Drivers temporarily give the keys to a manager and the date is recorded. They won’t pay tax until the keys are returned and they begin driving their car again.
However, warned the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), the new procedure still has teething issues and needs careful management.
Company car drivers can’t simply post their car keys through a letterbox at work, for example – despite the organisation hearing several reports of this.
Both employers and the HMRC need a clear audit trail, says co-chair Caroline Sandall.
ALSO READ: Should SUVs be banned from company car fleets to cut CO2?
There is also a health and safety issue. “No employee should be leaving their car or van on the road if they don’t have the keys, because they may need to move it in an emergency.
“If the vehicle is being parked or stored elsewhere, then security becomes a concern.
“If the crisis situation persists for some months, then [fleets] should consider the usual issues surrounding long-term vehicle storage, from flat batteries to seized brakes.”
Despite the challenges, said Ms. Sandall, companies should still facilitate key handback to drivers who want to do it.
“During lockdown, there are many people facing potential hardship, and being able to avoid benefit-in-kind could make a genuine difference to some.”
You’ll be asked for your occupation when you arrange a new car insurance policy. But how much does your job title impact on the cost of your cover?
The fact is, insurance companies consider some occupations to be higher risk than others. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive policy could be as much as £200. You’re not going to change your job on the strength of an insurance quote, but the results of this latest survey make for interesting reading.
According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), BBC and Statista, the average UK driver is 38, owns a Volkswagen Golf, travels around 7,600 miles a year, has a comprehensive policy and no previous accidents to their name.
Armed with this information, researchers at Vanarama used a price comparison website to analyse 100 different occupations. The personal details were the same for each quote – only the job title changed.
Interestingly, car-based occupations provide the bookends for the table. The most expensive occupation is a professional driver, with the quote coming in at £479.80. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the table, a mechanic pays £298.61. These are average figures – there are many variables, such as postcode, where the car is parked at night and other names on the policy.
Overall, drivers in public sector and hospitality occupations pay the most for insurance, while those with desk-based professions pay the least. Here, we reveal the most expensive job roles, followed by the least expensive.
The world may be going crazy for the brand-new Land Rover Defender, but classic examples are still in big demand.
North American enthusiasts are helping drive values of the iconic utility vehicle to new heights, despite their humble origins.
This restored 1990 Defender pick-up, recently sold in Marshall, Virginia, demonstrates just how much money they can now command.
After the work is done
Sold by Commonwealth Classics, this Defender 110 single cab pick-up actually started life working on a farm in Spain.
Leaving Land Rover’s Solihull factory painted in plain white, this Defender was clearly destined for a tough life. According to the dealer, the 110 was used for hauling tools and people around the Spanish countryside.
After that, the Defender became the perfect base for a commission undertaken by a Commonwealth Classics customer.
A bespoke build from scratch
An agreement between the Virginia-based dealership and Unique Masterpieces in Portugal offered the perfect opportunity to create a new custom 4×4 truck.
Located in Porto in northern Portugal, Unique Masterpieces were able to fully strip down and rebuild the agricultural Defender. The result was a bespoke build, adding luxury and refinement to this working vehicle.
The original 200 Tdi 2.5-l4 diesel engine has been retained, along with the five-speed manual transmission. A new variable-geometry turbocharger and upgraded intercooler should add to the 113 horsepower and 195 lb ft of torque factory output.
From utilitarian to luxurious
On the outside, the dull white was replaced with dark charcoal paintwork, with a custom tonneau cover fitted to the truck bed.
Black wheels and LED lights add a modern touch, although the steel front bumper keeps things looking retro. Air conditioning was also installed by Unique Masterpieces.
Inside has also been thoroughly updated. Black leather has been used to cover the seats, dashboard and door cards. A Marshall Bluetooth sound system and extra sound deadening were also installed during the build process.
A new British invasion
Although the customer who commissioned the Defender was suitably pleased with the finished product, he really wanted a double cab version.
It meant Commonwealth Classics were able to advertise the 110 for sale at a considerable $155,000 (£126,000). The big price tag was clearly not a problem, with the truck now marked as ‘sold’. The company is now seeking interest in a long-wheelbase Defender 130 that is ready for the custom treatment.
Virginia looks set to become a major player in the Land Rover scene. South Boston, VA is the home for the North American arm of Twisted Automotive, set to offer their $250,000 V8-powered Defenders for sale in the USA.
It means the lure of the classic British 4×4 looks set to continue.
Aston Martin Works is helping the battle against coronavirus by offering NHS workers at Milton Keynes University Hospital emergency car repairs to help them stay mobile.
Boss Paul Spires said on Twitter: “We’re very aware that a lot of garages have closed down [and] a lot of those workers would probably have relied on friends and families to make sure their cars are safe and reliable.
