There are many different factors that may affect you when driving during the Christmas period. You and your vehicle both need to be in a roadworthy condition, remembering that the weather and road conditions can also play a huge role when driving! It is especially important during the winter months that you plan your journeys and make sure you are prepared.

You can always tell it’s nearly Christmas when it becomes frosty and your car is iced over in the morning. Just like your vehicle there is a chance that there is ice on the roads too, so you should drive cautiously, particularly if the weather is poor and your visibility is reduced. Always clear your windscreen and windows fully before setting off.

Make sure you are prepared for breaking down - have a mobile with sufficient battery life and contact numbers in case of a breakdown, some snacks, a hot drink and a blanket. 

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! Around the festive season drink driving increases to the highest degree. Don’t earn yourself up to a £5000 fine, a minimum driving ban of 12 months and a criminal record - it’s just not worth it! The electronic road signs are brilliant for displaying safety messages and advising us ‘DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE’ and this reminder is particularly used in the winter months, as people drink tremendous amounts of alcohol in this holiday period, whether it be at the Christmas work party or just a night out with friends, after all ‘tis the season to be jolly.

The official legal limit for drivers in GB is: 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood and 107 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine. However, any amount of alcohol will affect your driving whether you are over the limit or not, so it is advisable that if you are driving not to consume any alcohol at all, after all you don’t want to run the risk of putting yourself or others in danger.

 There is no definitive way to stay below the limit as alcohol affects us all differently depending on your weight, age, gender, metabolism speed, stress level, recent food consumption and the type of alcohol you’re drinking. And even if you are below the limit your reaction time would have still been reduced, thus disorientating your judgement. Don’t run the risk. Organise a designated driver, arrange a lift, find a local taxi number or find out what local public transport you can take before you go out and if you do arrange a designated driver don’t offer or tempt them to drink.

Even if you’re not driving, ensure that the person that is driving hasn't been drinking either. You should also be careful when driving the day after a night out, since if you have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol there’s a good chance you’ll still be over the limit the next day, this is because alcohol takes time to work through your system, and no amount of coffee or food will sober you up. If you are ever in doubt, don’t drive.

DON’T DRIVE TIRED! Throughout the Christmas period many of us drive for a long period of time to visit family or go away on holiday. You should never start any trip, especially a long one, if you’re already tired. You should always plan your journey to include at least a 15 minute break approx every 2 hours and just remember that if you are getting up earlier than you typically do you may become fatigued before you would usually. If you do start to feel tired, find the nearest safe place to stop and have a rest, drink a high-caffeine drink and allow at least 10 minutes for the caffeine to kick in before setting off again. However, you shouldn't use caffeine as a substitute for sleep, only sleep will really cure tiredness – a caffeine drink or a nap is only a short term solution.

TIP – If the journey is excessively long, consider having more than one driver and take it in shifts to drive.

The congestion charge is the daily charge for qualifying vehicles being used in Central London between 7am and 6pm which is imposed by Transport for London (TfL). For details on where and when the congestion zone is see the TfL website: www.tfl.gov.uk

Here are a few tips to help you beat the congestion charge...
Buy a ‘Greener Car’ If you drive in the congestion charge zone at the specified times every day, then there is a substantial amount of savings to be made if you opt to buy a “charge free” vehicle. As it stands the congestion charge is £10 a day, if you work Monday – Friday and travel in the specified times then that’s a saving of around £2600 a year!

Any car which emits less than 100g/km of CO2 and meets the Euro 5 standard for air quality qualifies for a 100% discount, however you must register the vehicle with TfL prior to entering the congestion zone. If you are unsure of how much CO2 your vehicle emits refer to your vehicle’s registration document (V5C). Any vehicle registered after 1st January 2011 is required to meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality. Please note: some vehicles registered before 01/01/2011 may meet Euro 5 standards, for a full list of Greener Vehicles see: www.tfl.gov.uk

Alternatively, you could buy an electric vehicle as these are also exempt from the congestion charge. The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA and have the fuel type as ‘electric’ on the registration document. On the other hand, buy a plug-in-hybrid that is on the TfL approved list e.g. Citroen CZero, Peugeot iOn & the Renault Fluence ZE.

Change Payment Method The congestion charge is paid per day that you enter the zone, no matter how many times you enter or exit the zone, you only pay once. You are able to pay in advance, on the day of travel or at an additional charge the day after. If you fail to pay by midnight on the subsequent day after travel, you will incur a penalty charge.

