5 things every car owner should be able to do

1. Change a flat tyre
2. Jump a car
3. Change the air filter
4. Spark plugs
5. Check oil and transmission fluid

If you don't know how to do any of the above, we have created a list for you explaining how to do all of the above.

Change a flat tyre

You will be suprised how many people don't actually know how to do this. If you experience a wheel puncture while driving, slow right down to 5mph with your hazards (hazard lights) on if need be - expect other drivers to overtake you, at the very nearest opportunity, pull over somewhere safe (a lay-by or carpark would be ideal).  DO NOT attempt to change your tyre on a hard shoulder or any other busy road, it is too dangerous and the emergency services should be able to help you with this rather than you risking your own life or putting others in danger.

To change a tyre you will need:

• Spare wheel with inflated tyre
• Tyre jack
• Wheel brace
• Wheel chocks (or brick/large stone)
• Warning triangle

Once you are situated in a safe location, make sure all passengers are out of the car and that you are able to change the tyre safely. Apply the handbrake, make sure your hazard lights are on, turn off the engine and if you have a warning triangle, place it 30 metres away from your vehicle, facing the direction of the traffic.

(Make sure that the spare wheel is inflated before you put it on.)

Put the Chocks (or brick/stone) behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite the flat tyre, even if you are on a level surface it is better to be safe than sorry, last thing you want is your car rolling down hill while you're trying to change it! Remove the hubcap or plastic covering on the wheel, you might need to use a screw driver to prize this off, this will then reveal the wheel nuts. Next use the wheel brace to loosen the nut (turn the nut half way) by turning in an anti-clockwise direction. This might be a tricky part as the wheel nuts can often be very tight, try to use your body weight to loosen the nuts.

Loosen all the nuts on the tyres. Check your car manual to see where to place the car jack, if you make a mistake here you could make the whole car collapse so it is always better to check first. Start to jack up the car, you can put the spare wheel under the jack for extra leverage should the jack buckle. Once you have the desired height with the jack (it should be high enough to get the spare wheel on it), finish removing all of the nuts and put them in a safe place. The flat tyre should be hanging from the threaded studs now. Put the flat tyre under the car where the spare tyre was previously for extra support.

Lift the spare wheel onto the studs, if you're not sure if you have the wheel the right way round, the air valve should be facing outwards. Now replace the nuts, replacing them in the same way that you took them off.

Remove the old tyre from under the body of the car and slowly release the jack. Make sure all of the nuts on the new wheel are tight - turning clockwise. Replace the hubcap or wheel cover. Voila!!!!!

Jump a car

You will need:

Jump Leads (x2)

A friend/neighbours working car

Open each car's hood and locate the battery on each. Identify the negative and positive terminals:

+ Positive (red cable)

- Negative (black cable)

Park the car that works (friend/neighbours car) as close as you can possibly get to the dead car, make sure they are not touching however. Turn off all electrics in both cars - engine, radio, air con, lights etc.

If you have them, make sure you wear safety gloves and goggles to keep you protected. Before attaching any cables, make sure that the dead battery does not have any leaks, cracks or damage, if so there is nothing you can do and you will need to either replace the battery or call a tow truck to pick you up.

You may need to clean both car's cables and terminal with a wire brush to remove any erosion.

The jumper wires will have heavy duty clamps attached to either end, black on one end and red on the other. Once connected to the car, the red and black ends should never touch as this could cause dangerous shocks or could damage both cars. This is how to set it up:

Connect the red clamp (+ - Positive) to the positive terminal of the dead battery. (dead car)

Connect the red clamp (+ - Positive) to the positive terminal of the good battery. (working car)

Connect the black clamp (- Negative) to the negative terminal of the good battery.

Connect the remaining black clamp to something that is grounded metal in the dead car. Look for shiny metal (not oily or painted) that is attached to the engine. This could be a nut, bolt or other protruding shiny metal. It is normal if you see a small spark when you connect to good ground. Connecting the negative ( - black) cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery is risky because it can mean that hydrogen gas that comes off the battery could ignite, so this should only be attempted as a last resort and if you can't find any other shiny metal. Make sure that no cables are dangling into the engine compartment where they could be at risk from moving parts.

