January 2018

Business competition. Two colleagues having disagreement and conflict

Who is in more accidents? Men or women?

A few years ago, we reported that the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) found that men are more likely to be involved in crashes because of bad driving habits than women. These bad habits included driving too fast and drink-driving. They found that men were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a collision due to being careless, reckless or in a hurry. They also found that men are more likely to crash because of poor behaviour or inexperience. However, that was a few years ago, so is this still the case? In this article, we settle the argument once and for all and give you some top tips to stay safe on the roads…

Who is in more accidents? Men or women? Read More »

Toyota Mirai in black driving along a road with the desert behind it

What are hydrogen fuel cars? Are they are real possibility?

Electric cars have become hugely popular as of late. New registrations of plug-in cars have increased to more than 125,000 by the end of November 2017 and 126,000 electric vehicles were registered in 2017. So it’s safe to say the electric car market is growing. Now everyone knows how electric cars work, they work with a battery. However, there is a new type of electric car that could be coming to the market soon. We’re talking about hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. First coming to prominence at the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota unveiled a concept car that ran on a hydrogen fuel cell. So what are hydrogen fuel cars? And are they a real possibility for the future? In this article…

What are hydrogen fuel cars? Are they are real possibility? Read More »

Man wearing white shirt thinking.

What are the best leasing options for you?

If you are in the market for a new car, you might be looking at a ‘monthly instalment’ plan. This is where you pay a monthly fee for a vehicle, and then depending which plan you go for depends on what happens at the end. You have a few options available to you. But, what are they? And what is the best option for you? In this article, we give you the lowdown on each leasing option, what it entails, and hopefully, help you decide which one is right for you.

What are the best leasing options for you? Read More »

two men shaking hands after car deal - who are the bvrla

Should I buy or lease a car? Read our two point guide

When it comes to getting a vehicle, there are several options to choose from these days. You can lease, finance or pay by cash. But what do these options mean to you, the consumer? Which option is best suited to your needs? There is usually one option that makes more sense for your current situation and for your future plans. As a leasing company, who value transparency and honesty above everything else, we see it as our job to help you work out which option is right for you. So in this article, we are going to look at your three options; finance, leasing, and paying in cash, and help you decide which one is best for you…

Should I buy or lease a car? Read our two point guide Read More »

handshake business partners in front of the open laptop

Getting a used car through OSV: FAQ

At OSV, we mainly talk about new cars and vans. But did you know that we also offer used cars? That’s right, it’s not something we do all that often, but we offer used cars and vans on finance and to buy outright. However, we haven’t done that many articles on getting a used car or van, so we haven’t yet answered many of the questions our customers ask. So in this article, we are going to answer your frequently asked questions, ranging from what finance options are available to why you should get a used car from OSV…

Getting a used car through OSV: FAQ Read More »

Electric Car Charging

France powers ahead in electric vehicle prep – new OSV index reveals

Electric vehicles are slowly becoming an established part of the world’s transport ecosystem, but while Norway is known as the green car capital, it might surprise some people to learn that France is leading the way in electric vehicle infrastructure. According to the new Electric Car Index from OSV Ltd, the UK’s leading independent vehicle professionals, the French installed more than a third more electric vehicle charging points (11,987) in the last year than anywhere else in the world – only Germany (ranked fifth overall with 1.1% market share and a single buyer incentive) came close, with 7,937 – putting them at the top of OSV’s electric vehicle index.

France powers ahead in electric vehicle prep – new OSV index reveals Read More »

Young couple is smiling while buying a car, middle aged worker of a motor show is giving keys, close-up

Getting a used car through OSV

Many of you might not know that you can also get a used car through OSV and it’s an option that many people do take up.
However, getting a used car through OSV is slightly different than getting a brand new car through OSV.
So in this article, we are going to go through getting a used car through OSV including the service we provide and what to look for when looking at getting a used car.

Getting a used car through OSV Read More »

a metallic blue volkswagen touran parked on tarmac with green grass and the sea in the background

What are the safest cars in Europe?

