Every car on the road in the UK has to take and pass an MOT test. A large number of safety tests are carried out on the vehicle, so it’s no surprise that mistakes do get made. If you believe your MOT test results are wrong, there are steps you can take to try to rectify the situation.

Appealing when the MOT has been Failed

To appeal when your vehicle has failed an MOT test you must complete a form entitled ‘VT 17’, which you can do online, at an MOT station or by ringing your local Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on 0300 123 9000.

You have two weeks after the test to file your appeal, VOSA will then schedule a new test which they will carry out themselves. To get your car retested you have to pay the full fee again to VOSA, however if your appeal is successful then the fee may be refunded to you.

Appealing when the MOT has Incorrectly been Passed

At times an appeal can be put in to argue that a vehicle has incorrectly passed an MOT test, often this will happen with recently purchased cars. VOSA will come and recheck the motor vehicle with no charge as long as no more than 28 days have passed (three months for problems that relate to corrosion).

If it is found that the vehicle did incorrectly pass an MOT test, it is then up to the owner to take action against the MOT station if appropriate. This may come in the form of reporting them to Trading Standards, suing them or reporting the matter to the police. Occasionally, VOSA may take action against the station but this would be independent of any action you take yourself.

The VOSA are happy to check vehicles that may have erroneously passed the test as it allows them to monitor road safety standards and make sure MOT stations are providing a safe and lawful service. To contact your local VOSA area manager about these or other issues, you can call them on 0300 123 9000 or the address will be shown on the ‘Fees and Appeals’ poster that will be displayed at any local MOT test station. 

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Second hand cars might be cheaper to buy than brand new vehicles.  However, they may cost far more to run and become very expensive to maintain long-term.  All cars deteriorate with age because they are complex pieces of machinery.  Many things can and will go wrong with a car after it has been run for several  thousand miles, even if it is a well-made quality vehicle.

There are things that potential buyers can do to help determine the condition of a used car.  Buyers can examine the car’s service history, the MOT test history, inspect the car’s engine, and take the car on a test drive.  However, these methods may not be conclusive about the reliability of the car.  Car owners may not be completely truthful or know the full history of their vehicle.  The car’s service history may have omissions, or simply may not exist.  For example, the car may have been in a serious accident and then rebuilt or repaired with a previous owner and there may not be any record.  A used car may seem to run smoothly during a test drive.  Regular driving or long journeys can reveal the faults a used car may not have displayed during a test drive.

With a brand new car, a buyer can be confident there are no hidden problems.  A new car bought directly from the manufacturer should be mechanically sound and reliable.  On the rare occasion that a brand new car has problems, the owner has protection by warranty for a few years after buying the car.  Car repairs under warranty are courtesy of the dealership from which the car was purchased.  Buyers of second hand car sales do not have warranty protection.

Furthermore, there is no need to pay for an MOT within the first three years of owning a new car.  Brand new vehicles are more fuel-efficient than older cars and cheaper to run.  Finally, a brand new car will have greater value than an older car if the owner decides to sell or part-exchange it later on.

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The bottom line of any sale is the price. Saving those extra pounds is a primary objective when you have to part with several thousand from your pocket.

A secondhand car is always a cheaper option than a new one, but buying it online can save even more pennies. Online dealers often offer more finance options than others. They also have a variety of makes and models, focusing much more on choice than anything else. You can specify everything from the year and mileage to the price and colour, plus you can easily compare results and simply make your decision without the presence of a pressuring salesperson. The used car you choose will then be sent straight to your door.

However, when buying a used Vauxhall for sale it is very important to carry out a test drive and an inspection before you sign on the dotted line. Buying it on site offers you the opportunity to examine it first-hand and assess the pros and cons of your particular used car more thoroughly. Moreover, you can ask questions and negotiate different options with the dealer, and potentially drive out of the showroom with your own secondhand car, without waiting for a delivery.

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Most car manufacturers no longer supply a detailed owner’s manual with new cars.  There are many reasons for this but one of the main reasons is that modern cars are far too complex to be dealt with by merely detailing how to change the oil and brake fluid.  Modern cars contain computerised and electronic equipment that requires specific electronic equipment to diagnose a fault or potential problem.  That it is why it is imperative that you take your car to a garage or dealer to have its annual service.  A car service may seem like an unnecessary cost if your car is running smoothly, but the money will be well spent as it should offset any future problems, potentially saving you thousands of pounds.