Now start the working car and let the engine run for a few minutes. Rev the engine very slightly above idle for 30 to 60 seconds. You can do this to charge the battery in the dead car - because the starter in the dead car will draw most of the required current (well in excess of 100amps) from that battery not through the cables. No set of jumper cables is built to pass the current required. Charging the dead battery is a must. If 30 seconds doesn't do  it, try charging for the full 60 seconds by keeping the engine at high idle. A good clean connection between the battery cables and the battery terminals is essential.

Try to start the dead car. If it does not start, shut the engine off and slightly twist or wiggle each of the four clamps to help ensure the electrical connection is complete. Restart the working car again. Allow 5 minutes for charging before attempting to start the disabled vehicle. If this doesn't work after a few attempts, you may have to just bite the bullet and replace the battery or get your car towed.

If the dead car starts, remove the jumper cables in reverse order in which they were attached, making sure that none of the cables or clamps touch each other or dangle into the engine compartment.

Disconnect the black clamp from grounded metal on the dead car.

Disconnect the black clamp from the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.

Disconnect the red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.

Disconnect the red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.

Replace any positive (+) red post protective covers if applicable.(You have had to remove or open these in the beginning) These covers help prevent accidental short circuiting the battery.

Keep the recently-disabled car's engine running. Run the car above idle (slightly revved up with your foot on the gas) for 5 minutes and then on or above idle for 20 minutes before turning it off. This should give the battery enough charge to start the car again. If it does not, you probably have a dead battery or a dying alternator.

Change the air filter

Please see the video from youtube.com below to show how to change your air filter.

Spark Plug

We have found a video to help you establish whether or not the spark plug in your car is faulty, and we also found one of how to change it afterwards!

And a video explaining how to change/replace your spark plugs:

Check the oil and transmission fluid

 For oil, pull out the dipstick then wipe it off with an old rag. You'll see minimum and maximum lines, and you want to see the level right at the maximum line. A little over is OK, but if you have too much there will be too much pressure and you can blow a gasket. For the transmission fluid, keep the car running. Find the dipstick (often yellow or red), pull it out and wipe it off. You'll see hot and cold lines. If your car has been running and is below the cold line, your fluid is low.

What to do when you lose your car keys?

Most people in this situation would panic, because most people only have one set of car keys. Some cars do come standard with a spare set (also known as the master key) which should be left with someone trusted (brother, sister, father etc) or left in your house so they are easily retreivable should you ever need an extra set. Not to worry if you do lose your car keys. All you have to do is get in touch with your local car dealer (whether that be Ford, Audi) or a trusted locksmith that has all the certification to prove that they are able to administer you a spare set.

Key cutting is not as simple as it used to be. Nowadays keys have special chips inside the key itself that are registered specifically to the model of car that you own. Each chip is unique to your car. This method has been introduced in order to prevent thieves from stealing your car by getting copies of your keys cut.

It is always useful to have a spare set of keys cut before events like this occur, but obviously mistakes do happen. Your car dealer should be able to recode your key code so that your new set of keys will fit your model of car. It doesn't take very long to do as it just a case of retrieving a new code for you to use.

How to cut petrol costs

A change in fuel consumption habits could save you on average 8% of fuel costs says thismoney.co.uk. This works out to approximately £50-£100 per year. Manufacturers in the car industry have also said that driving slowly between 50-60mph can help reduce fuel consumption significantly, although this argument was countered by Peter De Nayer, who argued that 40mph was the optimum speed for fuel efficiency. (Read more about that here).

Here are some hints and tips to help you save fuel:

• Turn off Air Conditioning units and use windows - although this has been argued that windows can cause slight drag, the air conditioning units will still cause more fuel intake if turned on. So if you are warm, open the windows!
• Avoid sharp acceleration or braking. Acceleration should be smooth, if you are able to anticipate traffic flow in advance you can anticipate when to stop to avoid harsh braking.
• Removing clutter in your car that you don't necessarily need. Like that toolbox sat in your boot for months, do you really need to carry it around in your car with you everywhere? Do you have a bike rack on top of your car? If so, taking all of the necessary weight off your vehicle will help to decrease your fuel consumption significantly.
• Check your tyres to make sure that they are all properly inflated, underflated tyres cause more resistance when the car is moving which means your engine has to work even harder. According to car manufacturers, driving with soft tyres increases fuel consumption by 2%.
• Does your car have cruise control? If so, this could be a good option for you if you are planning a long journey, the unnecessary braking and accelerating that cruise control helps to will help reduce fuel intake.
• Check your exhaust system for any leaks.
• Cut out any unnecessary journeys, if it is only a couple of miles to your destination consider walking, cycling or using public transport.
• Supermarket promotions - many supermarkets offer incentives to their customers to buy products from them in their store. For example some offer that if a certain amount  of money is spent in their store they will give you a 10p off each litre voucher to use for your petrol.

