December 2016

Review of the Volkswagen CC Saloon Review

Leave a Comment / Car Reviews / Ben Freakley

The new Volkswagen CC 4dr Coupe Saloon is essentially an improved version of the Volkswagen Passat CC. Restyled with added luxury, space and comfort, it’s got a lot to offer families who want to add a bit of elegance to their day to day travels.

The VW Passat was already sensible and practical, but it needed a makeover. Here, the CC boasts a sleeker shape that is much more exciting to look at, while its interior is also more contemporary. It’s very “now”.

However, the CC has also retained everything that made the CC so sellable in the first place – which was, of course, its usefulness.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our Volkswagen CC Saloon review.

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A massive review of the Ford Focus Estate

Leave a Comment / Car Reviews / Ben Freakley

The Ford Focus Estate is one of a raft of cars that are vying for your cash in a sector that doesn’t shift huge numbers. For any car to standout, it’s got to be the absolute bees knees. One clear thing the Focus has going for it is that it’s a lot more fun to drive than its rivals, and with buyers wanting more style and entertainment from their compact Estate’s these days, this could be a really useful selling point.

But an Estate also has to wow you with its boot space and overall practicality. This car might be one of the most fun to drive cars in its class, but how big is its boot? OSV takes a closer look with our Ford Focus Estate review, including prices, spec’s and comparisons with similar cars – including the Volkswagen Golf Estate.

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Renault Zoe - exempt from company car tax

Which cars are exempt from company car tax?

6 Comments / Learning Centre, Leasing Guide / Ben Freakley

If you have a company car, the chances are you will be paying company car tax. It’s a tax that you have to pay to enjoy a benefit such as a company car, and how much you pay depends on a variety of factors.

However, is there any way you can be exempt from company car tax?

We’re going to look at how company car tax is calculated, if there are exemptions, and how to lower your company car tax bill.
Firstly, how is company car tax calculated?
The amount of tax you will have to pay depends on the following…

Which cars are exempt from company car tax? Read More »

Review of the Audi A1 Hatchback

Leave a Comment / Car Reviews / Ben Freakley

The new three-door Audi A1 Hatchback is one of the best small cars on the market right now. It’s crammed with all the latest technology, looks fantastic, and boasts the classiest interior in this sector.

It also has fantastic resale values and is a second-hand car of choice for many young people in the UK. This means that after three years you can move it on while recouping around 50% of what you paid for it.

Although it asks for a £4,000 premium over the Ford Fiesta, it isn’t a price that leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth. Rather, the A1 fills all the same roles as the Ford – but it does everything better. The driving experience is pleasant, and it’s cheap to run. But more than anything, it’s desirable.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our Audi A1 Hatchback review.

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Which cars are the lowest for Company Car Tax?

Leave a Comment / Learning Centre, Leasing Guide / Ben Freakley

In the Autumn Statement 2016, the Government announced changes to the company car tax bandings. These new bandings mean that you could end up paying more for your company car than you were before, depending on how much CO2 your car emits.

There are fifteen new company car tax bandings, eleven of which apply to low emissions vehicles. Cars that emit no emissions at all will be taxed 2%, and those that emit between 1g/km and 50g/km of CO2 will be taxed between 2% and 14%, depending on how many zero emissions miles each car can do.

By now you’ve probably realised that there’s a good chance you will pay more in company car tax when it comes into effect next year. And maybe you’re thinking that it’s time for you to get a new company car, so which cars are the lowest for company car tax once the new bandings come into effect?

We take a look at how the company car tax changes will really affect you, and which cars might be a better investment come April 2017

Which cars are the lowest for Company Car Tax? Read More »

Review of the Jeep Renegade 4×4: Features / Price / Comparison

Leave a Comment / Car Reviews / Ben Freakley

The new Jeep Renegade 4×4 sports unique, chunky looks, and, despite its fairly compact dimensions, is a tough cookie off-road. It copes well with a bit of rough and tumble but is a bit uninspired on the tarmac.

It is, however, the car to look at if you want something a bit different for your family but don’t want to spend over the odds.

Based on the Fiat 500X, the characterful Renegade stands out in the small crossover sector thanks to its pretty-yet-tough styling. It’s an impressive image that’s backed up by some warrior-like ability on rougher terrain, helped in no small part by a solid range of punchy engines, all of which are impressive.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our Jeep Renegade 4×4 review.

