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Auto Connection is the source of independent information for everyone that drives as part of their working lives. Whether you commute to work using your own car, have a car provided by your employer, or drive a van as part of your job, Auto Connection provides up-to-date, expert guidance on the topics that matter to you. The Auto Connection team has decades of experience working with fleet management companies, vehicle finance and employee car scheme providers, as well as automotive charities and government transport agencies. We take the time to research the key issues faced by everyone driving for work, so you know where to find the latest information along with intelligent, informed opinion.

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It may be challenging to know which option to select with so many new car finance alternatives from a wide range of lenders. So we'll walk you through some of the most important questions you need to answer to figure out what sort of financing is right for you.

Is ownership important?

If you buy a vehicle with cash, such as from your funds or through a loan, it will be yours from the start. However, other types of finance offer different ownership options. Personal contract hire- there is no contractual option to take ownership at the end of the term. The vehicle will usually be returned to the leasing company, and you will be able to take out another deal on a new car.

Personal contract purchase is more flexible, and you would have the option to take ownership at the end of the agreement by making a 'balloon payment'. The size of this payment will be fixed at the start of the agreement. Hire purchase - you will legally own the vehicle once the finance provider has received the final payment.

Are you in a position to buy a new car outright?

If you've got the funds to purchase a new car outright, this may be the most cost-effective choice. Take a closer look at the interest rate you're earning and compare it to the interest rate on any finance deal; the interest you lose from your savings will likely be less than what you pay for car financing.

It's worth noting that if you buy a car outright, you always have the option to sell it if you need cash.

How long do you want to keep the car?

If you want to buy a car and keep it for many years, you'll need to choose between buying it outright or taking out a loan agreement that allows you to acquire ownership at the end of the contract. If you wish to replace the vehicle with a new one after a few years, most forms of financing will be suitable.

The perfect company car for you should suit your needs both professionally and personally. When it comes to company cars, there are several factors you need to consider. One thing that requires careful thought is the cost and how much tax will be due on your vehicle. You may also want to think about green credentials - do you have an eco-friendly fleet policy?

How's your credit rating?

If you aren't a cash buyer, you'll need to consider your credit rating. The better your credit score, the better the finance deal you'll be able to secure. You will also be able to borrow a higher amount. You'll also need to show the lender that you can make the payments over the term of the contract. If you're having trouble making car finance repayments, contacting the lender is usually a good idea. They may be able to restructure the arrangement to make it more affordable at any time during a vehicle finance agreement. If you default on any secured financing on the value of your automobile (including HP, PCP, and PCH), then the vehicle may be repossessed.

How many miles are you likely to drive?

When you take out a finance product where the provider takes the residual value risk (PCH or PCP), you'll be asked to state your annual mileage at the point you create your quote. This is because the total number of miles driven over the contract period will impact how much the car is worth at the end of the contract. With HP or a loan, you are taking the residual value risk, so you can cover as many miles as you want.

While it might be tempting to underestimate the mileage since this will likely reduce the monthly payments, doing this could result in you paying more as you would get an excess mileage charge at the end of the contract. It's worth being as accurate as you can, and if it looks as though you are likely to drive more miles than initially expected, contact the finance provider, and they may be able to adjust the agreement to avoid a charge at the end of the term.

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Do you want to take the risk of the car's future value?

If you buy a car with your cash, there is no guarantee of how much it will be worth at the end of the finance term. The same can happen if you take out loans or use HP.

Finance options exist which remove this risk from buyers by providing them with a guaranteed future value. With both Personal Contract Hire and Personal Contract Purchase the finance provider takes this risk, by guaranteeing the value of the car at the end of the finance agreement.

Flexible payment structure

The finance deals available to suit your needs can be as diverse and flexible as you want them. HP, PCP or PCH can provide flexibility to define the initial deposit and structure monthly repayments to suit your budget.

For example, you might see a deal advertised as a 3+35 month or 6+33 month contract. These figures refer to the size of the deposit and the number of subsequent monthly payments required. So, a 3+35 month contract will require a deposit of three times the monthly payment amount, followed by 35 monthly repayments.

Hybrids

Hybrid cars, most commonly plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), are electric cars that use both a combustion engine and an electric motor. They can be powered by either petrol or diesel.

You might think that tyre safety is something you can take for granted, but it's one of the most important aspects of car maintenance. Tyres are what keep your car on the road, and if they're not in good condition, you could be putting yourself and others at risk. In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips for keeping your tyres in good shape and how to tell when they need replacing.

Why is tyre safety is vital for car maintenance

Tyres are one of the essential factors in a car's performance. They dictate how well the car handles, braking distances and fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, when tyres aren't maintained properly, it can lead to accidents and fatalities.

It's also important to remember that tyres are critical to car safety. They play an important role in how well the car handles in different weather conditions and provide traction on wet or icy roads. If your tyres aren't maintained, you could be putting yourself and others at risk of getting into an accident.