If you'd like to calculate your annual petrol savings, use this nifty calculator brought to you by thisismoney.co.uk:  http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/petrol-bills-calculator

We've also had a look at Martin Lewis' website - moneysavingexpert.com who has some great advice as well as some suggestions for using promotional codes, offers and loyalty services to save extra pennies when it comes to buying fuel. Click here to read more.

We are sure there are more ways to conserve fuel, so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to comment and give your feedback. Happy saving!

Top 10 stolen cars of 2009

We have found the top 10 stolen cars from 2009. Watch out Mondeo owners, your number 9 on the list!!! Our advice is to always store your vehicles in a garage!

1. Ford Transit
2. Ford Fiesta
3. Vauxhall Astra
4. Vauxhall Corsa
5. Volkswagen Golf
6. BMW 3-Series
7. Ford Escort
8. Ford Focus
9. Ford Mondeo
10. Vauxhall Vectra

Can you guess the car?

So do you think you can identify what models these cars 'used' to be?

Quite hard isn't it?

If you want the answers, scroll down...

The first car is a Mercedes McLaren SLR.

The second car is an Aston Martin DB9's.

Shocked? We were!

How to check the history of your used car

To check the history of your used car you will have to find the VIN number, which stands for Vehicle Identification Number. Every vehicle manufactured after 1981 or later has a unique 17-character vehicle identification number. A VIN has many important uses, including unlocking important information about a vehicle's history. Service shops use VIN's to identify engines, transmissions and brake systems installed by manufacturers so that they can properly service vehicles with the correct parts. Law enforcement agencies also benefit from cars having VINs as they can use them to identify and recover stolen cars and parts.

Locate the VIN in your car easily. There are a number of places that the VIN is mainly located in cars, these are most commonly found on the dashboard (you can see it through the windshield), on the driver's side door jamb sticker, and in some cases VINS have been found on the engines, hood and other parts.

Once you have your VIN number you can check the history of your car very easily. You can check online for a small fee what your car's history is, we have found a few websites that provide this service:

http://www.autocheck.co.uk/

https://www.mycarcheck.com/ - this website finds out your VIN automatically if you have your car Registration.

http://www.carcheckonline.co.uk/

Buying a used car with low mileage - is it such a good idea?

You may have heard this before, or maybe you haven't, but many mechanics and car owners believe that buying a used car with low mileage is not necessarily the best idea. Just because it has not been driven as much, does not necessarily mean you will be buying in to a reliable, well cared for car.

A lot of people will believe they have found the 'holy grail' when they find a very low mileage car but others will know better. There is a perception that the lower the miles and kilometres on the odometer, the better the car will perform and last.

Consider you buy the low mileage car off the little old lady in your village who only ever used the car for church on Sunday morning and to pop to the supermarket once a week. She has racked up a whole 5000miles on the car since this time. BARGAIN you think! However do you think it is doing the car any good sitting in storage for extended periods of time or not being used? Just letting a car sit outside your house or in your garage will not do the engine any good, even if you do take it out for short trips every few days. Cars that have not been used as much suffer a whole wrath of problems.

For a start, the engine in the car never has chance to properly warm up. This results in water condensing in the crankcase from the condensation and humidity from outside which touches the cold engine metal.  Next, because the trips in the car are so short, the engine and its oil never fully warm and heat up to boil off or evaporate the resulting water and liquid that sits in the engine oil. Hence the engine is not properly lubricated. Each time the engine starts in this cold condition it's like starting a warm engine many times.  Higher viscosity oil at lower temperatures thickens up, it’s not until the engine warms up that this thick oil flows, spreads and lubricates the engine and its vital components.

