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11 shares 56 View comments A third of over 50s have tried to reduce the cost of running a motor in recent years, including driving less and shopping around for the best fuel prices, data has found. In fact, older drivers have cut their average annual mileage by a fifth since the financial crisis started – the average now stands at 5,389 miles a year, down from 6,561 miles, according to research by Saga Car Insurance. Its comprehensive survey found that 48 per cent of motorists over 50 who are cutting back are using their car less, while 47 per cent hunt out the cheapest place to fill up. Ditching the car: Increasing numbers of over 50s are driving less as motoring costs continue to rise The results found that 36 per cent are leaving the car and walking more frequently – while 35 per cent have increased the amount which they use public transport. It also found that one in 14 have started shopping for groceries online to avoid driving to the shops, while six per ce

5 shares 33 View comments Many top car hire companies are failing to disclose additional costs up front making it ‘almost impossible’ for drivers to find the best deal, according to a consumer watchdog. Extra charges for a compulsory tank of petrol, the cost of excess payments on insurance policies, and the waiver policy to avoid these charges, are routinely withheld until late in the booking process, Which? has claimed. Which? made the accusation after its researchers attempted to rent cars in Spain – one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers to hire vehicles – from 10 major hire companies and broker websites. Car hire hell: Which? wants charges to be clearer for those who rent a car after its Spanish investigation At the end of the booking process, it said, researchers were not satisfied that they knew the total price in 53 per cent of the bookings. The watchdog made 120 visits in February 2013 to five car hire firms - Alamo, Avis, Enterp

13 shares 25 View comments Sizzling Skoda: Three cars from the manufacturer feature in the satisfaction league table Britain's top ten cars have been named in a major satisfaction survey, but which is the biggest bargain at three years old? While the pleasure of a brand new car is undeniable, the satisfaction of picking a second-hand one up that feels as good as new for a fraction of the original cost is substantial. We reveal how to pick up one of the nation's best motors at a lower price The Skoda Yeti has been voted as Britain’s favourite car by motorists, beating brands such as BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes. The Czech carmaker also saw its Superb model take second place on the podium, while its Octavia came sixth – not bad for a manufacturer that was the butt of jokes about its quality for decades. It has had a huge image change since it was taken over by German car giant Volkswagen. Before that, its unreliable reputation made it the victim of countless

8 shares 9 View comments Car insurance premiums are expected to fall up to 15 per cent this year as the authorities crack down on Britain’s compensation  culture. However, it seems that insurers are not ready to let go of their lucrative links to the personal injury claims industry. Admiral has led the way by setting up a joint venture with a law firm, but many other insurers – including the one behind Tesco’s  car insurance business – are doing the same. LEADER: Admiral has led the way by setting up a joint venture with a law firm, but many other insurers are doing the same Insurers and the claims industry became entwined through referral fees in which insurers passed on details of accident victims to lawyers, who then contacted the claimant, offering to sue on their behalf. The system gave insurers an extra source of income, but because it added to legal costs and damages – including a boom in whiplash injury claims – it also made car cover more expensive for

7 shares 15 View comments Young women have been hit by the largest increases to car insurance premiums ever recorded for an age group over the past year, as EU rules on gender discrimination removed the discount they have traditionally enjoyed over their male counterparts. The average quoted comprehensive premium for a 17-20 year old woman rose by an eye-watering 20.7 per cent in the last 12 months, according to research in the Confused.com/Towers Watson car insurance price index. This is the biggest year-on-year jump ever recorded for any age group. Yearly car insurance costs for young females are now at an all-time high average of £2,256. But at the same time, young male motorists have seen prices plummet. The average quoted price for a 17-20 man fell by an average of 21.6 per cent over the past year. Hit hard: Young female drivers have seen car insurance prices soar since the EU Gender Directive began in December Young female motorists have traditionally enjoy

32 shares 10 View comments Where could overtaking a school bus get you into hot water? And which country requires drivers with glasses to always carry a spare pair? Driving abroad can be a minefield for the unprepared motorist, so here we round up essential information for staying safe and within the law when driving on the continent - as well as some of the quirkier local customs that can catch unsuspecting British drivers... Driving abroad is increasingly popular, as the record number of vehicles that crossed from England to France via EuroTunnel this Easter shows. On Good Friday alone more than 10,600 drove off the shuttle at Calais. Driving abroad offers you great flexibility and it should be adventurous and fun, providing you’re prepared. Road to ruin: Brits driving abroad need to be aware of local laws. There’s more to it than simply remembering which side of the road to drive on. For a start, the rules can differ from one country to the next. Drive in Fr

9 shares 25 View comments Car sales have continued to soar as cheap finance deals and rising second hand prices tempt more people to buy new – and the petrol engine is staging a comeback. New car registrations were up 14.8 per cent annually in April, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported with private buyers snapping up a third more vehicles in April than in March. The rise in new car sales has been driven by affordable finance offers, such as those that allow buyers to put down minimal deposits and get a showroom fresh version of one of Britain's favourite cars for less than £150 per month. Hot hatch: The Ford Fiesta is Britain's favourite new car, as buyers are tempted to opt for a showroom fresh model by cheap finance deals.   More... How younger drivers can beat the car insurance trap - and even drive a more exciting car Could you be paying less for your car insurance? Find out here At the same time businesses with fleet v