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Three-quarters of UK drivers have suffered pothole damage

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An incredible 98 percent of 1,200 drivers surveyed said they believe roads in the UK to now be in a state of disrepair

A new survey suggests car enthusiasts have become nervous about driving their vehicles, due to the risk of damage from potholes. 

Insurance specialist Hagerty conducted research with 1,200 motorists to reveal their thoughts on the state of road maintenance in the UK – and the effect it has on driving habits.

Of those questioned, almost all (98 percent) said they now believed the UK’s roads to ‘be in a state of disrepair’.

Some 90 percent said they thought the condition of the country’s roads had deteriorated during the last 12 months. 

One of the survey respondents commented: “I’ve never seen our roads in such a state. It doesn’t matter if it’s a country road or a carriageway. There’s potholes everywhere and clearly it’s not just one district.“

UK drivers anxious about potholes

Hagerty Pothole Survey 2026

Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of those surveyed said they had suffered damage to their car due to hitting a pothole.

Owners of both modern and classic cars were equally concerned about potholes on British roads. 

However, those with older or rare vehicles were particularly worried, with 93 percent of classic car owners saying they were nervous about driving with the roads in their current condition. 

More than half (54 percent) of respondents said they felt ‘anxious’ about driving because of potholes, with 78 percent admitting they were ‘frustrated’ by the situation.  

With 50 percent saying they were often distracted when driving by trying to avoid potholes, the vast majority said they now used navigation apps to warn them in advance of damaged roads.

Local authorities fail to take action

Hagerty Pothole Survey 2026

Mark Roper, managing director of Hagerty UK, commented: “Our survey shows that Britain’s drivers are now fed up with the condition of our roads, with many expressing their frustrations in a very clear manner. Households are having to find money to fix damage to their cars, sometimes extensive and expensive. 

“As a company that champions cars being used and cherished by enthusiasts, it’s very concerning to hear that the state of disrepair is making owners nervous to even take their cars out”.

More than half of the drivers surveyed said they had reported potholes and damaged roads to their local council. 

Disappointingly, only seven percent said that quick action had been taken to deal with the pothole, if at all. 

Dale Keller, CEO of the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance, added: “Road safety matters to us all, yet Britain’s deteriorating road network suggests it is slipping down the list of safety priorities. 

“The Department for Transport has a Road Maintenance Ratings map intended to name and shame local authorities into improving road maintenance. However, this reactive approach misses the bigger picture. Britain must move away from a ‘fix it when it fails’ mindset.”

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Car industry calls for urgent review of electric car ZEV Mandate

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The electric car transition is not happening as quickly as expected and a review of the ZEV Mandate, currently scheduled for 2027, is urgently required, says trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

It comes as discounts on new electric vehicles offered by car manufacturers to boost customer uptake have topped £10 billion in just two years.

“The destination has not changed and will not change,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, speaking at the annual SMMT Electrified event in Westminster. The UK is currently required to achieve 100 percent new electric car sales by 2035 (with hybrid sales now permitted between 2030 and 2035).

Hawes likened it to a sat-nav rerouting – the same goal but a different route to reach it.

“The UK’s EV transition pathway was conceived with the best of intentions – but the assumptions behind it have proved over-ambitious,” he explained.

SMMT research shows that EV battery costs are 30 percent higher than anticipated, energy costs are 80 percent higher and the cost of electric cars is 17 percent higher.  

Today, the ZEV Mandate is proving “just too far ahead of the market and the consumer”.

Other major markets such as the EU, Canada and US have already altered their electric car transition plans, said Hawes.

“Recognising the world of 2026 is not the one envisaged five years ago is not a retreat from ambition. It is a necessary step to achieving it.”

ZEV Mandate misses

Kia EV3

While the SMMT is not questioning the ultimate move to electric, it is the pace of transition dictated by the ZEV Mandate that it wants action on.

The ZEV Mandate requires car firms to achieve an ever-growing proportion of new electric car sales. In 2025, the target was 28 percent – which was missed.

This year, the target is 33 percent. However, in the first two months of 2026, electric cars took a 22 percent UK market share.

In 2027, the target rises to 38 percent. Then a real cliff-edge comes in 2028, when it jumps to 52 percent.

Car firms who miss the target are fined £12,000 for every car they sell over it. In reality, none are paying fines – rather, they are heavily incentivising electric car sales. The £10 billion figure equates to a staggering £11,000 per electric car sold.

