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Buying new
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Buying used
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Electric car advice
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Selling a car
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FAQs
Should I choose petrol, hybrid, or electric?
The right fuel type for you will depends on how far you drive a day, and where you're able to charge (or refuel).
Electric cars (EVs) are best suited to those with off-street parking, especially if you can have a home EV charger installed. EVs can offer the lowest day-to-day running costs by far, and are perfect for city driving, regular commuting and longer journeys.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are a great stepping stone if you want electric running for short daily trips, but frequently take far longer motorway journeys and want the safety net of a petrol engine.
Petrol cars are still the most practical choice if frequently take longer journeys, and aren't able to charge at home.
Diesel cars continue to decline in popularity, but they still remain the most efficient choice for drivers covering huge annual mileages, or for those who regularly tow heavy loads.
How to get the best price when selling my car?
To get the best price, you should consider how you're going to sell it, and how you're going to prepare it.
Selling privately will usually net you the highest price, but you'll need to deal with test drives and time-wasters. Online car-buying services, such as Motorway, offer a great middle ground for a quick sale, while part-exchanging at a dealership could be the most convenient option if you're also buying a new (or used) can from them.
A complete, stamped service history and a thick folder of maintenance receipts show buyers the car has been cared for. That will give buyers the confidence that your car is a good one, and should mean you'll get more for it as a result.
A fresh MOT (ideally with no advisories), fixing scuffed alloy wheels, and paying for a professional valet could add more to the car's final sale price than they cost to carry out — but don't get carried away spending more than you'll recoup.
How to cut down on running costs
Beyond your finance payments, day-to-day running costs can easily be reduced:
Driving on under-inflated tyres forces your engine or electric motor to work harder, burning more fuel or electricity in the process. Check your tyre pressures every couple of weeks.
Never allow your car insurance to auto-renew: use My What Car? to search for car insurance a few weeks before your renewal date to help get the cheapest premium.
Anticipate the road ahead to avoid heavy braking and acceleration. For EV and hybrid drivers, experiment with your regenerative braking to best recover lost energy.
Skipping a car service is a false economy. Fresh oil, clean filters, and regular check-ups keep the engine running efficiently and can help prevent expensive failures down the line.
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