The other thing to mention is that cars that sit without use may have components deteriorate due to lack of use. Rubber over time deteriorates – not only tires but seals along door frames and even in the engine. Hence that low mileage car may need replacement tires and door rubber seal and tubing replacements. Figure these in as part of your overall costs and charges for that premium low mileage car.

Lastly if the car is left out in the sun –  remember the little old lady from the village example - take time to examine the automobiles’ body finish for tarnish. The paint may seem fine until you conduct a thorough cleaning and polish.

Top 10 Best Used Cars

(According to thisismoney.co.uk's website)

Best Used Car
BMW 3-Series




Best City Car
Hyundai i10

Best Family Car
Ford Mondeo




Best Small Family Car
Ford Focus

Best Used MPV
Ford S-Max













Best Used Coupe Car
Audi TT

Best Used Luxury Car
Mercedes S-Class

Best Used Estate Car
Skoda Octavia Estate













Best Used Hot Hatch Car
VW Golf GTI MkV

Best Used Supermini Car
Renault Clio



Car Auctions - all you need to know online or offline.

Would you ever consider buying a used car from an auction? If so, there are two options available for you, purchasing them from an online auction or purchasing them from a live auction offline. We explore the differences between the two, covering the advantages and disadvantages of both. Give yourself some time to familiarise yourself with both options to see which kind of auction would suit you.

Online auctions have been referred to as gold mines for picking up very reasonably priced used cars. It gives the consumer an opportunity to search easily through a large selection of used vehicles that are available to buy up and down the country and then bid on the one that they want. Most of the time, the used cars that are up for auction have been previously owned and are being sold by the car owner, however sometimes car dealers or breakers sell cars on online auctions too.

Mostly cars bought from auctions are good quality, reliable and in general, good condition. The thing that we think could put some people off online car auctions is that it can be difficult, if not impossible, to tell whether the seller they are buying from even has the car in their possession. The other thing is that you can't see the car that you are buying until you have actually bought it and made payment, so you can't identify any damages or problems with the car unless the seller has kindly made you aware in their advert. The problem with having such a large selection of cars available online to bid on, is that the delivery costs could also be significantly greater depending on where the seller is situated in the UK. You may have to pay more for delivery than what you originally paid for the car!

Recently quite a lot of local auction houses that you have probably come across are considering doing business a little differently these days and have converted their in-house auctions to online auctions as well. Most of these can be found on their own website. If you know of your local auction houses, it may benefit you to look up their website to see if they do have any online auctions as this will help you save on your delivery costs too.

The other option is live auctions. The benefit of these is that you can pick and choose which auctions you would like to attend based on the location of them and the type of items they are selling (e.g. used car auction). You can see the car, do a walk round if needs be and make sure that you are happy with your decision before you buy. People consider purchasing a car to be one of the biggest and most expensive items (except purchasing a house) that they will ever purchase in their lifetime, so if this the case with you,  it might be a better option for you to be cautious about buying anything before you actually see it, especially if you are a buying a used car for the first time. The disadvantages of a live auction in comparison to an online auction is that the choice of car suddenly reduces significantly as you are limited by the location of the auction and what is available in that particular area only.

Used Car demand goes up

Car dealers have seen a shortage of used cars this year, making them resort to trying to find vehicles online. Due to the recession and most people's financial budget making it harder for them to purchase new cars, there has been a significant rise in Used Cars being purchased. This is makng Car dealers very anxious. One car dealer said that he used to sell two new cars for every one used car, lately it is the other way round. The result is that dealers are having to bid higher prices at used car auctions which has been steadily driving prices up. Some car dealers have resorted to online auctioning, using websites such as Ebay to supply demand, this means that they are now competing with their target market; consumers. 

One car dealer commented that there has been a reduced supply of late-model, good condition vehicles in the marketplace. They put this down to the direct result of the reduction of new-vehicle sales.

Most car dealers are confident that once the recession slows down, the used car prices and demand will stay steady and things will get back to normal in time.  

How to perform a Car Walk Around

Before buying a used car from a dealership, make sure to do a full walk around of the car. This is a physical inspection of the car interior and exterior. Here we have noted some major checks that you should carry out before agreeing to purchase the car. If needs be, hire your car mechanic for an hour or so to check them through with you.

Exterior

Tyres uneven - tyres should not look uneven on the car, you might end up paying for another wheel. Also check the tread of the tyres, the tyres should not be bald!