Car firms also have flexibilities based on reducing overall CO2 emissions, and can buy EV ‘credits’ from rival car companies that have a surplus – such as fully electric brands like Tesla.

However, these flexibilities are set to tail off in the coming years, with the targets becoming “unsustainable and undeliverable,” says the SMMT.

Aims for a ZEV Mandate review include easing the pace at which electric car targets increase each year, maintaining flexibilities and considering the role hybrids and plug-in hybrids can play in helping car buyers transition to fully electric cars.

Government ‘recognises challenges’

BMW iX3

Also speaking at SMMT Electrified, Keir Mather, the minister for maritime, aviation and decarbonisation, said the government “recognises the challenges” car firms are facing in meeting the ZEV Mandate.

“While the end goal remains clear, we acknowledge the need to listen to you and to be pragmatic. We’ve committed to publish a review of the Mandate early next year and we are listening and engaging with stakeholders across the industry.

“Is it ambitious? Yes, of course it is. And we as a government are committed to giving you the tools you need to make it happen.”

The work towards the review will begin this year, he confirmed, “but early 2027, we feel, is the right point to make sure that we can test properly where the pressure points lie… and make sure that it continues to work for manufacturers”.

“I’m not sure that’s exactly the response they wanted to hear,” said the SMMT Electrified host.

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New MGS9 is a bargain-priced SUV with 7 seats

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New MGS9 is a bargain-priced SUV with 7 seats

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Available to order now, prices for the MGS9 PHEV begin from £34,205, with the first examples arriving in the UK soon

MG has announced a new seven-seat SUV for the UK market, with the launch of the plug-in hybrid MGS9. 

The car is already available to order, with the first examples expected in MG dealerships later this month. 

The MGS9 joins the growing ranks of Chinese-made three-row SUVs, taking on the recently announced Jaecoo 8 SHS-P, along with the Chery Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9. 

Representing MG’s first seven-seat family SUV, prices for the new MGS9 will start from £34,205, rising to £36,945. 

MG has yet to confirm specifications for the UK market, but it promises a comprehensive level of equipment.

Seven seats and a big boot

2026 MGS9 PHEV SUV

Included as standard on the MGS9 are leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control and seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions.

Full details of the MGS9’s interior are still to be revealed. However, the related Australian-market MG QS boasts a pair of 12.3-inch display screens, along with physical buttons for key infotainment functions.

With all three rows of seats in place, the MGS9 provides 332 litres of luggage space – equivalent to a typical family hatchback

Folding down all the rear seats increases cargo capacity to more than 1,000 litres, which MG says is ideal for ‘luggage, pets, pushchairs or anything else that family life demands’.

The MGS9 makes use of the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as the existing MG HS. This combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, drawing power from a 27.4kWh battery.

Fully charged, MG claims the MGS9 can cover 62 miles on electric power alone.

MGS9 brings ‘innovation and exceptional value’

2026 MGS9 PHEV SUV

David Allison, MG UK director of product and planning, said: “The launch of the MGS9 PHEV represents a significant milestone for MG, marking our entry into the seven-seat SUV segment and further strengthening our position in the large SUV market.

“As a vehicle that is both longer and taller than the MG HS, the all-new MGS9 PHEV delivers enhanced presence and versatility, offering the flexibility of a third row to meet the evolving needs of modern families and lifestyle-driven customers.

“Combining an excellent electric range and strong efficiency with an elevated level of specification and refinement, the all-new MGS9 PHEV continues MG’s commitment to delivering accessible innovation and exceptional value within a highly competitive seven-seat SUV segment.”

Full UK specifications will be confirmed later this month, when the MGS9 PHEV becomes available in dealerships.

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New Audi RS3 Competition Limited is a £93,000 hot hatch

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The Audi RS3 Sportback Competition Limited can deliver a top speed of 180mph, thanks to the 400hp five-cylinder turbo engine

Audi is commemorating five decades of its famous five-cylinder engine with arguably the ultimate hot hatchback

The Audi RS3 Competition Limited is, as its name suggests, a limited edition. A total of 750 examples will be sold globally, with the UK allocated just 11 cars. 

Also, while other markets will be offered the 400hp RS3 Competition Limited in saloon guise, British enthusiasts can only order the Sportback (hatchback) version. 

New suspension, additional carbon fibre bodywork and a host of bespoke details all help mark out this celebratory Audi special.

