Do you listen to football in the car

Will you be listening to the match tonight whilst driving home in the car? If so then you might want to think again - we are not in the game of predicting the score so this is not a warning that your team will lose.



A study by some research bods at the University of Leicester warns that listening to the match whilst driving can be a dangerous distraction. Their study found that more than two million motorists have had an accident or near-miss while driving and listening to the footie.

It appears that football fans, get as emotional in their cars as they do in the stadium stands. Tests carried out for the study showed casual listeners drove at a consistent pace throughout matches. Whilst, the football fans had a driving style that varied considerably and was sometimes erratic, particularly as the match progressed.

The researchers say if you enjoy football and get emotional and distracted, I recommend you pull over and listen to the match

Scrappage benefit 'lost in 88 days'

Are you thinking of taking advantage of the governments scrappage scheme? If so you might want to think again.

For years people have discussed the depreciation on new cars; we have all heard people say 'it loses value as soon as you drive it off the forecourt'. Now a report from uSwitch states the depreciation kicks in after 88 days.

The scrappage scheme begins on Monday, allowing owners of 10 year old or more cars to trade in old for new and receive £2000.

The research by uSwitch , vehicle depreciation is set to be the "thorn in the side" of the scrappage scheme. The initial £2,000 incentive is wiped out in depreciation in just 88 days of owning the new car.

In total, new vehicles purchased under the Government's car scrappage scheme are set to lose £12.5 billion in depreciation after just one year, it said. Purchasing one of the top 10 most popular new cars costs £16,232 on average and this value plummets by 49% in the first year alone, while the UK's best-selling car - the Ford Focus Style - loses £8,635 or 51% of its value in the first year.

Mark Monteiro, of uSwitch, said: "When choosing a new vehicle, motorists should ensure they research the rate of depreciation of their desired new car, as research highlights how some of the top 10 most-popular vehicles hold their value far better than others. Any motorists tempted to take advantage of the scheme should research the cost of insuring their desired new vehicle as a matter of priority, as the cost could be significantly higher than they are currently paying for their old banger.

"All drivers who are planning to switch their old cars for a newer model need to be prepared for a hike to their premiums of up to 30%."

MP's Expenses

Courtesy Car

Is it just me or does it seem that every time you take your car in for a service or repair the courtesy car you are given is in no way similar to the car you bring in? We all buy a car making sure it matches our needs. This may be the need to get a certain number of passengers on board (the kids), to transport a pushchair around town or on a more aesthetic level one that makes you look good.

So why is it that you end up with a replacement car the only benefit it has is that nobody will steal it. The last one I had felt like it was going to blow over in the wind, and any passengers on board had to spend their journey sniffing their knees. Not much use for me.

I think that this is a missed opportunity from car makers; they could use this time to get me test driving a new model. Showing me a car that I will fall in love with, one that I may purchase next time or at the very least will rave about to friends. A dealership in Bradford has started to offer bikes to customers instead of courtesy cars. You have to applaud their green credentials but wonder how someone with a partner and two kids manages - perhaps they offer a basket on the handle bars for your pushchair!

How a Catherine Tate character coped with the delivery of a hire car

This baby loves his car seat, but not tunnels

Beware of the car with two steering wheels

Ever had trouble parking your car?

Do you dread parking your car in a tight space? Would an extra wheel take away your anxiety?

In car smoking

Whilst stopped at the lights this morning on my route to work I noticed that the car next to me had two people smoking sat inside, the driver and a passenger. Before I go any further - I am not anti smoking, but would not want to be trapped in a confined space with other smokers.

My thoughts did not stray to the state of their health, more the damage they would be doing to their car. Which just goes to show I am spending too much time thinking about cars and their values. Laws are being investigated concerning adults smoking with children in the car, which I am sure will get widespread support. Calls for a total ban on smoking in cars will no doubt be thrown out, as a car is viewed as a personal space and nothing to do with anyone else, so therefore this would no doubt be an attack on civil liberties.

Smokers do need to think of the devaluing effect smoking can have on your car (aside from their health). Smoke damage to cars can be both seen and smelt, which could greatly reduce your resale value. The smell may not be that noticeable to you if you are a smokers, but this is something which hits non smokers as soon as the car door is opened. If you smoke in your car you can reduce the value of your car by hundreds of pounds. You wouldn't try to sell your car with a chip in your windscreen, as you know it would devalue your vehicle. Drivers need to look at smoking in the same way, the long term damage can often be impossible to reverse.