Good motoringThe magazine for members of GEM Motoring Assist Summer 2018 Swiss tour made e asy Memorable journeys through the Alps by electric cars and bicycles

The MOT is changing: GEM member survey: COMPETITION: we have all you need to know your thoughts on smart win a two-night break at a about the revised test motorways and better driving fabulous Somerset hotel How you rated the GEM breakdown service... We care a great deal about the quality of service you receive when you need us for breakdown recovery. We thought you might like to see some of the many five-star reviews about GEM Motoring Assist recently submitted to the independent review site reviewcentre.com...

Friendly and fast A real comfort

Outstanding service, waited 15 minutes at most. Helpful I like this company. From the ease with which you join - and friendly call handler followed by a helpful and friendly covering you for you and whatever car you are driving at recovery driver. Perfect! the time you need them rather than just your car - to the 19 April friendly service. They pick up the phone quickly, ask you the right questions, call to check you are OK whilst you High praise are waiting to be recovered and then check to make sure you are home safely and all is well. A real comfort when you are stranded on the side of a motorway with children I cannot praise the system highly enough. From the initial in the car! Well done GEM. phone call to being dropped off at home it was a painless 21 March experience. The phone handler was efficient and courteous. The rescue truck arrived in no time at all and we were Blowout on M6 quickly on our way to get the car sorted out. Thanks. 17 April After having a blowout on the M6, GEM were super 300 miles from home helpful, friendly and most importantly, fast. I was back on the road in roughly an hour. I was always informed of what was going on and after about 25 minutes, had a call Flat battery in a London car park at night. GEM excellent just to check I was OK. I was very impressed, although, I on the phone, kept to time as promised. Very polite, hope to never have to use them again! efficient mechanic, helpful and reassuring. 17 December 17 April Back on the road Very pleasant to deal with

Quick service with a smile. Good manners and friendly I have the reclaim service. Absolutely no problems. I chap. Car back on the road within 10 minutes. Would received the money back quickly. recommend over AA or Green Flag. 27 March 1 March CONTENTS SUMMER 2018

FEATURES On the cover 16 The 2018 GEM member survey Your response to our questions on On the cover smart motorways, road safety and driver behaviour was phenomenal. Here we present part of the survey’s findings.

20 Making smart motorways safer We listened to your concerns about smart motorways, and recently paid a visit to a Highways England control room. Check out our safety advice for this type of road. WIN A BREAK IN BEAUTIFUL SOMERSET Ston Easton’s original artwork, contemporary touches 22 Why has casualty reduction stalled? and a passion for self-sufficiency in the kitchen For a long time we saw healthy year-on- 12 promise a truly memorable stay for you and a guest. year reductions in road deaths. Peter Rodger looks at why the brakes went on in 2010... and what we need to do next. On the cover 24 Charity steps into virtual reality GOING WITH THE CURRENT Neil Worth was on hand to witness the Carlton Boyce charges his way across the creation of an exciting ‘VR’ project in Sussex Swiss Alps in an electric car: plus some great that’s designed to engage the interest of 28 tips for exploring the country by ebike. vulnerable young adult road users.

66 Gonna buy a classic... If you ever wondered about the investment potential of a classic car, then Dominique Drayson has some excellent tips.

ADVENTURES 28 Electric tour of Switzerland:

Carlton Boyce joins an extraordinary Alpine Pic: Jeanine Hug On the cover expedition, by car and by bike.

32 Are you ready to pâté? David Williams recalls a little of his REGULARS schoolboy French as he explores the 7 Feedback Ardennes region. A selection of your letters relating to items in the Spring edition, and on other general 36 Discovering the Dukeries motoring themes. Alan Wakely strikes out to explore the country houses of north Nottinghamshire. 10 Your GEM News of our forthcoming off-road driving 39 Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way day, plus discounts on holiday car hire, Spectacular scenery, a warm welcome... parking and hotels. and 12 of the tastiest oysters help ensure Maxine Ashford has a memorable visit. 26 Ask the experts Topics in this edition include the value of extended warranties and convertibles that Cover pic: electric bike on the Swiss tour, by can also be warm in winter. Carlton Boyce. Article on p28. 43 On the Road New and used car tests, plus buying advice.

www.motoringassist.com 3 Chief Executive’s letter • WATER, OIL AND STAIN

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Welcome to the summer edition of Good Motoring, which we have packed with tips, ACTION TROUSERS ideas and suggestions to inspire and entertain you – and to help to keep you safe on 4 LENGTHS ‘‘£38 £19 SAVE £19 the roads, as well. ’’ • Easy care and quick In our previous edition we invited you to take part in our driver survey, and I was CORK drying fabric thrilled to see that more than 2,500 people took the time to share their thoughts on a • Side elasticated waist variety of motoring-related matters. Your comments are vital in helping us formulate • Multiple pockets for our road safety advocacy, and the communications we publish on topics connected HALF added security with reducing death and injury on our roads. More details starting on page 16. Machine Washable We were able to share your feedback on the subject of smart motorways during 65% Polyester 35% Cotton PRICE Sizes 32-48 a mid-April visit to a Highways England control centre. The response we saw to now Cork Mercury Dark Navy incidents was reassuringly swift and professional, but we do still know that the lack 27” (68.5cm) inside leg AC14598 ZZC of a hard shoulder on any stretch of motorway will be of great concern if you are 29” (74cm) inside leg AC14599 ZZC unfortunate enough to break down. Our report is on page 20. 31” (79cm) inside leg AC14600 ZZC £19 33” (84cm) inside leg AC14601 ZZC I was fortunate enough to complete a short visit to the Ardennes region of France recently. Not only did the trip introduce us to some really lovely towns and LACE-UP TRAVEL SHOES villages that lie off the beaten track, it also brought us to the graveside of Augustin £38 £19 SAVE £19 Trebuchon, the very last French soldier of the First World War to be killed in action... just 15 minutes before the guns fell silent on 11 November 1918. A poingnant • Cushioning underfoot The response moment during a lovely journey, which I would recommend to anyone looking for a • Padded ankle collar and “we saw to new region to explore. You can read all about our trip starting on page 32. SAND tongue for support incidents was • Sturdy soles for everyday Finally, I know David Motton and the road test team have worked hard to tighten up wear reassuringly the scores they provide when reviewing new cars, so do take a good look at the line- swift and up of models in this edition. All the reviews can be found online, and you can work Upper Other/Textile Lining Textile your way back to see our verdicts on models we have appraised in recent years. It’s a Sock Leather Sole Other professional... Sizes 7-12 E Fit great resource, and easily accessible on the GEM website. Sand AQ11590 ZZC Enjoy this edition, and have a great summer! Plus only £3.99 delivery

POST TO: Cotton Traders, Cotton Hub, Merlin Court, Atlantic Street, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5NL 1ST COLOUR 2ND COLOUR ” ORDER CODE SIZE CHOICE CHOICE QTY TOTAL Paula Williams, Chief Executive WATER, OIL & STAIN RESISTANT Please send me item(s) indicated (BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE) OPTIONAL (TICK) † INSURANCE 48p I enclose my Cheque/PO made payable UK STANDARD £3.99 to Cotton Traders Limited for £ DELIVERY TOTAL

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Initial Surname Address GOOD MOTORING is the magazine for Good Motoring is the property of GEM Motoring accept no responsibility for problems arising MERCURY DARK NAVY CORK members of GEM Motoring Assist. Assist. All rights reserved. The views expressed in from advertisements with Good Motoring. In the Postcode Editor: James Luckhurst this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views first instance, complaints and correspondence Telephone Signature Road Test Editor: David Motton of GEM Motoring Assist. GEM does not accept any relating to advertisements should be directed to Please debit my MasterCard/Visa/Maestro Proofreader: Roger Rushton responsibility for errors or omissions. the advertiser concerned. Should you not reach a order today, PLEASE USE THIS PROMOTIONAL CODE ([email protected]) Good Motoring is distributed quarterly via satisfactory conclusion within a reasonable period TO CLAIM YOUR OFFER Advertising enquiries: David Breary, Royal Mail to members of GEM Motoring Assist of time, please contact us by post or email. Creative Publishing Services worldwide. For questions and comments relating Write to: Good Motoring, GEM Motoring Assist, visit cottontraders.com [email protected] to GEM membership, Good Motoring subscriptions Station Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5EN Valid From Expiry Date Issue No. Security Code* and editorial, contact GEM Motoring Assist. Telephone: 01342 825676 921Y Email: [email protected] or call 0844 844 1111 48p guarantees refund or replace if undelivered 7 working days after dispatch. †Tick to select this optional cover. Payment taken at Good Motoring is published by Complaints policy: We hope you never Please note: magazine enquiries only to this email point of order. We aim to deliver within 3 working days from dispatch, stock subject to availability. We comply with Consumer Contract Regulations; you have the right to cancel your order no later than 14 days after the day on which you receive your goods. GEM Motoring Assist. experience any problems relating to the contents address 14 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED Inform us of your wish to cancel in writing, by letter or email. Returns are not free, full details are on your delivery note. Return © GEM Motoring Assist 2018 of Good Motoring. GEM Motoring Assist can goods within 14 days of cancellation. Calls to 0844 numbers will cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Registered office: Cotton Traders Ltd, Cotton Traders House, Atlantic Street, Altrincham WA14 5GZ £3.99 UK standard delivery. International delivery from £6.95. Offer applies to purchases in GBP only. Exception is Ireland orders which will be charged in EUR at the set conversion rate. Prices quoted are correct at time of production but can vary. One promotion per order. *Last 3 digits on back of card. This is mandatory to process your order. Offer ends 14.08.18. Fast, reliable UK & International delivery service Marketing and Promotions: We want to make sure you don’t miss out on our great products and offers, so we will keep you 4 informed by post. If you do not want to hear from us, please let us know. I do not want to be contacted by Post www.motoringassist.com International delivery available online to over 25 countries worldwide We take your privacy seriously. For details of our privacy policy and full terms and conditions visit cottontraders.com.

90270 GOOD MOTORING 921Y AT 20_05_18.indd 1 16/04/2018 10:44 • WATER, OIL AND STAIN

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MERCURY DARK NAVY CORK Address Postcode Telephone Signature Please debit my MasterCard/Visa/Maestro order today, PLEASE USE THIS PROMOTIONAL CODE visit cottontraders.com TO CLAIM YOUR OFFER Valid From Expiry Date Issue No. Security Code* or call 0844 844 1111 921Y 48p guarantees refund or replace if undelivered 7 working days after dispatch. †Tick to select this optional cover. Payment taken at point of order. We aim to deliver within 3 working days from dispatch, stock subject to availability. We comply with Consumer Contract Regulations; you have the right to cancel your order no later than 14 days after the day on which you receive your goods. 14 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED Inform us of your wish to cancel in writing, by letter or email. Returns are not free, full details are on your delivery note. Return goods within 14 days of cancellation. Calls to 0844 numbers will cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Registered office: Cotton Traders Ltd, Cotton Traders House, Atlantic Street, Altrincham WA14 5GZ £3.99 UK standard delivery. International delivery from £6.95. Offer applies to purchases in GBP only. Exception is Ireland orders which will be charged in EUR at the set conversion rate. Prices quoted are correct at time of production but can vary. One promotion per order. *Last 3 digits on back of card. This is mandatory to process your order. Offer ends 14.08.18. Fast, reliable delivery service Marketing and Promotions: We want to make sure you don’t miss out on our great products and offers, so we will keep you UK & International informed by post. If you do not want to hear from us, please let us know. I do not want to be contacted by Post International delivery available online to over 25 countries worldwide We take your privacy seriously. For details of our privacy policy and full terms and conditions visit cottontraders.com.

90270 GOOD MOTORING 921Y AT 20_05_18.indd 1 16/04/2018 10:44 Member CAR Benefit INSURANCE that pays £250 you back! PRIZE DRAW* Get a quote WHEN YOU ENQUIRE today for your chance to WIN £250 in our Free Prize Draw! We've teamed up with Shield Total Insurance to find you the most competitive quotes with some insurers offering valuable extra benefits including: £25 ✔ Up to 75% no claims discount CASHBACK† ✔ Up to 240 days European cover WHEN YOU SIGN UP ✔ Up to £10,000 personal accident cover ✔ 24-hour accident/emergency helpline ✔ Optional Key Protection from £12 pa ✔ Unlimited glass repair & windscreen replacement For your instant quote call us FREE on: 0800 975 0874 † £25 Cashback Offer only available when speaking to one of our agents on the phone quoting GEM17. You must not cancel your insurance within 14 days of inception to qualify for Cashback Offer. * Prize draw T&Cs apply - please visit www.shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/gem/gem-motor-insurance/. Prize draw offer closes 31/12/2018. Drivers aged 80 or over are recommended to remain with their existing insurer(s), where they will benefit from the loyalty they have earned with them. Shield Total Insurance arranges insurance on behalf of GEM members. Shield Total Insurance is a trading name of Vantage Insurance Services Limited (”VISL”). VISL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. VISL is registered in England No. 3441136. Registered Office; 5th floor, 41 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DT. GEM777-01/18 your letters Member CAR Benefit Feedback [email protected] Out of the blue Making speed limit if it’s safe – until you’re out of the This morning it was snowing heavily but, contact: solid white line system. Then expect the siren to despite the lousy conditions, I was forced to go back on and the vehicle to come past. INSURANCE We welcome your make a journey up the A19 in North Yorkshire. letters and we do There was heavy snow still falling. Approaching our best to publish Whilst reading your article on police and other the brow of a hill, I was confronted by an as many of them emergency vehicles, it was stated that the law ambulance emerging out of the snow under blue as we can. Do regarding speeding and traffic lights does not that pays lights, overtaking a small car and with its please keep any apply in emergency situations. I know that £250 offside wheels in my offside track. There was letter meant for some years ago an ambulance was involved in insufficient distance to brake, and I was forced publication to a a collision at traffic lights and drove through to drive into deep snow hoping that I would be maximum length on red. A collision occurred and injury was able to maintain control and not hit anything. We of 200 words. sustained to the driver of the other vehicle you back! avoided a collision by inches and I could see the Please only send involved. The driver of the ambulance was PRIZE driver looking at me very anxiously. a letter if you are successfully prosecuted for infringing the law happy to receive I have the greatest of respect for ambulance correspondence in driving without due care and attention. Now * drivers but here this driver was breaking in return, and for how can one equate that with the fact that the fundamental rules of good driving practice: your full name police say they are immune to prosecutions. DRAW n overtaking without sight on the brow of a hill to be published What or who is right? n driving too fast to be able to stop within the alongside it in Bob Craven limits of visibility in the prevalent conditions future editions of Get a quote WHEN YOU ENQUIRE n overtaking another vehicle in the face of Good Motoring. No driver is ‘immune to prosecutions’. I oncoming traffic, creating a situation in which Please don’t send have never heard a police officer state what today for your there were three vehicles aligned side by side any membership you suggest above. Specifically, there are on a road designed for two and narrowed by enquiries or no exemptions to the offences of careless or change of chance to WIN £250 in the snow. address notices dangerous driving to permit emergency driving, This incident put everyone at considerable to the editor. so I’m not sure where you got your information risk. We were lucky. I am an experienced driver on immunity. It wasn’t from us. Ed. our Free Prize Draw! with a good vehicle with new cross climate tyres. Anyone with less experience would Where’s your sense, folks? We've teamed up with Shield Total Insurance to find probably have braked and an accident would As an 84-year-old driver I am constantly have been inevitable. 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Shield Total emergency vehicle may switch off its siren as it Off road declaration Insurance arranges insurance on behalf of GEM members. Shield Total Insurance is a trading name of Vantage Insurance Services Limited (”VISL”). VISL is authorised and follows you. It can only legally pass you if you If it is possible to SORN a vehicle online with regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. VISL is registered in England No. 3441136. Registered Office; 5th floor, 41 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DT. GEM777-01/18 have stopped completely, so keep going - at the immediate effect, why is it not possible to tax >>

