Don’t Stop Me Now is the number one driving song in the UK, a study has revealed.
The single which was released in 1979 was one of three Queen hits to feature in the top ten.
Mr Brightside, the first single released by The Killers was runner up.
REVEALED: THE UK’s TOP 10 DRIVING SONGS Read More »
The ever-popular Vauxhall Corsa was back this year with its fourth generation. Coming with a new chassis and a fresher suspension set up, the Corsa gave its rivals, the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo a serious run for their money. But what is just so special about the latest Vauxhall Corsa? In this article, I’m going to talk you through the top features that I think make the Corsa stand out from the rest.It should be noted, before I start, that not all of these products come as standard, and you may have to pay extra for them. If in doubt, contact a dealership or your vehicle broker and they will be able to provide additional information. One of the first things that caught my eye with the new Corsa was the amount of technology that came with the car…
4 features you will love about the 2016 Vauxhall Corsa Read More »
Mileage, regardless of whether you are leasing or buying, is quite a big factor when looking at a new car. For example, you don’t want to be looking at cars that are only available as petrol. This is because a diesel engine is much more suited to doing a high mileage and long distance journeys than a petrol engine is. If you ended up going for a petrol, then it could cost you more money at the petrol pump than if you were to go for a diesel. So what cars are good for doing high mileage? A majority of manufacturers offer a 3-year warranty or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, there are some brands that go that extra mile because they believe in their products so much, that they have longer warranties. Take a look at my top manufacturers for high mileage and…
What are the best cars for high mileage? Read More »
Derived from the MG6 five-door hatchback, MG Motor UK MG6 Magnette Saloon is, according to the promotional material, entirely British. It was conceived here, designed here, engineered here – and apparently even built here. It’s as British as fish and chips. Or rain during a caravan holiday with your wife and mother-in-law. Except it isn’t. Not really. And this is where some of the criticism has come in. Although the car was certainly styled here in Britain, it was actually built all the way over in China by the same company which owns MG Rover. Then, it was packed off to our green and pleasant land where a geezer fitted an engine. It isn’t really British, and therefore expectations should be managed better. The benefit of a car such as this being exported over, though, is that it’s going to be cheap. Cheap – but any good? Is this just another substandard product that is priced so low you don’t even care if it falls apart while you’re filling up several shopping bags in Tesco? OSV takes a closer look to find out with our MG Motor UK MG6 Magnette Saloon review.
Review of the MG Motor UK MG6 Magnette Saloon: Features / Price / Comparison Read More »
You want a new car. And you thought that maybe you would treat yourself to a new convertible.
But, which one do you get?
Contrary to popular belief, there aren’t actually that many convertibles on the market. But out of the ones that are, which ones are the best? In this article we look at our best convertibles, and which one would be right for you. Before we start, should you actually get a convertible? As you are aware, convertibles are different to your standard car. So there are some things that you should consider before you make the decision to get one. For example…
Is a convertible right for me? Read More »
Although you may not have guessed it, Suzuki is the ninth largest automaker by production in the world in 2012. With over 45,000 employees worldwide, Suzuki has roughly 35 main production facilities in 23 countries. Full name Suzuki Motor Corporation, this Japanese multinational also makes motorcycles, ATVs, several varieties of engine and even wheelchairs. The firm is best known for their compact or “kei” class cars, but its origins are quite removed from motor vehicles.
OSV takes a look into the interesting history of Suzuki. Suzuki started out in 1909 as the Suzuki Loom Works, in the city of Hamamastu on the Southeast Coast of central Japan. Founder Michio Suzuki focused on manufacturing looms for Japan’s prosperous silk industry for nearly 30 years before turning his attention to automobiles.
A brief history of Suzuki: From Loom Works to the Swift Read More »
As the luxury division of Nissan Motor Company, the Infiniti marque has been has been around for less than a quarter of a century. Before Honda launched their own Acura division in 1986, Japanese luxury car brands were unheard of. Three years later, both Nissan and Toyota (with its Lexus division) decided to enter the high-end auto market.
Yet, despite its recent origins, Infiniti has helped to carve out a significant niche in a world previously dominated by European (predominantly German) automakers. Developed exclusively for the overseas market, the Infiniti brand was not introduced into Japan until 2013. So, how did this luxury branch come to be? We take a look at the short but interesting history of Infiniti. In 1989, a Japanese premium car was still a novel concept in the West. And, unfortunately, Infiniti didn’t quite make the initial splash it intended to. The debut Q45, a full-sized luxury car, was advertised with a subtle Zen-inspired mystique. The cars, interestingly, weren’t even shown. However, sales were modest…
A brief history of Infiniti: From the Q45 to the world Read More »
If you are looking for a new car, you may be doing some online research and wondering if you can negotiate car prices.
