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The RAC is backing Trading Standards (TSI) and warning young drivers to avoid purchasing vehicles that are barely road worthy, referring to them as “death trap motor vehicles”.
Both organisations are urging parents and guardians to be actively involved in the purchasing decisions of young drivers after recent findings by TSI and Hertfordshire police showed that five out of eight second-hand cheaper vehicles were not safe to be driven.
Research by the RAC supports these findings stating that 75 per cent of used cars inspected had faults which would lead to failure of an MOT with one in three vehicles having a potentially dangerous or even an illegal fault.
Nicola Johnson, Manager for RAC Inspections said: “Youngsters or first timers looking for a used car bargain are entering a minefield and are unlikely to have the right level of knowledge to know what to look for. This is where a mechanically minded friend or family member can help. Better still, parents or guardians would be wise to invest in an independent vehicle inspection which could ultimately save money or even a life.”
An RAC Car Data Check costs just £5 and will establish whether a used car is stolen, an insurance write-off, has outstanding finance or has had previous plates – preventing a first-time buying nightmare.
For further information visit: www.rac.co.uk
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This week is Child Safety Week (23rd – 29th June), and with this in mind, parents are being urged to perform essential safety checks on their cars. HPI have sited that although parents take time to ensure that they fit approved child car seats in their new or used car, they also need to be checking the history of their vehicle before buying it to ensure they are not putting their family at risk.
A HPI survey has revealed that over 50 per cent of respondents failed to look at NCAP ratings before purchasing a new or used car, and that 44 per cent of respondents stated price as the key factor leading them to a sale.
More encouraging results from the survey showed that 70 per cent of parents placed child safety high up on their list of priorities when searching for their next car, yet 75 per cent of respondents admitted that they relied on their own judgement as opposed to asking an expert to make the all important purchasing decision.
Nick Lindsay, Director of HPI commented: “We are advising car buyers to be more cautious when purchasing a used vehicle for a family purpose and to be aware of the dangers of buying a car that has been an insurance write-off or a cut ‘n’ shut. An HPI Check will establish the vehicle’s current status and confirm that it has been legitimately deemed fit for the road, eliminating any hidden risks to a child’s safety.”
Child Safety Week is organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), so visit their website www.capt.org.uk for further information on how you can become involved.
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More than £1 million pounds is being collectively wasted by motorists who fail to check their tyre pressure.
Despite petrol prices reaching more than £5 per gallon and diesel now at £1.29 a litre, research by Cooper Tire Europe has found that 95 per cent of vehicles on the road have atleast one underinflated tyre.
Deflate tyres not only increase fuel consumption but the life of the tyre is also reduced significantly as well as being a potential hazard.
Underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by 2.5 per cent which is an additional blow when considering that UL motorists spent £34 billion on fuel in 2007.
“Checking your tyre pressures is a mundane, but very simple, task,” says Cooper Tire product manager, Malcolm Jones. “As the ‘credit crunch’ grips the country, it’s amazing that drivers aren’t bothering to do it, as it could save them money and, more importantly, keep them safe on the road.”
Department for Transport data reveals that defective and underinflated tyres cause 1,000 serious injuries or fatalities every year which is why Cooper Tire recommend that motorists check their tyre pressures at least once a month, or whenever they fill up.