www.motoringassist.com 7 Aguri Car Sat Nav with built-in DVR Dash Cam Feedback (continued) >> a vehicle in the same way? Why must it be it about time this sign meant one thing, and one FREE from the beginning of any given month, even Rural thing only? If the limit is 30, then it should just Lifetime Map Updates if there are only a few days of that month left? say 30. Anything else just adds to our confusion. There is no longer the cost of producing and roads Nick Tracken Built-in posting a physical tax disc so that is not a valid Wi-Fi FREE argument. Cynics (including myself) may say it What’s round the The national speed limit varies according to Lifetime Speed Limits is simply a way of raising revenue. corner on a rural the class of vehicle you are driving and the type road with restricted Paul Rhynehart of road you are on. The ‘maximum 30mph’ Live Digital visibility? sign you describe would be purely Traffi c FREE Sick and tyred n Until you have advisory, and therefore you could Lifetime Speed Cameras As we are an organisation that promotes safety, perfect sight of not be prosecuted for speeding Dash please can we all get behind this protest over what’s ahead, be in that setting. However, do bear Cam 10-year-old tyres and sign the petition over ready to anticipate in mind that inappropriate speed FREE getting them banned. Common sense alone what you could be could lead to a careless driving Lifetime Traffi c Updates about to meet. Speed should tell anyone that it is dangerous to use old charge. Ed. Cameras tyres. Draft legislation has been aired three times n Adjusting your Easily transferable and stopped by some misguided Member of speed and position from vehicle to vehicle Parliament. Can we help this along. means you’re doing Seeing stars Is this the most advanced sat nav it simply fi ts on your Peter Pope your bit for safety. dashboard or I have previously complained that your car windscreen. reviews are too polite and not critical enough so & dash cam you can buy? If you wish to sign, you will find it by searching Works straight from I was pleased to see that you have been pretty online for ‘Parliament Petitions Tyres’. The the box. unflattering about the Dacia Sandero Stepway in deadline for signing is 19 June. Ed. Not to be confused with the sat navs you have seen or No more nasty surprises with E-Speed your spring issue. I am sure your comments are Built-in Dash Cam used before. Aguri Car is the most advanced driving The speed limit of every road is clearly displayed alongside • well founded but you still manage to give the car 8GB Micro SD Card No limit to our confusion companion. With a high resolution touch screen for the speed you’re travelling at, so you can be confi dent that • 2.5 stars out of 5. Given this is the most critical easy viewing, built-in DVR dash cam to record every you are always driving within the limit especially in new and Windscreen mounting When I learnt to drive there was no maximum • review I have read and, therefore, this would moment of your journey, live traffi c updates to keep unknown areas. Dashboard speed limit, as denoted with the black diagonal you out of jams and speed camera data & E-Speed • appear to be one of the worst cars you have Free Live Digital Traffi c mounting disc on a white circular background to show that any tested, a rating halfway up the scale can only to keep you the right side of the law. Easily updated Simply pair an iphone or smart phone with your Aguri Car 12V/24V Vehicle limit has ended. Then, when the overall limit condense the ratings of better cars; this seems to over wifi without the need to connect to a computer, • you can even browse the web and even watch a fi lm! and receive instant live traffi c information. Traffi c on your charger was introduced, the signs remained, but now be the case as so many cars get similar ratings route? The Aguri Car will route you around it, ensuring you meant 70 max. and now it also applies to 60 mph and it is difficult to judge their respective merits. Ready to go straight from the box loaded with your choice of maps. get to your destination on time. where applicable. But this morning, approaching Since you are rating these cars by 2018 No computer required Internet connectivity & Google Search on a some long-term road works along what used to standards, not comparing them with a 1970s portable navigation system** be a ‘60’ stretch, there was a temporary, large, Austin Allegro, why should the Dacia not get, Aguri Car sat navs come ready to use. Loaded with all the latest maps, speed limit and speed camera data. When you The Aguri comes with Google Search, giving you access to ‘National Speed Limit’ sign, with ‘Maximum 30 say, 1 out of 5 so that you have a true scale of 1 more content and even more possibilities than any other sat mph’ in lettering attached on a sign underneath. want to update the mapping or speed camera data simply to 5, not one that goes from 2.5 to 5? connect to a wifi hot spot and download the latest version nav. Simply connect to an internet enabled Wi-Fi Built-in Dash Cam Is this a legal combination? And if not, who do I Crispin Williams FREE for life. The Aguri comes preloaded with the latest connection and download your favourite apps from the complain to? version of Speedshield speed camera database. Providing Google Play store. Access BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, BBC Whilst I know the days of no-limit driving We have taken your comments (and others) on advanced warning of all types of speed cameras including Sport, Yelp - the choice is endless. Watch your favourite have long gone, that sign means 70 maximum, board in the gradings we offer. David Motton Gatso, Truvelo and SPECs. The Speedshield database TV programmes or fi lms, play your favourite games or read or sometimes 60. Now it seems it can also mean explains the new system in our ‘On the Road’ provides effective cover across all of Europe and is also free your regular newspaper. 30, and presumably occasionally 40 or 50. Isn’t introduction on p43. Ed. to update for life. Google Search Built-in High Defi nition dash cam I bought the GT700 because it & Google Play The Aguri’s built-in dash cam, with 150 degree wide-angle lens “ incorporates a drive recorder for added and GPS antenna, will monitor your every move as you drive, peace of mind on the road. It’s really enabling you to pin-point the exact location of any simple to use, the maps are incident or event and confi rm the exact time and date. The excellent as is the speed camera Level crossing safety Aguri Car will automatically save all video and GPS data to the After waiting what seemed like an eternity at a level crossing recently 8GB SD card included, which can be reviewed on the large and speed limit display. FREE (and cursing my misfortune along with every other driver in the queue), I LCD. The recorder with automatically loop once the card is full. Mr D Grundy # # # # #” P&P Menu System spent a bit of time thinking about what constitutes an acceptable time for Any specifi c incidents are saved to the memory and stored. the road to be blocked to let trains through. We visit France at least twice a year, and the wait is so much shorter, so I wondered why we couldn’t learn from their systems instead of clogging up roads for so long, with all the CAR GT520 DVR WITH 5" LCD CAR GT720 DVR WITH 7" LCD extra emission gases these queues create. UK & Ireland RRP £229.99 Europe RRP £279.99 UK & Ireland RRP £259.99 Europe RRP £309.99 Then I read that in the past five years, there were 187 deaths at level crossings in France, with 2017 being the worst for some time. Figures show that 99 per cent of incidents are attributable to impatient car drivers. NOW ONLY NOW ONLY NOW ONLY NOW ONLY Furthermore, one in five French drivers admits illegally passing the barriers at a level crossing (however, nearly 3,000 of the 15,000 level .99 .99 .99 .99 crossings in France don’t have barriers, and the fine is only €135). In £159 £209 £189 £239 the UK there are around 6,300 level crossings, with an average of three fatalities in a year. SAVE £70 SAVE £70 SAVE £70 SAVE £70 So when I am next at a level crossing, I shall await the raising of the barriers with a much calmer attitude. Ben Haynes Call 0330 102 5578 Or order at www.aguriworld.co.uk 8 www.motoringassist.com using code GMSUM at checkout to receive this offer Quote Code GMSUM when ordering Your order will be dispatched within 2 working days. 14 Day Money Back Guarantee. Aguri Car Sat Nav with built-in DVR Dash Cam

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Dash Cam FREE Lifetime Traffi c Updates Speed Cameras Easily transferable from vehicle to vehicle Is this the most advanced sat nav it simply fi ts on your dashboard or windscreen. & dash cam you can buy? Works straight from the box. Not to be confused with the sat navs you have seen or No more nasty surprises with E-Speed Built-in Dash Cam used before. Aguri Car is the most advanced driving The speed limit of every road is clearly displayed alongside • 8GB Micro SD Card companion. With a high resolution touch screen for the speed you’re travelling at, so you can be confi dent that • easy viewing, built-in DVR dash cam to record every you are always driving within the limit especially in new and • Windscreen mounting moment of your journey, live traffi c updates to keep unknown areas. • Dashboard you out of jams and speed camera data & E-Speed mounting disc to keep you the right side of the law. Easily updated Free Live Digital Traffi c over wifi without the need to connect to a computer, Simply pair an iphone or smart phone with your Aguri Car • 12V/24V Vehicle you can even browse the web and even watch a fi lm! and receive instant live traffi c information. Traffi c on your charger Ready to go straight from the box loaded with your route? The Aguri Car will route you around it, ensuring you choice of maps. get to your destination on time. No computer required Internet connectivity & Google Search on a Aguri Car sat navs come ready to use. Loaded with all the portable navigation system** latest maps, speed limit and speed camera data. When you The Aguri comes with Google Search, giving you access to want to update the mapping or speed camera data simply more content and even more possibilities than any other sat connect to a wifi hot spot and download the latest version nav. Simply connect to an internet enabled Wi-Fi Built-in Dash Cam FREE for life. The Aguri comes preloaded with the latest connection and download your favourite apps from the version of Speedshield speed camera database. Providing Google Play store. Access BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, BBC advanced warning of all types of speed cameras including Sport, Yelp - the choice is endless. Watch your favourite Gatso, Truvelo and SPECs. The Speedshield database TV programmes or fi lms, play your favourite games or read provides effective cover across all of Europe and is also free your regular newspaper. to update for life. Google Search Built-in High Defi nition dash cam I bought the GT700 because it & Google Play The Aguri’s built-in dash cam, with 150 degree wide-angle lens “ incorporates a drive recorder for added and GPS antenna, will monitor your every move as you drive, peace of mind on the road. It’s really enabling you to pin-point the exact location of any simple to use, the maps are incident or event and confi rm the exact time and date. The excellent as is the speed camera Aguri Car will automatically save all video and GPS data to the 8GB SD card included, which can be reviewed on the large and speed limit display. FREE LCD. The recorder with automatically loop once the card is full. Mr D Grundy # # # # #” P&P Menu System Any specifi c incidents are saved to the memory and stored. CAR GT520 DVR WITH 5" LCD CAR GT720 DVR WITH 7" LCD UK & Ireland RRP £229.99 Europe RRP £279.99 UK & Ireland RRP £259.99 Europe RRP £309.99 NOW ONLY NOW ONLY NOW ONLY NOW ONLY £159.99 £209.99 £189.99 £239.99 SAVE £70 SAVE £70 SAVE £70 SAVE £70 Or order at www.aguriworld.co.uk Call 0330 102 5578 using code GMSUM at checkout to receive this offer Quote Code GMSUM when ordering Your order will be dispatched within 2 working days. 14 Day Money Back Guarantee. Your UPDATES, TIPS AND OFFERS TO GEM SAVE YOU MONEY THIS SUMMER... FANTASTIC DEALS ON HOLIDAY CAR HIRE

Don’t book any car hire before checking the great rates we can offer through our CAR partner Flexible Autos. Their rates are HIRE EXCESS: among ther most competitive available, Save 20% on cover with and they offer free GPS units, and Bettersafe. So if you are free additional driver cover. As a GEM charged for damage to a hire member you’re entitled to an additional car, you can claim 15 per cent discount. Call 0800 25 45 reimbursement. 101 (quote GEM Motoring Assist) or motoringassist.com/ visit motoringassist.com/carhire carhireexcess GEM 18

Competition winner ME AND MY MAG: with a CARIBBEAN TWIST

Congratulations to the lucky prizewinner who can now look forward to a two-night break for two at the Cow Hotel in Derbyshire. The Cow was completely refurbished and reoepened at the end of last year as a small luxury boutique inn. Sounds lovely! Once again we received a huge bag of entries, most by email but one or two by post as well. Anyway, the prize has gone to Mr Peter Aughton of Rugby in Warwickshire. Well done! We hope you and your companion Brian Harrison’s recent Caribbean cruise provided the perfect will have a fabulous time exploring the area. opportunity for him to brandish his copy of the Spring Don’t miss the competition in this edition, where you can edition. We studied pictures he submitted from various exotic win a two-night break for two in Somerset. Details on p12. locations during the trip, including Panama, Havana and Mexico. Here he is at Cozumel, a largely undeveloped Mexican island famous for its stunning reefs and unpapalleled scuba IMPORTANT Your email preferences diving opportunities. Brian wins our £50 prize for submitting We have updated our privacy policy in line with the new his pictures. We hope you will put them money toewards your General Data Protection Regulation. You can view it at next big adventure. motoringassist.com/privacypolicy. You should have received If you’re heading off somewhere soon, do take a copy of an email inviting you to confirm your email preferences. This the Summer edition with you and send us a picture. We love will mean we can continue sending you newsletters and other unusual locations, and have a £50 prize for the photo we like email items we believe you will find useful and interesting. If best. Who knows... it could be yours! you have not received our email, or you have any concerns, Email your photo - as high quality as possible - to us here at please email us at [email protected]. [email protected].

10 www.motoringassist.com Take part in the next off-road driving day Thursday 6 September Selwyn and the team will be your hosts for a day of action and adventure in the hills and forests of mid Wales... and you’ll be raising money for charity, too! IN RECENT years we have organised occasional immediately behind Baskerville Hall. Here we SIGN UP FOR off-road driving days for members and friends. will be developing our skills in off-road driving YOUR PLACE NOW We are delighted to extend this invitation for techniques, using a range of his vehicles; some SEND AN EMAIL TO you and companions to join us for the next with the latest technology and some which [email protected] day of off-road learning and fun, which will be require a fair bit of driver know-how. Let us know how taking place on Thursday 6 September. A fish and chip lunch will be provided. many places you The venue once again will be Baskerville Although no fee is charged, we ask that would like. We have a Hall, a hotel located in the pretty village of each participant makes a suggested £100 maximum 12 places Clyro, around 40 minutes west of Hereford contribution to the day. Full insurance for the available and will and 75 minutes north of Cardiff. The day will activity is included. allocate on a first start with bacon rolls, tea and coffee before Once any expenses have been settled, come, first served our lead instructor Selwyn Kendrick provides Selwyn will donate all proceeds to the GEM basis. Look forward to a briefing and takes us up into the woods Road Safety Charity. seeing you there!

BUYING A CAR? INSURANCE SAVINGS Hutt (pictured) were lavish with their There’s another cracking choice of recently- If you’re heading overseas on a praise after needing to use their launched cars to peruse in this edition of Good motoring holiday, we Euro Plus policy on the way Motoring. By the way, road test editor recommend Euro Plus to a holiday. “Breaking down David Motton (pictured) has now from P J Hayman. It’s is particularly distressing in a toughened up our star-rating system, a great value policy foreign country, but from the and our road test section begins on page that will get you moment we made that first call 43. Also, if you’re considering a used immediate assistance, we could not have hoped for a car, do protect yourself and take advantage of accommodation if better service,” they told us. the discounted inspection rates offered by our necessary and repairs for GEM also offers an excellent friends at DEKRA. For contact details, please the vehicle. travel insurance policy. Ads on check the entry on page 67. GEM members Alan and Angela p60 (Euro) and p27(Travel).

Exclusive APH summer deals for GEM members We have worked with APH for many years to bring you great discounts on airport parking and hotels. With a recently- announced 98% customer satisfaction rating, APH really do know how to look after you at the beginning and end of your holiday. Comfortable coaches with friendly, professional drivers whisk you from car park to terminal. APH car parks can be found close to most major airports, and there’s also meet and greet parking if you prefer just to drive to the terminal and let someone else sort out your car parking. SAVE Early flight? Long drive to the airport? APH can help with MONEY! some very attractive hotel rates, meaning a much more Airport parking: use the code 1MIEV3 relaxed start to your holiday. Choose from great value guest Just follow these two easy steps to secure your discount! houses to luxury hotels with direct links to the airport terminal. 1. Any time between 4 June and 15 July, visit aph.com/gem and We have checked ther prices, and there’s often not a lot more select a parking deal. This will already have the GEM discount to pay for a specially combined hotel night and seven-day (15% on APH’s own car parks, 10% on other car parks) applied. parking package. 2. When paying, enter the code above in the ‘promo box’ and the And for some peace and quiet at the termional, don’t forget price will be recalculated to give you an additional 5% discount. to book into a private airport lounge. You can use the code as many times as you like during the period Call APH on 01342 859536, quoting GEM, or visit aph.com/gem of validity. Standard terms and conditions apply. www.motoringassist.com 11 Good Motoring competition

Win a fabulous two-night stay in rural Somerset Original artwork, contemporary touches and a passion for self-sufficiency in the kitchen promise a truly memorable stay

Close to Bristol STON EASTON PARK, a lavish country pile the quieter days relaxing in the sunshine, the nearby in Somerset, is every adventurer’s dream. Perfectly historic town of Wells is a charming spot to enjoy and Bath, positioned a short, 30-minute drive from the a lazy afternoon, viewing some of the country’s Ston Easton exciting cities of Bath and Bristol, the stunning most fascinating architecture. offers opulent country hotel proves to be the ideal base for a After a busy day exploring, Ston Easton Park memorable excursion. The many scenic drives are offers the perfect respite, with its opulent accommodation a welcome excuse to witness some of the most accommodation and warm, friendly atmosphere - and a warm, breathtaking views of the English countryside, while staying at the18th century mansion, nestled within friendly motoring to one of the many cultural delights 36 acres of sweeping Georgian parkland, is just like Somerset has to offer. visiting friends in the countryside. atmosphere. The stunning city of Bath provides a fabulous For days when you would prefer to rest a little morning of sightseeing for history enthusiasts, with closer to home, the hotel also boasts a magnificent the world-famous Roman baths, Royal Crescent original library, filled with rare antique books, which and Jane Austen Centre at the heart of the city. The creates the perfect haven for a relaxing afternoon winding streets of the bustling city centre provide spent quietly reading. a great opportunity to wander and enjoy a treat When the evening draws to a close and it’s time or two from one of the many local patisseries. For to retire, the 20 rooms at Ston Easton Park are

12 www.motoringassist.com For more details about the hotel, please visit stoneaston.co.uk

Enter now!

About the prize The prize is for two people (and dog if requested) sharing a double room at Ston Easton Park for two nights (Sun-Thu, excluding Christmas, New Year and other holidays), with dinner on one evening and a bottle of house wine provided. Breakfast on both days is included. The prize must be redeemed by 30 April 2019.

ENTER NOW: Just answer this one question: Don’t risk missing out! How many guest rooms does Ston Easton Park offer? You MUST put Ston Easton Park Competition in the subject line of your email entry. Please send an email, with your answer, to us at [email protected] Terms and Conditions Please also note that some dates will not be available. This promotion is subject Please put Ston Easton Park Competition in the subject line of to our standard competition terms and conditions, which you will find on our your email. Please also include your GEM membership number. website (motoringassist.com/goodmotoring). Or write to us, enclosing SAE to the value of £1.95. In order to avoid any misunderstandings, we urge you to read Closing date is 31 July 2018. You can also enter by post (address on p4). the terms and conditions carefully before entering the competition.

perfectly dressed to ensure you receive the best to explore its many hidden treasures, which include night’s sleep. Original artworks, glittering chandeliers one of the UK’s earliest surviving print rooms, and and luxurious fabrics all combine to celebrate the a stunning saloon ideally suited for admiring the mansion’s rich historic past, while contemporary breathtaking scenery through its grand windows. the head chef’s touches treat you to every modern comfort during The beautifully preserved Edwardian kitchen below passion for your indulgent stay. stairs is a particular favourite and creates the “ Food is at the heart of Ston Easton Park and the illusion you have walked onto the set of a lavish self-sufficiency talented Head Chef’s passion for self-sufficiency is period drama. is evident evident in the fresh, seasonal menu choices available The grounds, designed by renowned landscape in the fresh, in the elegant Sorrel Restaurant. Locally sourced or architect Humphrey Repton, provide the perfect home grown in the hotel’s famous kitchen gardens, playground for a tranquil afternoon stroll with seasonal menu the delicious dishes are the ultimate feast, with your canine companion; your dog is also invited for choices... a welcoming combination of new and traditional a well-earned break, as a selection of lovely dog- flavours. As a bonus touch, the 18th century hotel friendly rooms is available throughout the hotel. is famed for its bespoke collection of fine vintage To sum up, a short stay at Ston Easton Park is wines which complement each dish to perfection. the ultimate luxury retreat, which will provide a The hotel is steeped in history and you are invited memorable visit for the lucky winner. n

13 ”www.motoringassist.com GEM Member? Put our HOME INSURANCE to the test... GEM has partnered with Shield Total Insurance to bring you competitive premiums and great personal service WIN 1 Get a quote today for your chance to WIN £250 in our £250* Free Prize Draw! 2 Enjoy FREE Home 1 Year’s Emergency Cover Free HOME when you purchase EMERGENCY Wide choice of Cover † 3 cover options: ✔ Up to £1 million buildings cover GEM ✔ Up to £150,000 contents cover MEMBERS ✔ All policies on a New for Old basis ✔ Cover available for garages and ONLY outbuildings on your land ✔ Optional Key Protection from £12 pa For your instant quote call us FREE on: 0800 975 0876