Pricing in the automotive industry is complex, and it can be daunting trying to understand what is a good deal and what isn’t, and when there is room for negotiation.
At OSV, we have advised thousands of customers on how to find the right car at the right price. So, with this in mind, we wanted to provide you with some information to know how, and when, you can negotiate.
Headline prices are used to attract interest. Headline prices are typically low prices that are used to attract interest. By the time you start to personalise the car or lease to suit your needs, the price has rocketed…
Are online car prices negotiable? Read More »
If you are getting a new car, you are probably keen to ensure that you get the best deal on your insurance. And, it’s important to know which cars will be cost effective for insurance purposes.
Insurance is one of the biggest additional costs when it comes to getting a car, regardless of whether you are leasing or buying. So, it’s important that you can find the best insurance deal for you to ensure that it doesn’t take you up and over your budget.
Over the years we have advised thousands of customers on the right car for them, and insurance groups are an important part of that.
With this in mind, we wanted to make sure that you are fully knowledgeable about how you can get accurate insurance quotes and budget effectively. It should be noted here that we are not insurance experts, and if there is anything you are unsure on we recommend contacting an insurance broker. However, we can advise, which is what we are going to do. It depends on how you complete your information. All insurance quotes are based on risk to the insurer, so if you do not enter the correct car details then the quote may not be accurate.
It is very important to be absolutely sure about the questions you are answering online. So, if you aren’t 100% sure about something, find out first…
Are online car insurance quotes accurate? Read More »
Originally known as the ‘MCV’ in development, 2011 saw the unveiling of the BMW i3 concept car, and two years later BMW’s first all-electric hatchback was on the market. With little in the way of styling changes, the i3 is a futuristic looking car and was the first mass-production car to use carbon-fibre reinforced plastic in its construction. Now in 2016, BMW i – the eco-conscious sub-brand of BMW – has added extra range to the conceptual little i3 in a bid to attract more buyers and dispel a little more range anxiety from the minds of drivers…
A Massive Review of the BMW i3: Features / Prices / Comparison Read More »
Fabbirca Italiana Autombil Torino, or Fiat, may be known for its small cars but it’s a true industry giant. With production and partnerships around the world, Fiat is the market leader in Italy and Brazil, the 4th largest automaker in Europe and the 11th largest in the world.
But how did it become the giant that it is? OSV takes a look at the small car brand with a big history.
Founded in 1899 in Turin by Giovanni Angelli and a team of investors, the first Fiat was the 3 ½ CV, which resembled the Benz car of the day. Other early popular Fiats included light commercial trucks and taxicabs for several European markets.
In 1902, the Fiat 24 hp model won the Sassi-Superga uphill race and Angelli drove an 8hp Fiat in the second Italian Car Tour, setting a record.
A brief history of Fiat: From the Sassi-Superga to the FCA Read More »
So, you’re looking to lease a car. You’ve probably been searching online at some leasing companies and have had a look at their pricing. And maybe you’re wondering if these prices are set in stone, or if there is room for manoeuvre.
Are lease prices negotiable?
In this article, we look at how companies come up with their lease prices, whether they are negotiable, and some top tips for negotiating.
Yes you can. However, there are some exceptions. Firstly, we’re going to explain a bit about how companies get their lease prices.
In many dealerships there are two departments; Fleet and Retail. When you walk into a dealership, you are talking to the retail team. This is the department that makes the money for the dealership…
Are lease prices negotiable? Read More »
You might be approaching the end of your lease contract, or perhaps your just curious as to what happens when the time comes to hand the car back. What does happen at the end of a lease contract?
We go through this a lot at OSV, and we want you to be informed about every step of your leasing journey, including the end of it. So, in this article we’re going to look at the process at the end of each contract. If you’re approaching the end of your contract hire, then one of two things will happen. It differs between finance houses, so we can’t say for sure which process your finance house has in place…
What happens at the end of my lease contract? Read More »
As you’re approaching the end of your lease contract, you may start to wonder whether you can have your lease car for that little bit longer. You may be given the chance to extend your lease, but is it a good idea? We look at whether you can extend your lease, how much it will cost, and whether it’s a good idea. Possibly. It’s down to the finance house whether they allow you to extend your lease contract. They could allow you to extend it no problem, or they could turn around and tell you they can’t. It’s not guaranteed. Alternatively, they could say you can extend it but at a different price. But it is worth asking as your contract draws to a close…
Should I extend my lease contract? Read More »
We’re going to be honest, leasing can be pretty confusing, especially if you have never leased before. And one of the more confusing elements of leasing is the pricing.
