Why some motorists are avoiding MOTs and using faulty tyres

Gareth Herincx

33 mins ago
Auto News

MOT testing station

New data from the RAC reveals that 20% of UK drivers under the age of 44 have cut costs by skipping legally required MOTs or delaying tyre replacements, raising significant safety concerns.

The cost-of-living crisis has also driven 19% of all drivers to reduce or halt car servicing and repairs entirely.

For younger drivers, the trend is even more pronounced, with more than a third of under-25s admitting to deferring essential car maintenance.

Bald, worn and damaged tyres - © Gareth Herincx

Across all age groups, one in 10 drivers have neglected to replace worn tyres or skipped MOTs, both critical measures to ensure road safety for the UK’s 42 million vehicles.

Failing to carry out routine maintenance and repairs to save money could also prove to be a false economy when a vehicle breaks down and owners are then faced with a big repair bill.

This is borne out by six-in-10 (59%) drivers facing unexpected repair costs for their main vehicle over the past 12 months. The average total amount spent on these repairs was £617.

“It’s very worrying that so many drivers under the age of 44 appear to have risked breaking the law by not putting their vehicles through the MOT and running them on tyres that should have been replaced, all in an attempt to save some money,” said RAC breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams.

“Safety on our roads is paramount. The MOT is a legal requirement for good reason. Skipping it jeopardises the safety of all road users, including the driver.”

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Pirelli UK crowned ‘Tyre Manufacturer of the Year’

Gareth Herincx

35 mins ago
Auto News

Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3

Pirelli UK has been named Tyre Manufacturer of the Year at the prestigious National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) Awards 2024.

The coveted award, decided by a select panel of independent industry experts, recognises Pirelli’s excellence in product innovation, sustainability, and beyond.

Pirelli’s success stems from its commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability, is exemplified by products such as the P Zero range, including the P Zero E tyre – the first UHP (ultra-high performance) tyre on the market with more than 55% bio-based and recycled materials.

“The independent judges were hugely impressed with the outstanding award entry from Pirelli,” said NTDA CEO Stefan Hay.

“They agreed that as the only major manufacturer still producing new tyres in the UK, Pirelli demonstrated that it is still at the heart of not only the UK tyre trade, but also in the local communities in which its manufacturing plants are based.

“From innovation to sustainability, industry-wide training initiatives and ground-breaking partnerships, Pirelli showed its world class commitment, culminating in impressive updates on its company-wide digital transformation project, its People Plan and the five pillars of working together.”

Dimitrios Papadakos, CEO of Pirelli UK, said “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners.

“We strive to offer products that not only enhance performance but also prioritise sustainability and safety, values that are integral to our prestige brand.

Pirelli employs more than 1,300 people across two manufacturing sites in Carlisle and Burton-on-Trent, which is also home to the UK’s head office. The tyre giant also has a motorsport base in Didcot, Oxfordshire.

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Half term adventures off the beaten track

With the October half term well underway, we’ve teamed up with Toyota to compile a list of lesser-known locations across the UK for unforgettable days out – easily accessible by car.

The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports would be a natural for such trips. Spacious and economical, it’s ideally suited for family days out.

Not only does it have almost 600 litres of boot capacity, providing plenty of space for buggies, bikes, and picnics, but children are well catered for. They can enjoy audio books and music – via Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, or wired Android Auto systems.

The car is also equipped with Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems, and finding your way to your destination is made hassle-free with cloud-based navigation that uses live traffic intelligence.

Half term adventures with the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

North-west England

BeWILDerwood, Cheshire (M6 – 18 miles from Junction 16)

This adventure forest is great for families with children aged 0-12 years, with activities such as ziplines, tree mazes, and climbing – many of which have been adapted for babies and toddlers too. During October and on selected November dates, BeWILDerwood is hosting The Glowing Lantern Parade: an enchantingwoodland display for darker evenings. Its attractions are accessible to all, with ‘rugged’ wheelchairs available.