- If you pay on the day or up to 90 days before the day of travel then the congestion charge is £10 per day.
- If you pay the following day after travel the charge is £12.

However, if you pay using the Auto Pay system through Transport for London the daily charge is £9.

By using the Auto Pay system you could potentially save £260 per year, based on travelling in the congestion zone every Mon- Fri.

AVOID PENALTIES By signing up to the Auto Pay system you will avoid incurring penalties as this is automatically taken from your account at the end of each month. If you don’t pay the congestion charge before midnight the day after travelling then you will receive a £120 penalty charge, which is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Everyone undoubtedly loves the convenience of having a car but how much do you really value it?

The common saying: ‘You don’t appreciate what you’ve got till it’s gone’ is definitely the case with your car. It’s not until you have lost it for a day or two in the garage that you realise how much easier it makes every day living! Without your car you become a burden to your friends and family, relying on them to give you lifts. If you don’t burden your friends and family then you rely on public transport which in honesty isn’t reliable, and waiting around in the British weather isn’t pleasant at all, especially with the recent winter conditions.

How long have you had your car? A couple of years possibly, 5 years or maybe even 10 years or longer. Many of us will run our vehicles until they will no longer go anymore. Racking up hundreds of thousands of miles on the odometer and keep them running until the repairs are no longer economical. However, you would be surprised by the amount of people who wish to continue with the repairs despite how uneconomical they are, reluctant to give up on their trusted friend... now that is loyalty!

LOOK AFTER YOUR CAR AND IT WILL LOOK AFTER YOU
The majority of us will use our vehicle every day, so treat it! Take your loyal companion that helps you every day, for its annual car service *. Taking your car for its annual service is the equivalent to a day at the spa or a day off of work to relax - it will come out running more smoothly and efficiently. Without the annual service & MOT your ‘dependable friend’ could become untrustworthy. If you feel your vehicle cannot guarantee the safety of yourself or those travelling with you, you should take it for a health check at your local garage.
So how much do you really love your car?

  * Service schedules are based on the mileage and age of vehicle, whichever occurs first - see your manufacturer’s guide or contact your local garage for details.

We are all looking for ways to cut our expenses; therefore we've compiled a list of cars that are currently road tax free, see below for details...

TAX
Every UK registered vehicle must be taxed if it is used or kept on a public road. If the vehicle is kept off-road it must be taxed or a SORN declaration must be completed (Statutory Off Road Notification). If you fail to have your vehicle taxed or SORN then it could be clamped, impounded or even crushed, you'll also receive an automatic penalty of £80 and a minimum fine of £1000.

To tax your car you'll need the licence renewal notice or your registration certificate (V5C) with the new keeper's section filled out if you've just bought the vehicle, a valid MOT test certificate (for vehicles older than 3 years old) & valid insurance cover. You'll also need the fee for your tax, which is dependent on which tax band your vehicle sits in. Tax is calculated by the amount of CO2 your vehicle emits (applies to vehicles registered from 1st March 2001). See below for Tax free vehicles and for further information see the Direct Gov website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle

A valid tax disc must always be displayed in your vehicle, on the passenger side of the vehicle's windscreen.  If you fail to display a current tax disc you could be subjected to a penalty fine of up to £200 - there is an exemption for vehicles that are taxed online allowing ample time for the tax disc to arrive in the post, this is till the 5th working day of the month, but this exemption only applies if you apply for the tax before the current tax disc runs out.

Lastly, don't forget to inform the DVLA if you sell, scrap, transfer or export your car, otherwise you'll still be held responsible for taxing the vehicle even though you no longer have it.

TAX BANDS
Your vehicle's Road Tax is priced according to when the vehicle was registered and which Tax Band your vehicle sits in. If your vehicle was registered before 1st March 2001 then your tax will be based on the vehicle's engine size i.e. for vehicles that have an engine size smaller than 1549 cc your tax will be £135.00 per year, for vehicles with an engine size greater than this it'll be £220.00 per year.

