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Our industry’s best and brightest recently gathered in Geneva for the biggest event in the European car calendar. This was the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, which was held from 9th to 19th March, and really didn’t disappoint, as top brands unveiled their latest supercars and flagship models to the world. Here are Big Motoring World’s highlights from the 2017 Geneva Motor Show  for your reading pleasure. Flying into the future Airbus made a grand spectacle at the Geneva Motor Sh...

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on what the government’s doing, as a British motorist. Whitehall’s car market policies can hit your pocket book, so it’s best to be prepared. UK Chancellor Philip Hammond recently announced the 2017 Budget, and here’s what you need to know about it as a driver. New tax rules As we already reported, new car tax rules are coming in, which Hammond confirmed in the Budget. If you registered your vehicle before 31st March 2017, nothing wi...

It can cost an arm and a leg to take your car to the mechanic. It’s a good idea to carry out checks at least once a month, so you can spot any potential problems before they lead you to the mechanics’ door, saving you serious time and money. Here are five car checks you should do every month. Check screen wash It sounds too pointless to bother with, but check your screen wash levels anyway. You never know when a rainy days going to strike in the UK, so you’ll need to keep the ...

Your car must have a Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate, if you want to actually drive it. This is something that a surprising amount of Brits don’t seem to fully understand, as new research shows that millions of us have at some point driven without a valid MOT. Big Motoring World reveals more… Rundown on MOTS If your car has an MOT certificate, then it means that the vehicle meets legal road safety and environmental standards, so it’s safe to drive. You have to take yo...

The eyes of car tech enthusiasts have all been drawn to Google this week. The giant technology firm has recently patented an absolutely fascinating car safety system, in a potentially game-changing move. We know you’re eager to find out more, so let Big Motoring World tell you all about it… Tech innovator Once upon a time Google was nothing more than the world’s favourite search engine. Oh how times have changed. Over the past few years, Google has gradually re-positioned itse...

There’s nothing more satisfying than getting a luxury car, such as a BMW or a Mercedes, at a rock-bottom price, because you bought it second-hand. It seems as though this is a popular opinion among many Britons, as new figures show that 2016 was a great year for used car sales in the UK! Increasing sales The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a body that represents the British car industry, is constantly releasing fresh used car figures. Here at Big Motoring World, we regu...

If you’re a parent, you may put your children on your car insurance policy, to shield them from the ridiculously high premiums that often hit younger drivers. But this is a huge mistake that could really hurt your wallet. Big Motoring World explains why this practise, known as “fronting” should be avoided at all costs and how you use other methods to lower your child’s car insurance premiums. Climbing premiums The cost of car insurance is climbing for everyone right now....

You should be aware, if you or your children are learning to drive, that the government will soon be ushering in some changes. Big Motoring World asks how are UK driving tests changing in 2017? UK driving test There are two exams that you need to pass to get a UK driving license. First there’s the theory test, which is used to examine your understanding of the rules of the road. It involves two sections – one where you answer 50 multiple choice questions and one where you are tasked...

If you’re a parent, it’s crucial that you learn how to fit car seats in your vehicle properly, to keep your kids safe at all time. The UK’s new car seat law will soon come into effect and it will bring a few changes that you need to be aware of. Keep reading as Big Motoring World explains more… Vital info Under UK law, you must sit your child in a car seat until they either grow to 4 feet 5 inches tall or turn 12 years old. You must place them in a rear-facing seat for ...

Parking is one of the most frustrating tasks the average UK motorist faces in their daily life. How do we know this? In a new poll, Brits admitted that they waste a lot of time trying to park their vehicles… Wasting precious time For this study the British Parking Association (BPA), a national trade body, questioned 2,000 UK-based adults. According to BT, the research determined that on average, British motorists waste four days every single year trying to find parking spaces. Also in th...

Google Maps is one of the most important tools in the modern driver’s arsenal. Looking to increase the value it provides to customers, Google recently announced that it is planning to roll out an amazing new feature for Maps, which could benefit drivers everywhere. Big Motoring World reports. Innovative tech The rapid advancement of digital technology, has radically changed car ownership. New cars, especially those released by luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, increasingly come wit...

Car insurance is a considerable cost for drivers up and down the UK. But it looks as though it’s getting worse, as new data suggest that car insurance premiums climbed to a four-year high in 2016. Insurance rates It’s important to remember that average car insurance premium rates vary wildly across the country. Statistics gathered by AA indicates that average premiums dip as low as £270 per month in the Isle of Man, making it the cheapest UK market for car insurance. However, ...

