Useful Motoring Websites

Crabman

Last updated: Wednesday 18th April 2012

1. Useful Websites
2. Buying a Car
3. Tax & Insurance
4. MOT
5. Learning to drive
6. Speeding Fines/Penalty Charges
7. MPG & Journey Planning
8. Vehicle Hire

For Car Maintenance Tips & further websites, check out the new Car Maintenance Tips Thread

Tip: Click the links using the middle mouse button/scroll wheel to open in a new tab

1. Useful Websites (external links)
(please see individual categories below for further links & websites)

AA Advice Videos
A series of YouTube videos from the AA on topics including checking engine oil, preparing for winter driving, and changing a wheel.

AA Motoring Advice
Motoring advice, route mapping, car safety guides and general information from the AA.

AutoExpress.co.uk
Car reviews, advice, tax calculator, etc.

AutoTrader.co.uk
Specializes in used car listings from dealers.
Autobody Compare
Comparison site for car repairs (bodyshops).

Car Audio Direct
Includes a handy wizard if you're looking for audio adapters for your vehicle.

Car Bibles
An American site which contains a wealth of information and advice for drivers on both sides of the pond.

Cartalk
Based on a radio show (podcasts available) that has been going for decades. Includes real automotive data and jokes.

Calculator (for nerds!)
Work it all out from MPG to Aerodynamic and Rolling HP Loss Calculation... impressive huh!

Drivers Technology
Today there are many pieces of technology to help the driver to drive safely while still making fair progress. This website will help to explain these products, the technology involved and some of the history of development.

Euro NCAP
How safe is your next car? Find out for free (also check out Thatcham, below)

Glass' Used Car Valuations (click here if you have a pop-up blocker)
Free online car valuation for used vehicles only

Haggling Heaven: Your feedback on haggling for cars
Feedback on Martin's excellent car haggling technique... was it hot, or not?

Haynes Car Manuals
Links to car maintenance and their entire series of books for almost every model of car on the road.

Highway Code Online
The rule-book for motoring - free and online.

Honest John
Car reviews, feedback and known recalls.

• Honest John's Useful Websites
• Honest John's FAQ Index

Jalopnik
Everything automotive for people who like cars (and can have laugh on themselves)

MOT Test Information
Information on all aspects of MOT testing.

MSN Cars
Motoring information and advice

Parkers Car Reviews

Pepipoo.com
Advice on speeding tickets, fines, etc.

PetrolPrices.com
Find the lowest UK petrol price in your area, with a choice of daily/weekly email alerts.

Preloved Used Car Reviews

RAC
Advice on a wide range of motoring issues from accidents & journey planning to buying and selling a car.

Thatcham
Information dedicated to improving the safety of vehicles after an accident.

TopGear.com
Uncut clips from the TV show, car reviews & other interesting stuff.

Traveline
Plan a journey using public transport - useful for the OAP free bus pass scheme.

UK Motoring Directory
Links to various websites to do with a wide range of topics.

WhatCar.com

Wisebuyers Car Valuations
Free online car valuation which takes account of mileage too

Yahoo Motoring Advice
Information on all sorts of maintenance and repairs


2. Buying a Car (incl. Auctions) & Vehicle Safety

Article: New Car Buying and Financing Cost Cutting Plan /U][/B][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=1886421#post1886421"][U]Discussion Area[/U][/URL][B][U

Article: Cheap Loans: How to get your lowest possible rate /U][/B][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=1639355#post1639355"][U]Discussion Area[/U][/URL][B][U

British Car Auctions - well known car auction company

Car and Van Auctions - directory of UK auction sites

Car Buzz - ratings and tests for new vehicles

Kwik Guides - guides to buying a new car, selling a car and more

Auto Trader - buy and sell new and used cars, bikes, vans, trucks and caravans

Motors.co.uk - used cars for sale right across the UK


Forum Threads:

Buying a used car - recommend the most reliable
Car pontification....keep E30 vs E36 vs kit car
Cheap HPI Check for Cars
Part-exchanging your car
Rejecting a duff car / getting compensation
Picking up brand new car at the weekend, what to check before handing over cheque?
Why so much hatred for 4x4's & SUV's?