For cars that are registered on or after 1st March 2001 your road tax will be based on the fuel type and CO2 emissions. Vehicles with CO2 emissions lower than 100 g/km are in Tax Band A which is free of charge, see below for a list of vehicles. Vehicles with alternative fuel types i.e. LPG may be discounted. For vehicles that are registered on or after 1st April 2010 a lower 1st year road tax rate is applicable, for a full list of tax bands and details visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/

FRENCH ‘TAX BAND A' VEHICLES

Click the models for details

CITROEN C1 (April 2012)

- 1.0i 68 Petrol, 3 door - CO2 emissions: 99

- 1.0i 68 Petrol, 5 door - CO2 emissions: 99

CITROEN C3

- E-Hdi 70 Airdream EGS, 1398 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 87

- E-Hdi 110 Airdream, 1560 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 99

- E-Hdi 90 Airdream, 1560 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 98

- Hdi 70, 1398 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 99

CITROEN C4

- E-Hdi 110 Airdream EGS6, 1560 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 98

CITROEN DS3

- E-Hdi 90 Airdream, 1560 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 95

CITROEN DS3

- E-Hdi 110 Airdream, 1560 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 99


PEUGEOT 207 (August 2009 onwards)

- 1.6 Hdi (Diesel) FAP (92 bhp) Oxygo - CO2 emissions: 98

RENAULT CLIO

- 1.5 Dci 88 ECO, 1461 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 94

RENAULT MEGANE

- Coupe: Dci 110 Stop Start, 1461 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 90

- Hatchback: Dci 110 Stop Start, 1461 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 90

- Sport Tourer (2011): Dci 110 Stop Start, 1461 Diesel - CO2 emissions: 90

For a detailed list of other vehicles that are exempt from road tax see: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/TaxationClasses

Road Tax Band B vehicles are free for the first year, then £20 p/year thereafter. For a list of Tax band B vehicles go to the Direct Gov Website.

Having a holiday can require a lot of preparation and planning so take away one of the stresses by planning your airport run in advance.

Each method of travel has its own awkward and time-wasting components, which we all try to avoid when taking a holiday, see below for assistance on planning yours.

AIRPORT RUNS - BE ONE STEP AHEAD!
DRIVING
Pros
The biggest bonus for driving yourself is that you can pack your car the day before, which will give you ample time on the day of travel to get other things organised. By driving to the airport you can leave at whichever time suits you best and take the journey at your own pace. If necessary, this allows you to travel from door-to-door to collect other holiday makers with ease, allowing yourself and your passengers time to relax and listen to your own music or play games with the children.

Another advantage to driving yourself is that if you have any delays on your return flight then you are able to just head home straight away without the fuss of organising alternative transport which will only lengthen your stay at the airport.


Cons
As you are driving yourself you won’t be able to drink on the plane or at the airport on return, so if you struggle with flight anxiety you may want to take an alternative method of transport. You’ll also need to be able to keep alert after being jet lagged, so be prepared for this.

Another downside is that airport parking is generally very expensive. To avoid the expenses of parking you could use alternative parking companies other than the airports as these may be cheaper. However, these car parks tend to be located off-site meaning that you will need to take the free bus from the car park to the terminal, adding time to your journey. Or you could ask a family member or friend that isn’t going on the holiday to give you a lift rather than drive yourself, thus having the benefits of driving but not the worries.

TAXI
Pros
Taxis can be a useful service as they’ll pick you and your fellow holiday makers up at any time you request, they can also offer a handy door-to-door service as well. Most taxi companies will have mini buses/multi-seater vehicles so that if there is a big group of you travelling or you have a lot of luggage then there is ample room for you to pack all of your belongings in the taxi. Without the stress of driving you can relax on the journey.

Taxis can be arranged to pick you up for when you arrive back and if there are delays you just need to phone ahead to inform them. Many taxi companies will actually check up on your flight times if you inform them of the details.

Cons
If the journey is far from the airport then a taxi can be a costly alternative. You can usually reduce this cost however, by booking both journeys to and from the airport at a fixed price prior to leaving. Another disadvantage is that some taxis will have a limited space to pack your luggage and unlike driving you won’t be able to pack the day prior to leaving. Also, not to forget, if you are travelling with young children you’ll need to be prepared with a car seat and a place to store it once you’ve arrived at the airport.


COACH AND BUS
Pros
The main bonus about travelling by coach is that they will usually drop you off directly at one of the terminals, which means you shouldn’t have too far to travel with your luggage or children. Another pro is the cost of coach travel, it is generally an inexpensive option, leaving you with more spending money for your holiday.


