How to declare SORN and take your car off the road for winter

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December 19, 2025

Take a look at James May’s ‘Frankenstein’ Caterham

American fans of the famous Caterham Seven have a new outlet to purchase one. Walt Grace Vintage, located in Miami, Florida, has been chosen as the latest official dealership for the British sports car marque.

Fittingly, Walt Grace Vintage is the seventh Stateside outlet for the Caterham Seven, as the brand continues its expansion into North America.

Enthusiasts will be able to configure a new Caterham Seven, place an order, and take delivery of their lightweight roadster through the new Miami dealership.

Welcome to Miami

Walt Grace Vintage offers unique gallery experience, with a Caterham Seven 420R SV the newest vehicle to go on display

Opened in 2015, Walt Grace Vintage offers a unique gallery-style showroom, focused on a combination of ‘investment-grade automobiles, watches and guitars’.

Bill Goldstein, founder of Walt Grace Vintage, commented: “We are thrilled to bring Caterham to Miami. With the Seven being such an iconic car, coupled with an incredible driving experience and competitive motorsport offering, we are honoured to become part of the Caterham story in the USA.”

The Caterham Seven 420R seen here is the first car for sale in Miami. It uses a 210 horsepower four-cylinder Ford Duratec engine and a Mazda-sourced manual transmission.

With a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, test drives in the Seven 420R will certainly be exhilarating.

A global expansion for Caterham

Caterham’s existing US dealer network includes outlets in California, Colorado, New York and Washington state, along with Daytona Beach, Florida.

Trevor Steel, CFO at Caterham Cars, added: “Walt Grace Vintage is the perfect cultural fit for us, and we welcome them to the Caterham family. Miami has a renowned and eclectic automotive scene, and this partnership will give more USA-based enthusiasts the chance to experience the unique thrill of driving a Seven from the racetrack to Ocean Drive.

“Bill and his team at Walt Grace Vintage are driven by the same principles we have at Caterham. To be in one of the most vibrant art and cultural hubs in Florida brings an exciting new chapter for us in North America.”

Caterham continues to manufacture its vehicles exclusively in England, and now supplies 15 different markets around the world.

Along with opening a larger factory last year, the company is developing its first fully electric sports car, which will be on show at CES in Las Vegas next month.

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Jaecoo is the most searched Chinese car brand of 2025

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December 19, 2025

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Jaecoo has been named as Google’s most searched-for Chinese car manufacturer in the UK during the past 12 months.

New data – part of Google UK’s Year in Search 2025 report – found that Jaecoo came out above a host of other new-entrant Chinese marques.

The term ‘Jaecoo cars’ featured in the top 10 automotive searches in the UK throughout the year, ranking third overall.

This placed Jaecoo alongside several European and South Korean brands, and ahead of many long-established car manufacturers.

A rapid expansion during 2025

The interest in Jaecoo is remarkable given that the Chinese marque only entered the UK market at the beginning of 2025.

It has since launched an array of relatively affordable SUVs. Orders for the Jaecoo 7 had surpassed 10,000 vehicles by August 2025, and there are now more than 26,000 examples of the SUV on British roads.

Throughout the course of the year, the smaller Jaecoo 5 SUV was added to the range, along with the electric E5 version.

The Jaecoo 5’s public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed was a notable highlight, with an all-female team driving the SUV up the famous hill climb route.

Hitting significant milestones

Following the announcement of a pay-per-mile tax for electric cars in the budget, Jaecoo and sister brand Omoda revealed a rebate scheme to offset the cost for EV drivers.

This will see a discount on finance deals for buyers of electric Jaecoo vehicles. The company’s EV Tax Rebate is equivalent to a £600 saving.

Gary Lan, CEO of Jaecoo UK, said: “Being recognised by Google as the most searched Chinese car brand in the UK is a significant milestone for Jaecoo. It shows that British consumers are actively seeking new brands that offer distinctive design, advanced technology and all-encompassing value.

“As awareness grows, our focus remains on building trust, educating customers and delivering products that resonate with the UK market. With 2026 a big year for Omoda with the Omoda 7, we expect our sister marque [Omoda] to also have high search volumes on Google.”