It’s critical that you register your vehicle for car tax, as otherwise you can’t drive on the UK’s roads. On 1st April 2017, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) will roll out new rules for car tax, however in a recent survey, most Britons admitted that they’re unaware of this new system. Changing rules You are required, after buying a new car, to tax the vehicle by law. Under the existing system, this tax is calculated according to your vehicle’s...

Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recently released new figures which shed light on British new car colour preferences for the last 12 months. Looking at this data, Big Motoring World asks: what was the UK’s most popular new car colour of 2016? Popular colours According to Today, a US news portal, the colour of a car can say a lot about its owner. A silver car, for example, holds futuristic, and prestigious connotations. In contrast, when someone buys a wh...

British government department, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA), will introduce its new car tax regulations on 1st April 2017, impacting drivers across the country. Preparing you for these significant changes, here is Big Motoring World’s guide to the DVLA’s new car tax rules. UK car taxes If you buy a car and you plan to drive it, you’re required to tax the vehicle by law. The rate of tax that you pay depends on your car’s engine size (this is the s...

The 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held this month in Las Vegas, Nevada. At this event, car-makers from around the world gathered to unveil innovative new concept cars and technologies. Looking back on the showcase, here are Big Motoring World’s five highlights from the 2017 CES. New BMW system BMW is constantly pushing the boundaries of car technology development. At the 2017 CES, the brand unveiled its HoloActive Touch system, an innovative in-car control concept. A development...

New reports show the UK’s Department of Transport (DfT) is currently considering proposals, which would see optional sessions on motorway driving included in British driving lessons. Driving tests After taking a theory exam, Britons must pass a practical test, where they’re required to demonstrate their ability to perform key driving skills, to acquire a UK driving license. These skills include various parking manoeuvres e.g. parallel parking, performing emergency stops and independ...

A recent survey shed light on how the development of self-driving cars could benefit various vulnerable sections of the country’s population. Big Motoring World reports. Personal assistants Autonomous vehicle technology is developing rapidly right now, with carmakers announcing increasingly ambitious plans. Luxury German car firm BMW, for example, revealed last year that it aims to have Level 5 self-driving cars, which require no human input to operate, on the roads by 2021. As the field...

A recent editorial on Vice claims that it will be traditional car firms, like BMW and not technology companies, such as apple, who will make autonomous vehicles a viable option for average drivers. Big Motoring World asks: will traditional car manufacturers take autonomous vehicles mainstream. Vice points out that just a year ago, it looked as though tech firms like Google, Apple and Tesla, along with Chinese-funded start-ups such as Faraday Future, would fuel the self-driving car movement. In ...

It’s illegal to use mobile phones while driving, but many people do. In order to tackle this problem, new reports reveal, The Department for Transport (DfT) is considering utilising technology to block mobile phone signals from drivers, preventing motorists from using their devices while driving. Driver perceptions  In a recent survey, we Brits crowned ourselves the best drivers in Europe. However, the same poll found that British drivers do engage in various bad habits while sitting...

The family cars we drive every day are getting bigger. Therefore, the number of car parking accidents is rising, due to inadequate parking bay space sizes. This means that it is more important than ever that you learn how to fix a car dent by yourself, to reduce maintenance costs.   Assess the dent The first thing you need to do is assess the dent, as this will determine the method you use to fix it. You should ask yourself whether the dent is shallow or deep, as in the latter case, it can...

A study from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders indicates that UK drivers need to do more to keep their cars safe. Almost half (43%) of UK motorists polled have given their car keys to people they don’t know. With the rise of new technologies, however, drivers risk their cars being stolen, due to the onset of the ‘key jamming’ trend, even without being irresponsible with keys. Key jammers, the BBC explains, use transmitters, which can be bought easily...

Autonomous car technology is getting more advanced all the time. BMW, for example, plans to launch self-driving cars which require no human input by 2021. Over the next few decades, therefore, autonomous cars could drastically alter daily life. Big Motoring World asks: how could self-driving cars change the world? Changing infrastructure Forbes notes that LA-based Information Technology Agency’s General Manager, Ted Ross, believes that autonomous cars will change urban infrastructure. Ross...

We Brits are increasingly buying bigger and bigger family cars, to meet the needs of hectic modern life. New research suggests that the UK needs to widen its parking bays, as due to growing car sizes, car park accident rates have risen during the past two years. Big Motoring World comments. Growing car sizesAccording to the Telegraph, the size of popular hatchback car models has increased by a significant 16% throughout the past 15 years. Meanwhile, really large 4x4 models such as Range Rovers a...