The price to own a tribute to one of Audi’s most revered engines? A not-inconsiderable £92,855 – or over £20,000 more than the most expensive ‘standard’ RS3.

Five decades of five cylinders

2026 Audi RS3 Competition Limited

Audi first fitted its five-cylinder engine in the second-generation 100 saloon. Its unusual design was chosen as a best-of-both-worlds solution between the usual four or six cylinders. 

The addition of a five-cylinder engine to the original Quattro created a legendary combination, powering Audi to multiple World Rally Championship victories. 

Audi is well aware of the emotional connection enthusiasts have with the five-cylinder engine, so the RS3 Competition Limited comes with a variable RS sports exhaust system. Reduced insulation on the firewall allows more engine sound into the cabin, too. 

There is no extra power compared to a standard RS3, meaning the Competition Limited serves up 400hp and 369lb ft of torque. That is sufficient for 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, plus a top speed raised to 180mph.

Suspension spanners included

2026 Audi RS3 Competition Limited

Most notably, the RS3 Competition Limited gains motorsport-style coilover suspension. This features twin-tube dampers, with the front pair using external reservoirs. A special tool kit will be provided to adjust the car’s damping to suit the driver’s preference – or indeed the road/track conditions.

A stiffer rear anti-roll bar is added to make this hottest hatchback even more agile, complemented by standard torque-vectoring Quattro all-wheel drive.

Carbon-ceramic brakes with red calipers nestle behind 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, which are painted in matte Neodymium Gold. 

Matte-finished carbon fibre is used for a new set of front bumper canards, along with the larger rear spoiler, side skirts and rear diffuser trim.

When locking or unlocking the car, the Matrix LED headlights’ segments illuminate in a 1-2-4-5-3 pattern – a nerdy nod to the five-cylinder engine’s firing order.

A £93,000 anniversary present

2026 Audi RS3 Competition Limited

All 11 cars destined for the UK will be painted in Malachite Green, a hue used on the classic Audi Sport Quattro, combined with retro-style Audi Sport exterior badges. 

The RS3’s interior is finished in a combination of black, Neodymium Gold and Ginger White, with RS bucket seats clad in Dinamica microfibre upholstery. Rear passengers can admire the matte carbon fibre shells of the front seats.

Other special features include a limited edition serial number on the centre console, along with white digital instrument dials – inspired by the classic Audi RS2 Avant.

With the substantial price tag, the RS3 Competition Limited is clearly for ardent Audi Sport fans only. Orders for one of the 11 cars are open now, with deliveries expected before the end of 2026.

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New 666hp Porsche Cayenne S joins electric SUV range

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The new Porsche Cayenne S Electric is on sale now, with UK prices beginning from £99,900

Porsche has revealed the latest addition to its Cayenne Electric lineup – and the Cayenne S could potentially be the sweet spot in the range.

The new Cayenne S Electric delivers 544hp from a twin-motor electric drivetrain, or a devilish 666hp when its driver pushes the ‘Sport Response’ overboost button.

The Cayenne S is positioned between the standard Cayenne Electric and flagship Turbo Electric in the luxury SUV’s range hierarchy. 

Using launch control blasts the Cayenne S Electric from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph. Meanwhile, a substantial 113kWh battery pack means an official, WLTP-tested driving range of up to 405 miles.

Cayenne S Electric design details

2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric

The upgrades for the Cayenne S Electric are more than just mechanical; the new Porsche also gains bespoke styling touches

Its front and rear aprons are finished in Volcano Grey, with body-coloured inserts and a set of 20-inch ‘Cayenne S Aero’ wheels. Customers can add options previously reserved solely for the Cayenne Turbo Electric, including PCCB carbon-ceramic brakes and Porsche Active Ride suspension.

There is extensive potential for individual customisation, too. Customers can choose from 13 different exterior paint colours, plus a host of interior trim and accent packages.

Prices for the Cayenne S Electric start from £99,900, and UK orders can be placed now. 

Inside the Porsche Cayenne S Electric

2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric

Among the options for the Cayenne Electric are a new Interior Style Package: a collaboration between the Style Porsche design studio and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur (the company’s bespoke division).

Described as the ‘director’s cut’ of Cayenne interior design, it features two-tone leather upholstery in black and Delgada Green, which extends across the door panels. 