Open all doors of the vehicle and close them - The doors should shut with no difficulties, otherwise the car may have been involved in a previous accident and have either not been repaired properly or not been repaired at all. Also inspect the hinges and door latches, they should not have rust or damages on them which would affect the cars ability to open or close the doors in the future.

Scratches - most scratches on cars are cosmetic, however if you notice a deep scratch on the car this could be the first signs of an underlying problem of rust underneath the paint which could signify that the car has had accidental damage in the past.

Check the headlights - turn them on. If they appear cloudy, this could mean that there is moisture behind the headlight which might mean a replacement headlight is needed.

Check windshield - the windshield should appear smooth with no scratches, holes or damage. If there is you would have to replace the whole windscreen.

Open the engine compartment - start the engine and listen to the sound it makes. If there is a constant vibration, this could mean that the there is a problem with the engine mount.

Check the oil - check the oil dipstick, use a rag to wipe off any excess oil. If there is any residue that should not be in there or if the oil seems full of debris than this could mean that there is a problem in the tank and that it is damaged. (very costly to repair!).

Cables should be connected properly - make sure all of the cables in the engine compartment are connected firmly, loose wires indicate problems to come.

If possible, take a look under the car - check the chassis, brakes, engine and exhaust pipe for any damages or rust - no fluids should be leaking from the car.

Interior

Check the seats - are the seats in relatively good condition? general wear and tear is normal, but the condition of the car inside is normally reflective on how it has been treated on the outside. Check all other cosmetic damage you notice to make sure that it will not be a major problem in the forseeable future. Also make a note of the damages so you can try and negotiate a better price based on your observations.

Move the car seat forward and backwards - make sure that the seats move with ease in either position, also test the recline of the seat so you know you are able to adjust the seat should you need to.

Check that all of the buttons and switches inside the car work - including fog lights, parking brake light, oil light etc. Make sure that the engine light is not on, otherwise there could be a problem with the engine.

Leave the engine running for at least 20 minutes, step on the gas to see how many revs it can manage and whether it causes the car to overheat.

MAJOR RED FLAGS (We advise you to walk away immediately if you see any of the following happen):

• Blue smoke coming out of the engine
• White residue around the oil cap.
• If the car makes an unusual noise or vibrates when the engine is switched on.
• If the car stalls after 20 minutes of the engine running.
• Unusual behaviour or noises from the car.
• If the car salesman is adamant that you buy the car today - this could involve you feeling pressured to buy something that you are unsure about, don't do it, ask yourself why are they so eager for you to purchase this car today and no other day? It could be a fairly innocent reason such as they have a quota to make for example, but it could also be because the car is bad news and they will say things like "this car will be sold tomorrow at this price if you don't get it now", etc. to trap you into impulse buying. Be wary.

Keep your wits about you and always trust your instincts. As we have said before in this post, take your (trusted) car mechanic with you if you are unsure of what to look for. Hopefully after this post you will have a much clearer idea of what to check for when buying a used car from a dealership or even a private seller.

Please feel free to add any further comments that could help others with a car walk around. Thanks in advance.

What should you know if buying a used car for the first time?

We have already discussed the benefits of buying a used car over a new car in our blog, which you can read here, but what should you know if you are buying a used car for the first time?

This post will help you answer questions like, what things should I ask?What should I look for in a used car? What are the warning signs?

Firstly it is always better to know what model(s) you are interested in before you show up at a car dealership. If you have done your homework beforehand you will be empowered to negotiate a price that you know is reasonable if you have already researched prices online of the model you are interested in. Unfortunately many car dealers will try and get the best price out of you, this could mean you paying more than what the car is worth. Empower yourself with knowledge!

Make sure before you show up at the car dealership you know the answers to the following questions:

• What model am I interested in?
• What price can I afford? (have a maximum amount already in your mind)
• Would the car suit my lifestyle? (Do you live in a city? suburbs? countryside?)
• How often do you plan on using the car? (daily, every other day, weekly)
• How readily available are the spare parts for the car? Are they reasonably priced?

While at the car dealership make sure to ask the following questions about the car you are interested in  buying:

• What is the engine size?
• How much Tax/MOT does the car have left on it?
• How much is the Tax/MOT normally?
• Has the car had any modifications to it? (please note that this question might affect your insurance if the car has undergone any form of modification - another thing to consider).
• What parts have already been replaced?