We are living in a rapidly changing world, where innovative new digital technologies are being rolled out every single day. Over time, this has fundamentally altered our relationship with cars. Exploring this phenomenon, Big Motoring World asks: how has technology changed car ownership? Viewing cars An article on Tech.Co, a tech start-up news blog, sheds more light on this issue. First, it argued, technology has changed how we view cars. Before we ever set foot in a showroom, we can glimpse e...

UK Chancellor Phillip Hammond recently announced the 2016 Autumn Statement, detailing key financial policies for the coming year. Big Motoring World has learned that due to measures included in the Autumn Statement, your car insurance premiums will probably increase going forward. Autumn statement plans Data released by the AA shows that car insurance premiums vary across the UK. Average car insurance premiums run as high as £1,346 for drivers in our nation’s capital, but go down as...

The British government has recently announced that it is hoping to introduce measures to tackle rising whiplash claim volumes, which could reduce car insurance premiums for drivers throughout the UK. Whiplash problem Car insurance premiums vary across the nation. In a recent study, AA found that on average, the cheapest place in the UK for driving insurance is the Isle of Man, where drivers pay premiums of £270. However, drivers in London, the most expensive region for car insurance, pay a...

In their latest research, vehicle rental service Enterprise Rent-A-Car discovered that we Brits believe that we are the best drivers in all of Europe. Big Motoring World reports. Driving in the UK You have to jump through a lot of hoops, in order to be able to drive in the UK. First, you have to pass a driving theory test, which features multiple choice and hazard perception sections. Then after taking lessons, you must pass a practical driving test. Throughout this session, you have to demonstr...

Under UK laws, a car must possess a Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate, to prove that the vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. After buying a car, you will eventually have to get it tested, to renew its MOT certificate. To learn more, read Big Motoring World’s guide to MOT tests. MOTs: The basics When your car becomes three years old, you will have to take it for an MOT test. If you have bought a used car, you will receive an MOT certificate, telling you when it next...

You need to make sure your car remains in top condition before driving in winter, so you stay safe on the road. To help you out, Big Motoring World reveals five car maintenance tips for winter. Do basic checks There are some basic checks you should do before winter sets in, according to Auto Car, an industry publication. Make sure your car’s oil and coolant levels, as well as its lights and tyre pressure, are all normal. Also test its electrical features e.g. heating, for faults. If you sp...

New research from AA shows how much drivers in different part of the UK pay for car insurance. By consulting this data, you can reasonably be expected to pay when taking out a new policy… Finding great deals There are a number of factors you should consider when taking out car insurance. You may want to look for discounts to lower your premiums. Some providers offer discounts on security features e.g. alarms and when you add an additional driver from your household for example. You may al...

If you’re looking to buy a car, you may want to think about opting for a used vehicle, to get real value for money. It is key that you take a second-hand car for a spin first, however, to ensure the vehicle is right for you. Big Motoring World explains how to test drive a used car. Prepare beforehand There are a few things you should do before you even walk into a dealership. It is key that you research the dealer online, checking their customer reviews, to ensure they provide effective se...

New research commissioned by Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care has revealed what Britons most worry about, when on the road. Big Motoring World asks: what are the UK’s biggest driving concerns? Lack of confidence Polling 2,000 drivers, this study found that more than half have experienced anxiety when driving, causing 50% of respondents to avoid driving. They were most likely to abandon driving in winter, when according to the research, 28% of accidents happen, due to harsher condition...

According to the Express, British drivers are the angriest drivers in all of Europe. It is key that you find ways to avoid getting stressed when you’re driving, so you don’t experience anger on the road and put your safety at risk. Big Motoring World reveals how to handle stress when driving. Prepare for anything It is important that you prepare for likely eventualities before driving. That way if you encounter problems, you’ll have the tools needed to fix them quickly, so you ...

We’re one step closer to seeing autonomous vehicles on roads across the nation. Milton Keynes recently held the first ever trials of self-driving cars to be hosted in the UK. Big Motoring World comments. Advancing technology True self-driving cars could become a reality by the 2020s. Recently, BMW revealed that it is hoping to release a Level 5 autonomous vehicle, which requires no human input, in China by 2021. If this project proves successful, similar models developed by competing carma...

A recent infographic ranks various countries across the world, based on the difficulty of their driving exams. Looking at these listings, Big Motoring World asks: how easy is it to pass your driving test? Landmark infographicAccording to the Daily Mail, the infographic was compiled by Foray Motor Group, a UK-based Ford dealership. It lists driving test difficulty in different nations on a scale of one to ten. These rankings are based on factors such as the challenges one may encounter in both th...