* Prize draw T&Cs apply - please visit www.shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/gem/gem-home-insurance/. Prize draw offer closes 31/12/2018 † T&Cs apply: Customer must purchase a household insurance policy with Shield Total Insurance. One free Home Emergency cover per policy. You must be a UK resident. Free Home Emergency cover is available for 1 year only and is non-refundable. Cancelling your household insurance policy mid-term will automatically discontinue Home Emergency cover. Home Emergency cover is provided by ARAG plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm No. 452369. Cover will not be included automatically in your following year’s renewal. Shield Total Insurance arranges Household Insurance on behalf of GEM members. Shield Total Insurance is a trading name of Vantage Insurance Services Limited ("VISL"). VISL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. VISL is registered in England No. 3441136. Registered Office: 5th floor, 41 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DT. GEM770-10/17 member service GEM Member? HOME INSURANCE: YOU ASK, WE ANSWER Put our HOME INSURANCE Do you know your belongings from your contents and your storms from your acts of God? We sent over a selection of most frequently asked questions to to the test... Nigel Coppen at Shield, our long-standing insurance partner

GEM has partnered with Shield Total Why can the claims process be so complex, and what have Should a good policy include replacement cost or actual you done to simplify it? cash value? What is the Shield position on this? Insurance to bring you competitive In most cases, where you make a claim and the items lost All insurance policies are contracts of indemnity. This means premiums and great personal service or damaged fall below the single article limit, the process is their purpose is to put you back to a position you would have WIN simple and swift. However, for larger claims greater checks enjoyed had the loss not taken place. Where furniture or need to be undertaken. For example, where a claim is for electrical goods are destroyed, Shield would pay the cost to something unusual such as a painting, Shield has to take replace them with the same or its equivalent. However other Get a quote today for your reasonable steps to ensure the value attached is appropriate. property, such as clothing, has a much shorter life and claim 1 * If you have a recent valuation, this will help and we would settlements will allow for wear and tear. Your policy should chance to WIN £250 in our £250 always encourage you to get valuations for unusual items. be clear on this approach. Free Prize Draw! Regarding contents insurance, how are ‘contents’ defined? For buildings insurance, are older houses more expensive? Imagine turning a house upside down and shaking it. Yes, but there are age bands that can be very broad so an Anything that falls out is ‘contents’. age difference of 20 years may well make no difference. However, the big difference in price occurs where the home Enjoy FREE Home Are contents the same thing as personal belongings? is not built from brick walls and roof tiles. In addition, a price 1 Year’s Personal belongings are items you might normally wear or increase will apply if the home is listed. 2 carry with you when leaving the home, such as clothing, Emergency Cover Free HOME phone, iPad, umbrella, glasses. The moment you take What is a ‘storm’ as far as insurers are concerned, and how contents away from your home, they do they decide whether the storm damage when you purchase become ‘personal belongings’ - unless to my home is genuine? EMERGENCY they are being taken to a new house or The Financial Conduct Authority says are just temporarily in your garden. You that a storm “...generally involves violent Cover should check to see if your personal winds, usually accompanied by rain, hail Wide choice of † belongings are also covered when you go or snow”. There can also be circumstances 3 abroad and for how long. where storm damage is caused to property cover options: without high winds occurring. It’s a What’s the difference between contents good basis for determining whether or and valuables? not something is a storm, and we review ✔ Up to £1 million buildings cover GEM Policies often have a definition of local weather reports to see whether their ‘valuables’ in the policy booklet. Most information correlates with the declaration ✔ Up to £150,000 contents cover policies restrict cover on contents and personal belongings made on the claims form. In addition, the loss adjuster’s MEMBERS to items that are less than a ‘single article limit’ unless you report will comment on the likely cause of damage, having ✔ All policies on a New for Old basis have declared them. This limit will vary but you should make inspected the home. sure you declare anything of high value, such as works of art, ✔ Cover available for garages and ONLY audio visual equipment, stamp collections, coins and medals. What exactly are acts of God? outbuildings on your land Acts of God are natural disasters such as earthquake, tsunami, What should I do if I have an item of high value and I need windstorm, hail, flood and lightning over which humans have ✔ Optional Key Protection from £12 pa to be sure it’s covered in my policy? no control. For example, if a perfectly healthy tree in your Contact your provider and explain the situation. In the case of garden were to be felled by an ‘act of God’ and land on your expensive items, these should be declared individually. Most neighbour’s house, it is unlikely that a court would find you policies have a maximum sum insured for any single article to be at fault. If there is no liability in Law, then no award For your instant quote unless they have been declared. With Shield, the maximum would be made so there is nothing to be indemnified under payable for any valuable is £2,500 unless it has been declared the liability section. Nevertheless, the liability section would call us FREE on: and listed in the policy. still pay out for legal costs needed to defend your position. What are ‘sums insured’? Finally, what can I do to bring down the cost of my home 0800 975 0876 Sums insured represent the maximum an insurer will pay, in insurance premium? the event that your property is destroyed. We advise that you There are discounts available for having a higher excess * Prize draw T&Cs apply - please visit www.shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/gem/gem-home-insurance/. Prize draw offer closes 31/12/2018 † T&Cs apply: make sure the sums insured are sufficient and allow ‘wriggle and for having been claims free for a number of years. In Customer must purchase a household insurance policy with Shield Total Insurance. One free Home Emergency cover per policy. You must be a UK resident. room’ for inflation, the costs of alternative accommodation, addition, discounts are available for certain security features Free Home Emergency cover is available for 1 year only and is non-refundable. Cancelling your household insurance policy mid-term will automatically architects’ and legal fees, cost of removing the debris, such as alarm systems meeting certain criteria. discontinue Home Emergency cover. Home Emergency cover is provided by ARAG plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, planning fees and taxes. Shield Total Insurance (STI) is a trading name of Vantage Insurance Services Firm No. 452369. Cover will not be included automatically in your following year’s renewal. Shield Total Insurance arranges Household Insurance on These amounts need to be reviewed every year and the Limited (VISL). STI arranges insurance on behalf of GEM members. VISL is behalf of GEM members. Shield Total Insurance is a trading name of Vantage Insurance Services Limited ("VISL"). VISL is authorised and regulated by the ‘wriggle room’ should be at least 10 per cent of the full cost authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. VISL is registered in Financial Conduct Authority. VISL is registered in England No. 3441136. Registered Office: 5th floor, 41 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DT. GEM770-10/17 of replacing the property destroyed. England No. 3441136. Registered office: 41 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DT.

www.motoringassist.com 15 Member survey 2018 We asked... and you answered. Thanks to so many members who took the time to share their thoughts on a number of road safety, driving standards and car-buying topics. So we are pleased to present a summary of the survey:

WHETHER IT’S your concerns about smart of people who took part in the survey did express motorways, your opinions on the crazy things other their concern about the safety of smart motorways. drivers do right in front of you, or the things you Of these, more than half said they were most have done in recent times to brush up your own We asked worried about breaking down and having no hard driving skills, you certainly didn’t hold back in questions shoulder to use. Other worries included too many telling us just what you thought. In all, more than “ speed limits, drivers not knowing how to use smart 2,500 completed our 2018 survey, providing a we hoped motorways and being penalised for driving in the wealth of really useful information that will help would reflect wrong lane or at the wrong speed. guide our own communication and advocacy in the Our section on driver behaviour and skills certainly months to come. relevant generated some responses. Driving standards are We asked questions we hoped would reflect the areas of worse than they were 20 years ago - that was the most relevant areas of motoring, starting with smart opinion of nearly two thirds of respondents, and we motorways. Do you have safety concerns? Why motoring... could fill several editions ofGood Motoring with do you have safety concerns? Do you even know some of the examples you provided. We are going what a smart motorway is? As you can see from to hold on to another section on car buying, and the results on the facing page, around two thirds share that with you next time. 16 ” www.motoringassist.com Member survey 2018 Highlights Do you have concerns about of what you Are standards of driving ‘smart motorway’ safety? told us better than 20 years ago?

No Yes they are

Yes About the same

I don’t No they know are worse

Along with many safety You certainly let us know your thoughts on this topic. More organisations, we have than 60 per cent of respondents said they thought driving been concerned by standards were worse than 20 years ago, 28 per cent reckoned the spread of smart they were about the same, while only 10 per cent thought motorways, where they were better. You no hard shoulder spoke of widespread is available, either aggression, no patience temporarily or and no courtesy on permanently. We were the roads. You also therefore very pleased said more people were to have the opportunity recently tailgating, driving to visit a Highways England control centre. Here we saw that through red traffic every inch of smart motorway is covered by CCTV, ensuring lights and generally that lane closures can be implemented in seconds. We also taking more risks than witnessed how a ‘live lane’ breakdown was dealt with in 20 years ago. Many conditions of heavy traffic, and how help arrived very quickly. bemoaned a reduced You can read more about our visit on page 20. police presence.

Which actions by another driver What have you done recently to have affected and concerned you? brush up your motoring know-how?

Tailgating Voluntary driver assessment

Risky Advanced driver overtaking test or renewal

Hand-held Taken part in mobile driving event

Dangerous Studied the parking Highway Code

Running amber Drivers using hand-held Had a refresher traffic light mobiles topped the list lesson Running red Work driver traffic light here, with more than 65 per cent of respondents programme Driving Referral for driving without lights identifying this as the action assessment they had seen more than Relying on Speed awareness automatic lights any other in the past 12 course

Driving with months. Tailgating followed None defective lights close behind on 50 per Driving above cent and risky overtaking Other the speed limit in third place with 39 (please specify) Dirty number plate per cent. Top among the ‘other’ actions was not Risky manoeuvre at junction indicating, with motorway Perhaps not surprisingly, more than half of respondents Last minute middle lane hogging close admitted to having done nothing to brush up their skill ‘swooping’ behind. It was worrying to and knowledge of motoring matters in the past five years. Dirty read so many examples of However, among those who had done something, it was windscreen aggression towards cyclists encouraging to read how positive they felt about additional Other training, their driver assessment or even the speed awareness (please specify) and pedestrians. course they had attended. Better still, many said they gained a lot from reading Good Motoring, so that’s great to hear!

17 www.motoringassist.com Good Motoring survey 2018 How do you feel about being on Should mobile phone penalties QUALITY BRANDED TROUSERS AT the move in an autonomous car? be as harsh as for drink-driving?

I can’t wait NEW LOW PRICES

NOW AVAILABLE IN 2 STYLES AND 8 COLOURS Luxurious Top Quality Tailored No strong ® feelings Famous Farah Brand Trousers at ROOMY CUT FOR COMFORT NEW! UP TO HALF HIGH Not looking WAIST SIZES forward to it DISTINCTIVE RAISED SEAM DETAIL 50” to 64” STREET PRICES CREASE RESISTANT AT £29.99 + P&P FROM ONLY FABRIC IN MT164 SLANT “I want to drive. I don’t A simple ‘yes-no’ question which brought an overwhelmingly POCKET STYLE ONLY positive reply. Nearly three quarters of respondents said they (BELT NOT IN BLACK, just want to sit in a car. INCLUDED) GREY & NAVY .99 INSIDE LEG That’s called a bus or would support further increases to the hand-held mobile 29” & 31” ONLY* +p&p phone penalty for drivers: in this £19 a tram.” This was one of hundreds of similar case a minimum 12-month ban. We SAVE £20 WAIST INSIDE TYPICAL CHUMS YOU negative comments about find it hard to believe that there Navy SIZES LEG PRICE OFFER PRICE SAVE are still too many people who 32” 34” 36” 38” 40” 42” 44” 46” 48” 27” 29” 31” 33” £39.99 £19.99 £20 autonomous cars, and only *50” 52” 54” 56” 58” 60” 62” 64” 29” 31” £49.99 £29.99 £20 10 per cent of respondents believe the law is for others, and MT164 NAVY, GREY & BLACK ONLY expressed excitement that they simply have no chance of CHUMS are the UK’s leading trouser specialists. This is a very special about their arrival. Just over 30 per causing a deadly collision when opportunity to acquire these top quality trousers AND SAVE £20 on the typical high street price. The FARAH® brand is synonymous with fi ne cent said they had no strong feelings, but for everyone else they use a hand-held mobile while Airforce gentlemen’s tailoring and very expensive looks. The styles offered (57 per cent) there was concern about trusting technology, driving. As a result, we will press today are an excellent example of this famous brand. Tailored with for tougher penalties, along with a roomy cut and traditional fl at front. You can choose either style issues of reliability, not being in control and missing the joy MT129 with 2 front frogmouth pockets or style MT164 with 2 classic of driving. More on this in the next edition. more rigorous enforcement. side slant pockets. There is also one back pocket and raised seam detail to create a very distinctive appearance. The top quality specifi cation also includes a foolproof zip fl y. Beautifully crafted in the fi nest 100% polyester to resist creases and retain their Bark fi ne appearance wash after wash. Available whilst stocks last Survey analysis in sizes to fi t you. Both trouser pocket styles are available in a choice of 8 smart colours in waist sizes 32” to 48”: GREY, NAVY, AIRFORCE, BARK, BLACK, BISCUIT, OLIVE and SILVER inside leg Steve Stradling reflects on the results and comments 27”, 29”, 31” and 33” – FOR ONLY £19.99. And 3 smart colours in waist sizes 50” to 64”: GREY, NAVY and BLACK inside leg 29”, 31” in MT164 SLANT POCKET STYLE ONLY – FOR ONLY What an observant lot GEM members are. Engaged with (Q11), they go for knowledge (Highway Code knowledge Silver £29.99. REMEMBER! – SAVE £20 PER PAIR ON ALL SIZES! driving and, when driving, engaged with the road. 66%), skills (Ignoring distractions while driving 82%; Maintain Our friendly UK Customer Service Staff are waiting to take your order. Call Now! They bemoan potholes and a lack of politeness, few (10%, a safe distance from the vehicle in front 15%) and attitude Q5) detect any improvement in driving standards compared to (Patience, tolerance and courtesy 37%). Many of their write- 08715 265 265 Calls cost 13p per minute from BT landlines but may vary depending on your phone company or if using a mobile. 20 years ago, and many comment on the inexorable increase in suggestions could be readily grouped under the road safety MASTERCARD/VISA/MAESTRO or visit our website in traffic congestion, seeing roads as “busier and faster”, apart mnemonic COAST – Concentration, Observation, Anticipation Black www.chums.co.uk/offers from the ones that are busier and slower. give Space and Time to avoid intersecting trajectories. Grey Now (Frogmouth and enter media code: GM518 accepted Pet hates include tailgating – against which official efforts at As for the future, this experienced sample (77% male, 61% Only one media or promotion code can be used per transaction Pocket) remediation have had little success – and motorway swoopers 55 – 74, 95% driving for 10 years or more) are concerned. Send to: Chums Ltd (Dept. GM518), PO Box 50, Prescot, Merseyside L34 9GX. Chums Ltd (Dept. GM518), PO Box 50, Prescot, Merseyside L34 9GX. “Swooping at the last minute from the outside lane of the “Driving is very rarely a pleasure because of the congestion PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS. Please send me items indicated motorway, straight onto the exit road” (28%, Q7). on the roads”. And while “Autonomous cars will help older ITEM ORDER STYLE QTY SIZE INSIDE LEG COLOUR PRICE And while swoopers may be furiously signalling left, many drivers”, “I am worried about the transition period towards Olive FARAH TROUSERS respondents have noticed that more motorists are failing to autonomous vehicles.” 32” to 48” FARAH TROUSERS WAIST IN FARAH TROUSERS signal their intentions to fellow road users when changing lanes, It will add more danger, because “Autonomous and human SOCKS – 5 PAIR PACK pulling away from the kerb, or turning. drivers is a bad mix” and, more generally, “I like SOCKS – 5 PAIR PACK Biscuit It’s as if at car purchase they decided to save money driving and riding. 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GM518 >> In the Autumn edition we will consider your thoughts on buying and running a car. off School Lane, Unity Grove, co.uk/privacy or ask for a copy when you call us. From time to time Chums would like to send you our latest MG182 Knowsley Business Park, catalogues, special offers and promotions by post that we think you’d appreciate as a valued customer. Liverpool L34 9AR. If you would prefer not to receive these, please tick this box . 18 www.motoringassist.com

MS 51707 297x210 Farahs.indd 1 02/05/2018 14:02 QUALITY BRANDED TROUSERS AT NEW LOW PRICES

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MS 51707 297x210 Farahs.indd 1 02/05/2018 14:02 Road safety

Making sense of smart motorways

We dropped in to the Highways England control centre at Godstone recently, to find out more about how smart motorways are managed and how we can all stay as safe as possible when using them

Smart motorway breakdown? GEM’s RECENT member survey showed considerable concern n Try to drive to the next emergency refuge area (ERA). - as well as a lack of undertstanding - when it came to driving Look for a blue sign with an orange SOS phone symbol. on smart motorways. We took all these concerns to staff at a n Switch on your car’s hazard warning lights and the Highways England control centre, located at Godstone in Surrey. sidelights then get out of your car on the nearside. Use Here we had the opportunity to see how smart motorways are the phone to call for help. n managed, how incidents are dealt with and how attempts are made Stay out of your car and stand behind the safety barrier while you wait for assistance to arrive. to keep motorway users safe. n You must contact the control centre before leaving an Following the visit, we have picked up a great deal of useful ERA, as this allows a controller to put in a temporary information which we would like to share with you: inside lane closure to help you back onto the motorway. n If you can’t make it to a refuge, drive as far onto motoringassist.com/smartmotorways the verge as you can and stop there. Switch on your GEM’s website contains a page of useful tips for statying safe on hazard lights, then leave the car on the nearside and get behind the safety barrier. Call 999 and your breakdown smart motorways. provider. n If you can’t leave your vehicle, keep your seatbelt on Highways England videos and switch on your hazard warning lights and sidelights. The Highways England Youtube channel has several videos which n For more information, you can call Highways England’s explain various aspects of driving on a smart motorway. Locate 24-hour enquiries number (0300 123 5000). these by searching online for ‘Highways England YouTube’.

20 www.motoringassist.com O Welcome to the Highways England control centre at Godstone, The sports car ringed in red above has broken down in a live lane on where banks of monitors line the walls. On the day we visit, a pre- the M3 approaching the M25. Traffic was already tailing back because dawn crash at the intersection of the M3 and M25 has meant lane of the lane closures. A control centre operator immediately closes the closures and big delays. lane with a red x, and dispatches traffic officers to the location.

Making sense of Highways England control centre staff can close lanes within seconds A member of the morning shift monitors the progress of emergency of incidents occurring. Speed limits are typically set automatically so roasdworks which were required following the early morning crash. that traffic slows down on the approach to an incident. Staff also set A full closure of the slip roads from the northbound M3 to both smart motorways information screens displaying suspected reasons for delays. carriageways of the M25 has led to long tailbacks throughout the area.

For London-bound vehicles on the M3 it’s a crawl all the way from Esther Martin from Highways England (right) explains how the control junction 2 at Lightwater all the way up to the top of the motorway at centre works to Neil Worth, Jo Fisher and Paula Williams of GEM. She Sunbury. All because someone tried to take the slip road a bit too fast sets out how emergency refuge areas work, and shows on camera and ended up damaging crash barriers, requiring immediate repair. how lanes are closed to maximise safety around breakdowns.