Safety is hugely important when looking at a new car, and we are very lucky that our cars are safer than ever. Every car that goes on sale in the UK and Europe has to go through a safety test, called a Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) test. They are then given a rating, an NCAP rating, that shows you how safe the car is for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Of course, you don’t have the time to go through every NCAP rating of every car on the market, so how do you know which cars are the safest? In this article…

What are the safest cars in Europe? Read More »

Celebrating OSV’s 20th Anniversary – Press Release

1997 was a big year. Tony Blair’s ‘New Labour’ came to power, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published, and Britain relinquished its claim on Hong Kong. Amidst all of these local-global events, in West Success Andrew and Debbie Kirkley were preparing for their own big occasion: the launch of their business, OSV. 20 years on, OSV’s format has changed a little, but the business is more successful than ever before.
When Andrew and Debbie renounced their respective careers, as Fleet Manager for Dagenham Motors and PA to a Technical Director at Barratt Homes, their aim was independence. Working within the popular ‘pile ‘em high and sell ‘em cheap’ model, the OSV of 1997 was a business created merely to make a living. The OSV of 2017 is a family, with an emphasis on service and long-term customer relationships.

Celebrating OSV’s 20th Anniversary – Press Release Read More »

deployed airbag in a car

Is driving getting safer?

A few years ago we reported that the Department for Transport stated that driving was getting safer. And in 2016, there were 44% fewer fatalities due to car accidents than there were in 2006. Based on that statistic, driving is safer now than it was ten, eleven years ago. But is that really the case? And if so, why are our roads safer now than they were a decade ago? In this article, we look at whether driving really is getting safer, why driving is getting safer and some tips to stay safe on the road…

Is driving getting safer? Read More »

picture of a motorway in the daytime with cars driving quickly

What is the speed limit on the motorway? Has the speed limit increased?

Love them or loathe them, motorways have become a big part of modern driving. Despite their intimidating look, motorways are actually hugely safe and, as long as you stick to the speed limit, there is no real reason to hate them. So what is the speed limit on the motorway? And has it increased? In this article, we look at what the speed limit is on a motorway, whether it has increased recently and tips on staying safe on the motorway…

What is the speed limit on the motorway? Has the speed limit increased? Read More »

Orange and black Toyota Aygo in a warehouse at night

What Should I Buy As My First Car?

You’re about to take your driving test! The lessons, the money spent learning, the expectation from friends and family as well as knowing freedom is waiting for you at the end of the journey, the pressure can seem unbearable! However, passing the test is just the first hurdle. Buying your first car is by far a bigger challenge and can present more questions than you may have realised. You obviously want something that looks the part, is fun to drive but is also affordable. There’s nothing worse than having a great car all your friends are jealous of but not having enough money to fill it up with petrol…

What Should I Buy As My First Car? Read More »

Car being towed by yellow tow rope

8 tips for winter towing

We weren’t too far into December before we started having snow. While we didn’t get much here on the coast, there were plenty of places in the UK that had a fair bit. And as we all know, when the UK gets snow, everything comes to a stand-still. Trains get cancelled (at least they have an excuse this time), schools close, roads are closed and people are warned not to travel unless absolutely necessary. However, what if you do need to go out? Or worse, what if you attempted to go out and you’re car has gotten stuck? Or, what if you have a car that has towing capabilities, and you want to help those who are stuck in the bad weather?

8 tips for winter towing Read More »

woman in the car pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration

How to avoid getting stressed when stuck in traffic

Several years ago we reported that men got more stressed than women when stuck in a traffic jam. A study found that women’s stress levels increased by 8.7% whereas men’s stress levels increased by 60% when faced with a traffic jam. Regardless of who gets more stressed, getting stuck in traffic is tedious, stressful and can ruin a perfectly good journey. It can put you in a bad mood before or after work and can ruin your day if you let it. However, getting stressed isn’t the way forward when getting stuck in traffic. Stress can put pressure on your heart and cause dizziness and breathing problems and can make you do reckless or irresponsible things…

How to avoid getting stressed when stuck in traffic Read More »