General Do's and Don'ts

Don'ts

• Never admit that the deal is a good one, otherwise you will find it hard to negotiate when it comes to negotiating prices.
• Don't rush into a decision and don't let the salesman pressurise you into making your decision if you are unsure, they are called salesmen after all because they know how to make customers make impulse decisions. They may try and tempt you with things like "If you buy it today I will knock 20% off". Be sure before you buy and make sure you do all the necessary checks, we fully recommend a car walk around. 

Do's

• Check the car fully, inside and out - doing a full car walk around will help you with this.
• Ask to see any documentation about the car - including receipts of maintenance, the dealer may also have a history of the car available for you to view. This is important because it lets you know of any accidents the car might have undergone since being owned.
• Ask what mileage the car has done. It is better to buy a car that is less than 8 years old and that has done less than 60,000 miles (Less miles doesn't always necessarily mean better quality of your car - click here to find out why).
• Ask for a test drive, if they say no, walk away (find out what things to test for, here).
• Check all standards of the car, including gears which should feel smooth when changing gear (if manual), the tread on tyres, brakes, interior quality, how the car sounds (does it sound 'unhealthy'?).

What are the warning signs

What are the warning signs that should make you walk away from buying a car? These are ones that we have picked out, but feel free to add your own in the comments section. If any of the below happens to you then red flags should be going off in your mind! Be safe and walk away! You are not obligated to buy anything.

• Blue smoke coming from the car = this signifies burning oil, it is generally not a good sign and will mean more money involved than probably the car is worth. Its a sure fire way to know that your car engine is on its way out.
• White residue/moisture around the oil cap. The engine is on its way out indefinately.
• Engine leaks - make sure the engine isn't leaking - beware of gravel, if the car is parked on gravel it makes it harder to see any leakages.
• Make sure the car alignment is perpendicular to the road  - This could be an inclination that the car was in an accident that affected the frame of the car  - this would be very costly to repair. 
• Check all seams of the car for leaks, including the car boot, doors and the hood.
• Check for rust, if there are large patches of rust on the car this could be causing a worse problem than initially thought. Get your local garage to check it out for you if needs be, it is better to be safe than sorry, you don't want to be out of pocket for a car that you will have difficulty trying to re-sell!
• Check the wheel alignment and steering alignment (they are both two different things, google it to read more about it).

We hope you have found our advice useful! Good luck in your car search!

Child Car Seats - Know the law

Visit the Child Car Seats website to learn more, click here. You could face up to a £500 fine should you fail to secure your child into your vehicle correctly, so it is definately worth reading!

Watch the New Ford Mondeo "True Beauty" TV Commercial Ad

New Ford Focus 2012 - Paris Show

The new Ford Focus ST Range (2012)

We've been reading all about the New Ford Focus model due to be launched in 2012. It was showcased recently in Paris (September 2010) and has already caused quite a stir amongst Ford enthusiasts.

Ford seem to have pulled out all stops with this new next generation model, it seems they are hoping to target the 'compact car' market and are intending to incorporate modern features and technological advancements along with an environmentally friendly approach to their engines.

Ford have said the New Ford Focus model will use their Econetic Technology which is said to reduce fuel and CO2 emissions by 20% despite a 10% increase in horsepower and torque.

EU customers will have the option of a 1.6Litre Ecoboost gas engine or an improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engine.

To make even further savings, Ford are rumoured to use their Stop - Start engine technology with this new model, which automatically turns off the engine when stopped for a period of time. This not only saves fuel but also helps the environment by reducing CO2 emissions in busy, urban areas.

Other technological features that are rumoured to be available with this model are the following:

• WebKit Browser
• Canned Text Messaging
• Voice-Commanded Climate Controls
• Smart Phone Applications (API's including voice commands)
• Improved Voice Commands
• And Ford's MyFordTouch Infotainment System.

The new model also showcases Ford's new colour for the model which has been aptly named "Screaming Orange", but we have also heard that it has also been dubbed "Tangerine Scream".

Ford have said in a recent press release:
"With it's striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road".


Read more here or visit http://www.ford.co.uk/


What do you think of the new Ford Focus ST? Let us know!