Ticket price varies based on height – no more than £22.50 per person, and those under 92cm tall go free. BeWILDerwood’s free parking includes disabled spaces and electric vehicle charging points.

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent (M6 – eight miles from J16)

The adventures at Waterworld range from Toddler Slides and the Interactive Jungle House, to extreme Thunderbolt and Cyclone rides.

There are disabled parking spaces, ramps, and changing cubicles – and all areas are wheelchair accessible. Entry tickets cost £24 for adults, £20 per child under 1.1m, and £7 for babies under two. There is a private, pay cark park nearby.

North-east England

Danby Lodge, York (A1 – forty miles from J49)

Located in York, Danby Lodge offers free entry to beautiful gardens and a shop offering books for all ages – to provide adventures for the mind. For the more athletic, there’s an outdoor play area and a woodland mud kitchen.

On Wednesday 30October, Danby Lodge is hosting Park in the Dark, at which you can explore the grounds by twilight. Other special activities, such as storytelling and performing, are also scheduled during the half-term week.

Paid parking is close to the entrance and wheelchair accessible routes can be obtained from the information desk. An off-road ‘tramper’ wheelchair, electric scooter and manual wheelchair are available – contact the venue for availability times and dates.

Midlands

Wroxham Barns, Norwich (A140 – 10 miles from A47 junction)

Wroxham Barns is a fun-filled adventure: you can pet and feed the animals, play in the indoor play area, go on the rides, or enjoy a round of mini golf. Almost the whole site is wheelchair accessible and wheelchair loans are available.

Entry is £9 and those under two go free. There is plenty of free parking available on site, including disabled parking.

South-east England

Nower Wood, Leatherhead (M25 – four miles from J9)

A great location for all nature lovers, especially bird-watchers, this woodland is suitable for all the family and provides wheelchair-accessible paths and disabled parking.

During October half term, the wood is hosting family events including Autumn Photography (27 October), Wild Explorers Holiday Club for children five to 11 (29-31October) and the Wild Rangers Conversation Club (31 October) for 11-17-year-olds, encouraging them to understand human impact on the natural environment.

Parking costs £10 for members and £11 for non-members, advance bookings only.

Half term adventures with the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

Aldenham Country Park (M25 – nine miles from J19)

Aldenham Country Park is an idyllic location, 12 miles north of London. There is an extensive range of activities available, such as feeding and petting animals, nature trails, and an adventure playground where you can swing, climb, and zip-line around.

From 12 October to 3 November, Spook-Fest offers Pumpkin Bingo, Giant Puzzles, Spider Maze, and Spooky-Oke. Pumpkin Picking and Carving, and Horrid Hay Tractor Rides, are scheduled for specific dates.

For SEND visitors, sessions are half price, and the SEND pavilion is open on weekends and during the school holidays; the adventure playground is reserved 9-11am for SEND-exclusive play.

Tickets cost £16.45 and include farm activities and access to the adventure playground. Activities can also be purchased individually. Parking onsite costs £4.50 a day.

South-west England

Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe (M5 – 17 miles from J27)

Built on the Devon coast in 1825, the gardens and villages of Watermouth Castle are today open to visitors. The Steam Carousel and Spinning Cooking Pots are rides aimed at young children.

New for this year, the Halloween Scare offers attractions such as the Cursed Forest, the Carnival of Clowns, and the Mad Maze. These are suitable for anyone older than 12, while those below 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Day tickets are £18, and parking is free; wheelchair users go free, with an accessible route around the castle.

Avon Valley, Bath (M32 – 10 miles from J13)

Avon Valley is an adventure and wildlife park, with a wealth of activities – such as the sand and water play areas, dinosaur valley with animatronic dinosaurs, miniature railway, and 8m climbing tower.

The Pumpkin Patch is open to visit throughout October, where you can pick your own pumpkins. The FEAR Scream Park (select days from 11 October) features rides and interactive experiences. Fearless is a family-friendly Halloween experience, for the fainter-hearted.

