What Car? advice

Our advice section has the answers to your motoring questions, whether you're buying, selling, or just looking to reduce your motoring bills. And you can even contact us for help with car-related problems

What is PCP? Understanding personal contract purchase car finance

Personal contract purchase (PCP) is the UK’s most popular method of buying a new car. We share how i..

Jack Mortimer, Sun Jan 26 2025

Car finance mis-selling – what do you need to do?

Millions of drivers could be in line for payouts through the misselling of car finance. We explain w..

Jack Mortimer, Mon Aug 04 2025

Best new car warranties

As a growing number of brands introduce 10-year warranties, we compare the cover provided by a range..

Jack Mortimer, Wed Jan 24 2024

Diesel particulate filters - everything you need to know about your DPF

A diesel particulate filter can cut emissions by 90% but also could cost you a packet to replace. We..

Jack Mortimer, Tue May 15 2018

Your campervan questions answered

Thinking about buying or hiring a campervan but nervous about asking the questions that are on your..

Alex Robbins, Wed Nov 01 2023

Everything you need to know about car leasing

Leasing can be one of the most straightforward ways to getting a new car, but is the the right finan..

Jack Mortimer, Sun Aug 25 2024

The most common MOT failure reasons - and how you can avoid them

More than a quarter of all cars tested initially fail their MOT every year. We share the most common..

Jack Mortimer, Fri May 26 2017

Van and pick-up tax - VED and BIK tax rates explained

The amount of tax you pay on your van or pick-up depends on the type of vehicle and how you use it..

Andrew Goodwin, Wed Feb 14 2024

How to choose the best car insurance

Car insurance is not only a legal requirement, its a safety net to ensure you're properly recompense..

Jack Mortimer, Thu Jan 19 2017

How to choose the best breakdown cover

There’s a wide range of breakdown cover types and optional extras available. Find out which policy w..

Jack Mortimer, Fri Nov 20 2015

Should I buy a new, nearly new or used car?

Knowing what type of car to buy can be a difficult decision. We share the three main options to see..

Jack Mortimer, Fri Jan 05 2018

Can I buy a car with cash?

With nearly four in five drivers financing their new car, we assess the possibilities and pitfalls o..

Jack Mortimer, Fri Jul 04 2025

How to buy a used car: tips for buying second-hand cars

While there are millions of used cars sold every year, buying one can still be a risk. We share the..

Jack Mortimer, Sun Jul 06 2025

How to sell a car: the complete guide

Whether you’re upgrading your car for a newer model or simply getting rid of it for cash, we share h..

Jack Mortimer, Tue Apr 09 2024

What is GAP insurance and how much should you pay for it?

GAP insurance helps drivers get the full retail price for their car if it is stolen or written off..

Jack Mortimer, Mon Jan 29 2024

A guide to short-term car insurance

If you’re borrowing, sharing or thinking of buying a vehicle, temporary forms of car insurance may h..

Jack Mortimer, Thu Jan 19 2017

Ending a car leasing agreement early

Knowing whether to end a car lease contract early can be a difficult and sometimes expensive decisio..

Jack Mortimer, Fri Nov 18 2022

PCP or HP: should I still consider HP?

Spreading the cost can help to bring a desirable car within reach. We take a look at the pros and co..

Jack Mortimer, Tue Dec 24 2024

How to test drive a car

Test drives offer a good opportunity to decide whether a potential purchase is the right car for you..

Jack Mortimer, Mon Nov 16 2015

What is Apple CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra?

We explain what Apple CarPlay is, the features it offers, what has been added in CarPlay Ultra – and..

Jack Mortimer, Tue Jul 30 2024