Tyres can also affect the comfort level by increasing noise pollution when they're worn down too much or causing vibration in the steering wheel due to uneven wear patterns. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is also an essential part of good car maintenance because it ensures that tyres can grip properly and perform at their best in all conditions. This can help reduce fuel consumption too! This blog post has covered some of the key considerations when deciding which new company car is right for you, but there are many other things to take into account.

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The legal tread depth is only one indicator of whether a tyre needs replacing. A tyre with a good amount of tread left might still be at the end of its useful life, so it's important to check tyres regularly and replace them as soon as they show any signs of wear or damage.

Checking tyre pressure

The correct tyre pressure is an essential part of good car maintenance. It ensures that the tyres can grip properly and perform at their best in all conditions. This can help reduce fuel consumption too. The pressure information is located either on the door sill or behind the filler cap on most cars. Remember that the pressure will increase when a vehicle is fully loaded, so checking the pressure when the car is empty or adjusting it accordingly is important.

When the pressure is checked, it should always be done when the tyres are cold, since as the temperature rises, air expands and may produce false readings. When under-inflated, tyres have uneven contact with the road. If they are left under-inflated for a long time, they will develop excessive wear on the inside and outside edges of the tread. Low pressure also raises rolling resistance, lowering fuel efficiency and producing more CO2 emissions.

Overinflating your tyres may be just as harmful and expensive. Over-inflated tyres have a decreased contact surface, leading to reduced traction and braking distances. Overinflated tyres will also wear more rapidly and unevenly on the tyre's central section, reducing longevity.

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Drivers are increasingly at risk of being involved in a road traffic accident. With congested roads, rising numbers of road users and busy schedules, the chances of being in an accident are growing. If you're unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure the safest outcome for all concerned. This article covers what to do if you have an accident and provides practical advice on how to handle yourself and the situation.

If you're involved in an accident, try and stop somewhere safe. If it's not possible to move the vehicle off the road, put on your hazard lights and use a warning triangle. This will alert other motorists that there has been an incident ahead of them. Failing to stop after a car accident is an offence under the Road Traffic Act, regardless of how minor the accident may be. If someone leaves the accident scene without giving their details, call 101 immediately.

With modern engines incorporating turbo or superchargers to extract more power from smaller, less expensive internal combustion motors, it is no longer reasonable to assume that a bigger engine will perform better. If you're concerned about your car's capabilities, look for figures such as power and torque.

Electric cars are now a genuine alternative for those doing the average commute. They are charged via plugging-in at public charging points, home, or even better - employer-provided!

How to Choose Your Next Company Car

Do you need a new company car? If so, how do you choose the right one? There are many factors to consider when making this decision, and it can be tricky to decide which vehicle is suitable for your needs. This blog post will discuss some of the most important things to consider when choosing your next company car.

What is a company car?

A company car is a vehicle supplied by an employer for use as part of the individual's job or employee benefit.

Historically, it has been a desirable perk, forming part of the employee benefits package for management positions. There are also essential use drivers, such as sales representatives, who typically drive many business miles.

Fuel Choices

Standard petrol or diesel combustion engines

Electric vehicles

Electric cars are now a genuine alternative for those doing the average commute. They are charged via plugging-in at public charging points, home, or even better - employer-provided! The major drawback is their range which can be limited depending on how far you need to go during your journey - but this problem may diminish thanks to battery technology advances.

Electric cars can be very appealing as a company car due to the low company car tax rates they attract. You can read more in this article about company car tax for electric vehicles.

Hybrids

Hybrid cars, most commonly plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), are electric cars that use both a combustion engine and an electric motor. They can be powered by either petrol or diesel. While most hybrids focus on improving fuel consumption with the aid of the electric motor, others use this to provide more power and better performance.

Now, many hybrid vehicles can travel a set number of miles on battery power alone.

If you are unsure how long you'll want to keep the car, the best option may be buy it outright with your savings or by taking out a personal loan. This means that you’ll own the car from the start, and so you've got full rights to sell it whenever you choose.

HP, PCP and PCH are all financing agreements that are made for a set period of time, so if you wanted to end them early, it’s likely the finance company will require you to meet certain contractual payments.

It all depends on the terms of your agreement and the leasing business's attitude. Some will require you to make all payments due, even if you return the car, while others may be more flexible.

You need to think about how the vehicle will suit your driving conditions, what sort of driving tasks it will do most often, and whether or not any changes in circumstance could happen over the next few years.

Electric cars are becoming more and more popular. But are they the right choice for you? In this blog post, we will discuss some practical considerations that you need to consider before deciding whether or not to buy an electric car. We will look at things like cost, range, and charging infrastructure. So if you're thinking of buying an electric car, read on!

1. What are electric cars, and how do they work?

Electric cars use an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine to power them. These vehicles have many advantages over traditional internal combustion engines, including lower emissions, less noise pollution, and more efficiency with regards to fuel use.

Electric cars work by storing energy in batteries. When you accelerate, the electric motor turns on and draws power from the batteries to propel the vehicle forward. When you brake or decelerate, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the batteries back up.

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The benefits of electric cars

There are many benefits to owning an electric car. Some of the most notable include:

-Lower emissions: Electric cars produce zero emissions, which is great for the environment.