Cons
The downside to travelling by coach is that you will have to get to the pick-up point. Depending on the time of travel and where this pickup point is in relation to your house it can be difficult to get to and costly. Also, because coaches are timetable based, you’ll need to schedule your travel around this, consequently this could entail a long wait at the airport especially if there is a delay to your flights.

One more disadvantage is the luggage space provided by coaches, if you are taking a large amount of luggage or have larger items e.g. skis, then it could prove difficult to pack them onto the coach so you’ll need to inform the coach company before hand to check that they’ll actually take these.

Coaches are also likely to stop off at several points throughout your journey, meaning this can be a much slower trip, so you’ll need to leave home much earlier. They can also be very uncomfortable and difficult if you have children as there may not be any available seats in close proximity to each other.

It’s getting to that time of the year when the weather is perfect for a great family day out or holiday and that includes the family pet. Many of us aren’t aware of the risks we are taking when travelling with pets or leaving them in the vehicle. Just by taking a few precautions you can save a lot of hassle and in some cases lives!

There is guidance in the Highway Code relating to travelling with animals, which is as follows:

Rule 57 “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

Securing your animal in your car There are a number of different ways you can restrain your pet comfortably but securely whilst travelling, which will ensure the safety of you, your passengers and the animal itself.

 Fact:  A dog could have the weight equivalent of a baby elephant when being thrown forwards in an accident situation.

This is why it is imperative to secure your animal correctly and securely as this could result in serious injuries or even death.

Travelling containers/crates/carrier boxes are the most popular use of restraints when transporting domestic animals. When transporting a pet in one of these you must ensure that the animal has enough room to sit, stand up and lie down fully and be able to move around freely.  You should also make sure that your animal can see outside the container and that there is sufficient ventilation and airflow.  Bedding that doesn’t slip should be placed on the floor of the container also.

Popular harnesses for dogs are the extended seat belt restraints. If you use this method, you need the correctly sized restraint for your dog and need to fit it correctly otherwise they’ll not be securely or comfortably held.

Not only is it important to have your dog secured in case of an accident but it’s essential to prevent the animal being a distraction to you or other road users. E.g. if your dog is hanging out the window this could distract another road user causing them to crash.

Pet travel sickness Alike to us, animals can get travel sickness too. Not only is this unpleasant for your dog but your passengers too, to prevent this don’t feed your animal a big meal before travel and perhaps give them something to chew on or a toy to distract them from the motion of the journey. Most animals will become accustomed to travelling after a few journeys, however if they persist to get ill consult your vet.

When travelling with your animal always keep a bottle of water and a small bowl to hand in order to keep your pet hydrated sufficiently. When a dog is under stress they are likely to pant excessively and because dogs use panting to keep themselves cool, they will lose heat and hydration, so by keeping some water handy you can keep your dog content. Also stopping for a drink occasionally on a long journey will give your dog a chance to walk about and stretch – and I’m sure you’ll welcome this too!

DON’T LEAVE YOUR PET IN YOUR VEHICLE
A common mistake many pet owner’s make is to leave their animal in the vehicle whilst they ‘just’ pop into the shops. It is important that you do not under any circumstances leave your animal in the vehicle even if you do leave the windows open a couple of inches.

We all know how hot your vehicle can get when you first get into it on a hot summers day. Surprisingly, the temperature in your vehicle can soar to as high as 47°c on a hot day. You wouldn’t want to endure such heat in a confined space with hardly any or no air ventilation, so why allow your pet to? Pets have died from being left in cars, so not only is it unfair to your pet, but you can also face prosecution and/or a fine for neglect to animals.

Insuring your vehicle is becoming increasingly more expensive and in some instances is more expensive than the cost of the vehicle itself. You should always consider the cost of the insurance when you’re thinking of buying a vehicle...

CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAR
To begin with, the cost of your insurance will initially depend on what vehicle you have, the engine size and value of the vehicle. Generally, if the vehicle is considered as a desirable vehicle, thus at high risk of theft, the insurance will be more expensive. The larger the engine size and the more the vehicle is worth the higher the insurance will be.