This is because there is so much that determines the price of a lease contract, that every lease contract is essentially bespoke to that individual. So how do you know how much your lease payment is supposed to be?
In this article, we look at everything you need to know about lease pricing including how its determined, what affects it, and how much your lease payment should be. As I mentioned, there are so many things that affect lease price. So much so, that we don’t put prices on our website, the price can vary that much person to person. But what sort of things determine lease price?
How much should my lease payment be? Read More »
Though only the 22nd largest automaker in the world, Subaru have successfully managed to carve out a nice niche for itself both in the Japanese and international markets. Particularly, the all-wheel drive segment. “Subaru” is what the Pleiades star cluster is called in Japanese, and the company’s logo represents this with its stylised representation of seven stars.
But, how did it become the car maker it is today? OSV takes a look at the interesting history of the Japanese manufacturer. Subaru got its start when Fuji Heavy Industries decided to branch out into car manufacturing. A large transportation conglomerate, Fuji created the Subaru division in the 1950’s. It was in 1954 that Subaru launched the 1500. The 1500 was a compact vehicle with a monocoque body, a Peugeot engine and independent front and rear suspension…
Subaru history: From the first miniCar to zero landfill status Read More »
If you’re considering leasing a car, you might be starting to research some leasing companies. But, how do you know which ones are the best? It can be daunting to try and work out which car leasing brokers are the best. We understand that with a purchase as important as a car, it’s vital you know you’re dealing with the right company. Normally, when looking to lease a car, you will talk to a Leasing Broker. They will have access to different leasing companies. So, how do you know which leasing broker is right for you?
Sometimes it’s not as straightforward as ‘this company is the best’ because while they may be the best for one person, they may not be best for another. So what is important here is knowing how to find the best vehicle broker for your specific needs. Throughout this article, we have highlighted tips to help you find the best company for you.
4 tips to finding the best leasing broker Read More »
Things happen. Circumstances change. We get that. And sometimes, those circumstances lead us to wanting to cancel our lease contract. Cancellation rights vary. They depend on what sort of contract you have and which finance house you go through. And it’s not going to be the same for everybody. It also depends on when you want to cancel your lease contract.
In this article we aim to guide you through many of the issues you might come across should you need to cancel your agreement.
What are my cancellation rights when leasing a car? Read More »
Car leasing, everyone has an opinion on it. For some, it’s the best thing since sliced bread. For others, it’s the worst idea ever. We believe that you should be as knowledgeable as possible about car leasing before you make a decision. So, is it a good idea? In this article we look at the advantages of car leasing, and why it could be the best thing to happen to your motoring needs. Firstly, let’s look at the general advantages to leasing a car
You get a new car every few years
Probably the main advantage to leasing is that you get to get a brand new car every couple of years.
You don’t have to worry about depreciation
Depreciation starts the minute you drive a new car
The chances are that if you buy the car and sell it on, you will end up making a significant loss.
If you lease, you don’t have to worry about this because at the end of the contract, you hand the car back…
Is car leasing a good idea? Read More »
When looking for lease deals online, you will probably come across some lease deals that seem just too good to be true. Are they?
There are times when lease deals are too good to be true. And sometimes there are deals that actually are just that good. But how can you tell the difference?
It’s important that you do know how to tell the difference between a not so good lease deal and a great one. So we’re going to talk you through why some lease deals are cheaper than others, and how to tell if a cheap lease deal is legitimate. Sometimes, lease deals are based on how much of a discount vehicle brokers can get. Different brokers have different levels of buying power and therefore can access different levels of discount. Buying power can depend not only on the amount of cars sold, but also the quality of the service, relationships with manufacturers, finance companies or dealerships…
Are cheap lease deals legitimate? Read More »
Accidents happen. And sometimes, accidents happen in lease cars.
It’s a huge inconvenience, we know that, but sometimes it does happen. Therefore, it’s important to know exactly what happens if your lease car is an accident.
We don’t deal with this directly. This is because we aren’t owners of the vehicle and once the agreement is activated we have limited power over what can be done. However, we do advise people on what they should do, and what tends to happen.
So we’re going to talk you through what you should do if your lease car is an accident. If you are involved in an accident then there are obviously different severities. So the first thing to do would be to contact the finance house to find out whether your car can be repaired or whether it’s a write-off…
What happens if my lease car is in an accident? Read More »
Insurance is one of the biggest extra costs when it comes to cars, regardless of whether you are leasing or buying.
But insurance on a lease car can be confusing. You don’t actually own the car, so who’s responsible for the insurance?