If your car is still under the dealer’s warranty, failure to have an annual service completed by a recognised dealer or independent garage can invalidate your guarantee.  Since 2003, it is no longer obligatory for the car service to be carried out by a recognised dealer, but it is imperative that whoever carries out the service does so according to the manufacturer’s schedule and uses only manufacturer approved parts. 

It is important to get the service log stamped by the garage or dealer who does the service to maintain your warranty.  This will also be a selling point should you choose to sell the car on at a later date.

What Will a Car Service Cost?

Costs vary depending upon the make, model and age of your car.  A relatively new car will need fewer replacement parts.  The hourly labour rate will also vary depending upon your location and the time a car service is expected to take, but it may be worth shopping around for the best price.

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Owning a car can be expensive in the best of times and with fuel prices rising on what seems to be a weekly basis, cutting down on the number of miles they drive has become a priority for many motorists.  The news that the number of petrol stations in the UK has halved since the early 1990s therefore comes as blow to car people who, in some cases, are finding that they have to drive longer distances simply to fill up their cars with petrol.

There are currently fewer than 9,000 petrol forecourts to be found in the United Kingdom – a significant drop from the 21,000 which were in operation in 1991 – and this is causing added misery to the already stretched wallets of drivers across the country.

Brian Madderson, Chairman of the RMI Independent Petrol Retailers Association, said, “The particular area of concern is the UK’s important rural economies where consumers will have to drive substantially increased distances to fill up if their local independent petrol retailer is forced out of business.”

Blame has been placed at the door of some supermarket chains which the RMI Independent Petrol Retailers Association accuses of using low petrol prices as a lure to get people to come to their shops.

Chris Etherington, Chief Executive at Palmer and Harvey, a wholesale company which provides most of the UK’s petrol stations with their fuel, said, “These fuel deserts lead to massive inconvenience for the already hard-pressed motorist, and also to the loss of a focal point in communities that have often lost their local pub, village shop, post office or even, in the worst cases, their entire high street.”

With prices not looking like they will drop anytime soon, times are getting tougher for motorists, and the increased distance some have to travel just to fill up comes as yet another blow.

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All cars on the road in the UK must have regular MOT tests to prove they meet the legal standards of road safety. A whole range of tests are carried out, starting from when the car is three years old. When the test is done the car receives an MOT certificate to prove it was road worthy and met the environmental standards required of it at the time the test was conducted. The MOT does not include checking the engine, clutch or gearbox but is none the less extensive. The parts of the car that are tested include:

•    The car’s structure – Checked for corrosion, damage in key structural area and any sharp edges that might cause injury.

•    The fuel system – Cars are checked for leaks and that the fuel cap is operational.

•    Exhaust systems – Must be secure, whole, free from serious leeks and the emissions from the car’s exhaust must meet the legal requirements (which vary depending on age and fuel type).

•    Seats – Front seats must be secure and all seats must be securable in an upright position. All compulsory seatbelts must be fully operational and in reasonable condition.

•    The doors – Front doors must open from the inside and outside and all doors must shut and lock properly.

•    Mirrors – All compulsory mirrors must be present and in good condition.

•    The boot – Boot must close and lock securely.

•    The brakes – The car’s brakes must be fully operational and pass an efficiency test.

•    Wheels and tyres – Must be in good condition with enough tread depth and be the correct size and type.

•    Registration plates – Must be clearly legible and secured correctly to the vehicle.

•    Lights – All lights must work properly and headlamps are also checked for aim.

•    The car’s bonnet – Must shut securely.

•    The windscreen – Must allow for an unobstructed view of the road and be in good condition generally. The wipers and washers must work well enough to give the driver a clear view.

•    The horn – Must be a suitable type and work correctly.

•    Steering and suspension – Must be fully operational.

•    Vehicle identification number (VIN) – Any vehicle made after 1980 must have a VIN.

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It’s very easy to determine the price of your car. There are two ways to work out the price: you could either take the car to a dealership and ask a professional, or you could check other models in classified ads and then figure out a rough average. There are also plenty of websites that will provide free car valuation. All you need is the registration number. However, this service may cost money.

