Author: Simon Pavey

Vehicle maintenance during lockdown: how to keep your car roadworthy

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On the 25 March, the government announced that any car, van or motorcycle MOT due from 30 March 2020 will be extended by six months. The notice is great news for key workers and drivers who drive for essential travel and work during this critical time. However, it is important to consider that your vehicle must be roadworthy as it is a legal obligation.

Here are a few tips on how to look after your vehicle during lockdown:

Tyres

There are two important aspects to maintain when looking after your tyres.

The first is tread. The legal requirement states tyre tread must be at least 1.6mm deep. You can buy tread depth tools that are available in petrol stations or online. Alternatively, you can put a 20p coin in the treads. If you can’t see the outer band, your tyres will need replacing. Plan to ensure you can drive to a garage safely to reduce any unnecessary journeys.

The second feature is pressure. Tyres need to be kept at their optimum pressure found on their sidewall as pressure is gradually lost over time. Even if left stationery for an extended period of time, the tyres can develop flat spots and lose their roundness. If your car may be idle for several months, roll it carefully now and then to keep them even.

Keep your vehicle clean

It is important to maintain car cleanliness to prevent damage.

Give your car, van or motorcycle a deep clean by scrubbing and waxing the exterior. Not only will this keep your vehicle looking great, but will keep your paintwork in top condition.

Nurture your tyres by cleaning away mud and grease which can help reduce corrosion.

During this time, ensure the interior is sanitized. Disinfect hard and soft surfaces to reduce the risk of spreading. Cleaning the inside of any food residue will also limit the likelihood of insects infesting inside.

Vehicle liquids

It is sensible to check the levels of fluid to ensure when you do return to the road that your vehicle is car ready.

Ensure your fuel, oil, engine coolant and window cleaner are topped up, so your vehicle is prepared for its next outing.

With MyService.Expert, you can make savings of 30% on parts and labour for your vehicle maintenance. Service, savings, security. With MOT extensions, find out how much you can save on your next booking. Find out more here.

NHS could benefit from reduced speed limit to 20mph

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A new campaign has launched in urban areas to decrease speed limit areas of 30mph to 20mph the day before the Easter weekend.

Leading medical practitioners are calling on the government to introduce an Emergency National Urban Limit to alleviate pressure on the NHS. Driving slower should result in fewer victims of collisions for the NHS to care for during this critical time.

Not-for-profit organisation 20’s Plenty for Us, formed to campaign for mandatory 20mph limits, has teamed up with several local communities to support Lower the Baseline, an initiative to increase awareness to ultimately reduce healthcare admissions.

To the Times, over one hundred doctors wrote, “..each month there are nearly 3,000 road traffic collision-related admissions to NHS hospitals in England alone. Lowering and enforcing speed limits would reduce the frequency and severity of road traffic collisions.”

In an article to help improve the NHS’s capacity, the BMJ published on 24th March: “First, we suggest an immediate reduction in motor vehicle speed limits. In England alone there are around 35 000 non-fatal admissions to hospital every year related to road traffic accidents; more than one in 10 of these are serious and likely to require intensive support, including anaesthesia and surgery. Evidence from around the world shows that lowering speed limits can lead to major reductions in injuries. In Canada, for example, lowering the speed limit from 40km/h to 30km/h was associated with a 28% decrease in pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions and a 67% decrease in major and fatal injuries.”

Further information about Lower the Baseline is in more detail here.

Fuel Card Services is an independent agent of fuel cards as well as fleet management tools, including tracking, discounted vehicle maintenance, mileage counting, and driver walk around check list.

Construction tool theft on the increase as sites forced to closes

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Plant and asset robbery surges as construction sites shut down amid the current circumstances. The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has reported a sharp spike in thefts up to 50% in the last few weeks.

Combined Industries Theft Solutions (CITS) stated, “As a result of the (pandemic), some construction sites have been forced to close, and personnel, including on-site security, have left. Under these circumstances, organised criminal gangs may try to exploit the situation.”