In this article we’ll look at who is responsible for the insurance, whether lease price affects insurance and how you can lower the price.
Before we start, it should be noted that we are not insurance brokers, and we are certainly not insurance experts. However, we talk this through with customers every day, and we know enough to educate you on the basics. If you are in any doubt about anything, we recommend talking to your insurance company. Although you don’t own the car on a lease, you are the one responsible for insuring it and therefore the one who is responsible for paying for it. The insurance has to be fully comprehensive, and 99% of the time, insurance isn’t included in your lease contract…
Who pays insurance on a leased car? Read More »
One of the most important things about business leasing is deciding which leasing option to go through.
We get asked about the differences between contract hire and contract purchase quite a bit. And it’s easy to see why, they are quite similar. However, there are some major differences that could be the decider in which is the best option for you.
So, in this article we’ll be looking at the main differences between the two, and the pros and cons of each. It should be noted here that this article is aimed at business lease, if you want to look at the differences between personal contract hire and personal contract purchase then you can head to our article here…
Contract Hire vs. Contract Purchase Read More »
Far more than just a luxury automobile, a Bentley is a statement. Owning one says you’re either fabulously rich or would rather drive a Bentley than have a place to live. Bentley represents British elegance like no other; the Queen’s private limousine is a special Bentley mode, of which only two were produced.
But, how did this manufacturer become the epitome of British gentility? OSV takes a look at the history of Bentley. Before the First World War, Walter Owen Bentley, known as simply W.O, and his brother Horace, sold French DFP cars in North London. But W.O knew that he always wanted to design and build his own cars. However, it was dealing with DFP that stemmed his innovative use of French-inspired aluminium pistons…
Bentley history: From Le Mans to the Golden Jubilee Read More »
Synonymous with safety, reliability and quality, Volvo is one of Sweden’s emblematic brands. Known throughout the world as more of a premium marque, in Sweden it’s largely considered a practical family car. But, how did this practical family car come about?
Let us take you back to 1927…Volvo, Latin for ‘I roll’, was founded by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson in 1927, with the intention of making a car that put quality and safety first. It was created as a subsidiary of ball bearing manufacturer, SKF, in Gothenburg.
The company produced closed top and cabriolet models of their OV5 and PV4 models. Both were constructed to withstand the Swedish climate. However, car sales were slow. It was the first Volvo truck that proved to be an immediate success. It was truck sales that resulted in the Volvo’s financial success at the very beginning…
Volvo history: How the Swedish manufacturer became the leader in safety innovation Read More »
You’re looking for a new car. And, you want it to be able to battle traditional British weather with ease. Do you go for a two wheel drive or a four-wheel drive?
There are pros and cons of each, of course. And some cars perform better than others. So it’s important you know all the facts before you come to a decision.
We advise people on the best cars for their situation all the time. Funnily enough, it’s our job to do that. So, we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of four wheel drive and two wheel drive, and which one is best for bad weather driving. Firstly, what’s the difference between the two?
Four wheel drive is where the car has power to all four wheels at the same time or when required. You can get all of the cars below in two-wheel drive as well, but some examples of four wheel drive cars are…
Four-wheel drive vs. two-wheel drive: Which is better for bad weather driving? Read More »
Almost half of all drivers (47%) say they lose their car keys on a regular basis according to new survey by OSV, the UK’s leading independent vehicle supply professionals.
With motorists admitting to spending on average 4 minutes per day looking for car keys, it’s come to light that almost a third (28%) of all drivers don’t keep a spare set of keys as a back-up, and nearly one in five (17%) drivers confess to misplacing their car keys once a week.
Brits spend 1460 minutes per year looking for car keys Read More »
When you’re looking at leasing your next car, you should think about what engine you are going to go for. Do you choose a diesel engine, or a petrol?
You may have already made your mind up, but want to know how your choice will affect your lease price.
We advise people on this every day so we’ve written an article outlining who is best suited to each engine, and how they affect lease price. You tend to find that the most popular cars to lease in general are diesel engines, such as executive saloons. These include cars such as…
Diesel vs. petrol: What engine to choose for your lease car Read More »
When choosing your lease car, you might want to think about what gearbox you want. Are you going to go for a manual? Or an automatic? Maybe you have a preference for one or the other.
Or, maybe you want to work out which one is cheapest.
So, which is best?
In this article, we investigate the pros and cons of each, and how they affect lease price. Let’s start off with the advantages of a manual car.
Many people go for manual cars because, quite simply, they’ve always driven manual. Some feel they have more control. And die hard petrol heads will say that manual is the only way to drive. But, what actually are the advantages of a manual car?
Manual vs automatic: Which is better? Read More »