SHOP AROUND
When insuring your vehicle you should always search around for the best deal. Although this can be time consuming and tedious you could potentially save hundreds in the end, so it’s definitely worth it! If you have access to the internet, why not try online comparison sites for example, www.bewiser.co.uk, www.gocompare.com, www.comparethemarket.com, www.confused.com etc. which are regularly advertised on TV. It may also be beneficial to go to some insurance companies direct as they may not feature on such comparison sites i.e. www.directline.com. Please ensure that you check the authenticity of an insurance provider before signing up to them, as many people, particularly young, are being ‘hooked in’ by low premiums only to find that they aren’t actually insured and have also lost their money.

NOTE: If your insurance is up for renewal it is advisable that you shop around for a better deal elsewhere before signing up for another year with the same insurance provider – most insurers will provide their best offers to new customers.

YOUR INSURANCE POLICY
You can reduce the cost of your insurance by agreeing to pay a higher excess should you ever need to make a claim, as will agreeing to a limited amount of miles each year – you must not exceed the agreed mileage though as this will invalidate your policy. Even changing the method of payment for the insurance can reduce the cost, usually opting to pay annually rather than in monthly instalments will work out cheaper, also giving you ample time throughout the year to save up for next year’s annual premium.

Storing your vehicle in a garage when it is not in use can reduce your insurance premiums, though if you are not able to keep it in a garage some insurers may discount your policy for other security devices, so be sure to ask the provider what these are. Even having the car parked on a driveway instead of the road can reduce the policy cost.

On the other hand, many people search for insurance based mainly on the price however, you should always verify what the policy coverage is, as you may end up paying more in excess premiums than necessary if you ever need to claim. If you have accumulated years of no claims discount it’s advisable that you have no claims discount protection on your policy, as the discount can considerably reduce the cost of your insurance and without protection you’re at risk of losing it if you should ever change insurers.

OTHER DRIVERS AND YOUR POLICY
If you are a parent you should resist the appeal to add your children to your insurance policy. As an additional driver they won’t build up a no claims discount, which will only delay their first few years of high insurance expenses until later and usually adding inexperienced drivers to your policy will raise the cost of your insurance as well.

Especially if you are new to driving, insurance can be very expensive so consider adding your parents/guardians or partner, who already drives, to your policy. This can drastically reduce your insurance cost however, before you add anyone to the policy you should always check with the insurance provider that you still qualify for a no claims discount.

TIP – You can reduce your insurance by taking advanced driving courses e.g. Pass Plus, got to www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers for more information on taking the pass plus course.

THE VEHICLE If you haven't got your own vehicle yet see our article on buying your first vehicle to find a car that suits you. Once you've bought a car you will need to get used to how it drives. We would recommend going out on quiet roads, out of peak times, to become accustomed to the new vehicle before driving in busy traffic - don't forget to adjust the mirrors and seat before you set off and ensure you have enough fuel to get you to and from your destination.

You should maintain and service your vehicle correctly, the service schedules are based on the age and mileage of the vehicle, see your car's manufacturers guide for details or contact your local garage. Make sure the tyre treads are legal and the tyre pressures are correct - this includes having a legal spare tyre. Ensure all the lights are working before heading off and if the weather conditions are poor make sure your windows are clear before moving. If you are ever in doubt of the safety of your vehicle seek advice from your local garage.

You are legally required to have a valid MOT, road tax and insurance on your vehicle which needs to be renewed every year.

For advice on driving in poor weather conditions see our blog: Vehicle winter checks and tips

READ THE ROAD AHEAD
Make sure you are extra vigilant when driving. Drivers of all different ages and driving experience are on the roads with you. Take some of the following precautions when driving:

- Maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front as this will give you more time to react to anything that happens ahead. For example, if the driver in front slams their brakes on then you have a time advantage and are less likely to hit into the back of them. Being able to brake in time instead of swerving the vehicle will prevent the possibility of you losing control of the vehicle. If someone is tailgating you stay calm and pull over when it is safe if you feel necessary to do so.

- Recognise and anticipate potential hazards before they develop. E.g. if you are coming up to a set of traffic lights and they turn red you should begin to slow down within plenty of time. You shouldn't need to brake heavily when the car in front slows down or once you are really close to the lights. By doing this you are driving economically and will cut down your fuel expenses, see our blog for further information on driving economically. Another example would be when the traffic lights turn green check that the intersection is clear before you go, another driver could have skipped a red light and could be driving in your direction.

- Mirrors, ensure that you check your mirrors when you change speed and direction.