When checking classified ads, it’s very important that you only view cars that have very close specifications to your own vehicle. This includes mileage, year and condition. It may also be worth checking how long is left on the MOT of other cars. Having a 12-month MOT with your car can increase the price, and upon comparing this feature to other cars of the same model and specifications, you may have to consider waiting until you are able to get a new MOT so you can increase the value. The earliest date you can renew your MOT is printed on the certificate. This will show buyers that the car is in good working order.

Getting Ready to Sell

Pricing isn’t that simple when dealing with cars. Buyers are renowned for trying to haggle for a better price. For this reason you should always add a little bit extra to the price that you would be willing to accept. This way you won’t have to put up with the hassle of bartering, and will leave the sale feeling satisfied.

Once sold, you must inform the DVLA that the car has been sold. The registration document should be signed by both parties and sent back to validate the registration. If you don’t have the original registration certificate, you should request a new one from the DVLA prior to advertising. Without taking this step you could seriously harm the outcome of a sale.

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Used cars for sale are everywhere. I bet there is one with a sign on its window on your street as you are reading this. If you type ‘used cars for sale’ into a popular search engine, you are likely to end up with thousands of pages, and if you walk around your town, there would probably be at least ten dealers offering used cars. But what is the best location in the UK to buy a used car?

People often prefer buying a used car from a dealer, because it gives them security and plenty of choice. There are no worries about whether the car has been stolen, you can test drive several models, and negotiate leasing conditions, warranty and other services.

On the other hand, private sellers are sometimes a better option. You can often find out more about the history of the car, as well as the repairs that have been carried out or those that it might require. It is useful to know why they are selling the car, and it might be easier to negotiate a lower price with a private seller.

The certified, pre-owned option is also offered by some manufacturers. It is essentially a secondhand car that has been repaired and inspected by the manufacturer and is on the market again. They cost a bit more than used cars from dealers, but offer a warranty.

Ultimately, it is important to have peace of mind when you buy a used car, so it is recommended to use a certified dealer of used cars for sale.

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There are many car finance options on the market so it is advisable to work out the best option for you before you look at any cars. Two popular choices for car finance are hire purchase and personal contract purchase.

Hire Purchase (HP)
 
HP or lease purchasing is an easy and flexible option that requires only a low deposit.  Interest rates are fixed across the term of the lease so you will not have to worry should interest rates rise.  This is an ideal solution for those car owners who change their cars every three years.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)

PCP is also an easy option.  Like HP it too requires only a low deposit.  Unlike HP with a PCP loan you can agree to defer a large amount of the cost until the end of the loan term.  You then pay only the difference between the agreed loan and the deferred amount plus any interest.  At the end of the loan you have three options; pay the deferred amount in full and keep the car, return the car with no further payments, or trade in the car to offset the deferred amount to put the money towards a new PCP.

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With the cost of car insurance rising all across the UK, it will come as welcome news to many motorists that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has decided to look into these rising costs, which are placing a real financial strain on many motorists.  With the startling news that car insurance costs increased 40% in 2010, and with many younger drivers facing increases of over 65% and being priced off the roads and out of their cars, many people believe that some sort of investigation is long overdue.

Others, however, have offered some explanations for these rising costs.

Graeme Trudgill, Head of Corporate Affairs at the British Insurance Brokers Association, said “If you have an accident in a car, you are now encouraged by all sorts of different people to make a claim against the other party.  When you have such a massive increase in claims, insurance companies are going to have to put their rates up.”

Simon Douglas from the AA said, “Everyone holds off putting up their prices for as long as they can, but when one goes, they all do.”

The explanations offer little consolation to motorists who are bearing the brunt of rising prices on many fronts, and the OFT has issued a “call for evidence” as it seeks to establish whether consumer or competition issues need to be addressed.  Another investigation into car insurance premiums is being conducted by the Commons Transport Select Committee, which published its initial report in March of 2011, and will be calling for additional evidence in the coming months.  The claim that the motor insurance industry has not been profitable for the last 16 years, as was stated by Otto Thoresen, the Director General of the Association of British Insurers, will not hold much water with motorists who are struggling to meet their premiums while reading of record profits in the industry.

It remains to be seen what the OFT will find and if those findings will result in lower insurance prices, but the fact that they are looking into the problem can only be viewed as a good thing for motorists.

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