Servicing your car – how it works

Posted on May 17, 2012 by classcar

Car servicing goes hand in hand with buying a car if you want to make sure your motor keeps on running for as long as possible.

So what does a car service involve? Is this simply an MOT test? No, servicing your car is much wider than an MOT test and involves some thorough testing and checking to make sure that your car is safe to drive, thus reducing the risk of those nasty breakdowns.

This servicing is normally carried out by trained mechanics at a garage or the dealership that you actually bought the car from. A full service provides a thorough check of your car from inspecting the brakes, handbrake, lights, oil, gearbox and other parts, to simply making sure the horn works. This type of service should ideally be carried out annually to ensure that your car stays in tip-top condition. Although this may seem like a costly option at the time, it could save you money in the long run as your car is less likely to suffer any major malfunction if it is regularly serviced.

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How to make your car last longer

Posted on May 15, 2012 by classcar

Making your car last longer is important, even if you own one of the very cheap cars that can be bought new today. And if you bought a used BMW or used Mercedes then there is even more reason to make sure that the car stays in top condition. A longer-lasting car means less money spent on replacements, and of course fewer services (which also cost significant cash) and less stress overall. All for just a few minutes now and again to make sure that the basics are on point.

One thing to make sure of is that you are running your car at a reasonable capacity. It isn’t very bad to overload the car once in a while if you need to move house, but if such journeys are taken regularly in the same car, then it is likely that the working parts are going to start wearing out at a much faster rate than you would prefer. This means your car will need more frequent services, wear out faster and not last as long. It makes sense to hire a van and save on wear and tear in the long run. If you really need to carry lots of goods around, consider upgrading to a van, which will handle the tasks with ease.

Engine cleaning is essential for a long running car. This will require a service, but it will reduce the number of problems that crop up with the engine in the long haul.

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Car interior maintenance

Posted on May 13, 2012 by classcar

Even really cheap cars need good maintenance. When looking at automatic cars for sale and wondering what it is it that makes them seem more desirable than a car you may have owned for a while, good interior maintenance can be the answer. Most people concentrate on the exterior of the car since this is what most other people will see, but a clean interior will feel, look and smell much better than an interior that is left to collect grime and muck. An extra bonus is that anyone looking at your car for a car valuation will instantly increase their figure if the interior is well cleaned.

Car floor mats are a particular problem area for many people. They collect dirt like no other part since they come into contact with muddy shoes on a regular basis especially with family cars. Cleaning floor mats can be a tricky business, especially ones with carpeted tread. First of all, the mats should be allowed to dry out. This makes it easier for dirt to be removed. Take the mats out of the car and hang them or leave them somewhere with good air flow, preferably not too cold. Once dry, you can beat the mats, loosening and shaking off much of the dried dirt. Use a firm bristle brush is the mud is stubborn. This is generally all you need to do for rubber mats. For carpets, also take note of wear and tear. If the tread is starting to become very worn down, it is a good idea to replace the mats completely especially when looking for someone to ‘buy my car’.

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Rethinking the automatic car

Posted on May 11, 2012 by classcar

Drivers in the UK may slowly change their minds about automatic cars.  The new automatics perform better and provide as pleasurable a driving experience as a manual car.  They also come with good fuel economy and are easier and more convenient to drive. For these reasons, UK drivers are increasingly willing to try to make friends with the modern automatic transmission.

A variety of cheap automatic cars including diesels, greens, MPVs and estate cars are being given a second look.  No longer looked down upon as inefficient and wasteful, automatic transmissions from makers such as Renault and Peugeot are proving successful.  Ford and Nissan are entering the automatic transmission marketplace as well.

Unfortunately, with automatic car sales on the increase, can one expect that manual transmission cars will slowly disappear?  In the US, even many semi-trucks have automatic transmissions, and the days of the population being evenly divided between those who can and those who cannot drive a manual have disappeared.  The percentage of drivers in America who are able to use a clutch has dramatically dropped.  Only about 30 per cent can drive a manual and 90 per cent of new cars sold in the US are automatics.

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Car supermarkets: what exactly are they?

Posted on May 9, 2012 by classcar

There are so many places nowadays to purchase a new car it really is not that difficult to find cars for sale. One such ‘carshop’ or ‘car giant’ is a car supermarket. There are a large number of these car supermarkets available all over the UK offering an extensive selection of vehicles. They are normally open seven days a week, although can be fairly busy at weekends.

If you are looking for a wide selection a car supermarket is definitely the place to visit, as they offer a variety of models all in one place, making it easy for you to see many different motors in one large showroom. It is a fairly relaxed environment that allows you to wander around at your own pace, while taking a good look at the selection of cars on offer.

Car supermarkets tend to offer competitive prices due to the fact that they have relatively low overhead costs. There is no fancy salesroom, in fact the surroundings can be fairly basic in nature, but there are usually helpful sales people available to talk to if you happen to have any questions. Prices are normally printed on a list to make it easy for potential buyers to see how much each car costs. These prices are often fairly low and therefore there is rarely room for negotiation. You should also check that these are the final costs and that there are no extras to pay for, such as administration fees.

In addition to car sales, they offer the chance for you to test-drive cars, although this normally needs to be pre-booked and you will need a valid driving licence. It is advisable to take a test-drive if you have the time, as it will give you a real feel for the car and a clear indication of whether it is right for you.