IN-CAR DISTRACTIONS
Avoid having any distractions in your vehicle. You shouldn't drink or eat whilst driving or use your mobile phone, to prevent your phone from being a distraction you could consider turning it on silent. As a new driver even loud music can be distracting so whilst you are becoming familiar to the vehicle you could consider turning the radio down or off until you are completely comfortable with driving.

Driving with a group of friends can be off-putting even for the most experienced of drivers. You should experience driving on your own and/or with a responsible adult before giving lifts to friends.

ARE YOU IN THE RIGHT CONDITION TO DRIVE?
Before setting off on any journey, however short, you should always be in a good driving condition. So if you have had an argument with someone or are upset it is advisable that you don't drive as your judgement may be misguided. If you feel tired or feel yourself becoming drowsy whilst driving you should pull over at the next service station or next safe place to have a high-caffeine drink and a rest.

Although by law you are legally able to drive with a small amount of alcohol consumption we'd recommend not driving at all if you've been drinking. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect your reaction time and judgement.

For more advice on drink and tired driving see our blog: Driving in the festive season

 BAD DRIVING HABITS
Try to avoid picking up bad habits, you should comply with all traffic rules i.e. wearing a seatbelt, sticking to the speed limits, stopping at red lights and giving way at junctions etc.

Make sure all your passengers are also buckled up before you pull away.

ACCIDENTS
Vehicle shunts, crashes and breakdowns are inevitable, no matter how responsible you are. In case of an emergency you should keep the following items in your car:

- A phone with a substantial amount of battery
- Emergency phone numbers: Parents/Next of Kin & break down recovery
- Insurance details
- First aid kit
- Bottled water and long-life food
- Torch and extra batteries
- Blanket/jumper
- Money

If you are going on a long or over-night journey you should always tell someone where you are travelling to.
REMEMBER the more driving experience you have, the more you will increase in confidence and improve.

To begin with, congratulations for passing your driving test! You are now able to join the millions of people already on the roads. But remember, whether you passed first time or took a few attempts as a new driver you still have a lot to learn. You are most probably feeling excited, anxious or even scared about driving independently but don't worry this is normal - check out the below tips to help keep you safe.

Buying a new car in the UK

Twice a year the vehicle registration plates change (March and September) which causes the vehicles with the ‘old’ plates to be reduced in price. Therefore you have two opportunities a year (February and August), to grab yourself a good deal on a 1 year old car! Dealers will drop the price of the vehicles with the old registration plates as they are then classed as ‘dated’ – making room for the vehicles with the new registration.

SHOULD YOU WAIT FOR THE NEW NUMBER PLATES TO BE ISSUED TO BUY? The car dealers will see a boost in sales in March and September as many people will want to be seen driving vehicles with the new registration plates. If you are fortunate enough to have a large amount of expendable income and wish to have the latest gadgets then waiting for the new number plate to come out would be the best time to buy for you.  However, if you want a cheaper alternative to a new car then it is advisable to wait till February or August each year to buy a vehicle that has the ‘older’ registration plate.

REGISTRATION PLATES EXPLAINED Recently the registration plate system changed, the new plates are for example: XX12 XXX

- The first two letters represent where the vehicle was registered.
- The 3rd and 4th digits are numbers which identify what age the vehicle is:

If the vehicle was registered in March it would be the year e.g. XX12 XXX. However if the vehicle was registered in September it would be the year + 50 e.g. XX62 XXX

- The last three letters is a randomised combination which is collated when the vehicle is registered.

The old registration system explained
Example: X000 XXX

- The first letter identifies the age of the vehicle e.g. A = 1962 to 1963, B = 1963 – 1964, C = 1964 – 1965 and so on. The number plates changed each year in August until 1999 when it was then changed every 6 months.
- The three numbers and one letter from the final three are a random combination which is assembled when the vehicle is registered.
- Two of the final three letters represent where the vehicle was registered. 

WHAT VEHICLE WOULD BEST SUIT YOU?
First of all, before you start looking for a vehicle to buy, you should establish what you want from the vehicle and what you want the vehicle for - will you be buying the vehicle for the aesthetics or the practicality of it?

Before buying a vehicle, take the following questions into consideration...

DO YOU WANT A NEW OR USED VEHICLE?
NEW:
- If you are buying a new vehicle you should shop on price - every new vehicle will have similar guarantees and warranty wherever you buy it.
- To validate the warranty you must have the car serviced to the manufacturer's specification and at the specified time and mileage intervals.

