motoring INDEX
Screen Savers
Drivers ignoring or forgetting to change their car’s wiper blades are putting their own and other’s lives at risk, plus good news for UK car sales
condition are essential in winter weather when there is more rain and dirt on the windscreen. Keeping the windscreen clear and clean allows the driver to see properly and spot hazards earlier to deal with them safely.
I However, according to a recent survey by
Halfords, two thirds of drivers do not know when to change their wiper blades and 16% wait until a garage mechanic tells them to change the blades, even though faulty or worn blades is an MoT failure point. Paul Tomlinson, from Halfords, said: “Poor
Flashing
the cash? Having a posh car in the driveway can push up property prices, according to a survey by car rental company Avis. As many as a third of the 2,000 people polled believe having a luxury motor outside their
home can add to the value of their house, while around a third also thought a fl ash car would help sell a property.
The majority (57%) admitted they took notice of a luxury car in the drive when viewing a new home, with a top-end model giving the impression it was a safe and
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desirable place to live and the property was an attractive one.
Car models seen as being the best to have parked outside a property include Mercedes- Benz, Audi and BMW. Open-topped vehicles were also seen as a boon, particularly when trying to entice female buyers.
t may not be top of your list when it comes to car maintenance, but it’s really important to check and replace your wipers regularly. Wiper blades in good
visibility doesn’t just make driving in the rain unpleasant and more tiring, but failing to see a hazard quickly slows your reaction time. This can add several car lengths to your stopping distance and make the difference between avoiding a collision and not.
“As soon as a wiper begins to smear rather than clear your windscreen, it is past its best and should be changed. Modern fl at wiper blades don’t screech on the windscreen, so drivers listening for this audible warning are likely to miss the signs that their blades aren’t cutting it anymore.” Check your wipers every six to 12 months. If they judder, make a noise, or leave bands of rain or unwashed areas, they need replacing.
UK NEW CAR SALES
HIT 10-YEAR HIGH New UK car sales hit a high in 2014, boosted by confi dence in the economic recovery. In total 2.47 million new cars were registered, up 9% on 2013 and the best annual performance since 2004. Sales rose each month last year, with
December’s rise representing the 34th consecutive monthly jump. The numbers mean the UK retained its ranking as the second largest market in the EU for new car sales, after Germany.
Sales of electric cars saw the biggest
growth last year, with sales quadrupling to 14,498 from 3,586 in 2013. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce sold
a record number of cars in 2014, breaking through the 4,000 mark for the fi rst time in its 111-year history. The luxury car maker sold 4,063 cars, up 12% on 2013, and marking the fi fth consecutive year of record sales. The fi rm said it sold more cars worth more than £157,000 than any of its rivals.
BEST SELLING CARS FOR 2014 1. Ford Fiesta – 131,254 2. Ford Focus – 85,140 3. Vauxhall Corsa – 81,783 4. Volkswagen Golf – 73,880 5. Vauxhall Astra – 59,689 6. Nissan Qashqai – 49,909 7. Volkswagen Polo – 48,004 8. Audi A3 – 45,581 9. Fiat 500 – 44,005 10. Nissan Juke – 39,263
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