Jack Mortimer
Jack Mortimer is a motoring journalist currently working as a Content Editor at What Car?, having previously worked for various newspapers and radio stations.
He began his career by working with the local commercial radio station Fosse 107 and later news reading for BBC Radio Leicester. Joining the Daily Express in 2023 Jack focused on cars and motoring, producing more than 2000 articles, including road tests and interviews with key automotive figures for the title's UK and US websites during his time with the company.
Today, Jack typically writes advice articles for What Car?, sharing tips that could help motorists avoid pitfalls when buying and maintaining their next car, whether it's a brand new supercar or a pre-owned supermini.
Jack has a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University.
Jack is an expert in:
- Consumer advice
- Electric and hybrid cars
- Used car tips
- Classic cars
- Superminis and city cars
Jack Mortimer Q&A
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a car buyer?
Don’t be fooled by simply looking at the sticker price inside the showrooms. A model packed full of features for £40,000 sounds great today, but could turn into a nightmare if it costs a bomb to insure, is constantly in the garage, and has Titanic-level depreciation.
When buying a new or used car, don’t get caught up by fast-talking salespeople and pretty brochures. See where it ranked on our reliability survey, get insurance companies to share quotes, and find out how much older examples fetch second hand. A few extra hours of homework could make all the difference.
What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?
I’ve had the pleasure of testing all manner of performance models and supercars, and whilst they put a smile on my face, the complete lack of practicality would put me off owning one. As a result, some of the best cars I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving aren’t trying to be speed demons. The Renault 5 E-Tech, our Car of the Year 2025, is peppy enough to feel lively, but also has enough space and range to feel comfortable on long-haul trips.
That said, I can’t deny my love for charm-filled classic cars. Putting aside my own Citroen 2CV, which is rubbish up hills but superb around tight bends, I will never forget my time behind the wheel of a 1939 Austin Seven – completely the opposite of a powerful or practical car, but a hoot to drive.
What will the car market look like in 20 years?
In addition to the shift towards electric and possibly hydrogen-powered vehicles, I think that a lot of the companies selling cars in the UK will be completely unfamiliar to buyers today. China already has around 200 different vehicle manufacturers, including many startups that have high hopes of selling their models in Europe. Looking at the likes of MG and Volvo, it’s easy to imagine that more Western brands could come under the power of younger but more profitable Chinese car makers in the future.
My only real hope is that petrol and diesel will still be available to some extent in order to keep classics like my 2CV on the road!