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The UK’s most-wanted used car is a £15,000 hatchback

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December 19, 2025

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A survey of 1,000 drivers found that more than half of respondents wanted to pay up to £15,000 for their next used vehicle

The majority of British drivers are willing to pay up to £15,000 for their next used car, according to new research by CarGurus.

More than half (58 percent) of the 1,000 motorists questioned said that £15,000 was their optimum price for a cash purchase.

A similar proportion (52 percent) said that £299 would be their ideal monthly payment if they opted to use finance instead.

Around three quarters (76 percent) would prefer to buy a used car with finance, while only 21 percent were interested in buying one outright.

Ford tops the desirable brand chart

Automotive marketplace CarGurus, which conducted the survey, also found that hatchbacks were the most desirable body style for used cars.

Forty percent of respondents said they would rather have a hatchback, narrowly edging out the 37 percent who favoured a family SUV. Given the dominance of SUVs in new car sales, it shows that drivers are still open to alternatives.

From the UK’s list of best-selling marques, Ford was the most popular brand among those surveyed – rated top by 13 percent.

BMW and Volkswagen completed the top three, although close to quarter (23 percent) said they would compromise on a vehicle brand if it meant getting a car closer to their ideal price and specification.

Drivers are open to all fuel types

Drivers were also willing to compromise on a used car’s fuel type, with price and condition again considered more important. Some 28 percent would be flexible, with petrol slightly preferred overall.

Almost three quarters (73 percent) said a vehicle less than five years old would be high on their list of priorities. And 70 percent wanted it to have less than 50,000 miles on the clock.

Interior features were an area where drivers were more flexible, though. A total of 57 percent said they would compromise on technology and extras if it meant buying a car within budget.

Voice command functionality, a sunroof and a heated steering wheel were the optional extras drivers said they could manage without. But parking sensors (36 percent), a reversing camera (33 percent), and sat-nav (28 percent) were regarded as important.

‘Value and reliability are top priorities’

The number of used cars available with a manual gearbox is at its lowest point in 10 years, according to CarGurus data. It has declined by 57 percent since 2015.

Interestingly, a fifth of drivers (22 percent) said an automatic transmission would be non-negotiable for a used car.

Chris Knapman, editorial director at CarGurus UK, said: “Our research paints a clear picture of what matters most to UK drivers on their next used car purchase: age, mileage and essential technology. Interestingly, hatchbacks remain a very appealing body style for shoppers, despite the well-documented popularity of SUVs.

“While many are happy to compromise on extras like a sunroof or voice activation, buyers remain firm on the fundamentals. A budget of around £15,000 and desire for well-known brands demonstrates that value and reliability remain top priorities for used car buyers.”

Top 10 ideal used cars for UK drivers

From the criteria provided by those surveyed, CarGurus has created a list of vehicles that should fit the specification of many people searching for a used car. The 10 cars suggested are:

BMW 1 Series
Ford Focus
Ford Fiesta
Ford Puma / Puma Gen-E
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen T-Cross
Volkswagen Taigo
Volkswagen ID.3
Volkswagen ID.4

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Kia joins Electric Car Grant scheme with EV4 and PV5

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December 19, 2025

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The Kia EV4 hatchback in Air specification, and PV5 Passenger in Essential and Plus trim, qualify for the discount

Kia has confirmed the first two models in its UK range to be eligible for the government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG).

Both the Kia EV4 hatchback and PV5 Passenger van will now qualify for a discount under the ECG.

Based on the UK Government’s criteria for the ECG, the EV4 and PV5 Passenger each receive a £1,500 discount on their respective list prices.

The ECG saving will be applied immediately to all new orders placed at Kia dealerships and PBV Centres.

Electric Car Grant takes immediate effect

For the Kia PV5 Passenger, the ECG applies to both Essential and Plus trim levels of the new electric MPV.

Customers also have a choice of two different battery packs, with the larger 71.4kWh option offering up to 256 miles when fully charged.