Review of the Jeep Renegade 4×4: Features / Price / Comparison Read More »

blue car parked being charged up by an electric charging point

What is an ultra-low emission vehicle?

Leave a Comment / Learning Centre, Resources / Ben Freakley

The chances are you’ve heard of an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV), and you will probably be hearing about them a lot more in the coming months. ULEVs are becoming increasingly popular, and will become even more so when the tax changes are introduced in April 2017.
But what are ultra-low emission vehicles? And is one right for you?

We take a look at what ULEV’s are, their pros and cons, and whether they are good for you. An ultra-low emission vehicle (from this point, we’ll refer to them as ULEV’s) is a vehicle that produces less than 75g/km of CO2.

It’s a collective term for a group of cars and can include different types of energy efficient vehicles including…

What is an ultra-low emission vehicle? Read More »

Does a lease contract count as debt?

4 Comments / Learning Centre, Leasing Guide / Ben Freakley

Getting a new car is always exciting stuff. And, getting a car for simply the price of depreciation is even more exciting.

However, there are some things that you really do have to consider before you lease a car.

And, yes, they’re pretty boring.

A lease is a finance agreement. And, like every finance agreement, this shows up on your credit report. Like every finance agreement, this can have a positive and possibly negative, effect on your credit score.

But, is a lease contract debt?

In this article, we look at whether a lease contract counts as debt, and what this means for you.

Does a lease contract count as debt? Read More »

How are lease prices calculated?

Leave a Comment / Learning Centre, Leasing Guide / Ben Freakley

There are a lot of things that affect lease price. When you lease, there is not a ‘one size fits all’ in terms of pricing.

Each lease agreement calculates their lease prices differently, and it’s good to be aware of this before you decide which contract is right for you.

So, in this article we’re going to go through the different types of contract, and how the lease price is calculated for each of these.

How are lease prices calculated? Read More »

How does ‘on the road’ price affect monthly payments?

Leave a Comment / Learning Centre, Leasing Guide / Ben Freakley

When you’re looking at new cars, you will probably notice the sheer number of abbreviations when looking at prices. RRP, MRRP, OTR, P11d…the list is endless.

One of the prices you should be looking out for is the list price. And, one of the questions that we get asked a lot at OSV is ‘how does list price affect monthly payments?’

In this article, we’re going to talk you through the different acronyms, what the list price is, and how this affects monthly payments.

How does ‘on the road’ price affect monthly payments? Read More »

Ford Fiesta hatchback in red driving on the road

Ford Fiesta vs. Mazda 2 vs. Vauxhall Corsa

Leave a Comment / Car Reviews / Ben Freakley

When you’re looking for a new car, you’re probably going to be looking at a few in the same sector to see how they compare in terms of reliability, practicality etc.

It’s important that you do this so you know that you are choosing the right car for your needs.
So we are going to take three similar cars, the Ford Fiesta, the Mazda 2 and the Vauxhall Corsa, and compare them on factors that you will be taking into consideration when choosing your next car.

Ford Fiesta vs. Mazda 2 vs. Vauxhall Corsa Read More »

Blue Nissan Micra hatchback on a white background

Review of the Nissan Micra: Features / Price / Comparison

Leave a Comment / Car Reviews / Ben Freakley

Former European Car of the Year the Nissan Micra Hatchback is priced low, boasts a roomy interior and offers an easy going driving experience. And thanks to excellent all-round visibility, it makes a fab choice for young new drivers who are a tad unsure of themselves. It’s easy to see the road ahead, and easy to park.

The Micra is a familiar face, having been around for over thirty years. Buyers love its cheery disposition, usefulness and low running costs. As such, it’s built up a loyal fan base that it’s adding to with each new release. The problem it faces is that its rivals have got even better. Is this one worth your money? OSV takes a look with our Nissan Micra Hatchback review.

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A brief history of Isuzu: From Wolseley to the Trooper

4 Comments / Brand History, Learning Centre / Ben Freakley

Isuzu Motors is a Japanese truck and engine manufacturer, currently producing a selection of commercial and personal vehicles as well as diesel engines for automobiles, industry and boats. We take a look at the history of one of Japan’s oldest carmakers. Isuzu’s history stretches back to 1916 with the Tokyo-based Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Company’s idea to make automobiles together with the Tokyo Gas and Electric Company. The new firm then teamed up with British automaker Wolseley and hatched a deal to produce Wolseley vehicles in East Asia.