Greenest Mondeo Yet

The launch of the New Ford Mondeo illustrates Ford's determination to dominate the marketplace with new, technological advancements in their new, next generation of cars.

Ford announced that their new ECOnetic Technology makes their New Mondeo a more exhilarating drive. Part of the innovative range which includes 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engines means that only 159mpg (1.6L) -179mpg (2.0L) of CO2 will be released into the atmosphere, the drive is supposed to be a one of a kind experience, as well as environmentally friendly.

The advanced PowerShift six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission makes driving easier and more fuel-efficient. With PowerShift you can benefit from an improvement of up to 10% in fuel economy when compared to a conventional automatic. Engines equipped with PowerShift are the 2.0-litre EcoBoost (203 PS) and it is available as an option on the 2.0-litre (140 and 163 PS) Duratorq TDCi.

New 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi

Ford's diesel engines use the latest advanced technology to deliver performance with outstanding fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. The significantly improved 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 163 PS (340 Nm) diesel engine is smooth, quiet and responsive. It offers CO2 emissions of only 139 g/km for the six-speed manual transmission version, while the PowerShift transmission option has CO2 emissions of just 149 g/km.

Stage 5 emission standards

Mondeo engines are fully compliant with the new stringent Euro 5 emissions standards resulting in lower emissions and CO2 output.

Source:  http://www.ford.co.uk/

Myths of buying a Used Car

• They always need lots of work, repairs and maintenance to keep them on the road.

Not necessarily, some used cars have a certification program. Cars that are certified let the owner know that the car has had no history of major damage and therefore the car has not had to undergo any major repairs.

• They only last about 6 months.

I own a Ford Fiesta which I bought for £100 which has lasted me 2 1/2 years. Enough said! Take care of your car and it will take care of you!

• It is hard to re-sell.

With so many websites online that help people sell their cars, there is bound to be one person who finds your car as wonderful as you once did. Advertise wherever you can; local papers, local shops, post adverts on websites, put it up for auction! It is not as hard as you may think!

• They lose value.

A lot of Used cars actually retain their original value after the 1-3 year depreciation value period. So long as your car is in working order, aesthetically pleasing and has had no major damages.

• People would prefer a new car (in terms of re-selling your used car).

Well, wouldn't every body? But Used cars are still the most popular choice, most people can't afford to buy a brand new car straight out of a show room so buying a Used car is the most feasible option.

• Insurance is cheaper.

Not necessarily, a brand new Ford Mondeo might have the same insurance as a 1 year old Mondeo. The new Mondeo might be running a promotion scheme that reduces your insurance policy for example, you never know, and it is always worth finding out your insurance before purchasing a car, new or old.

Read Why buy a Used Car over a New Car?

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Introducing the new Ford Mondeo. Pictures Copyright to Ford Motor Company (http://www.ford.co.uk/)

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Ford introduces new air bags

Ford have announced that their new Ford Focus 2012 model, which is only production-ready at the moment, will adopt a new air bag mechanism.

The technology is developed from Blue Oval and it will debut in its forthcoming C-Segment stunner according to reports.



What is different about this air bag is that for the driver, the new steering wheel airbag uses a tether system that pulls in the lower section of the bag toward the dashboard. This creates a small pocket that Ford engineers say will soften the blow to the drivers chest and ribs should a frontal crash occur. The side airbags also work to prevent injuries to the driver and front passenger by adding shoulder vents that stay open during inflation, reducing pressure for smaller occupants of the vehicle. For the taller occupants, these vents will be blocked by their shoulders, and this added pressure can prove to be helpful.



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Along with the shoulder vents, Ford have developed an adaptive venting system in its passenger-side front airbag, which diverts some of the inflation gas outside the bags. This protects passengers by enhancing head and neck protection by matching inflation force with the size of the occupant, which is monitored by the weight sensors already built into the seats.





As you'd expect, these safety features won't just be limited to the 2012 Focus. Ford says that this technology will quickly be developed to be available for all of their upcoming model ranges over the next few years.









Why buy a used car over a new car?

It's a good question. A used car doesn't have the shiny and new feel that a new car does, new cars have longer guarantee's & warranty's - and they also tend to minimise costs of reparations and servicing. You will also not have to worry about the history of the car and whether the car has had previous problems or issues.  Here are some concerns that people tend to have regarding used cars:

"it won’t give you the experience of being the first owner"

"it doesn’t have the latest gadgets and features"

"maintenance, accident and ownership history of used car can’t be easily verified"

"maintenance costs associated with a used car are generally higher than a new car" 

However, buying a new car does also have its disadvantages.