“What we’re doing here at Aston Martin Works is opening up an emergency repair service. This is not for routine servicing – this is for cars that are potentially going to let those key workers down.”
Spires said that the technicians will be on hand to offer free telephone advice and support, while the workshop will be open for emergency repairs.
The Milton Keynes University Hospital has around 550 beds and employs more than 4,000 staff. It sees and treats 400,000 patients each year, but 22 coronavirus patients have now died at the NHS Foundation Trust hospital.
Free advice for Alvis owners
In a separate development, the Alvis Car Company is offering free advice from factory technicians during the COVID-19 lockdown. The plan is to help Alvis owners tackle jobs at home.
Indeed, the company’s Red Triangle parts division is still shipping genuine parts to owners around the world. Owners are invited to share images or videos with Alvis, and technicians are on-hand to offer free advice and support.
Alan Stote, Alvis director, said: “We took the decision to temporarily close our workshop, but understand that Alvis owners will want to be ready for when they can get motoring and with time on their hands, are considering doing jobs at home, some they may be tackling for the first time.
“We have assigned one of our experienced factory technicians, who has access to drawings, factory service manuals and parts catalogues, to respond to customer queries for pre- and post-war cars.
“We hope that this scheme might give owners the confidence to tackle new jobs. Sometimes just knowing somebody is there to ask is all that’s needed.”
A website has been launched to help key workers find motoring services during the coronavirus outbreak. Called KeyworkerGarages.co.uk, the site is designed for NHS workers, the police, delivery drivers and so on.
Upon entering the website, you enter your postcode to find a list of services that are open for business. These organisations have confirmed they are supporting key workers during the crisis, but you’re advised to call before making a journey. Full contact details are provided on the website.
The services include maintenance, repairs and tyre fitting. Businesses not listed on the website are invited to contact Cazana – the company behind the idea.
Tom Wood at Cazana said: “This is a challenging time for both the automotive industry and all those who are on the front line fighting this pandemic and we wanted to do something as a team to help both the nation’s essential key workers and the dealer service departments remaining open.
“I’m massively proud of the team here at Cazana who have been collecting data and have built this new site over the past week with the intention of helping people to stay mobile during this crisis.”
MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020 have been extended by six months, but the government has advised that it’s your responsibility to keep your vehicle safe to drive. The MOT will be automatically extended – you do not need to do anything for this to happen.
Meanwhile, some car manufacturers are offering services to keep key workers moving. For example, Toyota and Lexus have teamed up with the AA to provide free roadside assistance cover – regardless of how old a car or van might be.
Last week, Vauxhall announced it is offering the same service to NHS staff who drive one of its cars. “Keeping our NHS colleagues mobile is vital,” said Vauxhall MD Stephen Norman.
The sudden fall is even more severe than that seen during the 2008 financial crisis. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders say it was the worst March since the late 1990s.
The SMMT has also downgraded its full-year figure by a whopping 23 percent, to 1.73 million new cars sold.
“With the country locked down in crisis mode for a large part of March, this decline will come as no surprise,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“Despite this being the lowest March since we moved to the bi-annual plate change system, it could have been worse had the significant advanced orders placed for the new 20 plate not been delivered in the early part of the month.
“We should not, however, draw long term conclusions from these figures other than this being a stark realisation of what happens when economies grind to a halt.”
Mr Hawes said it is uncertain how long the new car market will remain stalled.
In more positive news, battery electric vehicles took a 4.6 percent market share, with 11,694 EVs taking to the roads.
In 2019, electric car market share was less than 1 percent.
Diesel, however, continued to plunge, taking a paltry 17.6 percent share of the overall market.
This is down even from the much-reduced 25 percent share just one year ago.
Newer ‘mild hybrid’ diesels (similar to our Kia Sportage long-term test vehicle) took a 3.5 percent share, while mild hybrid petrols took a 4.6 percent share of March 2020 registrations.
Ford is hoping to give new car buyers worried about doing a deal during the coronavirus crisis the confidence to still go ahead with a wide-ranging new offer.
The Ford Peace of Mind deal, which runs for cars ordered in April and May 2020, includes payment holidays, the offer of cashback or discounts on the transaction price.
Many cars are also available with zero percent finance.
Ford Peace of Mind: how it works
New car buyers first decide whether they want a vehicle discount or cashback paid when the car is collected.
Amounts range from £650 to £1,500, depending on the Ford model.
Ford says the cashback can cover the first three months of car finance payments. Discounts are added to the deposit allowance.
Buyers can then opt for a three-month payment holiday. Ford Credit will only take the first payment instalment in month four of the agreement.
The package effectively means Ford new car buyers can have a six-month payment holiday.
Ford vans are included in the deal, too.
All Ford commercial vehicles come with a zero percent finance offer.
Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain MD, said: “Ford wants to reassure customers that unprecedented times should not prevent them opting for a replacement new car or van.
“Customers are putting a new-found priority on reliable motoring from a trusted brand and our innovative ‘Peace of Mind’ programme helps achieve that.”
Ford adds that showrooms are still closed – but buyers can order online and take remote delivery of their new cars.
Key workers can also arrange with dealers to take urgent delivery.
As the World Health Organisation tells us to stay indoors and play games – and the UK struggles with lockdown life – I had an idea to help my fellow car enthusiasts and gamers.
It’s a road-trip across the USA, but from the comfort of your sofa. All you need is an Xbox One, PlayStation 4 or PC – plus a copy of open-world driving game, The Crew 2.
While we are all #TogetherAtHome: Listen to music, read a book or play a game.
Try not to read or watch too much news if it makes you anxious. Get your #COVID19 information from reliable sources once or twice a day.
The Crew series is much-maligned – particularly by fans of Forza Motorsport – and in some ways deservedly so. Its physics have been touch-and-go, while the graphics aren’t up to most other racing games.
However, since its launch in 2014, I’ve been consistently absorbed. I’m convinced The Crew 2 is criminally underrated. Meanwhile, Forza Horizon games left me cold after a week.
Why? Firstly, there’s the map. Forza Horizon 4 has you repeating yourself with its one token driving road and one token motorway. Its map is only around 30 square miles or so.
The Crew 2 condenses many of the best bits of the USA, including hundreds of interesting landmarks, jaw-dropping vistas, iconic cities and epic driving roads, for a 1,900 square-mile map. It’s enormous.
The graphics are grainier, but there’s a warmth to the look of The Crew 2. It makes the most of the great views, as well as details on your car, letting you capture stunning in-game photos. We’ve added plenty, both new and old, to show it off.
Our road-trip across the USA
To prove the point, I came up with a route for a great American road trip, including cities, points of interest, incredible views and, of course, great roads in-between. A rough outline of the 380-mile route is pictured above.
Our cars of choice, with people dropping in and out along the way, are the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Ferrari 812 Superfast, Nissan GT-R and Audi R8.
Specific road names aren’t as useful as key points. From one to the next, set a waypoint on the map, and it will guide you.
We began on the coast in San Francisco, before taking on the Big Sur coastal road, otherwise known as the Pacific Coast Highway, southward down to Venice Beach and Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles.
Big Sur is definitely one of the five best driving roads in the game. At points it’s technical, at others flowing, but always with a beautiful view out towards the sea.
From there, we set out across the southern highway, up to the aircraft graveyard. It’s spooky there when the weather is foggy.
After that, it’s a long haul east up the highway, across the southern limit of the map to Tampa Bay. The Florida Everglades roads are less used, but there are some gems in there. And in the right light, it’s photography gold.
Speaking of photography, we then head up from Key West to Cape Canaveral, via Miami Beach. A true sight to behold – and one you won’t find in the real world – is a shuttle set up and ready for take-off.
Enormous and incredible, the majesty of the shuttle is captured well in the game. The Palm Coast Highway then takes us up to Washington DC, where you can see the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument and, of course, the White House.
For context and scale, at this point we’re 131 miles in, with more than 250 to go. So we’ll list the next stops without too much detail.
Manhattan (Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty) via Lake Erie Highway to Detroit.
Detroit to Mount Rushmore, via the Mackinac Bridge.
Mount Rushmore to Pikes Peak, via the Badlands.
Pikes Peak to Santa Fe.
Santa Fe to the Grand Canyon, via Canyonlands (these are some of the best roads in the game, offering spectacular views).
From the Grand Canyon, one of the coolest stops follows shortly after. Follow the central plateau to the spectacular Hoover Dam, then to Las Vegas. Vegas at night is a sight to see, whether you’re catching a glimpse from across the desert, or immersed in the bright lights on the strip.
From Vegas, we head out to Salt Lake City and then to Yellowstone via the ski jump. Yes, you can jump it… Be sure to visit the spectacular hot spring at Yellowstone, before heading to the Ivory Peak Hotel and the northern driving roads. The latter are also among the five best driving routes in the game.
Head down to the Bonneville salt flats, via Ivory Springs, back towards Las Vegas. The salt flats offer some of the most spectacular views – and some of the most fun for racing and sliding around.
If you can tear yourself away from the salt, head back into Las Vegas, along the highway through the desert, towards Yosemite.
I would put the Yosemite roads among the top three sections in the game. They’re a regular haunt. Via the Yosemite pass, you should then head back down to San Francisco.
This route, condensed here, is easily five to six hours of driving, exploring, photographing and laughing – all while ignoring your significant other calling you a bit of a sad act.
No argument with that, but if you’re looking to chew on some new driving game fun, now might be the best time to jump into The Crew 2.