3. Tax & Insurance

Tax:

Buying Car Tax (external link)

Car tax rules (external link)

Check CO2 emissions and vehicle tax calculator (external link)

How to apply for a duplicate tax disc (external link)

How to apply for a refund on your vehicle tax (external link)

How to exchange a tax disc (external link)

Parkers' Car Tax Listings (external link)

Tax Bands & Current Cost of Vehicle Tax (external link)

Taxing your vehicle in the disabled tax class (external link)

Vehicle tax is due to expire while you're abroad (external link)


Insurance:

Article: Cheap Car Insurance /U][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=603514"][U]Discussion Area[/U][/URL][U

Article: Car Insurance - Tricks and tactics to cut the cost /U][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=603514"][U]Discussion Area[/U][/URL][U


4. MOT Information

Article: MOT Cost Cutting: Slice the cost of repairs /U][/B][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=295250"][U]Discussion Area[/U][/URL][B][U

Check Your MOT Certificate Online (external link)
If you're concerned about the authenticity of your MOT certificate this is the place to check it out for free.

MOT Test Information (external link)
Created to give information on all aspects of MOT testing, this website has been designed to meet the needs of the general public and the motor vehicle industry.

MOT Tester.co.uk (external link)
Another site dedicated to the UK's MOT Test complete with diagrams, info and other useful tips regarding the test and how to get a free re-test.

Unhappy with an MOT Test Result? (external link)
What to do if you're unsatisfied following an MOT Test.

Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) (external link)
VOSA provides a range of licensing, testing and enforcement services - they regulate the MOT process

What is the current cost for an MOT? (external link)
Details of the current charges for different categories of vehicle.

What is an MOT? (external link)
Details of what the MOT Test looks for and the role of VOSA (see below) in regulation of the scheme and handling appeals/complaints against MOT Test Stations.


5. Learning to drive
Did you know? Only a Driving Standards Agency registered & approved driving instructor can legally charge you for lessons

2pass.co.uk (external link)
Want to swot up before your lessons? This is the place to do it!

Applying for a provisional driving licence (external link)

Choosing a driving or riding instructor (external link)

Driving eyesight requirements (external link)

Driving test fees (external link)

Driving-test-success.com - info, videos and advice for learner drivers (external link)

Great Ways To Cut The Cost Of Learning To Drive Hunt

Practise Theory Test (external link)

Vehicles you can drive and minimum ages (external link)

RAC Know-How - Learning to drive (external link)

Rules for learner drivers and riders (external link)

Video describing the driving test (external link)


6. Speeding Fines/Penalty Charges

Consumer Action Group (external link)

National Parking Adjudication Service (external link)

Parking & Traffic Appeals (external link)

Pepipoo.com (external link)

Roadside Lawyer.co.uk (external link)

Safespeed.org.uk (external link)

Notso Campaign (external link)

Speed Awareness Course (external link)

Ticket Fighter (external link)

Forum Threads:

"Speeding Fines" Search Results
"Parking Fines" Search Results

M42 Speed Cameras
33 in a 30 limit, been flashed!
Is it Worth Appealing Against a Speed Camera Ticket ?
Parking ticket advice needed please.
Speeding fine - what happens next?

7. MPG & Journey Planning
Did you know? Martin carried out a petrol efficiency experiment while on holiday. Click Here to read all about it

Article: Cheapest Petrol & Diesel: Drive down the costs by 20% /U][/B][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=5239465#post5239465"][U]Discussion Area[/U][/URL][B][U

5 Minutes Away.co.uk (external link)

AA Route Mapping (external link)

AA Travel News (external link)

Avoid Motorway Service Station Prices - The Great Motorway Secret (external link)

BBC Travel News (external link)

FixMyStreet.co.uk & FillThatHole.org.uk (external link)

Fuelly - calculate and track your vehicle's mpg

Report a Pot Hole to your Local Authority (external link)

Highways Agency (external link)

Hypermiler.co.uk (external link)

Google Route Maps (external link)

Keep Moving - view CCTV of the motorway network & traffic levels. Currently experiencing technical issues with the fuel prices data. (external link)

Live Route Maps (external link)

MPG Calculator (external link)

MPG listed by Car Model (external link)

Park-up.com (external link)
Find car parks in London

ParkAtMyHouse.com (external link)
Parking in London? Use this website to find a private parking space or advertise your own drive/space to up your income.