Nick Mayell of the CESAR remarked, “The abrupt abandonment of work-sites has left machinery unsecured and vulnerable.  Whereas a company would normally ‘wind-down’ for seasonal closures by ‘off-hiring’ kit and moving their own machines – sites have closed overnight – in the blink of an eye – and the thieves are having a field day.”

As a result of increased theft, it is advised to remove all major plant and valuable assets from sites. Many contractors have also highlighted the importance of installing tracking devices: “For owners of construction plant, it may be useful, for example, to ensure that tracking companies are alerted to the plants’ location”, CITS commented.

Jenny Smith, Product Manager for Tele-Gence, states: “It is vital for your valuables to be tracked for heightened security and visibility now more than ever. At Tele-Gence, safety and protection for your vehicles and assets is our priority.”

Tele-Gence is an intelligent fleet management platform that offers vehicle tracking and asset monitoring. Find out how you can improve security with Tele-Gence.

Kia Sorento bags top honours in this year’s Driver Power survey

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Kia is celebrating an array of awards as part of this year’s Driver Power survey, with the manufacturer’s Sorento model a standout performer.

Picking up a total of six honours in 2020, it was an impressive performance and goes to highlight the popularity of the brand among the UK motoring public.

Sorento scoops a double

The Kia Sorento claimed this year’s Best Large SUV title and was also voted the Driver Power Car of the Year. 

Stuart Milne, executive editor of Auto Express, revealed it was the model’s low running costs, excellent infotainment package and the ease with which drivers can make use of the vehicle in their daily lives that helped push the Sorento ahead of the competition.

Responding to the awards, president and CEO of Kia Motors (UK) Paul Philpott commented: “These wins for Kia are especially important to us as they’re voted for by our customers, people who live with our vehicles day to day.”

He added that the marque takes “huge pride in these awards and will continue to listen to customers and deliver what they want”.

Indeed, it wasn’t just the Sorento that fared well in this year’s survey, with the Picanto picking up Best City Car and the Rio being named Best Supermini. The marque’s Niro HEV also claimed the Best Small SUV title, while the Niro PHEV was named Best Plug-in Hybrid.

Ellie Baker, brand representative at Fuel Card Services, comments: “This is an amazing result for a brand that has captured the imagination of UK car buyers. It’s a brilliant achievement and one that’s fully deserved given the commitment of Kia to deliver models of the highest quality.”

Grey BMW car with headlights on

Is your car prepared to pass its MOT?

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One of the responsibilities you have as a motorist – as well as things like paying tax and getting
insurance – is taking your car in for an MOT inspection every year to ensure it’s roadworthy and
safe to drive.

This process becomes much easier – and less expensive – if you make the effort to maintain your
car and keep it in good condition. Even the most basic regular checks can help your car pass its
MOT every year with zero fuss.

With that in mind, here are the most common causes of MOT failure and what you can do to
avoid them:

Faulty lights

According to the RAC, problems with the lights and signals are the number one reason for cars
to fail their MOT, with nearly a fifth (19 per cent) of vehicles getting the thumbs down for this
reason.

It’s often something as simple as a blown bulb that can cause the failure, so regularly checking
all of your lights – including easily overlooked ones like the fog lamps and reversing signal – is
essential.

Suspension

RAC patrols attended 20 per cent more pothole-related breakdowns in the fourth quarter of
2019 than in the same period a year earlier, so it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that
suspension issues are a common reason for MOT failure.

You can monitor your suspension by listening out for unusual noises when you’re cornering or
driving on bumpy roads, and by parking on a flat surface and checking to see if the car sits level.
Brakes

Approximately one in ten cars fail their MOT because of issues with the brakes, and it goes
without saying that this is a vital part of your car to look after if you want to drive safely.

One of the biggest warning signs to look out for where your brakes are concerned is a squealing
or grinding sound, which usually means the brake pads are worn out and need replacing.
If you want to have maximum confidence that every part of your car is working as it should,
take it in for regular servicing and maintenance.

Fuel Card Services makes this easy with MyService.Expert, which provides access to thousands
of garages all over the UK.