There is disabled parking; indoor areas are level and ramped; there is a visual guide to visiting Avon Valley for those with autism and sensory needs. Tickets for over twos are £14.95 on the day and £11.95 in advance. Parking is free.

Scotland

Glasgow Science Centre (M8 – two miles off J20)

Broaden the horizons of your adventure with the centre’s interactive exhibitions exploring space, the solar system, and quantum physics. There are also optical illusions to amaze all ages.

Glasgow Science Centre is accessible for all, with autism-friendly hours on Sundays, and an app called WelcoMe which helps users inform the team of any accessibility needs. The ticket desk loans wheelchairs which can be used in the accessible lifts and parking.

Tickets are £14.75 for adults and £11.50 for children over three. On-site parking is £3 per day.

Northern Ireland

High Rise, Lisburn (M1 – three miles from J6)

High Rise is an indoor centre offering activities for all ages – from climbing walls to soft play areas, and even an interactive sensory room for babies. Sessions last 90 minutes for climbing and soft play, and 45 minutes in sensory rooms.

There are sensory assistants and ear defenders available to borrow. Each week, there is an autism-friendly Clip n’ Climb and soft play session, which have received the Autism Impact Award from Autism NI.

Prices vary from £5 to £15.50.

Wales

Zip World, North Wales (A5 – two miles from the exit onto A470)

A treetop adventure for all the family, with activities such as the Fforest Coaster, Zip Safari, and Skyride.

From 11 October to 3 November, Zip World is hosting its annual Ffear Fforest Scare-Fest for visitors over nine, from 7:30-10:30pm. Its classic adventures are transformed into spooky experiences, such as the Cursed Coaster, The Nets, Nightfall (a 100ft tower), and Screamride.

There is parking on site; prices range from £13 to £40 per person.

Greenwood, North Wales (A55 – six miles from J11)

Be it the world’s only people-powered rollercoaster and a solar-powered water slide, moon kart riding, or animal petting, GreenWood is wholesome adventure for all the family.

During half term, Greenwood is hosting its SpOokWoOd festival, where children can enter a costume competition, watch Halloween-themed shows, participate in pumpkin carving and enjoy some spooky treats. This festival is aimed at children aged 3-10.

Off-peak tickets booked up to midnight the day before your visit (valid in October and November) are £7 for visitors under 1m and £20 for those taller than this height. Parking is free.

Britain’s best new cars revealed

Gareth Herincx

45 mins ago
Auto News

Dacia Duster

The all-new Dacia Duster has been named ‘Car of the Year’ and ‘Best Small Family Car’ in the 2025 Carbuyer Best Car Awards.

Now in its third generation, the Duster was praised for its sharp design, quality, value for money and some clever touches.

Commenting on the win, Carbuyer Editor, Paul Barker, said: “The Dacia Duster has become a smash hit with British buyers who love its no-nonsense, affordable approach to SUV ownership. Well guess what, the third-generation Duster is even better.

“It’s more practical and electrified engines mean it’s more economical too. If you want it, there’s even a four-wheel drive version that’s a genuine budget off-roader.

“Dacia has always done value for money very well but the new Duster is a far more complete package than we’ve seen before from the brand.

“Sharp design, improved quality and a host of clever touches make it a fantastic small family car. And it’s still cheap to buy and run, too.”

Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2025: all the winners

  • Best Small Car 2025: Renault Clio
  • Best Small Family Car 2025: Dacia Duster
  • Best Family Car 2025: Skoda Octavia
  • Best Large Family Car 2025: Skoda Kodiaq
  • Best Estate Car 2025: Skoda Superb Estate
  • Best Small Company Car 2025: Cupra Born
  • Best Large Company Car 2025: Tesla Model Y
  • Best Sports Car 2025: BMW 2 Series Coupe
  • Best Hot Hatchback 2025: Volkswagen Golf GTI
  • Best Convertible 2025: Mazda MX-5
  • Best Small Electric Car 2025: Citroen e-C3
  • Best Family Electric Car 2025: Renault Scenic
  • Best Large Electric Car 2025: Kia EV9
  • Best Hybrid 2025: MG ZS
  • Best Plug-in Hybrid 2025: Toyota Prius
  • Best Large Plug-in Hybrid 2025: Lexus NX
  • Carbuyer car of the Year 2025: Dacia Duster

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Expert tips for passing your driving test aged 17

Young Driver Josh Burford

The average learner driver now has 45 lessons in order to pass their driving test – a great expense in terms of time and money.