-Less noise pollution: Internal combustion engines are very loud, but electric motors are much quieter. This makes them ideal for city driving, where noise pollution is a significant issue.

-More efficient fuel use: Electric cars are much more efficient than traditional internal combustion engines, which can lead to significant cost savings over time.

3. The costs of electric cars

Electric cars are not cheap to buy. An article from Which compared a selection of electric cars to the nearest equivalent petrol version. They compared the initial purchase price and the subsequent running costs.

Electric cars are more expensive to buy but cheaper to run. But how long does it take to recoup the difference?

In the UK, changing weather and temperature fluctuations require regular inspections to ensure that your vehicle's tyres are safe. Summer tyres are generally suited to the road conditions found in the UK and are most commonly used here.

Winter tyres are designed to endure temperatures below 7°C and have more grip than summer ones. The treads are made from softer rubber, which allows them to keep traction in low temperatures. In addition, they have a deeper tread pattern with more sipes than summer tyres and are designed to provide a better grip on wet or snowy surfaces.

Range anxiety

One of the biggest concerns about owning an electric car is range anxiety. Range anxiety is the fear that you will run out of charge before reaching your destination. This can be a significant issue if you have to drive long distances or live in an area where there aren't many charging points available – for example if you don't have off-street parking and rely on public chargers instead.

However, for most, this concern is unfounded. The average daily journey for UK drivers is relatively short - typically less than 30 miles. In addition, there are now a growing number of fast chargers available which can charge an electric car in as little as 30 minutes. In addition, as battery technology continues to improve, the range of electric cars is getting longer. The latest models can now travel for over 400 miles on a single charge. So, for many drivers, range anxiety is a non-issue. It's only likely relevant for drivers who regularly make long journeys or don't have access to charging points near their home.

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Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles

Another consideration when owning an electric car is the availability of charging infrastructure. If you don't have a driveway or garage, you may need to find a place to park your car while it's charging. This can be difficult if there aren't many public chargers available in your area.

The good news is that the number of public chargers is growing all the time. There are now over 18,000 public charging points in the UK. You can find a map of charging points near you on the Zap-Map website.

In addition, many supermarkets and other businesses now offer free or discounted charging for electric car owners.

Other considerations when purchasing an EV

There are many other practical considerations you need to take into account when purchasing an electric car, including:

-The environment: Electric cars produce zero emissions, which is great for the environment.

-Noise level: Internal combustion engines are very loud, but electric motors are much quieter. This makes them ideal for city driving where noise pollution is a problem.

You may need to inform your boss about the accident even if you are not driving a company car. If you're in an employer-owned vehicle or the accident is work-related, your employer will need to know about it.

The winter season can be a difficult time to drive in the UK. The roads are often icy and slippery, and bad weather can make driving conditions very dangerous. This blog post will share some tips for drivers who want to stay safe on the road during the winter months. We will cover topics such as preparing your car for winter, driving in bad weather, and dealing with hazardous road conditions. Stay safe this winter!

Be prepared

One of the most important things you can do to stay safe on the road during winter is to prepare your car for the weather. This includes checking your tyres, brakes, and engine oil levels, as well as making sure that all your lights are working correctly. You should also pack a winter emergency kit for your car, including items like a snow shovel, ice scraper, and warm clothes.

Driving in heavy rain

In wet weather, it's essential to know that stopping distances will be at least double those required for a stop on a dry road. The increased amount of water can make steering difficult and even unresponsive as well, so you should keep back from your vehicle in front; keep in mind that they might have trouble seeing where their next turn is going due to the rain or spray coming off other cars' wheels.

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Tackling flooded roads

It seems like every year, flooding becomes more and more of a problem. To combat the dangers of flooded roads, it's important to know how to drive through them properly. Here are four tips for doing just that:

1) Don't attempt to cross if the water appears too deep - you could easily get stuck or lose control of your vehicle.

2) Drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch - this will stop you from stalling.

3) Avoid driving through the deepest water, which is usually near kerbs.

4) Remember to test your brakes when you're through the flood before you drive at speed.

When you do have to travel by road, please bear in mind the following ten good practice driving tips:

· When driving in snow, slow down! When it is snowing heavily, and the roads are covered in a sheet of ice or snow, reduce your speed by at least a quarter. Make sure you leave enough room between you and the car ahead.

· Always check the weather forecast before setting off on your journey. If there is a risk of snow or ice, make sure you are prepared before you leave.

· Pack an emergency kit in your car. This should include a shovel, de-icer, a torch, and warm clothes.

· If visibility is poor, use your fog lights.

· When approaching a bend or junction, reduce speed and be prepared to stop if necessary.

· When driving on snow, take corners at a slower speed. To do this, you will need to reduce your speed before the bend to travel slower when approaching it.

· Anticipate hazards and plan ahead for them. For example, when approaching roundabouts or junctions, slow down immediately rather than gradually reducing speed as you get closer to the junction.

· When it's been snowing, make sure your windscreen is completely clear of ice or snow before setting off. This includes the roof and wing mirrors!

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