The main point to argue is depreciation value. After 1-3 years your new car will lose between £1,000 - £5,000 (maybe even higher depending on the model), it is pretty much a given as soon as you drive out of your car dealership in your shiny, new car that it has already decreased significantly in price and will keep decreasing in value the longer you own the vehicle. The price decreases the most between 1-3 years of ownership and the amount is usually between 30%-40%. Keep in mind that a car should never be an investment and that a new car is never an 'excellent' deal, considering the depreciation value.

The benefits of buying a Used Car, (as we see it), are the following reasons:

• Wider selection of vehicles available to choose from
• Improved reliability
• Affordability
• Much cheaper - even if it is the same model as a new car, a Used car will already be much, much cheaper.
• More often than not, it retains the original value when you want to resell it.
• Car insurance is cheaper.
• Lower financing and insuring provides additional savings.
• 2007-model-year vehicles are expected to retain most of their original values - even after 3 years.
• New doesn't always mean reliable, used cars are often tested and reviewed, this might be worth checking out online to see what others think of the model you are interested in.

Buying a Used Car

Before you decide to purchase a Used Car, make sure you know what model it is that you are interested in. Do your research on the model first. We recommend looking at the Manufacturer's website, from here you can learn all about the specifications, consumption, performance and features. Being prepared really does pay off when it comes to buying a Used Car. We then recommend that you check the value of the car, there are tonnes of books and websites online that will give you this kind of information. Do your research first.

Consider the following questions:

• How much can you afford to spend in terms of insurance?
• What is the mileage of the car?
• What is the year of manufacture?
• What model you are after - is it a popular car? would it still be popular when you come to resell it?
• Is the model right for you? (in terms of safety, lifestyle, comfort, convienience etc)
• Is the price right for you?

 Once you have an idea of the price you are willing to pay in your head and the model of the used car you are after you will have to decide where you want to purchase your Used car. Private Seller? Used Car Dealership? Online?

We've had a look at these three options for you in more detail, highlighting the good, the bad and the ugly.

Private Seller

Private sellers are people that advertise their own vehicles, this could be either in a local paper or magazine (e.g. Auto Trader), a website (such as gumtree.com, preloved.com, etc) or it could be someone you know personally. The advantages of selling to a private seller is that the price is more often than not, much cheaper than what you would find from a dealership, but often there is no warranty or no extended motor plan available. However, if you know the person that is selling their vehicle, it is more likely that you are able to trust what they say about their vehicle. This is also a better option if you don't want to deal with the unscrupulous sales technique from car salespersons.

Used Car Dealership

The benefits of purchasing a Used Car from a dealership is that there is a high chance that the car purchased will come with the dealerships own warranty, this could be anything from up to 14 days to a few months. Sometimes the Dealership will also have history and information about the car that will benefit you for insurance purposes such as past repairs, maintenance and history that could affect your insurance rates. Some are also under Certifcation Programs which means that the car or truck for sale has relatively low-mileage with no history of major damages or maintenance.  Buyers should be aware that they will pay more for certified used cars than a regular used car.

  You are able to get the history of the used car yourself if you know the car registration details or identification number. We have found a website here that costs a small amount of money to find out the history of your vehicle, although we're not sure if it is the cheaper option, so do please check around for the best price, we also take no responsibility for the service received as it is a completely separate entity to Mondeo Spares.

Online

The good thing about purchasing your Used car online is that you are often able to do a price comparison to find the cheapest and best deal. There is also normally an option were you are able to find the car you are after by your location, this makes it easier finding the Used Car you wanted to buy in your area. The only thing about buying online is that you can't view the car properly until you arrange a meeting with the seller, pictures only give away so much information. If the car doesn't meet your expectations then you may feel like your time was wasted. Although this is often a risk worth taking should you find your perfect Used Car for your requested price.

Hopefully we have offered you some interesting advice about purchasing a Used Car over a New one. We of course, aren't saying don't buy a new one, but if your on a stringent budget and would like to avoid losing money, we recommend a Used car any day of the week.

Read: Myths of buying a used car