NOTE - independent garages are generally cheaper for repairs and maintenance. Due to the Block Exemption Regulation they will not invalidate your warranty, therefore you are now not obliged to return your vehicle to the dealer during the warranty period.

USED:
- When buying a used vehicle you should always buy it locally, this is because if you incur any problems with the vehicle you should be able to easily access the previous owner.
- If the vehicle is sold with service & maintenance history, ensure that the paperwork is present before buying - don't give the seller the option to ‘send the paper work later'. Try to obtain the manufacturer's guide and service book also.
- Ensure the spare wheel and jack is present when purchasing the vehicle, these are often removed from the vehicle during the valet and sometimes not returned to the vehicle. Ask for the locking wheel nut key as well.
- Always ask if the car has been in any accidents, the seller is not required to disclose this information if you don't ask.
- Try to get a spare key for the vehicle and the security & radio code.
- Find out if the vehicle has been HPI checked - you don't want any outstanding payments from the previous owner(s) moved into your name.
- The best time to buy a newer used car is when it is about 3 years old, this is because the price would have significantly reduced from its initial bought price, yet it would have still been maintained correctly to validate its warranty.

IS IT FOR SOCIAL OR BUSINESS USE?
Whether you are using it for social or business, you may use the vehicle for commuting into London. As of the 3rd January 2012 the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) criteria will change, if your vehicle is not compliant with the criteria you will face a penalty charge every time you enter the zone - the emissions criteria is based on the age, weight and type of vehicle - usually only commercial & light commercial vehicles are affected. Click here to find out if the vehicle you're considering is compliant.

DO YOU WANT A VAN OR CAR?
If you will use the vehicle for a trade you will most likely require a van or a van derived car i.e. the Citroen Berlingo Multispace. This vehicle is ideal for people who may need the boot space for their business but alternatively need seats for passengers from time to time. On the other hand, for someone who will only use the vehicle for social use and possibly commuting you'll most likely require a car.

HOW MANY DOORS & SEATS DO YOU REQUIRE?
If you have children or are thinking of starting a family you'll ideally want a vehicle that has 5 or more seats and for easier accessibility a 5 door vehicle would be more suitable.

DO YOU NEED BOOT SPACE?
Boot space can be essential for a family, for someone who has pets or someone who regularly carries a load, ensure to take this into consideration before you buy a vehicle.

WHAT TRANSMISSION DO YOU WANT - MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC?
If you learnt to drive in a manual vehicle it is advisable that your first vehicle is manual and that you drive a manual for at least a year after passing, this is so you are completely competent and gain more experience driving a manual before changing to its automatic counterpart.

WHAT ENGINE SIZE?
If you're a young driver and/or have only recently passed your test, a vehicle with a small engine would be advisable as your insurance will be cheaper - consider adding your parent/guardian/partner, who already drives, to the policy as a ‘named driver' as this can drastically reduce the cost of your insurance. However, before adding anyone as a ‘named driver' to the policy you should inform the insurance provider, as you may now not qualify for a no claims discount.

WHAT FUEL TYPE?
There are a few different options - petrol, diesel, LPG, etc. If your predicted annual mileage is high this could influence the type of fuel you choose. For those who do high mileage you may consider having a dual conversion LPG vehicle which gives you the option of using either petrol or LPG, as LPG costs on average half the price of petrol & diesel, this can drastically reduce your annual fuel bill.

ADVICE ON BUYING THE VEHICLE
Before buying a vehicle once you have decided on a make and model you like, you should look at between 5 and 10 different examples of this vehicle which are in the same price range. This will give you an idea of what a good example of that particular vehicle is.

If you are ever in doubt about a cars condition you should have a general check over carried out by an independent garage before buying. They will give you impartial advice, and the seller should be more than happy to allow another garage to look over the vehicle if it is in good condition. Although a vehicle may have an MOT certificate this does not certify that the vehicle is in good condition, this is ONLY a sign that the vehicle was roadworthy AT THE TIME OF TESTING.

It is advisable to buy from a dealer with a premises over a home trader, the reasoning behind this is that if a dealer has a premises and possibly a website they are less likely to move out of your area within a short period of time, thus making them more reliable to contact if there was a problem with the vehicle.

TIP - consider buying a similar vehicle to that you learnt to drive in, most makes of vehicles will have the same gadgets and feel when driving them.