Smart motorway Q&A Can I be fined if I get it wrong? What is a smart motorway? Enforcement cameras operate throughout smart motorway sections, so if you drive in a closed lane, or you exceed the displayed speed limit, A smart motorway is a specially adapted section of motorway where the traffic flow at peak times can be managed through the use of then you are likely to receive a fine. technology. How many drivers receive smart motorway fines? What will I notice when using a smart motorway? In 2016, 70,000 were fined. Highways England recently ordered a review You may see speed limits displayed above the lane you are using, or of how lower speed limits are set, in an attempt to ensure motorists on a sign at the side of the motorway. Make sure you keep to the limit are not being unfairly penalised. that’s displayed, even if there appears to be no reason for it. There How do emergency vehicles cope with no hard shoulder? could also be signs showing you that traffic can use the hard shoulder. Control centre staff can put lane closures in place to create access for Do not drive in a lane where a red x is displayed on the gantry above. emergency vehicles to collisions and other incidents.

3721 www.motoringassist.comwww.motoringassist.com Casualty reduction What has gone wrong since 2010? Something has happened to prevent the healthy year-on- year reduction in deaths on our roads. Peter Rodger reports

FROM 1966 until 2010, road death figures in some careful thought about what you are linking Britain fell at a very approximately constant rate, to what else, how and why. Understanding with the exception of a period between 1998 and exactly what the statistics are measuring is very 2003 when they roughly flat-lined. Since 2010 important. It is easy to they have been more or less static, flatlining A rise or fall in the number of breath tests, for research ther again. Why the changes, why that flatlining? example, is not a measure of the amount of drink/ “ Road safety activity can be viewed as being driving going on in the country. It is a measure of number of people about “the three Es” – enforcement, engineering how many breath tests were administered, which convicted of the and education. may reflect (amongst other possibilities) how busy The police currently strategically concentrate the police were doing other things, how much various relevant their road safety efforts on “the fatal four” – drink time they had available for the activity, or how offences... driving, breaking the speed limit, not wearing many crashes they attended. Likewise how many a seatbelt and “distraction” (such as mobile drivers or passengers were given tickets for failing phone use). The aim is to use enforcement to to wear a seat belt, or drivers caught speeding is help drive down casualty figures. Casualties a statistic that measures how many were caught aren’t quite the same thing as crashes so that and “ticketed”, not of how many people did not aim is not necessarily the same as reducing the wear seat belts or broke the speed limit. There is number of crashes. (It is easy to see that there is also no allowance in such simple figures for the ” a strong link – but wearing a seatbelt is not crash various options that the police may have in how preventative, but is casualty preventing). an individual driver is dealt with – is a particular It is easy to research the number of people piece of driving best dealt with as a speeding convicted of the various relevant offences, or offence, or because he or she was distracted or Peter Rodger was formerly dealt with for them in other ways and to compare had been drinking? One piece of behaviour could deputy head of the Metropolitan that with casualty figures over the same period be all three – if drink was the cause it will appear Police Driving School at Hendon and then make links. It is also an unwise without as drink/driving in the statistics, and the speeding and Chief Examiner for the IAM.

22 www.motoringassist.com century our cars were being more commonly fitted with safety equipment, with an increasing proportion of the national car fleet having airbags, ABS and electronic stability control systems as older cars fell out of use and the technology worked down into lower price range new cars. (In the period up until 2010 one of the identifiable safety improvements was a reduction in death and serious injury among car occupants). So what has happened that has brought our casualty statistics to a flatlining more or less constant rate? We have been increasing some forms of enforcement, increasing use of lower speed limits (especially in urban areas) and our car fleet has been gaining more, new and potentially very interesting safety aids – autonomous braking for example has been increasingly available. The sad answer is that we don’t really know. We know we have had cutbacks to road engineering and to some enforcement. We know there has been increasingly a tendency to use what are traditionally seen as “vulnerable” forms of transport – cycling and walking. But the statistics don’t seem to track properly into those changes. It would be very easy to suggest that government cutbacks from 2010 were the cause – but the change seems too stark, sudden and quick for them to account for it directly. It’s a conundrum we have yet to solve. Perhaps there were other things going on before that we are not giving account to – advances in medical treatment may have reached a plateau for example. Perhaps we are just seeing the benefit of an improving economy increasing Quick wins for and phone use will be “lost” numerically as the the amount of travel we do, increasing our road safety? more serious offence is focussed opportunity to become casualties n The number of on. That is a fairly simple as we travel around more. In all claims from victims example to explain how the probability the picture contains of uninsured or hit-and-run drivers figures can be deceptive if not a complex mix of elements, rose last year. GEM used carefully. with some tending to increase wants harsher fines - In some respects enforcement the casualties, others to reduce and immediate bans has dropped back since 2010, them. There is unlikely to be a - for drivers who deliberately avoid with the figures (taking account single, simple explanation. If insuring their cars. of my caution around them) there was, we would probably n We welcome dropping, and in some others have found it by now. the introduction of increasing…. In 2010 about There is another issue in the Graduated Driving Licences in Northern 770,000 drivers attended a speed awareness background, that as we have made the easy big Ireland and hope to course. Now that’s 1.25million a year. Hidden in gains in casualty reduction we are left with the see this introduced that statement is the fact there is a link to another smaller harder to achieve ones to deal with. The across the UK. “E” – Education – a useful reminder that these law of diminishing returns is a real prospect. things do not operate in isolation but interact and Should we worry about why statistics have connect with each other. flatlined? From a pragmatic stance, probably Engineering can be either about the road or not if we can start the trend back downwards the vehicle. Since 2010 we have seen increasing by whatever measures and activity we conduct. complexity on the motorways as the SMART But if we cannot start that trend downwards, if motorway system has developed and expanded. the casualty figures remain pretty much static, We have also seen declining budgets in local perhaps looking back will show us what is not authorities, responsible for most of our road working about what we are doing and encourage network. Through the earlier part of the 21st us to try some other things instead. n 23 www.motoringassist.com road safety charity

Pics: Mary Balfour

24 www.motoringassist.com charity project The VR dimension to road safety

the young drivers to pick out and talk about the behaviours of Neil Worth went along to watch the driver and passengers, especially the actions that could be the production of a new resource improved to ensure a safer driving experience. “It’s about watching out for each other as mates when out on WE WERE in Steyning, West Sussex, recently, to attend the the roads.” filming of a brand new Virtual Reality (VR) project recently Laura Ward, chair of the GEM Charity, said she was excited awarded a grant by the GEM Road Safety Charity. VR has to be involved in the project. “We know that young drivers been around for a number of years but the use of 360-degree account for around 18 oer cent of all fatalities on the roads, yet filming techniques has opened the technology up to a much they represent only eight per cent of all licence holders. larger audience. It has also allowed some real innovation when “So we were pleased to make a grant towards this innovative it comes to road safety education and this is what attracted the project that will help young drivers understand trustees to the project developed by the Sussex Safer Roads the risks they face when on the road.” Partnership. The project has already attracted interest The technology is simple. Users watch a film (recorded using from Norfolk and Kent Fire and Rescue a 360-degree camera) through a headset containing a mobile Services, Hampshire Constabulary and will phone. The 360-degree filming means you look all around you soon be made available nationally. as you become immersed in a different world. It’s the same know-how that lets you fly low-level in the back of a RAF Tornado or even swim with hungry sharks; all from the safety and comfort of your own home. In late 2016, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue launched the very first VR 360-degree road safety film. This placed participants in the front passenger seat of a car being driven by a young driver. The car became involved in a crash and the occupants were cut out by firefighters, showing the consequences of driving too fast and using a mobile phone. Although also aimed at young drivers, the Sussex film is ✁ different. Instead of placing us in a situation where we crash, we instead step into the role of one of four friends on our way CAN YOU HELP THE GEM to college. It’s a morning journey, but we’re all recovering from a night on the town. ROAD SAFETY CHARITY? During the journey a number of things occur that could We are hugely grateful for any donations, however small. pose a risk to our safety and/or the safety of other road users. Please complete the details below and return to: After each incident we get to choose who we felt was at fault, GEM Motoring Assist Road Safety Charity, through looking at the relevant options on the headset. When Station Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5EN. the film finishes, we take part in a group discussion to explore our answers to each scenario. Instead of showing images of crashed cars or injured people, the film encourages us to think NAME about risk and our own behaviour in such a way that we will be ADDRESS prepared to change it. Firefighter Heidi Reynolds, leading the project for Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, told us it was all about trying to keep ourselves and our friends safe. “The film will immerse 1 the viewer in a typical car journey with young people,:” she said. “There are four main discussion points. The aim is for POSTCODE AMOUNT OF DONATION Support us via BT mydonate GEM MEMBERSHIP NUMBER (if held) GEM members have been You can donate using the 2 ■ I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to ‘GEM Road Safety Charity’ generously supporting our cut-out form on this page, or We would be very pleased to acknowledge any significant donations Road Safety Charity for many why not visit the charity page to the Charity by publishing the donor’s name in future editions of years, and we are proud of the of our website? This allows 3 Good Motoring. Are you happy that we acknowledge your donation in this way? Ye s ■ No ■ many projects we have been you to make an immediate able to assist. If you would donation using BT MyDonate. 4 You may be willing to include a donation to the Charity in your will. If like to make a Every penny will be used this is the case, please tick HERE ■ and we will arrange to contact you. donation, we would to assist worthy road safety GIFTGIFT AID: AID Boost If youryou donationare tax by payer 25p of weGift Aidcan for use every Gift £1 Aidyou donate.to increase Gift Aid youris donationreclaimed by by the 25p Charity for from every the £1tax yougiven. pay forJust the tick current the tax box year. below Your address to allow is needed the be very grateful. causes. Thank you! to identify you as a current UK taxpayer. 5 CharityI am a UK to taxpayer claim and Gift understand Aid direct that iffrom I pay less H.M. Income Revenue Tax and/or & Customs.Capital Gains Tax than Ithe would amount oflike Gift Aidto claimedGift Aidon all mythe donations above in that donation tax year, it is (tick)my responsibility ■ to Visit: motoringassist.com/gemroadsafetycharity Ipay understand any difference. that I must have paid an amount of Income Tax or Capital Gains I wouldTax at like least to Gift equal Aid the to above the taxdonation. you reclaim on my donation.

www.motoringassist.com Signature Date 41 ask the experts Warranty advice: read the small print Members of our panel offer their responses to your questions on car buying, technical and safety matters. Send your query to [email protected]

DIESEL FILTER LIGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY My diesel particulate filter I’m thinking of arranging an extended warranty for my warning light has come on - I have MINI. However, I’ve had mixed experiences with warranty taken the car for a longer drive HAPPY TO HELP companies in the past. One paid out for several repairs, but it has not extinguished. What From left to right: another claimed a replacement gearbox was excluded as is the fault? Neil Worth, road ‘wear and tear’ at 80,000 miles even though it was a non- The DPF is a soot trap. To empty safety officer at GEM service component until 160,000. What should I look for in itself, it has to generate heat to Rob Marshall, GEM’s a warranty? How can I be sure the company will pay out if I burn off the deposits. To do this, technical adviser and a need them to? freelance automotive it needs constant road and engine Warranty cover is also known as mechanical breakdown journalist speeds (typically over 40mph) and David Motton, Good insurance, and like any other insurance product, terms, over 2,000 rpm. Read your manual Motoring’s road test conditions and exclusions will apply. Some warranty companies carefully - not all DPF dashboard editor who’s also a offer different levels of cover – the more comprehensive the lamps indicate a fault, they can juror on the UK Car of policy, the more costly it is likely to be. be an instruction for the car to be the Year awards There’s no substitute for carefully reading the document’s driven (safely) at a constant higher small print. Check if the warranty ties you in to using the speed and load. Yet, you may not provider’s preferred garage for any repairs, or if you can use any be driving for long enough, or the VAT-registered garage. Confirm which parts are covered, and engine management system might which aren’t. It’s worth researching common problems for your not recognise suitable conditions particular make and model of car to make sure the components to authorise the required high most likely to fail will be covered by the warranty. Also, find out temperatures to be generated. This if consequential damage (to non-warranted parts caused by the could be down to a failing sensor, or failure of a warranted part) is covered. Check if the policy has an a fault that is unrelated to the DPF excess, and what limit there is on the total cost of a claim. itself. A check for diagnostic fault It’s well worth checking up on the company as well as the codes, or some live data that is taken finer points of the policy. Do they abide by the Association of when the car is running will help to British Insurer’s Voluntary Good Practice Guide for Extended reveal the cause. RM Warranties? Are they subscribers to the Motor Ombudsman service which will give you someone to turn to in a dispute? When you have the answers to these questions you’ll be able to weigh up the policy’s benefits against its cost.DM

YEAR-ROUND PRACTICAL CONVERTIBLE I would like to treat myself to a convertible. It needs to be driveable year round - and should keep me warm in winter. My budget is around £25,000. Any ideas? If you want to treat yourself to a car to use in all weathers, 12 months of the year, then I would consider a car with a folding metal hardtop. My favourite is the Mazda MX-5 RF, which is priced from £22,495. If you are happy to consider a used car, I would also look at the BMW 4 Series Convertible. It’s a more practical car and is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. You should have no trouble finding used examples within your budget. DM Al Suttie considers the used Mazda MX-5 on page 48.

26 www.motoringassist.com ask the experts

COULD MY COKE ISSUE BE THE REAL THING? JOINING INSTRUCTIONS I own a petrol 2010 MINI Cooper and I have been told that a cause Is there any published data on the number of poor running is due to the top of the engine needing to be decoked. of motorway crashes that occur at the point I thought that this had become obsolete on cars decades ago! Am I where traffic joins the motorway. It seems to being spun a yarn? me that the modern way, instead of adjusting Unfortunately not. Modern engines tend to develop harmful deposits that your speed to join the motorway, is to join can lead to them operating inefficiently. Fuel and additive companies are the motorway and expect vehicles to slow developing new products to combat this. MINIs (and various Peugeots down in the inside lane or to move to the and Citroëns that share the same engine) are prone to a rubbery-carbon middle lane prior to the junction.This leads to deposit building in their cylinder-head inlet tracts, which is caused by accusations of lane hogging. Your views would exhaust gases (that enter the cylinder in certain running conditions, via be appreciated. the Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve, to lower NOx emissions) attaching I’ve had a quick look and can’t find anything in themselves to viscosity modifiers in the engine oil that works its way the latest available data. The latest edition of the into the inlet tract. The build-up can become severe. Fortunately, a Highway Code clearly says that when joining the competent dealer, or specialist, can remove these deposits without having motorway drivers should give priority to vehicles to dismantle the engine totally. RM already on it and should match their speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane AFTER... BEFORE... (lane 1). This advice also goes for other multi-lane carriageways with slip roads, as it allows everyone to make progress in a safe way. With regard to vehicles already on the motorway it is good practice to change lanes to allow vehicles to enter the motorway if it is safe to do so, but the Inlet tract deposits are removed by using a walnut shell blasting technique. Apparently, obligation is for joining vehicles to give way. NW the issue is so common that even some main dealers have bought their own blasting Check out Highway Code Rules 253 to 273. kits. Pictured is a cylinder-head inlet before and after treatment.

Whatever your travel plans, make sure you’re properly covered!

GEM has teamed up with travel insurance specialists P J Hayman & Company to bring you a complete range of travel insurance policies. We can provide peace of mind protection to suit your individual needs including cover for:

✔ Individuals, couples & families ✔ Leisure holidays & business trips ✔ Most medical conditions & disabilities ✔ Almost any type of activity ✔ Coach holidays & cruises ✔ Skiing & snowboarding 10% ✔ Trips up to 18 months (e.g. a gap year) Discount for GEM So whatever your travel needs and wherever you decide to go, members don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!

For an instant quote, go to www.motoringassist.com/travelinsurance or call 023 9241 9031 quoting GEM2024 (Lines open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, closed Bank Holidays) Terms & conditions apply. Travel insurance is arranged for GEM Motoring Assist by P J Hayman & Company Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. GEM Motoring Assist are introducing you to P J Hayman & Company Limited (Registered in England No. 2534965. Registered offi ce: Stansted House, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire PO9 6DX). GEM773 11/17 27 www.motoringassist.com Alpine adventure

Across the Alps in silent supercars

Main pic: a convoy of melectric vehicles negotiating Can a lifelong petrolhead find as much excitement in the one of the many hairpin bends on the tour. more discreet acoustic footprint of an electrically powered Facing page: the self-styled SuperCOP in his Twike; car, wonders Carlton Boyce as he glides silently over the electric 2CVs on the route. San Bernadino Pass on the ‘E-Grand Tour’ of Switzerland (Pics: Jeanine Hug)

THE SIGHT OF half-a-dozen Ferraris and a E-Grand Tour just outside Zurich was a bit of an solitary Porsche 911 tearing up the Pass was eye-opener: not only does the E-Grand Tour pass bewitching; seeing cars of this calibre being 22 lakes and encompass 12 UNESCO World properly exercised along one of the greatest Heritage sites along its 1,600km route, it also has roads in the world was a real thrill. 89 dedicated charging points, with another 140 And yet, even I have to admit to having been within a few minutes of the route. disturbed by the noise; a V12 or a flat-six petrol Of course, no route, no matter how engine might be one of the greatest automotive environmentally friendly it might be, will attract CARLTON BOYCE engineering accomplishments of our time but enthusiastic and passionate drivers unless it was a police officer I couldn’t help thinking that an electrically offers the chance for some interesting tarmac to and prison governor powered car offered a more sympathetic, a more pass beneath your tyres, and at this the E-Grand before embarking on a career as an automotive modest and a more considerate way to enjoy Tour is peerless. Switzerland might have a and travel journalist. Until such a beautiful place. reputation for dull adherence to petty regulation, recently he also ran a The briefing and official launch of the WAVE but that same obsessiveness also takes the successful country hotel in (World Advanced Vehicle Expedition) Trophy form of hugely efficient organisation and north Wales.

