the firm can help classic enthusiasts keep their cars’ fuel delivery equipment in top form. (All words and photographs © Kim Henson, apart from some photographs from Burlen Fuel Systems, as individually credited.) It was back in 1971 when Burlen Services was started in the city of Salisbury by John Burnett and Mike … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A Welsh Adventure with two cars – and parting with a much-loved Jaguar on its way to a new life in Ireland…
Kim Henson describes how a planned long weekend trip to mid-Wales turned into a slightly more complicated excursion over a much longer distance... (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). The Wales Adventure – setting the scene Last week my wife Elaine and I went adventuring in Wales, initially for just one day in the company of fellow members of the Guild of Motoring Writers (and their … [Read more...]
Genesis GV60 – First Impressions
The GV60 was the first all-electric car from Genesis, now it gets a substantial update that focuses on style and technology, writes Chris Pickering... It says something about the pace of change in the electric car market that Genesis now feels like one of the old guard. Among the Jaecoos, BYDs and Skywells of this world, the Korean brand – a luxury offshoot of Hyundai and Kia – is positively a … [Read more...]
VW Tayron R Line – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: About 80 years ago, Volkswagen began building its empire making a car for the people and it’s never lost sight of that objective which is neatly fulfilled in the Tayron. It is a car very much made for today’s markets around the world and fills the gap between its top of range Touareg and five-seat Tiguan with the widest powertrain possibilities in a … [Read more...]
Klassikstadt – a motoring mecca in Frankfurt, well worth a visit if you are in Germany
Rachel Henson explored this fascinating automotive centre with plenty to offer all car enthusiasts. (All words and photographs © Rachel Henson). There is an unexpected motoring gem in the suburbs of Frankfurt, a short distance from the city centre. Klassikstadt is part workshop, part museum, part parking garage for interesting vehicles, and for those of us whose piggy bank can’t quite extend … [Read more...]
Introduction to the Wheels-Alive analysis of results from the DVLA/DfT ‘call for evidence’ on classic, kit built and radically altered vehicles, and those converted to electric power.
Dave Moss reports on this important 'call for evidence' and responses to it. Kim writes: I am greatly indebted to my colleague Dave Moss for his in-depth and very time-consuming work in analysing in detail the published results from the DVLA/DfT ‘call for evidence’, as outlined above. These results run to many pages and many thousands of words, and rather than try to include all these in one huge … [Read more...]
Toyota’s fascinating history – notably concentrating on the enduringly popular Corona model, which arrived in Britain exactly 60 years ago, on 1st October 1965
Long lives, big anniversaries - and big numbers - by Dave Moss (All photographs © Toyota). Though just pre-dated by the original Land Cruiser, Toyota's first post war passenger car was also the first to have been entirely designed and built in Japan when it appeared on its home market during 1955. Badged as the Toyopet Crown - named after the long established loom manufacturing company from … [Read more...]
Kia Sportage MY26 – First Impressions
Kia Sportage MY26 – First Impressions On the back of soaring sales in September, a new Kia Sportage has hit showrooms, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). After four generations since 1995 it has become Britain’s most popular family sized SUV and now gets a significant facelift outside and in with a number of technical improvements to build on the range’s powertrain options. The … [Read more...]
Suzuki S-Cross Ultra Allgrip MY26 – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… The Suzuki S-Cross has been a story of evolution and survival and continues this day as one of the brand’s most popular practical multi-purpose models. It can trace its origins to 2006 and a joint venture with Fiat and a different name, the SX4, standing for Sports X-over 4 Seasons. The third generation built in Hungary for European sales has been on … [Read more...]
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