Applying the ECG means the PV5 Passenger now has a starting price of £31,495.

The EV4 hatchback, which is Kia’s first fully electric model manufactured in a European factory, also comes with a choice of two battery setups. The larger 81.4kWh battery offers a potential range of 388 miles.

The ECG is only applicable to the entry-level Kia EV4 Air, however, reducing its list price to £33,245. Those using Kia’s finance schemes to purchase will receive an additional £1,000 deposit contribution.

More discounts across Kia range

Both the EV4 and PV5 Passenger are covered by Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. The high-voltage battery has an extended warranty for eight years.

Paul Philpott, CEO of Kia UK, said: “We are delighted that Kia customers can now benefit from the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to making electric mobility accessible, practical, and affordable.

“With the support of the grant, even more drivers can experience the innovation, reliability and sustainability that Kia electric vehicles have become known for. This eligibility comes at an important time, as our nationwide network of PBV Centres become operational, delivering the new award-winning PV5 to customers”.

Kia has another finance offer for EV4 derivatives that are not eligible for the ECG. Vehicles in GT-Line and GT-Line S trims benefit from a £3,000 finance deposit contribution.

Elsewhere in the Kia range, the EV3, EV4 Fastback, EV5, EV6 and EV9 each receive a £1,500 discount when purchased through Kia’s finance schemes.

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Christmas travel: how to find traffic information and avoid delays

By

Motoring Research team

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December 19, 2025

Speed limits, roads and the law: what you need to know

Our quick guide explains how to avoid spending your Christmas holiday stuck in traffic.

The average British driver lost 62 hours due to traffic jams last year, at an estimated cost of £581 per person.

The report by traffic data provider Inrix also ranked London just ahead of Paris as the most congested city in Europe. Drivers in the capital typically spent 101 hours going nowhere, increasing the cost of congestion to £942.

If you want to beat the jams – and who doesn’t, frankly? – there are a number of ways to find the latest traffic information. Before you set off and during your journey, here are some of the best ways to avoid a delay.

Using satellite navigation

Whether you’re using a satellite navigation system built into the car, an aftermarket unit or your smartphone, having access to live traffic information can be extremely useful.

Simply set your destination, then allow the GPS technology to work its magic. Some systems will recalculate the route on the fly, while others will alert you to the problem and provide a suggested alternative. You can make the call on whether or not it’s worth making a detour.

We find Google Maps is very reliable, showing you traffic delays in real time and using red, orange or green colour-coding to explain whether your journey time is improving, staying the same or getting longer.

Download the Waze app

Waze is a community-based traffic and navigation app. In other words, the information it shares and receives is driven by its users. It collects information to provide other ‘Wazers’ with the optimal route to their destination.

Users can also report to the community on traffic, accidents, speed cameras, police speed checks, blocked roads and adverse weather conditions.

Although it’s free to download and use the Waze app, phone and carrier data rates obviously apply. You may be served some adverts as well. Note that navigating via your phone is quite data-intensive, so it could also eat through your allowance if you have a monthly data cap.

Get live traffic information

In addition to the traffic information provided by satellite navigation systems, it’s also possible to find details of jams by going online.

In England, head to the National Highways website to see a map showing real-time traffic delays on motorways and A-roads. It features a colour-coded road atlas, ranging from green for ‘moving freely’ to black for ‘not moving’. There’s also a chequered design for ‘closed’.

You can see details of the congestion, including the length and reason for the delay, along with when National Highways expects traffic flow to return to normal. Similar services are available from Traffic Scotland and Traffic Wales, along with in Northern Ireland from TrafficWatchNI.

Listen to the radio

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Although it might be tempting to listen to your favourite ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ playlist or The Motoring Podcast on the way to the beach, it can help to listen to the radio.

BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 5 Live both provide traffic updates throughout the day, or you could listen to one of the BBC local radio stations. Alternatively, tune in to one of the many commercial radio stations across the country.

Your car radio probably has a ‘TP’ (Traffic Programme) function. This allows it to interrupt whatever you are listening to and automatically tune into nearby traffic updates.