28 www.motoringassist.com Alpine adventure

attention to detail; the roads are well-marked, construction, through long, blistering days, beautifully surfaced and take in some of the most wearing a pair of tights and a voluminous cape breathtaking scenery Europe has to offer. In early throughout (he’s in the top picture). June, I experienced sub-tropical heat and snow The second are two cyclists, Rolf Menzi and I experienced on the same day… Beat Strickler. Riding Stromer e-bikes, they sub-tropical The range of competitors was similarly broad. powered their way over mountains and through “ While there was a heavy corporate presence from Alpine passes and were never seen without a heat and those companies eager to showcase their EV huge grin on their faces. Burnt to a deep brown credentials, there were many private entrants, all colour and comprised of nothing but muscle, snow on the of whom were fanatical in their devotion to the sinew and facial hair, they were every pro-cyclist same day... movement. you’ve ever seen, just happier and more laid Bonkers too, some of ‘em: Nissan LEAFS, back. They were, and I hope they won’t mind BMW i3s, Tesla Model S and X, and other me saying, no longer in the first flush of youth; factory standard models might have comprised as ambassadors for the movement go, they were the bulk of the pack, but a brace of converted unbeatable and an inspiration to us all. 2CVs, a Porsche Speedster, a vintage Framo My participation was more sedate. I merely v901/2 truck, a beach buggy, and a 1970s hitched lifts in a variety of machinery throughout ” Opel Rekord proved that ingenuity and sound the week, enabling me to sample everything engineering could bring even the most traditional from a converted VW Combi minibus through of classics up-to-date. to a Tesla Model X, whose gullwing doors never But the award for most bonkers of all has to failed to bring a smile to my face. The cars’ be shared by two sets of entrants. The first is owners were unashamedly enthusiastic of both the self-styled ‘SuperCOP’ (a reference to the the concept and their vehicles, with a fanatical UN-backed Conference of Parties that led to devotion to their steeds. climate accords such as the Paris Agreement of For owning and driving an EV is, for many 2015), who powered his three-wheeler Twike EV of them, an act of faith, a public demonstration thanks to its lightweight aluminium and plastic of their environmental concerns, and this >> 329 Alpine adventure

>> year’s World Advanced Vehicle Expedition influenced by the countries with which they DRIVING IN (WAVE) gave them the chance to showcase their share their language (Switzerland has four SWITZERLAND credentials on an international platform. official languages), architecture, culture, climate n if you use Swiss Billed as the “world’s leading rally for and, of course food. As a result, I ended my motorways, you will electric vehicles”, the WAVE was first run in week considerably heavier than I began it… need to purchase and 2011 and is the culmination of organiser Louis Much wiser, too. The so-called ‘range display a vignette costing Palmer’s lifetime dream of bringing the benefits anxiety’ that motorists use to articulate the CHF40 (around £30). n you are advised to of electrically powered vehicles to a wider reason so many are reluctant to buy and use an turn off your engine audience. After circumnavigating the world in EV on a daily basis could, of course, be more (assuming you’re not 2007/08 himself using only solar power, he went accurately described as ‘charge anxiety’, for it driving an electric on to use his hard-earned expertise to encourage is the perceived lack of an effective and readily vehicle) while waiting at traffic lights. In others to do the same. available charging infrastructure that deters so some locations this is The first rally, a 3,000km route from Paris many from taking the plunge and buying one as obligatory. To Prague held in 2011, attracted 25 electric a daily driver. n be ready to share vehicles from eight different countries. The The Tesla folk on the rally had few worries; mountain roads with 2017 WAVE Trophy, which utilized the existing their cars’ huge range of 250 miles or more cyclists, pedestrians and also cattle. 1,600km Grand Tour route through Switzerland, enabled them to drive all day and then plug their n some mountain had 100 entrants from across the globe. cars in at the hotels to charge overnight. The tunnels may be unlit, The Grand Tour itself is designed to showcase drivers of cars with a smaller range had to top up so remove sunglasses Switzerland’s stunning variety of landscapes and throughout the day, but even that wasn’t really and switch on your dipped headlights as you cultures. If you do drive it – and you should – be an issue; lunch breaks - the most interesting of drive in. Also expect sure to sign up for the Grand Tour Snack Box. which was prepared and served by the Swiss moisture drops as You buy the beautifully made metal picnic tin Army, whose two-course lunch of sausage pasta tunnel temperatures are for 25CHF, and then pay 20CHF a day to have it and a very nice fruit pudding, put the British generally lower than the filled with regional delicacies from participating MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) to shame – gave us open air in summer - this be alarming if you’re retailers along your route. There is no better, or all an hour-or-so of downtime that could be put in a convertible. cheaper, way for a couple to eat well throughout to good use in topping up the battery. the day. Which is how many British EV drivers are Evenings, of course, bring the chance to now choosing to recharge their vehicles. With sample a similarly diverse range of food. no need to recharge the battery pack fully The various Swiss cantons are still heavily every time, many now pull into a motorway

02040 80 km

0102040 miles

www.swisstravelcenter.ch

30 www.motoringassist.com Alpine adventure

service station or other Of course, you could fast charging point (of just fly in and rent which there are many) an electric vehicle, to charge their vehicle perhaps as a taster of The drivers while they spend the how life might feel of cars with a next half-an-hour having with one in it. Options “ a coffee and a natural are plentiful but one of smaller range break. After 30 minutes, the very best would be had to top up they will have more than a Tesla Model S. With a enough juice to continue range of more than 200 throughout their journey until they miles and scorching the day, but next have to stop. performance, it might With this simple change of mind-set, we not be the budget option but it could just be the even this was simply don’t need to worry about having an most satisfying. n not an issue... extended range on most of our EVs now. The combination of the United Kingdom’s charging NEED TO KNOW network having now reached a sufficiently Carlton Boyce was a guest of Switzerland critical mass alongside the average EV’s range Tourism (MySwitzerland.com, 00800 100 of 125 miles or more, mean that the bladder and 200 30, [email protected]. the need to take a break to stay fresh and alert are now our limiting factors. THE GRAND TOUR Top pic: an Alpine village Switzerland has a comprehensive network of The official website, with details of the ”near Davos. Below (c/w charging points too, which all but eliminates route, hotels and points of interest in from top left): the e-Grand Tour route map; official lunc recharge anxiety. Driving from the United addition to the electric vehicle charging boxes; an Alpine cow on the Kingdom to experience the Grand Tour in network, is available on the MySwitzerland Jakobshorn; Tesla Model X your own EV would be logistically fairly website. on the San Bernardino Pass; straightforward; the internet is now awash Swiss soldiers preparing Michelin also publishes a very good Green lunch; an electric bike with maps and websites that show the various parked at the lakeside; an charging options across Europe, bringing Guide, complete with a pull-out map: ISBN Opel Rekord charging; Switzerland within easy reach of every single 978-2-067219-78-6. Volkswagen eT2. EV on sale today.

DAY TRIPS ON YOUR eBIKE There are more than 10,000 kilometres of signposted cycle and e-bike routes across Switzerland, and we love the wide availability of rental bikes. More than 80 railway stations offer rental offices, so you can travel by train to your excursion destination, collect your rental bike direct from the station... and off you go! A full day’s e-bike rental costs 50 Swiss francs (around £37) and if you want to drop your bike at a different station, the surcharge is only 10 francs (subject to availability). If you’re happy to rely on your own energy to pedal, then standard touring bikes cost from around 37 francs for a day. Please note that rental of e-bikes is for 16s and over. All prices include the free use of a helmet. Full details of train timetables, fares and bicycle rental outlets across the network can be found at sbb.ch, where everything is available in English as well as French, German and Italian. Happy touring!

www.motoringassist.com 31 motoring tour

Life and soul of the pâté

Exploring centuries of history amid an unspoilt rural backdrop makes the Ardennes region a wise choice for the visitor, says David Williams

DURING THE PAST three years the world has interest in military history, the Ardennes region has been reflecting on the 100 year anniversary of a significance in European conflicts dating back the total horrors of The First World War. From centuries. Indeed, it is almost impossible not to be the less than clear causes of the conflict in 1914 engrossed in the region’s rich history and the part it to the unbelievable slaughter at the Somme and has played in shaping Europe as we know it. Most Passchendaele in 1916 and 1917 respectively, we recently, it was the location for Hitler’s invasion have been asked to remember the sacrifice and of France in 1940 and his failed attempt to avoid hardship suffered by millions. defeat in 1944, at what is known as the Battle of However, as we approach the centenary of the the Bulge. end of the war, one small village in the beautiful ...this jewel is Museums, historic forts and memorials are just and tranquil Ardennes region of France will be some of the attractive features of the region, which marking an individual tragedy that is hard to “becoming an up until now has not been at the forefront of the comprehend. At 10.45 am on 11 November 1918, ideal place to tourist trail. However, times are changing and this just fifteen minutes before the ceasefire, Private undiscovered jewel is rightly becoming an ideal Augustin Trebuchon became the last French soldier gain a real place to gain a real experience of rural France. to be killed in action. experience of Just three hours by car from Calais, the region His grave is situated in the small churchyard, in is perfect for short breaks to soak up some history the village of Vrigne-Meuse, close to the fortified rural France. or to simply relax and indulge in outstanding and town of Sedan, and will be the venue for a special original hospitality and cuisine. remembrance service this November. My wife and I started our tour in the fascinating For visitors, like myself, who have a keen town of Charleville-Mézières, famous as the 32 ” www.motoringassist.com Life and soul of the pâté

venue for the biennial world festival of puppets, and where the huge town square hosts regular markets and is surrounded by a number of vibrant cafés and bars. The very helpful Ardennes Tourist Information offices are also situated here and can provide a wealth of information (ardennes.com). Just a few steps from the square we found the small but excellent restaurant Chèz Toshi, where the French cuisine, created by the Japanese owner, was nothing less than superb. Our love of history was also fulfilled by our stay in the Hôtel Le Château Fort in Sedan. This huge medieval castle is the centrepiece of the town and is a popular tourist attraction. Part of the fort >>

33 www.motoringassist.com motoring tour

>> has recently been converted to encompass a DELAYS AT certainly paid dividends here. The food and four-star hotel and restaurant serving excellent CALAIS PORT drink, much of which was from the hotel’s own food. Sleeping in fortified ancient rooms that farm, was outstanding. However, our ‘school have 21st century amenities is an experience not Security and customs level’ knowledge of French was tested fully to be missed. checks at the French by the menu which had no English translation However, the Ardennes region, dominated by ports seem to have whatsoever. intensified and the many square miles of forest and the natural This short trip to The Ardennes was one of the lengthened in recent beauty of the Meuse river, is not just an area times. Whether this is very best motoring short breaks we have enjoyed to immerse yourself in history. It is a perfect and we will certainly visit this beautiful and an indication of how n location for walking, cycling and enjoying a things will be after tranquil area of France again. variety of nature pursuits, and for sampling rural Brexit we cannot say, hospitality. For younger visitors the Parc Argonne but the recommended FURTHER DETAILS: Découverte (parc-argonne-decouverte.fr) offers check-in time of one For full details, and tourist information, about both nature and adventure in one location, and if hour seems woefully the French Ardennes, go to gb.ardennes.com. like us, you have a fascination for wolves, a visit short. We arrived at For bookings at Hôtel Le Château Fort in Sedan, to the enclosure at feeding times is a must. the Calais port an visithotel-lechateaufort.fr/en/. Accommodation options in this rural region of hour prior to sailing Check out the menus and details of the France are many and varied, and at reasonable but were the last but Restaurant La Clef des Champs in Charleville- cost. We sampled one of the many small inns one vehicle to drive Mézières: laclefdeschamps.fr recommended in the Logis Guide at the tiny aboard, just moments For more village of Signy-l’Abbaye (auberge-de-labbaye. before the ship set information on com). Our room was part of a new annexe and sail! Thankfully the Channel crossings, the facilities were excellent. However, it was the peaceful and efficient please visit finest French cuisine in the packed restaurant services of DFDS dfdsseaways.co.uk. downstairs that made this stay particularly helped to calm and Fares for a car memorable. It was obvious that this eating place relax us on the and up to nine was very popular, and our self-taught advice to crossing back passengers start to Dover. try and only eat in restaurants busy with locals at £39 each way.

34 www.motoringassist.com Facing page: Chateau Sedan; Augustin Trebuchon’s grave; ramparts at Charleville-Mézières; the DFDS ferry from Dover. This page: intricately designed marionettes; the Mitsubishi used by David Wlliams; exploring by bike is a popular family pastime; local vegetable casserole; Boudin blanc, a fine textured white sausage that’s a speciality of the Ardennes region; a room at the Chateau Sedan; Givet on the River Meuse; aerial view of Rocroi; Bogny-sur-Meuse. Pics: Davis Truillard

www.motoringassist.com 35 Four fabulous country houses

Historian Dr Alan Wakely fixes his gaze on the magnificent houses and castles of north Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

THE DUKERIES AREA of north Nottinghamshire traces of their magnificence still remains. is a wonderful place for exploring – especially for Welbeck Abbey and Thoresby Hall are both still stately home buffs – but to get the most from your complete, and have beautiful grounds. Thoresby visit, you should expand the official area of the is now a spa hotel so it is open to the public in the Dukeries to include other parts of Nottinghamshire, sense that you can book to stay there, or call in for and a slice of Derbyshire too. The whole area is a meal, although there are no tours of the building studded with magnificent country houses. for outside visitors. The hotel guests might not Four adjoining ducal estates in and around appreciate posses of wandering tourists! Worksop and Ollerton gave the Dukeries their name, Welbeck offers a specially-built fine art gallery but a much wider area attracted the aristocracy, ... you will along with tea rooms and a variety of visitor largely because of the superb hunting available in “realise that attractions. However the house itself is still a private the surrounding forests. The four original Dukeries family home, so public admission is restricted to a were Clumber House (Duke of Newcastle), none of these limited number of dates in midsummer, and then Thoresby Hall (Duke of Kingston), Welbeck Abbey ducal titles only to the major staterooms. Most of the house was (Duke of Portland) and Worksop Manor (Duke of a military academy for nearly 60 years from the end Norfolk). If you know your British geography, you is of places of the Second World War. will realise that none of these ducal titles is of places anywhere Of the other two original Dukeries, Worksop anywhere near Nottinghamshire! It is no surprise, Manor has been largely demolished, and what is then, to find that despite their splendour, the houses nearby... left forms part of a stud farm on the outskirts of in the Dukeries were not the major homes of any of the town. Clumber House was demolished entirely the dukes, but rather just ultra-magnificent hunting in 1938, but the park is glorious, especially the lodges. The houses have endured varying fates, but wonderful two-mile-long avenue of lime trees. 36 ” www.motoringassist.com Great days out

the obvious choice to use as a base for this area, but if it is not quite your ideal, you could try Bestwood Lodge instead, which is nearer Nottingham, and was also a ducal home (of the Duke of St Albans) before becoming a hotel. Of course there are plenty of Only just over other hotels and guest houses throughout the area, to “the border suit all pockets. Make sure you expand your tour across the county is Bolsover boundary into Derbyshire. Only just over the border Castle, is Bolsover Castle, set in a commanding position with wide views, despite being only yards from set in a the town’s market place on the A57. The castle commanding belonged originally to the Cavendish family (i.e. the Dukes of Newcastle who owned Clumber too), and position... was built by the formidable Bess of Hardwick for one of her sons. Her own home at Hardwick Hall can be seen on the horizon from Bolsover, so she could keep an eye on him! Bolsover’s highpoint was a visit from King Charles I in 1634, and some rooms have been restored to the style of that time. So we come to Hardwick Hall itself – or perhaps ” themselves would be more appropriate since there is an Old Hall and a New Hall adjacent to one another. The approach is by a very convoluted driveway just off the A6175 (close to junction 29 of the M1). The Old Hall is largely ruined, basically because the new one replaced it; but Bess somehow managed to use both for some time. She was an incredible woman who, through a series of dynastic marriages, all resulting in widowhood, became very wealthy indeed, hugely influential, and a forebear of a very Main pic: Bolsover large slice of the nobility in England in the centuries Castle (English that followed. The New Hall is most impressive, Heritage). Left: Bess famously having “more glass than wall”. That isn’t of Hardwick’s tomb in Derby Cathedral. totally accurate, but the windows are enormous and Above: Hardwick Hall; were installed at a time when glass was fabulously Thoresby Hall. expensive. Furthermore, Bess placed her initials atop the facade of the Hall in huge lettering – ER. Her tomb can be found in Derby Cathedral If you go to Hardwick, don’t miss out (which many do) on calling in at Sutton Scarsdale, only a mile or so away. This is another ruined house. Unlike Hardwick, it is tucked away in a secluded position. All visitors are welcome to come with cars. One Finally, no tour including the southern parts of entrance is on the A614, just south of the major Derbyshire would be complete without a visit to interchange with the A1 and A57: the other leads Chatsworth, one of Britain’s most magnificent on to a minor road that crosses the B6034. Both stately homes. It is still the main residence of the have huge Portland stone gateways indicating how Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The majority important the estate and its owner once were. of the house and grounds are open to the public. Although it is not one of the“official” Dukeries, The staterooms give a real understanding of how Rufford Abbey is only a few miles south of Clumber the lives of the aristocracy have changed down the Park on the A614 or a similar distance from years, and also an appreciation that they were, and Thoresby Hall via the A623. Rufford too was partly are, real people too – just like us. Outside the house, demolished in the 1950s because it was unsafe, but don’t miss the gravity-fed fountain display. the remaining Jacobean wing is now cared for by It is perhaps a shame that the term “Dukeries” English Heritage, and is open to visitors, along with somehow came to mean just the four great houses the adjacent gardens and other attractions geared closest to Worksop. Take a bit more time, expand especially towards youngsters. your horizons slightly, and you will find there is a Where to stay? Well, Thoresby Hall would seem huge amount to explore, see and enjoy. n 37 www.motoringassist.com Rundle & Dorey Ltd CONSERVATORY INSULATION SPECIALISTS Insulate your conservatory ceiling without replacing the existing roof!

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Getaway to gorgeous Galway

Maxine Ashford popped across the Irish Sea for a short visit, her sights set on the country’s western region. Waiting for her was an exciting mix of history, nature and adventure...