The car list is great, with some excellent (tasteful or otherwise) modding options.
The physics can be fiddled with in the settings menus (tyre grip, aerodynamics, anti-roll bars) to make it even more enjoyable.
Get in the car you love, in the spec you love, with good friends, on great roads, in the right weather, with good music, and it’s a worthy substitute for the real thing. The world might be virtual, but the fun is very real.
And it all costs a few pence on your smart meter, rather than a few hundred pounds in super unleaded. Most importantly, it’s all from the safety of your living room.
The requirement to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown presents new challenges for looking after your car.
Tyres are among the components that can suffer most from sitting still, so here is how to keep them healthy when the car isn’t in use. These tips are provided by Falken Tyres.
It sounds obvious, but you should be doing this regularly – regardless of the pandemic. If you’re not driving much, or at all, this may be a good time to source replacement tyres if needed.
If the tyres are worn, cut, bulging, have flat spots, are cracking, or are out of date, it’s time to change. Check they are inflated to the recommended pressures and wearing evenly, too.
The valve cap is another important part of the tyre. This stops dirt and moisture getting in and causing damage to the stems. They are, however, small and easy items to lose.
Over-inflate your tyres
To make sure your tyres don’t get too low while the car stands for a while, over-inflate them by around 15 PSI.
For most cars, this will take the tyres to between 40 PSI and 45 PSI. Over-inflation can also prevent flat-spots.
Jack up your car
Coronavirus: MG donates 100 ZS EVs to the NHS
Another way of avoiding flat-spots, or excess pressure loss, is to put your car on axle stands.
This takes the weight off the tyres, relieving the load. ‘Tyre trainers’ can also help.
Store your car in a garage
One of the best ways to protect your tyres is keep them out of the sun. If leaving your car for a long period, park it in the shade, or in a garage.
If you have spare tyres, such as winter tyres, make sure they are stored appropriately as well.
A 1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, originally owned by movie icon Clark Gable, is now being offered for sale.
Discovered abandoned in 2010, the classic Jag has been subject to a thorough restoration process to return the car to its former glory.
Being owned by one of Hollywood’s greatest stars, and featuring custom touches by George Barris, should make this a roadster in demand.
“I’m no actor and I never have been”
The 1952 XK120 available on Bring a Trailer is said to be one of three owned by Clark Gable during his silver screen career.
Best known for appearing in the 1939 classic Gone with the Wind, Gable was rated as the seventh-greatest legendary movie star by the American Film Institute. He also topped lists of biggest money-making actors multiple times.
Such success allowed him to indulge in pleasures such as buying Jaguar sports cars, even into the twilight years of his career after military service during World War II.
Hollywood Hobbies
Built in July 1952, the XK120 Roadster available for sale was delivered to Los Angeles and sold through the Hornburg dealership. Originally painted in Battleship Grey by the factory, the car was sent almost immediately to the workshops of George and Sam Barris.
Gable’s initial Jaguar XK120 was the first one sold in the United States, having been bought new in Hollywood. His second was said to have been a gift from Tony Hulman, the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This meant he wanted his third XK120 to stand out, meaning the gray paintwork had to go. As such, Gable asked Barris Kustoms to repaint the Jaguar in a bold bronze color scheme.
Too Hot to Handle
Along with the paintwork, Barris Kustoms also shaved the headlight spears, smoothed the front fenders, and removed decorative items from the trunk. A custom-made hardtop was also installed, plus Barris Kustoms badges.
The interior of the XK120 was left unchanged by Barris Kustoms, retaining the bold red leather upholstery and matching wool carpets.
Also untouched was the standard 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine and its twin SU carburettors. This offered 160 horsepower, and made the XK120 the world’s fastest production car when it debuted in 1948.
Gone with the Wind
Following Gable’s death in 1960, details of where the XK120 went are unclear. However, it was discovered by a Chicago-based car collector in 2010, having been left in storage.
The extensive restoration was then commissioned, including having the car painted in the subtler Opalescent Sand color seen on it now.
All work was documented and photographed, including original items like the factory tool kit and custom luggage marked with Gable’s initials.
Following the restoration the car has appeared at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the 2019 Greenwich Concours, and this year’s Amelia Island Concours event.
Homecoming
A Jaguar XK120 in fully restored condition, and with only 18,000 miles on the odometer, would be a desirable classic in almost any situation.
Having been owned by a cinema legend, and featuring modifications by a famed custom shop, makes this a unique proposition.
Certificates of authenticity from Barris Kustoms and the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust are included in the sale, plus a photo of Gable with the car itself.
The car is being sold as part of Bring a Trailer’s Premium service, meaning the auction runs for longer than normal. Due to conclude on Friday, April 10th, Gable’s Jaguar has already received several big bids.