Roadworks information

If you like to plan ahead, grab five minutes to check for any roadworks on your proposed route to a Christmas get-together. It might be worth finding an alternative route, especially during peak times, such as on Friday evenings.

Be warned: some major road improvement schemes are carried out at night, so travelling late doesn’t always pay off – as anyone who has sat in gridlock on the M25 after midnight can confirm.

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You can buy a watch made from Alex Palou’s title-winning IndyCar

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December 18, 2025

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The Alex Palou CGR Race Car Chronograph features a piece of carbon fiber taken from the No.10 IndyCar

IndyCar fans have the chance to own a wristwatch featuring a genuine piece of Alex Palou’s victorious 2025 No.10 Chip Ganassi race car.

Created by UK-based watchmaker Omologato, the Alex Palou CGR Race Car Chronograph will be limited to 500 examples.

Each watch includes a piece of lightweight carbon fiber bodywork removed from Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara DW12 Honda.

The Alex Palou CGR Race Car Chronograph is part of an ongoing partnership between Omologato and Chip Ganassi Racing, following the end of this year’s IndyCar season.

A piece of championship-winning history

Three sections of carbon fiber from Alex Palou’s all-conquering car were shipped by Chip Ganassi Racing to Omologato’s workshop in England.

The British company shaped and milled the carbon fiber parts to the correct design, plus the 1mm width needed to fit inside a watch case.

Omologato says this process caused some of the carbon fiber to crack, but it was eventually able to craft 500 pieces for inside each chronograph.

Every piece of carbon fiber is said to be unique, though, and there may be natural imperfections – such as oil or track debris – on the dial.

The design of the Alex Palou CGR Race Car Chronograph is said to have been inspired by early Indycar gauges, which were made by Smiths in the UK.

Available to reserve now

The Alex Palou CGR Race Car Chronograph will cost $1,002.45 in the United States. Customers can choose a black leather or fabric strap.

Omologato is accepting reservations for the wristwatch now, with a deposit required to secure one of the 500 examples.

The 2025 IndyCar season saw Alex Palou claim eight race wins, including a victory in the Indianapolis 500. Five other podiums helped the Spanish-born driver to secure his fourth IndyCar chanmpionship with ease.

Palou also gave the Chip Ganassi Racing team its 17th IndyCar title – albeit tied with arch-rivals Team Penske.

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The UK’s strangest and least-known parking laws

By

Motoring Research team

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December 18, 2025

1

The UK’s less familiar parking laws could catch out even experienced drivers. And failing to heed them could mean an ticket on your windscreen, or a fine issued through the post.

“We expect the majority of motorists know not to park on double yellow lines or in disabled bays without a Blue Badge,” said Tim Alcock from LeaseCar, who compiled this list. “But it’s likely that fewer drivers know that allowing your parked car to build up dirt could leave you open to prosecution, as having an unreadable number plate is illegal.

“Similarly, the Highway Code says that you can’t park anywhere that may restrict access for emergency services, such as leaving a residential road too narrow for a fire engine.”

Remember, if you are issued a ticket that you believe is unfair, you can appeal. Details of the process are usually found on the ticket itself – or the letter that accompanies it. You can also follow Motoring Research’s advice guide, which lists the legitimate reasons for an appeal.

Parking laws you might be unaware of

Here are 11 UK parking rules that you might have forgotten or never known in the first place. Read them to help you stay on the right side of the law…

1. Using the horn while a car is stationary is against the law. This includes when the vehicle is parked.

2. Parking on the zig-zags either side of a pedestrian crossing or outside a school, or in a cycle lane, is not permitted.

3. Parking to load or unload on double yellow lines is only allowed if the load is of sufficient volume, weight or difficulty.

4. You cannot park anywhere that may restrict access for the emergency services.

5. A vehicle must display parking lights when parked on a road – or a lay-by on a road – with a speed limit greater than 30mph.

6. Parking more than 50cm away from the kerb could lead to an on-the-spot fine.

7. A car is not considered ‘in’ a designated parking space if the wheels are over any lines. The driver risks a parking ticket.