TAKING OUR OWN vehicle across the water With time in the area limited to three days, we provided all the freedom needed to explore such were determined to cram in every experience a diverse country. It was also exciting to face the possible. That meant some late nights and early open road with the boot of our all-new Volvo starts along the way. S90 packed to bursting, as there were no weight Our accommodation was the award-winning restrictions on the ferry (a key advantage over five-star g Hotel and Spa overlooking Lough flying, in my book). Atalia. The hotel encapsulates everything that Our destination was Galway on the west coast, is so wonderful about the region. It boasts 101 approximately 100 miles from Rosslare. So we bedrooms, a spectacular ambience and a perfect planned an overnight stop-off in Tipperary (any blend of Hollywood glamour and today’s world of jokes about it not being that far really were used fashion. There is a dark, intimate reception area ad nauseam at this point). with three individually-styled signature lounges Galway is the capital of the west of Ireland, and a cocktail bar. There are subtle hints of the ...we were the country’s oldest city on the famous Wild sea in the décor, along with a beautifully relaxing Atlantic Way. The city itself is steeped in history spa area. The g Hotel also offers free and secure “determined with plenty of sights to explore, but it is also the parking. to cram gateway to two fantastic regions. To the north A short walk from the hotel takes you past the west is Connemara with its spectacular national home ground of Connaught rugby club. Then it’s in every park (think mountains, lakes, bogs and heathland). down the hill into the city with its cobbled streets, experience... And to the south are the Cliffs of Moher – shops and bustling bars where the sounds of Ireland’s most visited natural attraction, with cliffs traditional Irish music always prove too tempting rising more than 700 feet and stretching across to pass by. Taaffes Bar on Shop Street is a good almost five miles of coastline. place to experience the music scene, with >> 39 www.motoringassist.com ” >> regular performances by local artists. The roads are clearly marked and you will A short stroll will take you to the Spanish travel through towns and villages such as Arch, built in 1594 to protect the Quay. It’s a Oughterard, Letterfrack and Clifden, all with gentle reminder of a bygone age when trade their own distinct character. We stopped off with Spain was the lifeblood of the city. Other at a little harbour village called Roundstone ... a local points of interest include the Cathedral and the where a local resident had assured us that the “resident City Museumm overlooking the Spanish Arch, oysters at O’Dowds (a small, unassuming which offers an insight into Galway’s pub) were fantastic. It was a assured us heritage, archaeology and history. recommendation that I will that the The Druid Theatre often now happily pass onto you. features works by They were amazing and a oysters were Irish playwrights, and portion of six was soon fantastic... Lynch’s Castle is a increased to a dozen! perfect example We included the Sky of an Irish town Road on our route; castle which this is a seven-mile was built in the circular drive 15th century and which is both is basically a large challenging and ” house. exhilarating; it Galway is the also offers fabulous perfect base to get out on views, with the Twelve the open road and really Pins Mountain range explore some of the most providing the perfect spectacular scenery the backdrop. west coast of Ireland has Our road trip around to offer. So an early start was in order as we set Connemara continued, and as we turned each off west towards the Connemara coast, where corner, we were greeted with yet more spectacular the roads open up to reveal the very best views. views. The lakes were the deepest blue I’ve ever It’s like the highlights of Canada, New Zealand seen, the rolling mountains hogged the horizon and Australia all rolled into one, with lots of pure and the deceptively boggy terrain had a few Gaelic-speaking regions. surprises of its own, as I discovered after taking a

40 www.motoringassist.com Gorgeous Galway

step too far to get that perfect photo. The impeccably-maintained roads (with barely FACTFILE a pothole in sight) and the sparseness of cars For information about a visit, go also made the day that much more enjoyable. to ireland.com We were able to stop wherever we wanted along the route to take in the sights. For me, there is Stena Line: nothing worse than trying to snatch glimpses of 0844 770 7070. the scenery whilst travelling in a massive convoy, priced at 68 euros a head, with paired wines an stenaline.co.uk with following cars too close for comfort. additional 35 euros. Stena connects We drove all day, but with the spectacular The next day it was back in the trusty Volvo Fishguard with Rosslare, views, the oysters and the amazing Irish roads, S90 which was certainly proving the perfect Holyhead and every minute felt like a pleasure, not a penance. travelling vessel. Comfort levels were sublime Dublin, Liverpool That evening we visited Aniar, a rather special for long stints behind the wheel and the boot with Belfast and restaurant located in Galway’s West End. If you was easily swallowing up the bags of washing, Cairnryan with like good, hearty portions of traditional food that’s shopping and souvenirs collected en route. Belfast. instantly recognisable, this is definitely not the Our next destination was the Cliffs of Moher place for you … and they pride themselves on that about 90 minutes south of Galway. This is a ‘must Contact the G Hotel and Spa: fact. visit’ destination on the west coast and the views +353 91 865 200, Aniar was awarded a Michelin Star for 2013, from the cliffs are breath-taking. It’s more tourist theghotel.ie 2014, 2015 and 2016 and offers a menu that tells orientated than the Connemara, with a visitor the story of food sourced from the region. We centre and restaurant, and you will be expected Aniar Restaurant were treated to the taster menu which is changed to pay a six-euro admission fee. That said, it’s 53, Lower Domini daily and included five courses, three snacks and an ideal setting to sit back in awe and watch Street, Galway. one petit fours with wines to complement. Expect what Mother Nature is capable of, with soaring +353 91 535 947, aniarrestaurant.ie to see the likes of potato and tongue, oyster, platforms powering from the sea and miles of nori and sea beet, beetroot, rose and yoghurt dramatic rock faces. and even nettles on the menu... all served with Our trip to the bustling and charismatic city of an enthusiasm that was a delight to witness. It is Galway was coming to a close but we reflected an acquired taste, so if your passion is for meat on the wisdom of three things. Firstly, bringing and two veg, then you should be aware that the our own car, secondly travelling out of season and complexity and diversity offered here at Aniar thirdly choosing beautiful Ireland. We will return may not be quite to your taste. Our meal was without doubt. n 41 www.motoringassist.com BRILLIANT ADVICE FROM HOW TO HAVE A VALERIE SINGLETON AND A CONVERSATION ABOUT LINEUP OF EXPERTS ALTERNATIVES TO THE CAR ★★★★★ ★★★★★

“STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE” ★★★★★ GEM Motoring Assist presents fe to DSRtillI saVE

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28 www.stillsafetodrive.org.ukwww.motoringassist.com

GM Mar 18 P38 39 PROOF Mobility Scooters.indd 2 07/02/2018 20:39 ON THE ROAD SUMMER 2018 ROAD TESTS Some say there are no bad cars any more. That’s not necessarily true, but it’s fair to say the average standard of new cars is far higher than than it Vauxhall Insignia 44 was 10 years ago. It’s easy to let this near-uniform competence lead to 46 Volkswagen Polo positive reviews of almost every new model. The trouble is, how do you then sort the ‘good’ from the merely ‘O’? That’s why we have decided to 50 Mercedes A-Class toughen up our new car ratings. Rather than allow typical scores to creep 52 Renault Captur up unchecked, we’ve pushed the reset button so high scores should be much harder to achieve. Equally if a car is sub-standard – not necessarily terrible, 56 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross but not good enough to be worthy of your hard-earned cash – we’ll tell you. 62 Volvo XC40 David Motton plus: An exceptional car and a clear class-leader. 48 Used Mazda MX-5 A very good car, among the best of its kind. 58 Finding the best deals Good, but not outstanding. An average car. 59 Updates to the MOT 64 Used MINI Clubman Below average. A car with flaws, or which lags behind most rivals. 66 Investing in a classic car A very poor car. Best avoided.

James Luckhurst finds the Insignia Country IT PAYS TO CHECK YOUR TYRES Tourer to be one of Vauxhall’s very best. Simple checks could avoid three quarters of tyre failures on the UK’s motorways. New research shows that wrongly inflated tyres and punctures are the two main causes of faults, and both could be avoided if drivers carried out routine inspections before setting off. In the most tragic instances, this problem contributed to 32 fatalities on the UK’s roads in 2016, according to Highways England’s Casualty Report. The study, by Highways England and Bridgestone, tested segments from 1035 damaged tyres from the UK’s busiest motorways. It revealed 44 the number one cause of failures was due to road debris penetrating the tyre that resulted in a puncture or sudden deflation. Poorly inflated tyres are the second biggest reason for failures and accounted for 18% of the segments tested for the study. This was The Mitsubishi Eclipse followed by poor vehicle maintenance (8%), while manufacturing Cross fails to blow defects and excessive heat each accounted for one per cent. A further David Motton away. 16% of samples could not be attributed to one specific fault though 56 some were found to have illegal ‘string’ repairs that are unsafe at any speed and should never have been used to fix a punctured tyre. Bridgestone first started to examine the remains of tyres in 2014 and the damaged tyre sections were collected from cars, vans, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Gary Powell, technical manager for the company, said: “It has been a painstaking process to collect tyre debris over 18 months and analysing it in depth. Our conclusion is simple tyre checks can save lives and reduce the risk of a stressful breakdown on the motorway.” Highways England points out that a two-hour delay with a two-lane closure on a motorway can cost £135,000, though that can rise to £750,000 at peak hours on the busiest stretches of the road network. If a motorway requires all three lanes to be closed for four hours, which would be the result of a fatal incident, the cost rises to almost £1.5 million. 66 Richard Leonard, head of road safety for Highways England, said: “Regrettably 182 people were injured on our motorways in 2016. Checking your tyres regularly makes a fundamental difference to road safety for everyone. “Road users must play a bigger role and get into the habit of checking tyre pressures and tread depths and looking out for nails and other debris stuck in tyres before setting out on journeys. These simple All you need to know checks could save lives.” about investing in a classic car. Al Suttie www.motoringassist.com 43 road test

What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? The big, higher, go-almost-anywhere Big diesel estates tend to struggle when If you like an engaging but version of Vauxhall’s Insignia Sports it comes to environmental credentials. comfortable drive, then the Country Tourer. This is an estate with loads We managed a long-term average Tourer represents a worthy alternative of room and plenty of gadgets. Boot of 37.6mpg, some way south of the to a more predictable SUV... and you space, however, is not best in class. claimed 47 for the automatic version. do get a lot for your money. Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer Driving and performance As we go along, mostly on easy-going French autoroutes, we intend making good use of the cruise control, but there seem to be inconsistencies in making it work. We’re First impressions are positive. Sleek, streamlined and advocates of the school of thought that says these things sophisticated on the outside, and extremely comfortable should just work, without the need to consult a manual. front and rear on the inside. All the cockpit controls are As for the driving itself, the Insignia does not put a foot straightforward and within easy reach, with two traditional wrong in a test route of nearly 2,000 miles. Acceleration is dials (perhaps not as large as we might like them to be) perfectly adequate, and there’s a bit more power in reserve flanking a central digital speed read-out. if a swifter manoeuvre is needed. Engine noise is never As a lot of our test is taking place on French roads, it would intrusive; road noise can be, especially on older motorway help to have the kilometre graduations in a font size that is surfaces. Pothole performance, put to the test on the M20 in actually readable, but that’s a minor complaint, really. We do Kent, is, well... adequate. also like to see 30 and 70 prominent on the dial in any car we Part of the extensive line-up of on-board technology is test; sadly neither is present on the Insignia’s dials. a satellite navigation system with traffic alerts. This gets a Before we set off, a compliment to the design of the thorough testing on British and French roads, and it proves steering wheel. It’s comfortable and heated, too. Buttons useful. However, we seem to receive some traffic alerts once operated by the left thumb look after cruise control and we have been sitting in queues, when it would be much more maximum speed; they also deal with the collision avoidance helpful to know in advance and receive options to re-route. fine-tuning. The right thumb looks after the engine Overall, though, this big estate delivers an effortless and management readings, fuel consumption and range. comfortable drive.

44 www.motoringassist.com Space/practicality Safety Details and verdict

Price: from £25,950 Although the Country Tourer has not been We have no complaints at Performance: 0-62 in 8.8 secs through a Euro NCAP test of its own, its all about the excellent space Economy: 47.1 mpg hatchback sibling picked up a solid five- available in the Country Tourer, Insurance: 20 star rating, with a 93 per cent score for adult whose wheelbase is 92mm Tax: £830/£140 occupant and 85 per cent for child. A sound longer than the previous model. line-up of safety systems, both active and Passenger comfort in the Our verdict: passive (including a following distance alert and front and rear is exceptional, lane-departure), is included in standard spec. with loads of legroom and Figures for the 2.0-litre 170PS plenty of headroom. In normal turbodiesel auto. Equipment configuration, using the rear seats as seats, you get 560 litres of boot space. It doesn’t feel There is a real upmarket feel to the Country especially deep, but it’s cleverly Tourer. Heated seats are just the job, especially conceived and there’s handy during the particularly chilly week we have extra room in alcoves each side spent at the wheel. Keyless entry and start/ at the very back. With seats stop is standard throughout the range, as are down, the space increases to 18-inch alloys, cruise control and an eight-inch 1,665 litres - more than the Audi infotainment screen with Vauxhall’s fantastic A4 Allroad, but less generous OnStar, a personal assistant with crash response, than the VW Passat Alltrack or smartphone app, destination data and virtual the Skoda Superb Estate. concierge service. Doorwells are substantial and the glovebox will fit more than Costs gloves. The practical nature of the car continues with the tailgate. Simply swish your Starting at £25,635 on the road, the Country leg where you see a silhouette Tourer is priced below the Volvo V60 Cross of the car projected onto the Country, Audi A4 Allroad and Volkswagen ground below, and up it will Passat Alltrack. Even with a few useful extras go. To close, swish again (but (the towing kit with trailer stability programme whether it would help to chant costs £700, a head-up display is £290), we think ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ as you do it’s still good value. But do note the £1240 first it is another matter...). year VED tag on the 4x4 version.

4 Eats up motorway miles in high standards of comfort. 6 Operating the cruise control seems tricky at times. Review: James Luckhurst James Review:

WE SAY: This is a cracking car; very well equipped and enjoyable to drive, too. www.motoringassist.com 45 road test

What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it?

The sixth generation of the VW Polo, Quite good, with a CO2 output of 109g/ Bright young things who want a a small car that has been popular in the km from its 1.0-litre turbocharged quality first car, couples who relish its UK for more than 40 years, totting up petrol engine, and with a combined small car solidity, and families whose some 1.6 million owners since 1976. fuel figure of almost 59mpg. kids are not yet gangly teenagers. Volkswagen Polo

Driving and performance you feel secure. The steering is pleasantly weighted with a reasonable degree of feel, and braking response is quick and progressive. On the road the Polo feels a very grown-up small car. That is There’s not much excitement for a really keen driver, but lots mostly in its favour, but with a reservation. If what you want about it to make you feel relaxed and unstressed behind the is calm behaviour, mannerly handling, and the reassurance wheel. of a small hatchback with a composure and civility that Modern three-cylinder turbo engines are a revelation for would sit well in a bigger and dearer model, then the Polo their robust performance, and the 113bhp 1.0 TSI in the Polo will undoubtedly impress. What’s lacking is the verve and is certainly no slouch with gutsy acceleration and decent pull character that some other superminis exude: the tactile through the rev range. It cruises very happily at motorway personality and seat-of-the-pants engagement that puts a pace and has a long-legged feel for a haul across country, smile on your face as you drive. The Polo is admirable in its with a pretty fair level of refinement. driving prowess, just not as instinctively enjoyable as some Other engine variants include 64bhp, 74bhp and 94bhp others. 1.0-litre petrols, 79bhp and 94bhp 1.6-litre diesels, and a That reservation apart, it does everything really well. The 197bhp 2.0-litre petrol for the GTI version. car handles with a reassuring predictability, but it isn’t at the It’s an attraction for some that this is a supermini with a expense of ride calibre. The suspension is engineered to be good automatic option. The seven-speed twin-clutch DSG firm but comfortable, and it manages to ride all but the most (direct shift gearbox) suits the car well and makes stop-start jarring surface crevices with commendable control. There is urban driving much more agreeable without a clutch pedal to very little body lean on the bends, and ample grip to make worry about.

46 www.motoringassist.com Space/practicality Safety Details and verdict

Price: £19,535 Electronic safety aids include hydraulic braking The Polo is considered to be a Performance: 0-62 in 9.5 secs assistance, automatic post-collision braking, small hatchback, although it has Economy: 58.9 mpg a front assist system, blind spot detection, grown in size over the years, Insurance: 11 and stability control with anti-slip regulation. and at over four metres in length Tax: £145/£140 There is also standard radar-controlled distance is now bigger than the original monitoring, city emergency braking, and a Volkswagen Golf. Our verdict: driver alert system. The Polo earned a five-star Its dimensions are 4,053mm rating from Euro NCAP when tested in 2017. long, 1,946mm wide to the tips Figures for the Polo SEL 1.0 TSI DSG of the mirrors, and it stands Equipment 1,461mm high. It’s a five-seater, and a practical one for five adults on The Polo comes with an eight-inch colour shorter trips, although space is touchscreen, a single CD player and Bluetooth rather snug for three large people connectivity. There are two front cupholders, in the back over any distance. and a pair of bag hooks in the boot for hanging Even so, six-footers can fit in up your haul of supermarket shopping. Electric without being crushed, which front windows and air conditioning are standard isn’t true of all ‘supermini’ across the range, and electric rear windows models. Good size rear doors feature from S spec upwards. SEL trim adds mean that access into the back satnav, climate control, rain sensitive wipers can be achieved with reasonable and an automatic dimming rear-view mirror. ease. For its overall size, the Polo Costs has a decent boot at 355 litres, making it one of the best- endowed in its category. With £11,970 buys a 64bhp 1.0-litre base level the split-fold rear seat-backs three-door Polo. Five-door models kick off at flopped forward, this extends £13,660, and climb sharply to £22,385 at the top to a pretty useful 1,125 litres, end. Popular SE versions are from £14,435, and making the Polo a practical SEL from £18,185. The most frugal Polo is the option as a compact family car. 79bhp 1.6 litre diesel with an official combined

figure of 76.3mpg and a CO2 output of 97g/km. The most economical petrol models achieve 64.2mpg on the combined cycle.

4 Smart looking and solidly constructed with a good-sized boot. 6 Dearer than similar-size rivals and less characterful than some. Review: Sue Baker Review:

WE SAY: Quite pricey for its dimensions but well-built and good to drive. www.motoringassist.com 47 USED CAR CHOICE

Mazda MX-5 Mk 3 (2005-2015)

The Japanese carmaker 7000rpm. More importantly, a six-speed manual gearbox arrived, while a sharper style for the headlights kept the looks continued its simple roadster up to date. A further round of revisions came in mid-2012 with another formula for the MX-5 with the new headlight design and reshaped front grille. These cars third incarnation. But the Mk3 also benefitted from Mazda’s Active Bonnet, which popped up to protect pedestrians more effectively in the event of a was a much more sophisticated collision. There have also been a variety of special editions of the machine, writes Al Suttie Mk3 MX-5, including Special Edition Launch, Icon, Niseko, 20th Anniversary Limited Edition, Miyako, Kendo, Venture, Kuro and Sport Venture. Introduction What to look for The MX-5’s multi-link rear suspension endowed it with more Rust is the biggest concern when looking at any Mk3 MX-5. grip and less tail-wagging on wet roundabouts, while Ford- Surprisingly for a relatively modern car, it can take hold sourced 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines offered strong performance along the sills under the doors and, especially, all around the and decent economy. rear wheelarches. This is not always visible from a cursory Recognising the demand for a more year-round usable inspection, so you need to get the car on a ramp or get model, Mazda also introduced the Roadster Coupé with a underneath the car for a good look. two-piece folding hard-top. It soon became the best seller in Any signs of corrosion in the wheelarches is a bad sign and the UK, accounting for four out of every five sales. particularly affects earlier Mk3 models. It’s expensive to put A refresh in 2008 tweaked the handling to improve steering right, so it can turn a lower priced bargain into an expensive feel and the engines’ rev limits were raised by 250rpm to hobby if you get caught out.