Even the Porsche’s seat belts are colour-coded, with Delgada Green used for the embroidered Stuttgart crest on the headrests of the 14-way electric seats. 

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has also added aluminium trim painted in Izabal Green, chosen to complement the leather upholstery.

Ultimate interior is a £9,540 option

2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric

A GT sports steering wheel is fitted, finished in black leather with a Delgada Green 12 o’clock marker. Izabal Green covers the airbag module, with the knurled drive mode selector finished in the same hue. 

More Izabal Green can be found on the Sports Chrono stopwatch atop the dashboard, while even the Cayenne Electric’s key is painted the same colour. As a finishing touch, the door sill covers are illuminated in green.

Choosing the Interior Style Package comes at a cost, however: £9,444 for the base Cayenne Electric, with the Cayenne S Electric requiring £9,540. Specifying the package on the top-tier Turbo adds a more modest £3,737.

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Chery Tiggo 4: new £19,995 hybrid SUV takes on Ford Puma

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Chery Tiggo 4

The Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV is the latest model from the ambitious sister brand to Omoda and Jaecoo.

A so-called B-sector SUV, the Chery Tiggo 4 is set to go head-to-head with the best-selling Ford Puma – and prices from £19,995 are sure to cause a stir.

That’s for a full hybrid Chery Tiggo 4 too, which makes this Chery’s first non-plug-in hybrid to be sold in the UK.

The CSH ‘super hybrid’ system combines a 1.5-litre engine, a 1.83kWh battery and an automatic gearbox. Total output is an impressive 204hp.

Chery Tiggo 4

The entry-level Ford Puma, by contrast, has a 125hp 1.0-litre mild hybrid engine paired with a manual gearbox – and costs from £27,130, some £7,100 more than a new Tiggo 4.   

Chery hasn’t revealed fuel economy figures yet, but they’re expected to be strong, thanks to the size of that ‘self-charging’ battery.

The smallest Chery yet

Chery Tiggo 4

The new Chery Tiggo 4 is the firm’s most compact car yet, competing in the small SUV sector against vehicles such as the Toyota Yaris Cross, Renault Captur, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen T-Cross.

Full specifications have yet to be revealed, but the Chery Tiggo 4 will measure around 4.3 metres long. That’s a little larger than a Ford Puma, and similar in size to a Honda HR-V.

We don’t know how the model lineup will structured yet, other than the entry-level model being priced from £19,995.

Chery Tiggo 4 hybrid interior

Chery promises “exceptional value” along with its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

“The Chery Tiggo 4 CSH is a model we’ve been very excited to introduce in the UK,” said Chery UK country director Farrell Hsu.

“Our first full hybrid reflects what Chery stands for… it’s packed with personality and intelligent features.”

Pre-orders for the Chery Tiggo 4 CSH are open now. Full specifications and pricing will be announced “in the coming weeks”.

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Dacia Striker: first look at bold new crossover estate car

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Dacia Striker

The Dacia Striker is a bold new family-sized vehicle from the value-focused brand, which aims to combine estate car practicality with crossover confidence.

Sitting above the Dacia Duster as an alternative to the Dacia Bigster SUV, the new Striker targets models such as the Skoda Octavia Estate. Prices will be highly competitive, starting from less than £25,000.

A surprise new model revealed at the Renault Group’s ‘futuREady’ strategy summit, the Dacia Striker will be fully revealed in June. The first cars are expected in UK showrooms before the end of 2026.

What is the Dacia Striker?

Dacia Striker

The new Dacia Striker will compete in the family estate car segment, popularised by models such as the Volkswagen Golf Estate and aforementioned Skoda Octavia Estate.  

Its rugged, crossover SUV styling and raised ground clearance set it apart. Dacia describes the design as ‘robust and confident’.

The front end has the modern Dacia family look, complete with plenty of tough lower body cladding.

The Dacia Striker is 4.62 metres long and ‘complements Bigster’, says the firm. ‘Together, the two models form a robust and essential duo, designed to strengthen the brand’s presence in a strategic C-segment.’

Hybrid power for Dacia Striker

Dacia Striker

Dacia will offer a range of engines for the Striker, including a hybrid and a novel hybrid 4×4. Factor in its competitive prices and ‘Striker significantly broadens access to electrified mobility’.

Full details of engine performance and fuel economy will be revealed this summer – along with the all-important interior dimensions, including boot space.