That wasn’t the case for Josh Burford from Lichfield, Staffordshire, who managed to pass his driving test after just five on-the-road driving lessons.

Here, Josh, who passed just 52 days after his 17th birthday in May 2024, shares his top tips:

1. Don’t wait until you’re 17 to start learning to drive
Josh had driving lessons with Young Driver from the age of 10. Because driving lessons take place on private property, they’re completely legal. They take place in dual controlled cars with qualified instructors, as the aim is to learn in the same way you would at 17. Mock road systems are set up, and there’s other learners practising at the same time, so you get experience of other traffic. Josh had a lesson every couple of months or so, to keep his skills up, meaning that before he even became a teenager he knew how to work the clutch and the gears. As Josh explains: “When I had my first on-the-road lesson at 17, the instructor recommended I put straight in for my test.”

Josh Burford at 12 years old, having driving lessons with Young Driver

2. Apply for your provisional licence as soon as you can
You don’t need to wait until you’re 17, you can do that from 15 years and nine months. Do it early so there’s no hold up when you turn 17 as you won’t be allowed to learn on the roads without one.

3. Ask around for recommendations of instructors
Look for an instructor you can build a rapport with and bear in mind some have very long waiting lists. It is worth contacting them a few months before your 17th birthday to enquire.

4. Practice makes perfect
Josh explains: “In the 50 days between turning 17 and taking my test I practiced with my parents when it was possible, just on day-to-day journeys we would have been making anyway. If they were taking a trip to the shops, I drove. It might only have been 10 minutes, but it all helps. And it meant I had to keep practising parking!”

5. Book your theory test as soon as you can – and make sure you prep for it
You can take your theory test at 17 as long as you have a provisional licence. Josh passed his theory test nine days after his 17th birthday. Josh said: “Get the Highway Code and start reading it at least three months prior to your theory test. Do a little bit when you can, here and there. Also use an app with theory test practice exams and hazard perception tests too.”

6. Pay attention as a passenger
It’s easy to zone out in the car, or look at your phone. But pay attention and ask questions. Look at lane discipline and get the feel for roundabouts and more complicated road systems.

7. Book your test as soon as the instructor says you’re ready
You will need to pass your theory test first, however. When Josh first applied for his driving test, he couldn’t get one for five months – which he booked so he knew he had it in the diary if all else failed.

8. Use an app to monitor for driving test cancellations
Josh used a paid for app called Testi which issues alerts for cancelled tests. His directly booked test wasn’t until November, but after booking one in August via Testi, he then managed to get one in July,  which he took and passed.

9. Do your test somewhere you know
Josh recommends being somewhere you know: “There are reports that people are travelling the length and breadth of the country to find an earlier test. However, I wanted to be somewhere there was a likelihood I would know the roads. Travelling hours away would have added to my stress levels.”

10. Spend some time getting to know your car
Are you confident about putting on the lights, windscreen wipers and so on? You may be asked to show these in the test and you want it to be as automatic as possible.

11. Use YouTube to help you prep
Josh explains: “I watched YouTube videos on the driving test routes near to me, so I could familiarise myself with them. Sometimes I went and drove them, other times I just watched a video. I think it helped me to stay calm in the test as it seemed a little more familiar, even though mine ended up being one I’d just watched online.”

12. Don’t panic
Josh’s final advice is around keeping your cool. He said: “If it feels like it’s all going wrong, don’t panic. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed – and if you have, use it as experience. You’ll know more what to expect next time round.”