The first Tokyo Gas and Electric truck was made in 1919 with the help of the Military Vehicle Support Act. The firm then merged with DAT Automobile Manufacturing in 1933 and within a year the new company renamed their truck model the Isuzu, after the Isuzu River. The same year, DAT changed their name to Automobile Industries Co.

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What is depreciation?

Leave a Comment / Learning Centre, Leasing Guide / Ben Freakley

When you are looking at getting a new car, regardless of how, you would have probably heard the word depreciation at least once.

But, what is depreciation? And how does this affect you?

In this article, we take a look at everything you need to know about depreciation. When talking about cars, depreciation is essentially the difference between the value of your car when you buy it, and how much it’s worth when you come to reselling it. This can vary between makes and models, but the general rule is that a car loses between 15-33% of its value in the first year and up to 50% or more over three years.

What is depreciation? Read More »

A brief history of Mini: From the Suez Crisis to the Cooper

Leave a Comment / Brand History, Learning Centre / Ben Freakley

Cute, iconic and unmistakably British, the Mini is an instantly recognisable little car with a devoted fan base. Despite its diminutive size, it has space for four passengers and even room for luggage in the boot. In 1999, the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th century by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation, just behind the Ford Model T. More original Minis were produced than any other British car (5.4 million) over its 41-year long production – another record for mass-produced British cars. And to think, they came out of a crisis. We take a look at the interesting history of Mini.

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A brief history of Mazda: From Toyo Kogyo to Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Leave a Comment / Brand History, Learning Centre / Ben Freakley

The Mazda Motor Corporation, named after Ahura Mazda, the chief deity of the ancient Iranian Zoroastrian religion, is the 18th largest automaker in the world and is Japan’s fifth largest producer of passenger cars. The marque is known for its sports cars and sporty passenger vehicles. We take a look at the interesting history of Mazda. Starting as a machine tool manufacturer called Toyo Cork Kogyo Co. in 1920, the Mazda-Go, an autorickshaw, was produced in 1931. However, this was on the eve of the Second World War…

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A brief history of Chrysler: From the American Dream to the Chrysler Group LLC.

Leave a Comment / Brand History, Learning Centre / Ben Freakley

Chrysler is a marque as iconic as the New York art deco skyscraper that bears its name. One of the original American “Big Three” automakers, Chrysler models may not be as recognisable as those of GM and Ford, but the firms’ contributions are undeniable. We look at the interesting history of Chrysler. Walter P. Chrysler more or less embodies the American dream. An engineer who got his start as a railroad mechanic, he worked his way up from chief of production at Buick in 1911 to president of the company in just four years. His tenure at Buick made him a fabulously wealthy man, but his sights were set on forming his own company. Walter P. purchased the ailing Maxwell Motor Company in 1921. The first Chrysler produced was the Chrysler 70 and shortly after, Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925…

A brief history of Chrysler: From the American Dream to the Chrysler Group LLC. Read More »

SEAT Mii vs. Skoda CitiGo vs. Citroen C1

1 Comment / Car Reviews / Ben Freakley

When looking at new cars, you’re going to look at a few in the same sector to compare a variety of things such as reliability, running costs, safety etc.

It is important that you do this to ensure that you are suitably educated when it comes to choosing the car that you are going to buy or lease. So, we’re going to look at three very similar cars, the SEAT Mii, the Skoda CitiGo and the Citroen C1, and compare them on important factors you should be looking at when choosing a new car.
Firstly, let’s look at what each model excels in…

SEAT Mii vs. Skoda CitiGo vs. Citroen C1 Read More »

how is the cost of contract purchase calculated?

How is the price of a Contract Purchase calculated?

Leave a Comment / Learning Centre, Leasing Guide / Ben Freakley

When it comes to leasing, there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to pricing. There are many different things that affect lease price and it’s important that you know how lease prices are calculated before you decide which deal is right for you.

In this article, we’re going to tackle how the price of contract hire is calculated, and what affects lease price. Contract hire is one of the most popular lease agreements, and is perfect for businesses. There is a contract hire for private individuals, imaginatively named personal contract hire.
A price of a business contract hire is determined on…

How is the price of a Contract Purchase calculated? Read More »

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