Dacia Striker

As for the car’s name, ‘Striker’ comes from a universal expression meaning ‘to hit the mark’, explains Dacia.

‘It conveys the robustness and versatility of a model designed to be the ideal travel companion.’

Dacia’s roadmap for 2030

Dacia Striker

Alongside revealing the new Striker, Dacia announced its new strategic roadmap towards 2030. This will ‘reinforce the brand’s distinctive positioning as the benchmark for affordable, essential and robust mobility’.

A thriving value brand, Dacia reckons it has a structural cost advantage of 15 percent compared to others in the market. This allows it to deliver ‘essential, robust and affordable vehicles’ to an ever-growing customer base.

Seven in 10 Dacia owners stick with the marque when they purchase a new car, helping Dacia to be the second-largest European brand among private car buyers. A further 10 percent of Dacia drivers remain within the Renault Group, underlining the brand’s importance.

Four new electric Dacias

Dacia Spring concept preview's Europe's cheapest electric car

Dacia aims to launch four fully electric vehicles by 2030, starting with an electric city car derived from the new Renault Twingo architecture. This will be sold alongside the existing Dacia Spring.

It will also increase its mix of electrified models – including hybrids – from a quarter to two-thirds of sales. The next generation Dacia Sandero will be key here, gaining hybrid engines for the first time.

Meanwhile, in the family car sector, the combination of Bigster and Striker should mean larger cars increase from a fifth of Dacia’s sales to around a third.

Remarkably, Dacia has sold more than 10 million vehicles since the launch of the Logan in 2004. Its new strategic plan targets even faster growth, with the new Dacia Striker the first car of many promised over the next four years.

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Ferrari number plate rockets in value from £900 to £205,500

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Revealed in 2024, the 1,200hp Ferrari F80 is the latest in the Italian marque’s line of flagship hypercar

A Ferrari-themed number plate has soared in value when auctioned via the Collecting Cars website.

Arguably the perfect plate for the Ferrari’s new flagship F80 supercar, the UK registration ‘F80 FER’ was sold for £205,500.

What makes this sale price even more remarkable is the huge return on investment made by the lucky vendor. 

The registration was initially purchased directly from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in September 2012 for just £900. Its recent sale price means the number plate has rocketed in value by 22,733 percent.

Selling for £205,500 also means that ‘F80 FER’ costs a similar amount to a nearly new Ferrari 296 GTB supercar.

Playing the long game

Ferrari F80 FER Number Plate

Ferrari used the F40 and F50 names for its top-tier hypercars during the 1980s and 1990s. However, the marque shifted to full names for the Enzo and LaFerrari that followed. 

Buying F80 FER was thus something of a gamble for its vendor. But it paid off when Ferrari chose to crown its latest 1,200hp hybrid-assisted hypercar with the F80 name. 

The registration thus became the perfect accessory for buyers splashing out more than £3 million on a Ferrari F80. 

“We have seen some incredible results in the cherished number plate market, but this is a textbook example of a ‘long game’ result,” said Ed Callow, head of business intelligence at Collecting Cars

“Back in 2012, nobody knew what Ferrari’s 2025 hypercar would be called. While ‘F80’ was likely to be the unofficial codename, Ferrari’s decision to officially use that name changed the value of this plate today, from perhaps £3,000 to the extraordinary six-figure result we achieved this week.”

A truly cherished plate

Ferrari F80 FER Number Plate

The sales success of F80 FER sees it enter the top five for the best price achieved by a number plate on Collecting Cars. 

The list of top auction results for number plates on the platform now consists of:

  1. 1 GR – £250,000
  2. Y 6 – £213,000
  3. F80 FER – £205,500
  4. 1 SJ – £162,500
  5. TOY 5 – £150,000

Ferrari-themed number plates are no stranger to auctions, or to Collecting Cars. ‘F40 TOY’ was sold on the website in November 2022 for £13,250. 

Previously the star of a DVLA Personalised Registrations auction in 2020, the ‘F40 TOY’ plate honoured Ferrari’s mid-engined icon from the 1980s.

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10 most popular car security products revealed

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Traditional physical security devices continued to be the preferred option for UK motorists during 2025

Drivers in the UK have turned to traditional physical security measures to prevent their cars from being stolen, according to new data.

Online marketplace eBay has compiled a list of the most popular car security products sold last year – and there is a clear trend for visible, physical deterrents. 

