Smart motorways were first introduced officially by the Highways Agency back in 2013, with the first trial being held on the M42 way back in 2006. These types of motorways are designed to control speeding, detect broken down vehicles and control hard shoulder closures in accordance with the volume of traffic on the roads. For many drivers, there will hardly seem any difference between these ‘smart’ motorways and regular motorways. So what makes a motorway ‘smart’ and how do you drive on one safely? Features Of Smart Motorways There are 3 basic types of smart motorway: ‘Controlled motorways’ t ..read more

As of April 1st 2024, road tax is changing AGAIN. The last adjustment made to UK car tax was way back in April 2017, so it’s been several years since its was last changed. The British government plans to raise car tax in line with inflation, so expect it to be around a 6% increase. For many drivers they will see an annual rise of between £5 to £10 a year with the only exemption remaining for new electric vehicles costing less than £40,000 with their zero carbon emissions. Find out more about the 2024 car tax changes and what they mean for you when especially buying a new car after 1st April 20 ..read more

With recent floods caused by Storm Ciaran, Storm Debi and Storm Antoni in 2023, many victims will be worrying about the damage caused to their home and very likely their car too. In 2020, figures showed that over 3,000 cars were rescued from flood water in just one day, so there is the risk of an influx of  flood damaged cars appearing on the used car market. With that in mind, it’s an ideal time to think about whether it is or isn’t a good idea to buy a flood damaged car, and what you need to know to avoid any pitfalls. Warning Signs of a Flood Damaged Car Repairing a car that flood wate ..read more

BANG! Yes, we’ve all likely been there and hit a pothole whilst driving, that dreaded feeling of “oh God, how much was jolt going to cost ME” and it feels like your car is limping down the road from the impact! Potholes have become a very common sight on UK roads, causing inconvenience and sometimes even serious damage to vehicles. Certainly, it seems to us we’re seeing more customers coming in asking for help due to pothole damage. In this post, we’ll talk about the impact of potholes on UK roads, how they form, and what you can do to report them and claim compensation for any damage they cau ..read more

Petrol prices are always in the news, a few pence difference on your gallon of fuel can make a big difference to your motoring budget over a year. In the last few years the price of petrol sunk as low as £1.10 a litre in April 2020 to eye watering highs of £1.95 a litre in July 2022. Makes us a bit giddy to look back at petrol prices 20 years ago when they were sat at 75p a litre. We get even giddier when the author of this post mentions he used to put £2 worth of petrol in his Nissan Micra back in 1990 and easily go 60 miles! However petrol back then was 40p a litre. Even EV’s these days can ..read more

You use them everyday when driving and probably don’t give too much thought to them, but brake pads are the unsung hero of car safety! A vital component of your vehicle’s braking system, we think it’s important for drivers to understand a little about them. Understanding their cost, lifespan, replacement process, and maintenance can help you ensure optimal braking performance, certainly when you need it most! In this blog post, we’ll address the most common questions we’re asked by owners about brake pads in our Chepstow garage. How much are brake pads typically? Brake pad prices can vary depe ..read more

The clutch in your vehicle is subject to constant friction, so it’s no surprise that it may need a repair or replacement at some point. The deterioration of your clutch can be sped up through poor driving habits and with it being considered a ‘wear and tear’ item, it won’t be covered by your warranty. To help ensure your next clutch repair or replacement doesn’t come prematurely, take a look at 5 bad habits that are ruining your clutch. Riding The Clutch Riding the clutch is something almost every driver is guilty of, this usually happens when crawling in traffic. When your clutch isn’t all th ..read more

Has your vehicle just turned 3 years old and is in need of its first MOT? Or perhaps you’ve purchased a second-hand car that’s due its first MOT with you as the owner. Either way, you might be asking yourself; “what MOT class is my vehicle?”  While most standard 3 or 5 door vehicles usually require a Class 4 MOT, there are actually many different MOT classes and it’s important you understand which your vehicle falls under. In the table below, we’ve highlighted the different types of MOT classes and what types of vehicles they cover. What is an MOT? The MOT test is an annual inspection whi ..read more

We’re subject at times to some very wet weather in Wales and the South West UK, mostly due to our maritime climate, so you think we’d be use to driving in bad weather. However seeing as we’ve had a fairly dry couple of months (all things considered) we thought it might be timely – with the oncoming of April showers – that it’s a good time to go over what to do when driving in heavy rain! As a driver, sudden torrential rain can be a significant hazard on the UK’s roads so it’s important to adjust your driving style to ensure your safety – as well as the safety of other road users. Here are some ..read more

Car servicing is a vital part of car maintenance if you’re looking to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Here, we look at the frequently asked questions about car servicing so that you can make sure you’re taking the right steps to keep your vehicle in tip top condition and minimise any hassle. What is Car Servicing? Car servicing refers to regular maintenance of a vehicle, such as checking oil level, brake fluid and other fluids, replacing parts like spark plugs or brake pads, and giving the engine a tune-up. It also includes performing safety inspections to check for any potential problems ..read more