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Bargains for used cars

Posted on May 7, 2012 by classcar

There are many opportunities for bargains when buying used cars, and motorists looking for a good deal can access a whole range of options online.  Even though they may not have an internet presence, there are times when the small, local car dealer can offer excellent deals, perhaps for a used Ford or a used BMW, and checking out the forecourts of these dealers can be worth the time and trouble.

A popular option for looking for good bargains is through car supermarkets.  These are large operators that offer many hundreds of used cars under one roof and whose buying power can often get some very reasonable prices for a good quality car.  One example would be Carcraft, which has various centres in the north-east, north-west, Midlands, Wales and the London area.

Here can be found not only an excellent choice of cars but also a range of additional services that give added value to any purchase.  Carcraft offers a one year guarantee, though there are terms and conditions attached that should be checked, a year’s free servicing and a year’s roadside assistance from the RAC.  Buyers will find flexible finance offered to help with planning payments.

Carcraft also offers to part exchange any car as a deposit, and can give an immediate online valuation.  As with any valuation, this is subject to an inspection of the car when it is being part exchanged.

Other car supermarkets offer a range of similar benefits.  Add the option for MOT tests, servicing and repairs, and a car supermarket is a good one-stop shop to get everything needed for a sound car with plenty of support from experts.  It is always worth talking to the sales person about special deals and bargains, so driving away with a used car can be a lot cheaper than might be expected.

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Good driving habits

Posted on May 6, 2012 by classcar

Good habits for driving are essential for all road users. As well as the usual good habits such as obeying the Highway Code, which is designed to make driving safer and more pleasant for all users, there are also driving styles that can help improve the lifespan of any car. This is especially relevant for driving in urban areas, which is increasingly where most driving is done these days. First of all, short distance driving can be wearing on the car. The short distance means the engine never gets the chance to truly warm up. On average, mileage done in short distance journeys is more damaging than mileage done during long distance journeys.

While it may not be possible to rule out short journeys, do avoid very short ones that you could avoid by walking. Also time your journeys so as to avoid times of heavy traffic. This way, there will be less starting and stopping so the car engine, brakes and chassis will all experience much lower stress. So whether you are looking to ‘sell my car’ or looking at new automatics for sale, consider the kind of driving you intend to do.

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How to sell a car

Posted on May 4, 2012 by classcar

Selling a car sounds straightforward, but the seller needs to prepare it to be sold. Whether it is to be sold privately or to a specialist company such as We Buy Any Car.com, there are a few steps to carry out first.

Always ensure that the administration is taken care of. Put together a folder with all of the keys, the registration document (V5C) and any receipts or guarantees for repairs or upgrades. If any essential paperwork has gone astray, always obtain a replacement before advertising the car.

When pricing the vehicle, check out a reliable online valuation service such as the Kelley Blue Book to get a realistic idea of its value.

Ensure that the oil and water are topped up, and check that the tyres are still roadworthy. Wash and polish the car, and tidy and vacuum the interior. An air freshener might be useful, if any smokers have used the car. If the car is sold privately, ask for the name, address and telephone number of the buyer. Remember that this is a legally binding contract of sale, so it is acceptable to ask to see some photo ID. If the existing car tax is not included in the sale price, remove the tax disc in order to apply for a refund from the DVLA. Once the car is sold, it is essential to inform the DVLA of the date of sale. This is for the protection of the seller, to avoid incurring liability for any misdemeanours committed in the car after it has been sold.

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Protecting your vehicle’s exterior

Posted on May 1, 2012 by classcar

Whether you look for a new car at a local dealership, car supermarket or car shop, they will be likely to offer you some kind of package deal. This may include cheaper insurance, extended warranty and breakdown cover, and some form of bodywork protection.

Carshop, for instance, offers GardX to maintain the exterior of the car while purporting to offer UV protection and defence against acid rain and road salt. Whilst this may seem extreme, treating the exterior can protect the value of the vehicle. Carshop also offers stain guard for the interiors and a lifetime guarantee. Diamondbrite is another popular option, which also offers anti-rust protection.

Some protection from the elements may be worth it in the long term. If nothing else, it may help the resale value of your car. However, be sure to shop around, as other places may retail the car you are seeking for a cheaper price.

When in doubt, keeping the car clean and waxed is the simplest and cheapest option. It will also help to prevent rust and paint fade.

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The used car market

Posted on April 30, 2012 by classcar

The market for used cars within the United Kingdom continues to thrive with over 7 million cars changing hands over the past year.  This amounted to nearly £40 billion, a figure that pleases Government officials as it constitutes over 2.5% of the national gross domestic product. 

The used car market also accounts for a huge 75% of the all car sales across the country and this has been widely attributed to the continued development of the car supermarkets that, though classed as independent dealers, turn over thousands of cars from numerous manufacturers throughout the year.  The supermarket dealerships are known to sell younger cars than other used car sellers such as private vendors and auction houses, and do so at attractive and competitive prices in order to keep their stock moving rapidly. 

In the used car market over the past decade, used car dealers have been responsible for 55% of the total used car sales with private sales representing another 40% of the market.

The trends in these figures suggest that those people who are more financially able tend to use the car supermarkets and car dealers to obtain a competitive deal for a nearly new car, whereas those first time buyers and purchasers of cars at the lower end of the financial market use private buyers as they are considered the easiest and cheapest group of sellers to deal with.

All this indicates that the used car market continues to be strong despite the economic downturn and the rising cost of fuel.

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