Steering wheel locks might seem like a throwback to the 1990s, yet they were the most searched-for car security device on eBay for the second year in succession. 

Compared to 2024, searches on eBay for steering wheel locks increased by 8.4 percent, suggesting UK motorists prefer simple and sturdy security measures.

Top eBay Car Security Devices

Based on eBay’s search data, the 10 most searched-for vehicle security accessories in 2025 were:

  1. Steering wheel lock
  2. Car alarm
  3. Wheel clamp
  4. Faraday pouch
  5. Pedal lock
  6. Faraday box
  7. Car GPS tracker
  8. Car key signal blocker box
  9. Car immobiliser
  10. Lockbox

Concerns about keyless car theft will likely have contributed to the ongoing interest in physical security devices, including steering wheel locks and wheel clamps. 

Using these items means that, even if a thief could unlock and start the car using a keyless relay attack, the physical device should still prevent it from being taken. 

A car key signal blocking box or pouch (also known as a Faraday box/pouch), can stop relay theft by interrupting signals sent from the key fob to the vehicle.

Tackling keyless car theft

Top eBay Car Security Devices

As part of its research, eBay also identified which areas of the UK were most conscious about car security.

Residents of Romford in East London purchased the most security products per person, followed by Llandudno in Wales and Redhill in Surrey. Dorchester and Truro rounded out the top five. 

Abir Tewari, UK director for parts and accessories at eBay, said: “Our findings indicate that drivers across Britain still place a strong importance on vehicle security, favouring traditional and visible protection methods. 

“Although digital safety features play a key role, classic tools like steering wheel locks and Faraday pouches remain popular eBay choices for adding an easy extra level of security and reassurance for car owners.”

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Jeep Super Wagoneer transformed into Hemi-powered restomod

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The Jeep Super Wagoneer was sold between 1966 and 1969, with fewer than 4,000 believed to have been manufactured

A rare example of what could be considered the original luxury SUV has been given a radical restomod makeover.

Only sold between the 1966 and 1969 model years, the Jeep Super Wagoneer brought enhanced luxury and comfort to the classic Wagoneer 4×4

Standard features such as air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, and a push-button radio made the Super Wagoneer far more refined than its contemporary rivals. 

Only 3,989 examples are believed to have been produced during its short production run, making the Super Wagoneer luxury SUV a genuine Mopar rarity today. 

Vigilante, based in Johnson City, Texas, has now updated an example of the Super Wagoneer with modern technology and engineering.

A modern Hemi under the hood

Vigilante Jeep Wagoneer Restomod

The brief for Vigilante’s restomod was to retain the vintage aesthetics of the original Super Wagoneer, but give the vehicle a complete mechanical update.

A modern, naturally aspirated 392-cubic inch (6.4-liter) Hemi V-8 engine was the starting point. As used in various Mopar SRT-8 models, this gave the Super Wagoneer a healthy 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. 

For those who want even more, Vigilante can install a 707 horsepower supercharged Hellcat V-8, or even an 825 horsepower Viper V-10.

By comparison, the original Super Wagoneer made do with just 270 horses from its AMC V-8 engine.

Vigilante combined the new Hemi mill with a six-speed Tremec manual transmission, along with a custom four-wheel-drive system that uses a two-speed transfer case.

Baer six-piston brakes and Fox Racing coilover suspension with Eibach springs ensure the Super Wagoneer can stop and take corners with confidence.

Heritage with modern engineering

Vigilante Jeep Wagoneer Restomod

In contrast to the major mechanical overhaul, the exterior and interior of the Super Wagoneer look close to the 1960’s original

Although the push-button radio remains, Vigilante has added Bluetooth connectivity. The air conditioning system has been updated, too. 

A new center console was 3D-printed to look like the factory version, but also accommodate a new manual transmission. More 3D printing was used to transform the old warning lights into functional buttons.

On the outside, a chain mail effect replaces the woodgrain vinyl trim previously applied to the Super Wagoneer. Its alloy wheels and spinners are crafted from solid blocks of billet aluminum. 

“This Super Wagoneer project embodies everything Vigilante stands for,” said Vigilante founder Daniel van Doveren. “It’s a celebration of automotive heritage, but it’s also a bold statement about what classic vehicles can become when you apply modern engineering and craftsmanship.”

Although this completed Super Wagoneer has been sold, Vigilante is able to replicate the build for new customers. Prices for the comprehensive makeover start from $295,000.

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