48 www.motoringassist.com Under the bonnet, make sure the coolant in the overflow How much to pay bottle is clean and at least to the minimum level. These Three thousand pounds is starting money for a tidy engines are very sensitive to any coolant level drop, so make MX-5 Mk3 with either the 1.8- or 2.0-litre engine. sure it’s been changed routinely at services. A facelifted 2008 car with 60,000 miles will cost Rear shock absorbers wear out around the 30,000-mile mark, you from £5500. A Roadster Coupe version will so check they have been changed or still soak up the bumps add about £400 to that bill, while the rare automatic properly. New ones are about £160. gearbox models start from about £6500. Which one to buy Overall rating The 1.8-litre engine works well, but you may as well choose the 2.0-litre for its extra punch that comes with little penalty in fuel economy. Mazda offered an automatic gearbox called We say: Powershift if you need an auto, but we prefer the six-speed Still the definitive affordable roadster you can use manual of later models. There are more Roadster Coupé all the time. versions of the Mk3 and they offer greater protection from the weather and added security, so this is the one to go for if you Others to consider intend to use the car year-round or don’t have safe parking for Mercedes SLK the car all of the time. Don’t be tempted to pay any extra for The sleek German sportster is more cruiser than any of the various special editions of the MX-5 as most were bruiser. The folding metal roof makes it snug inside. conceived from raiding the options list. Far better to find the car in the right colour and specification MINI Roadster to suit your needs than setting your heart on a specific Dumpy looks hide a decent sporting two-seat drop- version. top. Choose the Cooper S model for driving fun. www.motoringassist.com 49 road test

What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? The fourth generation of the Mercedes- From launch, there’s a 1.5-litre An average A-Class driver is 10 years

Benz A-Class continues with a turbodiesel that emits the least CO2 at younger than other Mercedes owners, hatchback shape but has more space 108g/km and gives 68.9mpg, though so expect couples and families in their for passengers and luggage, as well as you have to pay for the seven-speed 30s to line up for this premium hatch. lots of new tech. auto ’box to achieve this. Mercedes A-Class

Driving and performance

After the original A-Class’s topple from grace during the also a floating, bouncy sensation in some of the cars we tried. infamous elk test, Mercedes has been cautious with the This can be tuned out by switching to the Sport setting if the dynamics of its small hatch contender. While not dull to car has adjustable suspension, but this then introduces an drive, it’s not been a rival for the best, such as the BMW 1 underlying firmness that’s not well suited to rippled tarmac. Series or Ford Focus. With this fourth-generation model that However, it’s far from all-mediocre in this A-Class. Mercedes careful evolution persists. It feels very much a car that’s a has honed it in the wind tunnel to be the most aerodynamic few per cent better here and there rather than a full step on car in its sector. It shows in how refined the car is at higher from its predecessor. speeds and the paucity of engine noise audible in the cabin. The result is handling that is surefooted and predictable, yet This is underlined by the superb smoothness of the three there’s none of the steering feel or agility found in a 1 Series. engines on offer from launch. The 1.4- and 2.0-litre turbo Nor is there the sumptuous ride comfort experienced in the petrol units rev freely and work well with the seven-speed Volkswagen Golf. Instead, the Mercedes tracks round corners automatic that was the only transmission we could try. There in a faithful manner and is easy to park, especially with the will be a six-speed manual for the lower powered version and optional £1395 Active Parking Assist with Parktronic that A180d. does it all for you. The diesel uses a 116bhp 1.5-litre turbodiesel that’s the pick Where we found the A-Class more flawed was the ride. In of the bunch for its calm, quiet progress, though its economy most instances, it absorbs bumps without fuss, but there was and emissions are only so-so for the class.

50 www.motoringassist.com Space/practicality Safety Details and verdict

Price: £25,800 There’s no quibbling with the amount of safety If the driving dynamics of Performance: 0-62 in 10.5 secs gear Mercedes has packed in, though given the this new A-Class are not Economy: 68.9 mpg pricing that should be expected. Every version class-leading, the cabin space Insurance: tbc comes with seven airbags, and there are twin certainly is. Mercedes has Tax: £165/£140 Isofix mounts in the back seat. You also have lengthened this car by 30mm Active Brake Assist and Active Lane Keeping over its predecessor and it’s Our verdict: Assist, though we found this acted very abruptly also 14mm wider. This frees up as the car neared road marking lines. a lot of room for occupants. In Figures for the A180d SE auto the front, the A-Class has more Equipment than enough adjustment for any driver to get comfy and all- round vision is much improved. All A-Class models come with twin screens In the back, rear-seat passengers in place of the more traditional instrument are treated to the sort of space binnacle and infotainment screen. As standard, you’d more normally associate they’re seven-inch units, but they can be with cars from the class above. upgraded to 10.25 inches. Go for both larger Two adults can travel here screens and it creates a single widescreen in perfect comfort, though display. The ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice recognition a third in the centre seat is system operates many functions including the compromised by the large heating, though we found its responses patchy. transmission tunnel. Choose from SE, Sport and AMG Line trims. Mercedes has also made gains in the boot. Not only does it Costs increase in volume by 29 litres to 370 litres with the rear seats up, the opening aperture is some The cheapest to run A-Class at launch is the 200mm wider now the rear

A180d with its 68.9mpg and 108g/km CO2 lights don’t impinge on the load emissions, which are not quite as good as a entrance’s sides. The flat floor rival Audi A3’s. The A-Class also has higher and rectangular shape also make list prices, but this will be offset by very strong the most of this added capacity. residual prices and keen leasing deals. As with all Mercedes, you get a three-year unlimited mileage warranty.

4 Cabin space and refinement are exemplary. 6 The ride never feels resolved between comfort or sporty firmness. Review: Al Suttie Al Review:

WE SAY: Not cheap or the greatest drive, but refinement, space and tech impress. www.motoringassist.com 51 a week at the wheel

we explore some of the storage spaces (including between the front seats, on top of the dashboard and near the handbrake). Disappointment number three occurs when we stop the car on the way home from Cardiff. First of Renault all, the engine appears not to want to turn off, even though we only do exactly as we have been doing Captur all week. Eventually, after pressing the stop/start button several times, we get the engine to cut. But on restart an hour later, we find we have lost all Tuesday infotainment functionality.

The week begins with a genial handover from the delivery driver at Abergavenny Station. Parking can be an issue Friday here, but today there’s a space available, so he slips the Captur into a space while we are enjoying a cup of coffee and Grumbles aside, this is an attractive and a cake in the station’s excellent café. versatile front-wheel-drive car. The range As we drive away, first impressions are not entirely includes two petrol and two diesel versions. We have favourable. The colour is unusual - certainly eye-catching - already stated that the 900cc TCe petrol version we and the exterior generally suggests something that will give are driving simply does not deliver the power needed us a good view of the road. But inside feels cheap, with a for the journeys we choose to put it through. The 0 lot of hard plastic - difficult to reconcile with the fact sheet to 62 time of 13.2 seconds sounds like an eternity, which tells us this car would cost £20,915. and for us it feels like one, too. Having said that, it’s We quickly establish that this car is underpowered. Look sufficient for getting across town or doing the school at it: a raised-up version of the Renault Clio, not by any run. The 1.2-litre petrol version is available either as means small, but propelled by a three-cylinder engine with a manual or an automatic, while there is also a four- a capacity of less than 900cc. So for our purposes, that is cylinder 1.5-litre turbo-diesel variant. disappointment number one. Weekend

Wednesday One of the irritations that go with a very small engine (and, you’ll add, a lazy driver) is the need Disappointment number two occurs when we start to change gear frequently. For the taller driver, we playing with the on-board gadgetry. It’s always interesting find the new armrest arrangement (part of the 2017 to work out where everything is and how easy it proves to get facelift) does not facilitate this requirement, as it >> things working. That’s particularly true with a cruise control function, and in the case of the Captur it looks nice and straightforward... just a small button on the left side of the steering wheel. But it simply does not work. Throughout its week in our care, we push, click, scroll and reset until all possibilities are exhausted, and still we cannot make any sort of cruise control happen. Nor can we get the car’s Bluetooth to recognise either of the devices we attempt to pair up.

Thursday

The Captur key is not a key, it’s a card arrangement. There’s a slot for the card just in front of the gear stick, below the infotainment system, but the car functions without the need to put the card in the slot, so we wonder why the slot is there at all. Today is the day for a family trip to the dentist in Cardiff, with a short stop along the way to check up on a four-legged family member (Tom, pictured right). Driving into and around town proves simple and pleasant. The rear parking sensors ensure trouble-free squeezing into tight spots, and

6252 www.motoringassist.com a week at the wheel

www.motoringassist.com 53 a week at the wheel (continued)

>> seems to get in the way of your left elbow. route we would normally take, so we head off to But on the subject of of armrests, storage and the right via a convoluted diversion that ends up practicality, there is plenty to compliment. taking longer than we would have spent sitting Inside the car there’s a tidy little compartment So they get in the supposed queue. Then, as we join back on top of the dashboard, with space for onto the original road, there’s no sign of any sunglasses, wallet, keys, phone, mints etc. The “a splendid trouble anyway, suggesting our deviation has glovebox itself is tiny. This, we are told, is glovebox on the been pointless. because the Captur’s fuse box sits on the left We have a third person on board today; an side of the car, both for the right-hand drive right hand side, average-sized adult passenger in the rear, who models we use and the left-hand drive found and we don’t. says legroom and headroom are both fine. elsewhere in Europe. So they get a splendid In summary, the Renault Captur may turn glovebox on the right-hand side, and we don’t. Simple as that. heads and boast decent space for occuopants Simple as that. and their gear, but there’s little in the way of The Captur’s boot space is good for its class, driver engagement. For our purposes, this with a capacity of 455 litres and the option to version of the Captur is just a bit too weak. n drop the load height or make use of additional space below a raised floor. The potential drawback here would be the height of the boot Details and verdict lip, as this could mean that loading up heavy ” items would be quite a strain. Price: £20,915 as tested Performance: 0-62 in 13.2 secs Economy: 55.4mpg Monday Insurance: Group 9E Tax: £165/£140 Today we need to head to Hereford, so with the infotainment working again, we Our verdict: set the ‘Navteq’ satnav system. It warns of a Figures for the Captur Dynamique S TCe 90 15-minute delay heading into the city on the

4 A clever array of storage spaces. 6 Driver engagement is missing, and there is a serious lack of power.

WE SAY: Smart to look at, with a good driving position, but this version’s weak and slow.

5462 www.motoringassist.com Good Motoring promotion a week at the wheel

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What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is Well, there’s no hybrid version and If you want to avoid the usual SUV a mid-sized SUV to rival the Nissan surprisingly no diesel, at least for now. suspects, have a Mitsubishi dealer Qashqai and Seat Ateca. It sits The 1.5-litre petrol achieves 42.8mpg nearby, and are set on petrol power, the between the ASX and the Outlander in on the combined cycle, which is Eclipse Cross is a solid choice. Mitsubishi’s range. reasonable for a petrol SUV. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Driving and performance we preferred the auto to the manual box, with its slightly clunky shift action. With each gearbox, the Eclipse Cross gets up to speed There’s just the one petrol engine in one state of tune eagerly enough, and doesn’t sound strained unless it’s revved (although a 2.2-litre diesel may join the range later in the really hard. year if demand is strong enough). The 1.5-litre turbocharged The choice between front-wheel-drive and 4x4 versions petrol has 161bhp and 184lb ft of torque. That’s a little more will come down to budget, and the kind of use you’ll put the power but the same torque as the equivalent engine in the car to. Mitsubishi’s 4x4 system is certainly clever, varying Seat Ateca and other VW Group SUVs. the torque split between the front and rear wheels depending While the decision as to which engine to choose is made on the conditions and there are specific ‘Snow’ and ‘Gravel’ for you, there is a choice of transmissions. There are front- settings if the going gets really tough. On dry Tarmac, wheel-drive cars with a six-speed manual gearbox, and four- though, there’s little obvious difference in handling between wheel-drive cars with either the manual or a CVT automatic. the two versions. The 4x4 is worth the extra for rural drivers Accelerate hard in a car with a CVT ’box and there’s or anyone with a caravan or trailer to tow, but the two-wheel- usually lots of engine noise as the engine revs hard and drive car will be just fine for someone who mostly drives the transmission adjusts the gear ratio to build speed. It’s around town or on main roads. efficient, but not very easy on the ears. Mitsubishi gets Both the 2WD and 4WD models ride comfortably at high around this by using eight-fixed ratios, effectively mimicking speeds, but can fuss over bumpy surfaces. With little road the behaviour of a regular automatic. It works well. Indeed, noise, the Eclipse Cross is well suited to motorway driving.

56 www.motoringassist.com Safety Space/practicality

Mitsubishi is rightly proud of the car’s excellent Mitsubishi cabins are usually five-star Euro NCAP rating, with a score of solidly screwed together, but 97% for adult occupant protection. We’re aren’t renowned for their design particularly pleased that high-tech driver aids flair or upmarket feel. The aren’t reserved for the most expensive models, Eclipse Cross shows a marked with Forward Collision Mitigation a standard improvement, with an appealing fit across the range. A Lane Departure Warning look and soft-touch plastics on system is also fitted to all models. top of the dashboard. The driving position is comfy, Equipment with sufficient adjustment for the seat and wheel to accommodate drivers of most shapes and sizes. Entry-level ‘2’ spec includes a DAB radio, Those in the back have plenty Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity, cruise of room, too, so long as the control, a reversing camera and 16-inch alloy sliding rear bench is all the way wheels. Step up to ‘3’ for 18-inch alloys, front back on its runners. However, and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate headroom is tight in high-spec control, heated seats and more. Choose the ‘4’ cars fitted with a panoramic model for a premium nine-speaker stereo, a sunroof, and we’d like to see air panoramic sunroof, leather seat trim and more. vents between the front seats or However, no car comes with satnav – you have in the door pillars to keep those to use a connected smartphone for guidance. in the back at a comfortable temperature. Costs Boot space is on the tight side. Details and verdict There’s just 341 litres with the rear seats all the way back, and Price: £25,365 The Eclipse Cross is keenly priced and good 448 litres with the seats forward. Performance: 0-62 in 9.8 secs value, priced from £21,290. It would score more A weekly shop won’t be a Economy: 40.4 mpg highly if a fuel-efficient diesel version were problem but owners may need a Insurance: Group 13 available. As it is, fuel economy ranges from roof box for a family holiday. Tax: £500/£140 42.8mpg on the combined cycle for the 2WD manual to 40.4mpg for the 4WD CVT auto. Our verdict: Service intervals are 12,500 miles or 12 months Figures for the 1.5 ‘3’ 4WD CVT Auto (whichever comes first) and the car comes with a generous five-year/62,500-mile warranty.

4 The Eclipse Cross is stylish, inside and out. 6 Boot space is tight for a car of this size. Review: David Motton David Review:

WE SAY: The Eclipse Cross is a capable SUV, but doesn’t set new standards. www.motoringassist.com 57 Volvo XC40 Volkswagen List price: £27,920-£40,070 Polo Cash or finance? Personal contract hire List price: Best deals? The best we found was from £13,860-£22,645 franchised dealer Lipscombe Volvo, but Cash or finance? we spotted it through a comparison website. The deal for a D3 Contract hire Inscription Auto came out at £383 per month with a three-month Best deals? up-front deposit and no fees for a 48-month, 10,000-mile per annum While a personal loan appeals for the duration. Volkswagen Polo, VW’s own contract hire What’s it worth when I change? deal wins out thanks to its low £164 monthly Volvo’s huge desirability and ‘cool’ factor helps the XC40 hang on payments spread over four years and 10,000 to 46% of its new price after three years and a lengthy 60,000 miles miles per annum. You’ll need to pay three to beat the Audi Q3’s 39% by some margin. months up front, but that’s no hardship at these prices. What’s it worth when I change? You can expect to see back 41% of the Polo’s original list price after four years and 40,000 miles, beating almost all other Buying supermini rivals. options If you fancy driving away in one of our test cars, then this guide to buying options and Vauxhall finance should prove helpful Insignia Sports Tourer Prepared by Alisdair Suttie List price: £20,300-£34,875 Cash or finance? Contract hire Best deals? Almost all Insignia’s will be Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross financed on a lease or hire deal, so the £365 List price: £21,290-£29,765 per month for three years deal from My Cash or finance? Cash Vehicle Source is typical but also keenly Best deals? The Mitsubishi bucks the pitched. It needs a three-month deposit and preference for PCPs and contract hire thanks £300 in fees, but it’s still the best we could to its strong residual values, so it makes sense to buy outright. We find for this Vauxhall estate. found a loan from Sainsbury’s Bank for the £22,590 needed for an What’s it worth when I change? Eclipse Cross 3 2WD manual with 48 monthly repayments of £496 Ubiquity counts against the Insignia Sports at 2.9% APR. Tourer, even if it’s a very good wagon, so What’s it worth when I change? expect to see a middling 36% retained value The Eclipse Cross outperforms almost all other crossovers with its after three years and 60,000 miles. predicted 47.5% retained value after three years and 60,000 miles.