8. Parking on a dropped kerb could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

9. Using cones, wheelie bins or other obstacles to reserve a parking space is not permitted. It could be interpreted as causing an obstruction, leading to a fine.

10. The car’s engine should be switched off if it’s left for an extended period of time on a public road.

11. Allowing a parked car to get dirty could result in a fine if the number plate isn’t clean.

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Research shows Porsche drivers are the least organised

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December 18, 2025

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Almost one in 20 Porsche drivers are said to book their MOT test just 48 hours before it is due

The UK’s least organised drivers are likely to be behind the wheel of a Porsche, according to new MOT testing data.

A study of the 30 most popular car brands revealed owners of the German sports cars and SUVs were most likely to leave booking an MOT until the last minute.

Almost one in 20 (4.76 percent) of Porsche drivers made a test appointment with just 48 hours remaining before their current MOT expired.

MG drivers were just behind on 4.51 percent. Mercedes-Benz drivers rounded out the top three, with 4.25 percent running their MOT down to the wire.

Smart owners have the MOT smarts

At the other end of the scale, Smart owners were the most organised according to the study. Only 2.35 percent made an MOT appointment with 48 hours to go.

Skoda drivers take the silver-medal position with 2.76 percent, while Citroen owners complete the best-organised podium.

BookMyGarage completed the analysis of MOT bookings during 12 months from December 2024. It also examined which regions of the country were the least and most organised.

Drivers in Leicester were the worst for last-minute bookings, with 6.43 percent of motorists leaving it until the final two days. Conversely, with only 1.12 percent making a late booking, Sandhurst was home to the best-prepared drivers.

Book in advance to avoid a fine

For anyone looking to make an urgent MOT booking, December is typically the calmest month for appointments. Busier months, such as September, can cause extra pressure if garages are fully booked.

Jessica Potts, chief marketing officer at BookMyGarage, said: “If you only book your MOT in the final 48 hours before it expires, you’re giving yourself very little flexibility.

“Once your MOT has expired, you can only legally drive your car to a pre-booked MOT test or a garage for repairs. And it still needs to be insured while you do so.

“Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a £1,000 fine and may also invalidate your insurance if you are stopped or involved in an accident. To avoid these complications, it’s best to book your MOT well in advance. We find that the average car owner books their MOT test 27 days ahead of expiry, so try to aim for something like this.”

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Updated 2026 Renault Clio is priced from £17,995

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December 17, 2025

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The entry-level Renault Clio Generation will now cost from just £17,995, thanks to a £1,000 price cut

Renault has revealed prices and specifications for the updated version of its Clio supermini. A price cut of £1,000 for the entry-level Generation model means the cheapest Renault Clio now costs £17,995.

It makes the revised Clio something of a bargain in the current car market, where finding a new vehicle for less than £20,000 is a challenge.

However, this refreshed version of the existing Renault Clio arrives in the UK just as other European markets welcome the all-new sixth-generation Clio. The latter will not reach British shores until at least 2027.

Bargain prices, generous spec

Despite its budget pricing, the updated Renault Clio Generation comes with automatic climate control air-con, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and integrated navigation, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Along with the most affordable Generation, the revised 2026 Clio will be offered in three additional trim levels.

Starting at £19,495, Techno+ brings 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats and chrome exterior trim.

Techno Esprit Alpine trim, priced from £20,995, is inspired by the sporting Alpine marque, and gains bespoke alloy wheels, a larger 9.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.0-inch digital instrument panel and aluminium pedals.

Available to order now

Topping the range at £24,795 is the Clio Iconic Esprit Alpine. It comes fully loaded with a Bose audio system, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring and a heated faux-leather steering wheel with blue stitching.

Depending on the trim level chosen, the Clio will use either a 90hp three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine or a 145hp hybrid petrol/electric powertrain.

Buyers can select from six different paint colours: Glacier White, Ceramic Grey, Shadow Grey, Diamond Black, Valencia Orange and Iron Blue.

Orders for the updated Clio range can be placed at Renault dealerships now. The first deliveries are expected in early 2026.

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