PetrolPrices.com (external link)
Find the lowest UK petrol price in your area, with a choice of daily/weekly email alerts.

RAC Route Mapping (external link)

Traffic England (external link)

Traffic Wales (external link)
Don't forget to check on the latest Severn Bridge Toll charges.

Traffic Scotland (external link)

Traveline (external link)
Plan a journey using public transport - useful for the OAP free bus pass scheme

20 things you need to know about eco-motoring (external link)

10 ways to cut your Motoring Costs /B][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=511753"]Discussion Area[/URL][B


8. Vehicle Hire
Tip: Follow the article tips on inspecting the hire vehicle before and after to help avoid false claims of damage.

Cheap Car Hire: Slash £100s in hire and insurance costs /B][/U][URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=6462050#post6462050"][U]Discussion Area[/U][/URL][B][U

URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.html?do=process&query=car%20hire&forumchoice[]=28&titleonly=1"]Car Hire Search Results[/URL

Car Hire Excess Insurance
This protects you from excess charges from car hire firms. Usually there is an excess for a few hundred pounds. With excess insurance from one of these providers (others are available - please suggest additions) you can eliminate the risk of having to pay an excess. You may be able to get cashback on the below providers:

https://www.icarhireinsurance.com/

http://www.insurance4carhire.com


Anyone Ever Bought An Ex Hire/courtesy Car?
Car Hire deposit exchange rate scam?
Car Hire Downgrade - can I expect a refund?
Car hire 'damage' - should I pay up?
Charged for car hire damage that we didn't make
Charged £280 excess for car hire!
Car Hire fuel rip off
Car Hire - refuelling charge scam
Collision damage waiver question
Scratch on returned hire car
Saving on your American Car hire
USA car hire: What is all inclusive?

9. Owners' Clubs

Alfa Romeo

Aston Martin

BMW

BMW 3 Series (Current Shape)

Ford (Ford C-Max, Ford Focus, Ford Ka, Ford Mondeo, Ford Galaxy, Ford Kuga, Ford Sierra, Ford ST)

Kia

MG

Nissan

Skoda

Toyota

Vauxhall

Volvo

VW

Please add your suggestions (websites/threads) by replying below
(archived suggestions can be found here)

Acknowledgements

Content: NormskiParker, Nile, caliston, carebabe, derrick, bethom, anewman, sra, meaty10, zeon 999, Wig, avantra, Belnahua, KingCampo, dbramley

(* these links help the site - click here for details on how the site is funded)

Carauctionexpert

Car Auction advice from the UK experts. If you want advice I will be happy to answer questions

sj999

Try pistonheads.com a great site for car fans.

barry9999

If anyone is buying new then carbuyer.co.uk is pretty good.

Fabio_Fonseca

for adi's - https://www.drivinginstructors.co.uk

jessyclark

All are remarkable online resources thanks

gaztruman

Would be good if you added 'Selling your car' websites to the list of useful websites.

You know websites like https://www.webuyanycar.co.uk and https://www.thecarbuyingservice.co.uk

josefnewman

Hi,

I just come across this Thread and would like to let you know about a website or maybe a company which is providing reconditioned and rebuilt engines for sale ,
Company is based in Paisley near Glasgow.
I was in process of sourcing an engine because main was gone ( big end bearings problem as my mechanic decided )
Engine Engineering provided me with new engine covered by 12 months warranty ( unlimited mileage ).
The engine was delivered promptly directly to the garage where my car was repaired. I had to pay deposit ( surcharge ) until the old engine was ready for collection but it was refunded.
Couple of months down the line my new engine runs perfect. Mor importantly this is a Ford Transit van so needed something reliable.
Any problem with engine - use them - good company.
engineengineering.co.uk

Catnapper

The Alfa Romeo Owners' Club hyperlink is a broken link. Try http://www.aroc-uk.com/ instead.

michael_mcguiness

great useful thread btw - might want to add autoprotect to the list too!

mdf1985

Has anyone had any experience of CarsandGarages.co.uk? I googled to find a garage in my local area and this website came up, they had a few garages in my area with reviews. Couple of other decent tools as well, could be worth checking out.