Renault Captur List price: £15,650-£24,050 Mercedes Benz A-Class Cash or finance? Personal List price: £25,800-£29,980 contract plan Cash or finance? Personal Best deals? Renault itself came contract plan up trumps for the Captur with a monthly cost of £216 Best deals? You need look no further than Mercedes’ and an initial deposit of the same amount through its own personal contract plan for the snappiest deal on the Selections programme. This 10,000-mile per year deal new A-Class. Over 48 months and 10,000 miles per year, also includes a dealer deposit contribution of £1727 and you’ll pay £319 every month, though it does require there’s an optional final payment of £5189 to buy the car a £3999 deposit, and you can buy outright for a final outright. payment of £10,225. What’s it worth when I change? What’s it worth when I change? The Captur’s popularity has settled a little from its initial It’s too early to have firm residual values for the new demand, so retained values have slipped to 36%, which A-Class, but it’s very likely they will lead the class to is average for the class. beat the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

58 www.motoringassist.com getting technical

The all-new MOT and how it may affect you

The MOT is evolving. Our technical adviser Rob Marshall explores what has changed, how we might be affected, and what to watch out for under the new regime

FROM 20 MAY, you will find that the MOT test EU Roadworthiness Package on periodic will be stricter in a number of areas. The Driver roadworthiness tests (2014/45/EU). Failure to and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which comply means heavy fines for taxpayers (via manages the scheme, advises that the basic MOT government), as well as further complications that is not changing. However, behind the scenes, could include British cars not being permitted on For tests after there are some enhancements which will include EU roads. 20 May, you not only how the conditions of certain tested items “ are assessed, but also new items that now fall Clearer and safer, or just plain confusing? will receive a within the test’s remit. For tests after 20 May, you will receive a new- format MOT pass certificate or fail notice. Gone new MOT pass Why are these changes necessary? are the pass, fail, advisory (and the rarely-used As cars become more complicated, the MOT ‘dangerous’) categories, which are replaced by certificate or test advances accordingly. So the DVSA has to pass, advisory, minor defect, major defect and fail notice. balance the requirements of road safety against dangerous defect. Only these last two will lead to extra costs incurred both by drivers and the an MOT test failure. motor trade. The latest changes involve more Notably, while dangerous faults were >> than minor tweaks, and have been brought included within the old regime, testers used about by the requirement to comply with the their own experience and, in reality, it was used

59 www.motoringassist.com ” >> included in the old regime, testers used become familiar with them. Should you disagree experience and seldom gave a ‘dangerous mark. with a decision made on your vehicle, consider Now, the nature of what constitutes a dangerous that the DVSA is sensitive to assisting testers get defect is defined more clearly in the MOT to grips with the new system, and has stated that tester’s inspection manual. it will uphold tester judgements NOT VALID While this must be a positive Refusal of MOT test certificate as long as the MOT inspection 1 Vehicle identification number BLLAAKAAAAA821483 move, because it sees the MOT 2b Country of registration manual has been followed. 2a Registration number GB AA73LLB becoming stricter, we should Make and model Consider also the emphasis TOYOTA YARIS 4 Mileage 5 Vehicle category 47,535 miles consider that previous triggers M1 on the ‘dangerous’ category. for failure (indicator flash rate 7 Fail The MOT enforces the existing 6 Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects) • Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Nearside Front [5.2.3 (e)]

or tyre valve condition, for 6 Repair immediately (major defects) law that any car with such a • Stop lamp(s) not working Offside [4.3.1 (a) (ii)]

example) will no longer count. 6 Repair as soon as possible (minor defects) defect must not be used on the • Windscreen wiper blade defective Nearside [3.4 (b) (i)]

A further issue is that some 3b Date of the test road, even when being taken 22.03.2018 definitions between major and 3a Location of the test to an alternative location to be VTS072740 134, Poison Vale, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Aberdeenshire, CA15 8HW dangerous defects are not always 9 Testing organisation and inspector name repaired. This is likely also to TADLEY TEST CENTRE LIMITED M. C. Peeples obvious. From a road safety MOT test number void an insurance policy. It 8900 6019 5240

To find out about retests, or if you disagree with the test result, see the fees perspective, therefore, it is not all and appeals poster at the vehicle testing station. Alternatively, visit is possible that a test station, www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot If any of the details are not correct, please contact DVSA by email at or by telephone on 0300 1239000. good news. [email protected] fearful of any potential www.gov.uk/check-mot-history Find out about the vehicle’s MOT history at The DVSA says the changes liability, might refuse to hand If you book an

help explain defects better. Inspector signature your keys back, until the repair MOT at a test Page 1 of 1 VT30/2.0 “ However there is a danger of has been done. confusion, so the DVSA is Naturally, any dangerous station that encouraging motorists to heed garage advice defect should be repaired immediately but, if you does not also on any defects, whether they require immediate book an MOT at a test station that does not also attention or can be dealt with during the car’s offer repairs, you could be in difficulties. In that offer repairs, next routine service. situation, if the car fails on a dangerous defect, you could be it would need to be transported, potentially with What should I expect from my garage? the wheels off the ground, to a place where the in difficulties... Be sympathetic that minor changes are likely fault(s) can be remedied. This can be expensive to occur right up to implementation date and and is not covered by a typical breakdown beyond. Garages will of course require time to policy, including those offered by GEM. ” Cover from only Planning a motoring trip to Europe? £10.80*

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*Online60 price for a day trip with a vehicle aged under 10 years old - price correct as at 1st January 2018. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. The insured vehicle must be no more than 15 years old at the date the policy is purchased. Euro Plus is arranged for GEM Motoring Assist by P J Hayman & Company Limited, underwritten by AWP P&C SA and administered in the UK by Allianz Global Assistance. Allianz Global Assistance is a trading name of AWPwww.motoringassist.com Assistance UK Ltd. P J Hayman & Company Limited and AWP Assistance UK Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). GEM Motoring Assist are introducing you to P J Hayman & Company Limited (Registered in England No. 2534965; Registered offi ce: Stansted House, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire PO9 6DX). GEM776 01/18 DOES SITTING MAKE YOUR BACK ACHE? Backfriend® - offers positional relief from back pain THE British made portable back support for use in any seat

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What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? The smallest member of Volvo’s XC A hybrid version will be produced, You’ll need relatively deep pockets, family of SUVs. The new XC40 is a but hasn’t been confirmed for the UK but in our view this is the best of the rival for the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, yet. The most economical front-wheel- XC family. Anyone looking for a and is available with petrol and diesel drive D3 diesel emits a competitive premium SUV of this size should take power. 127g/km of CO2. a test drive. Volvo XC40

Driving and performance favour of the D4. Either way, the XC40 is an enjoyable car to drive. The Volvo offers buyers a choice of three petrol engines with limited-run First Edition cars we drove are based on 154bhp, 187bhp and 244bhp. There are two diesels, with R-Design specification, with stiffer sports suspension. Even 148bhp and 187bhp. We’ve driven the most powerful petrol so, the XC40 rides with fluent composure. You feel sharp- and diesel models. Early orders for the T5 petrol have edged imperfections in the road surface, but for the most part been very strong, according to Volvo, and it’s easy to see Volvo’s engineers have deftly balanced comfort and control. why. This is a quick and assured car, with plentiful punch The Drive Mode system allows the driver to tailor the car’s for decisive overtaking. It’s a refined engine as well as a steering, gearbox and throttle responses, with a choice of powerful one, and the eight-speed auto shifts smoothly to Eco, Comfort, Dynamic and Individual settings (Individual make the most of its performance. allows a mix-and-match approach to the other modes). Although the market has been shifting in favour of Dynamic adds some weight to the steering, a more petrol over diesel power, there are good reasons to choose aggressive response to the throttle and more prompt the D4 diesel. It may not match the power of the range- downshifts from the auto ’box, but for regular driving we topping petrol, but with 295lb ft of torque it pulls with real found the Comfort setting struck the right compromise. determination. There’s a distant gruffness from under the Aside from some road noise, especially over coarse surfaces, bonnet that can’t match the smoother, more cultured tones the XC40 is quiet at speed. It’s a car in which we would be of the T5, but for many buyers the diesel’s real-world fuel more than happy to tackle long drives, confident of arriving at economy advantage will be enough to sway the decision in our destination feeling fresh.

62 www.motoringassist.com Space/practicality Safety Details and verdict

Price: £34,970 Volvo’s reputation for safety is hard earned and Considering that the XC40 is the Performance: 0-62 in 7.9 secs well deserved. Although Euro NCAP has yet smallest of the XC family, it’s Economy: 56.5 mpg to publish test results for the XC40, the XC60 surprisingly roomy inside. Insurance: 30 earned the highest scores of any car tested by By SUV standards, the driver Tax: £515/£140 Euro NCAP, so it seems likely the XC40 will sits quite low to the floor, earn its five stars. Autonomous emergency certainly with the seat on its Our verdict: braking is fitted to all versions. We just feel that lowest setting. But there’s over-shoulder visibility could be better. enough height adjustment to Figures for the D4 R-Design AWD Auto. get a loftier seating position if Equipment preferred. The dashboard design is modern and uncluttered, and The most affordable Momentum spec cars the standard of finish is as high have a nine-inch touchscreen, a DAB radio, as we’ve come to expect from Bluetooth connectivity, satnav, dual-zone Volvo. What we hadn’t expected climate control and 18-inch alloys. R-Design was so much space in the back models boast sports suspension, leather of the car, with enough head upholstery, LED fogs, tinted rear windows and legroom for a six foot- and sportier styling. Inscription models are three passenger to sit behind luxurious, with regular suspension and lots of an equally tall driver without upgrades. All three main spec levels have ‘Pro’ rubbing knees on the front seat. versions which bundle together popular extras. The car is relatively narrow, though, so sitting three abreast Costs would be a bit of a squeeze. The boot has a 460-litre capacity. That’s not the biggest The XC40 is not a cheap car, with prices starting among its rivals, but there’s no from £27,610. But that’s slightly less than the lip to load items over and it’s most affordable Audi Q3, and besides, resale easy to make the most of the values are predicted to be very strong indeed. square shape. Seat folded, boot D3 FWD diesel versions achieve as much as space increases to 1336 litres. 58.9mpg on the combined cycle. Although that is likely to be hard to match in everyday driving, it’s an impressive figure for a car of this size.

4 The XC40 rides smoothly, even on sports suspension. 6 We’re still not sure if the hybrid is coming to the UK. Review: David Motton David Review:

WE SAY: The new Volvo XC40 is right up with the best premium SUVs of this size. www.motoringassist.com 63 USED CAR CHOICE

MINI Clubman (2007-2014) After the runaway success of the What to look for Start the engine from cold and check for any signs of smoke first generation MINI hatchback, from the exhaust that point to a worn turbocharger on the parent company BMW realised diesel engines. The Cooper S model’s turbo can also wear and cause smoking. You also need to listen for any rattles it needed something to keep under the bonnet that suggest the cam chain needs replacing. If there’s a rattling, look for another car. those customers coming back. Servicing comes at variable intervals, so make sure the record is up to date. The air conditioning needs to be re- Appraisal by Al Suttie gassed every two years and the brake fluid should be replaced at the same intervals. Look for scuff marks on the rear upper bumper as a tell-tale Introduction to how often the boot has been used to transport heavy items When BMW launched the second-generation MINI model in 2006, it also announced a small estate version. This became the Clubman in 2007, taking its name from its slab-fronted ancestor rather than the original Traveller moniker as BMW didn’t own the rights to that. The engine range was lifted from the hatch, so you get everything from a MINI One to a full-on 211hp JCW Cooper S version. The Clubman is 24cm longer overall than its hatch sister, with 8cm of this devoted to rear legroom to make it more family-friendly. The rest helps to create a 260-litre boot that extends to 930-litres when the rear seats are folded down. Access to the boot is through a pair of side-hinged rear doors as a nod to the original 1960s estate. The Clubman also comes with its unusual rear-hinged Clubdoor on the right side. In the UK, this means it opens onto the side that traffic approaches from. Not ideal, but it does making getting in the back easier.

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64 www.motoringassist.com used car

or dogs. Some interior trim can work loose over bags you a high mileage but usable One or time, so feel every panel and press every button Cooper model. A Cooper S is around £1000 to make sure it’s all solidly in place. more, but a John Cooper Works model will cost from £8500 upwards if you can find one for sale. Which one to buy ...feel every The Cooper SD with its 2.0-litre diesel engines If you only ever drive in town, the MINI One panel and begins at the same sort of price point. will be fine, but for most drivers it’s best avoided “ Our favourite Cooper D can be found from due to sluggish performance. The same can be press every £5500 with 50,000 miles, full service record and said of the automatic gearbox, so we’d stick with button... good specification. the six-speed manual transmission. While the petrol-powered Cooper models are Overall rating huge fun, we’d go for the 1.6-litre turbodiesel Cooper D as the pick of the bunch. It offers 68mpg and 109g/km CO2 emissions, brisk in- gear performance and fine handling. Make sure We say: it has air conditioning and the optional Chili This quirky small estate is fun to drive and Pack fitted. ” cheap to run. Included with the Cooper D are alloy wheels, electric front windows, six airbags and a tyre Others to consider pressure monitoring system. If you really need Audi A1 the rear luggage space, MINI also offered It may not be an estate, butn it’s very classy and this model as the stripped-out Clubvan for offers similar cabin and boot space to the MINI. commercial users and it makes a very cute promotional vehicle. Citroën C3 Picasso If you’re looking for practicality, then Citroën’s How much to pay C3 Picasso offers it in spades, albeit at the Clubmans start from £3000 at present, which expense of driving fun.

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www.motoringassist.com 65 last word Membership What it means for you Specially negotiated benefits available to GEM members. More information is available at www.motoringassist.com/memberbenefits

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Free home Call 023 9241 9031 introductory discount starting from only £153 Call 01277 243010 mcinsurance emergency cover Quote GEM2024 Call 01277 243010 Call 01277 243010 Quote GEM Call 01277 243010 motoringassist.com/ Quote GEM13 Quote GEM motoringassist.com/ Quote GEM17 travelinsurance motoringassist.com/ motoringassist.com/ shield motoringassist.com/ Gonna buy a classic? carinsurance shield homeinsurance UK BREAKDOWN EUROPEAN MOTORING ADVICE & HELP LINE COVER BREAKDOWN Dominique Drayson, owner of Canford Classics, answers COVER Free advice on motoring/road safety issues. We will do our best to answer Valerie Singleton’s questions on automotive investments Award winning roadside Car Breakdown Insurance any motoring related questions to help keep you safe and legal on the road assistance and recovery with Allianz Global service from GEM Assistance through Is there any investment value in a classic car? It’s important to remember that it’s not all about the investment Motoring Assist P J Hayman & Co. Ltd Clearly there is an entire market based around buying and selling potential! We are passionate about keeping these cars alive for the Call 01342 825676 Call GEM Call 023 9241 9031 classic cars as investments. However for an enthusiast and sheer enjoyment of driving them. Here at Canford Classics we are 01342 825676 Quote GEM2024 motoringassist.com/motoring-advice motoringassist.com motoringassist.com/ professional restorer this should not be the full driving force. extremely busy restoring and undertaking improvements on our europlus customers’ cars so as far as we are concerned we are feeding this What’s the right balance between business acumen and emotion great community who, like us, want to ensure the Porsche marque when it comes to buying a classic car? is preserved. Most importantly, we want to encourage people to get It depends on your motivation for buying. Are you buying as an out and drive! investment or are you an enthusiast for whom driving pleasure is AIRPORT CAR HIRE CAR HIRE VEHICLE TECHNICAL EXPERIENCED the key factor? Give some idea of the typical person who walks into your shop, PARKING EXCESS INSPECTION ADVICE DRIVER interested in buying? What knowledge level do they have? & HOTELS INSURANCE ASSESSMENT Do you allow buyers to carry out the same pre-purchase We have a diverse range of customers, some who are interested in 15% discount at Flexible Autos provide our GEM members can save Nationwide vehicle Free help and advice Find out if your driving technical checks encouraged for more modern vehicles? buying a classic but most who are looking to undertake works on participating car parks and members with a great deal 20% on car hire excess inspections with a 10% from our vehicle expert skills are still up to scratch. As a respected specialist we ensure that we are always transparent their Porsche. We offer everything from full restoration through to hotels. Plus 10% discount and 15% discount off car insurance. If you’re charged discount for GEM members on any problems you are 1 hour appraisal (no pass about the cars for sale, providing a full technical specification and engine rebuilds, suspension, machining, wheel refurbishment and off all UK airport lounges hire price an excess for any hire car from DEKRA Expert Vehicle experiencing with your car or fail test) of your driving history file. Customers are welcome to undertake an independent interior trimming. Most of our customers are pretty knowledgeable Call APH 01342 859536 Call 0800 25 45 101 damage, you’ll be able to Inspections Call 01342 825676 by a Class 1 Police Driver. Quote GEM Quote GEM Motoring claim for the sums involved Call 0800 334 5678 motoringassist.com/ Suitable for any age driver inspection if they wish. about their cars, and may even work on them at home themselves. aph.com/gem Assist. motoringassist. Visit motoringassist. dekra-expert.co.uk/ technical-queries Call 0121 248 2099 com/carhire com/carhireexcess GEM motoringassist.com/ Are there ways of getting an idea about the possible future value To what extent will modern technology and trends help to turn Enter code: FCH603P Quote ‘GEMDiscount’ driver-assessment of a classic car? classic cars more into static pieces of art? You can keep an eye on past trends but second guessing future I can appreciate that not all classic car buyers want to drive the trends is never an exact science. For instance, the rarity of some cars. Some are interested in growing a collection, most of which marques will make them more valuable but this won’t necessarily will never be driven. In its own way this still helps to preserve the MEDICAL HEALTH FREE EYE apply to all. If a model’s value has been rapidly increasing, the marque but we do like to see Porsches out on the road! And that’s SERVICES INSURANCE TESTS chances are that it will stabilise at some point. why we do what we do. For a free information Specially arranged Free eye test and other Why do some classic cars increase in value more than others? Give us three tips for a first-time classic car buyer: pack and quotation discounted rates for GEM savings with Vison Express. Some marques, like Ferrari, are much more sought after since they First of all, determine what type of buyer you are. Are you in it contact HMCA Members from The Health Visit motoringassist. GOOD MOTORING ROAD SAFETY LEAFLETS Call 01423 866985 Insurance Group com/visionexpress have a cult following. The production was relatively low volume for the investment or are you a pure enthusiast. Or a combination Lively and entertaining quarterly GEM’s road safety charity publishes a Quote GEM For a personal quote to register for your magazine full of useful wide range of leaflets on subjects such as compared to Chevrolet for example, which were mass produced. of the two? Do you want to buy a car outright or would you like motoringassist.com/ ring 01273 889590 vouchers information and articles on personal safety, courtesy, winter driving, Popularity can be affected by media, endorsement by celebrities to commission a restoration? If you are an enthusiast, then buy/ hmca Quote GEM motoring, travel and road safety and safe cycling. These are available free to etc. restore what you can, within your means. Ensure that you do your members and the general public on request homework and find a specialist who has a good pedigree. If you How do you see the classic car market developing? are looking for the investment then there are more questions to be As long as there is passion for classics, there will always be a asked around whether it is worthwhile investing in the restoration, GEM Motoring Assist is unable to accept liability for any loss or suffering in relation to goods or services provided by third party companies or organisations. vibrant market. Values will continue to rise overall, although we which models are likely to increase in value etc. Part of are now seeing prices start to normalise and not continue to rise at IF YOU’D LIKE MORE INFORMATION your subscription goes towards the rapid rate that they had been in the last few years. n canfordclassics.co.uk, 01929 472221 Contact us by email at [email protected] or call the membership office on01342 825 676 (9am –5pm, Mon –Fri) funding valuable where our helpful staff are on hand to answer your enquiry. Alternatively, visit our website on motoringassist.com road safety initiatives 66 www.motoringassist.com GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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GEM Motoring Assist is unable to accept liability for any loss or suffering in relation to goods or services provided by third party companies or organisations.

Part of IF YOU’D LIKE MORE INFORMATION your subscription goes towards Contact us by email at [email protected] or call the membership office on 01342 825 676 (9am –5pm, Mon –Fri) funding valuable where our helpful staff are on hand to answer your enquiry. Alternatively, visit our website on motoringassist.com road safety initiatives GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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