If you have back pain, being in the car for a long period of time can be a challenge. According to research, 4 out of 5 people suffer from lower back pain – which means that a lot of people may be finding driving uncomfortable. Although the position of sitting down is not necessarily the cause of the pain, it can no doubt aggravate it – and with how frequently many of us drive, we need to be mindful.

The Telegraph reported on research that osteopath Brian McIlwraith conducted in the 90s, which focused on the effect that driving has on our backs. The article states that although he feels car makers have begun to fix many of the problems that cause the pain, there is still some work to do. “There are still some cars where the wheel is at an angle which makes the driver’s shoulders rotate compared to their pelvis. I’d also like to see more cars with adjustable lumbar support that goes up and down to enable different heights of driver to get comfortable,” he explains.

Get comfortable

Take the time to get comfortable before you set off. Try to make sure that you’re not having to reach too far for the steering wheel, which puts more stress on the spine, neck, shoulder, and wrists.

You should also sit with your back against the back of the seat, which may mean that you have to add more support in the form of cushions or pillows. Spine health professionals advise that you can buy many types of cushions which are often gel-filled or made of memory foam materials. In the short-term, you can also use a small pillow from your home, or even roll up a scarf and place it behind your lower back to create support.

Consider swapping cars

If you really suffer while driving, then it may be time to swap your manual motor for an automatic. Some studies show that automatic cars can place less strain on your back, due to you not having to constantly push your foot on the clutch – which puts pressure on the lumbar discs.

Take breaks

One of the best ways to prevent back pain while driving is to stop regularly, particularly if you suffer on longer journeys. Getting out of the car, doing some light stretching, and moving around a bit can help to alleviate the pain before it gets a chance to build up.

Make little changes

Even little changes, such as adapting how you get in and out of your car, can help to prevent pain. Make sure you rotate your whole body to get out, rather than twisting, to put less pressure on your back. Also go carefully if you have to load things in and out of your vehicle; remember to bend your knees when putting things in the boot.

Our years of experience in the motor industry has taught us a lot about car enthusiasts; mainly, that they are tricky to buy gifts for – especially car related gifts.

We’ve found that the key to success is getting into the mind of car nuts all around the world, and tuning in to all of the things that they wish they owned. Alternatively, you could use this guide, created by car enthusiasts for car enthusiasts.

1. Scalextric

Many of us have fond memories of spending hours on rainy Sunday mornings, racing various members of the family around a carefully constructed track; navigating household pets, Christmas trees and coffee tables. These tracks make fantastic gifts, and are always great fun no matter how old you are. Have a look at some of these starter tracks from Amazon for some inspiration.

2. Matching toy car

For many petrol heads, their car is their pride and joy. If you’ve got a car lover in your life, you’ve probably experienced them looking for a way to steer a conversation towards their own prized automobile. So just this once, embrace their passion and get them something that they will really appreciate. Getting them a matching replica toy car of their own is the pinnacle in the relationship between a person and their car; it makes the pair complete, and it looks fantastic stuck on the dashboard.

If you’re looking for diecast models of some our our top selling cars, The JCB Group may be able to help. Get in touch with us directly to find out if we sell replica models of the car you have in mind.

3. Car air compressor & tyreweld

These useful little gadgets are fantastic for getting you out of trouble in a sticky situation. Punctures happen to the best of us, and these tools can just sit in a small corner of the car not taking up too much room – ready and waiting to save your skin. They minimise some of the danger and stress of getting a puncture, especially when you are in a hurry.

4. Window tinting

Everyone loves their privacy, and for the rather more generous gift giver, offering to pay for window tinting would be a fantastic present. Window tinting has a number of benefits, but mainly it is thought to improve the look of many cars and prevents people being able to see what you are storing inside. It is worth bearing in mind that the bigger the car, the more windows the car has, and therefore the price of tinting will go up. Also make sure you use a reputable, and legal, tinting provider – and that the level of tint is within the legal allowances – designed to keep people safe.

5. Experience day

There are such a range of different events available to buy for people that love to get behind the wheel. Options range from a ride along in a professional drift car, an off-road driving course or the opportunity to drive the latest supercars. The opportunities are endless! One thing’s for sure, petrolheads will be seriously impressed.

6. Branded merch

If you’ve got a car that you love, whether it’s a classic VW or a sporty little SEAT, then the chances are that you’re a fan of everything that goes with it. Well, in that case, investing in some branded merch for the petrolhead in your life can be a surefire way to get them excited. The JCB Group stock a range of branded accessories from some of our top marques, including SEAT and Volkswagen, so whether you’re thinking practical, like a boot liner for a pet owner, or fun, like a mini ride-on car to get the kids involved, we can help.

This week (20^th November) sees the start of a national policing initiative to increase awareness of tyre safety on Britain’s roads.

It’s the first time tyres have been included on the list of recommended visual vehicle checks carried out by police officers.

Correct tyre care and maintenance is critical for your safety, no matter what type of vehicle you are driving. Basic checks can help prolong the life of your tyres, reduce your fuel bills and CO2 emissions, and ensure your vehicle can brake, accelerate and corner properly.

If the safety risks don’t hit home, maybe the risk of a £2,500 fine and three penalty points for a worn tyre will? That’s per tyre, too. If all four tyres are worn below the legal limit, you could potentially lose your licence and face a £10,000 fine.

So stay safe and on the right side of the law with our tyre safety FAQs.

How do I check that my tyres are safe?

Remember to ACT! Check your tyre’s Air pressure, Condition and Tread depth.

Air pressure – A vehicle’s tyre pressure will almost certainly need to be increased when it’s fully loaded. You’ll find the correct levels in the door shut, fuel filler cap or the owner’s manual.

Condition – Check all tyres for any lumps, bumps or cracking in the sidewall, along with any objects, like nails, which may be embedded. If you see any of these issues, contact a professional who can advise you whether they tyre needs replacing.

Tread – Insert a 20p coin into the tread groove of your car’s wheel. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyre is above the legal limit. If you can see the band, you should get them replaced. Alternatively, use a tread depth gauge. These specifically designed rulers provide accurate measurement of your tyre tread. If in doubt, ask one of our technicians. Taking the time to visit one of our showrooms will give you peace of mind.

What should my correct tyre pressure be?

The vehicle manufacturer decides what the correct tyre pressure should be after rigorous testing.  You’ll find the correct pressure for your vehicle on the inside of your petrol cap, inside the door pillar and in the vehicle handbook. You should check your tyre pressure at least once a month to ensure your tyres are safe at all times even if your vehicle has a TPMS.

I need to order new tyres – but what tyre size do I need?

You’ll find the tyre size on the side of your current tyres. The tyre size looks something like ‘225/45r18 91w’. It’s important to check both front and rear tyres as sizes can be different.

Staff at the JCB Group can also help you find these – simply contact any one of our dealerships and our helpful staff will gladly show you a range of tyres suitable for your vehicle.

What should I do if I hit a kerb?

The most common damage is to the side of the tyre and it gets ‘pinched’ between the wheel rim and the kerb. Check for scuff marks but be aware severe damage can create bulges due to the tyre being weakened substantially. If all appears to be ok, you should check your tyres every day following the incident just in case there is a loss of pressure from damage which can’t be seen. Check with a professional if any of these issues appear or if the car is pulling to one side as the alignment or balance may have been affected.

Why does my steering wheel vibrate at higher speeds?

The most common cause is likely to be an imbalance in a wheel/tyre combination or tyre wear, although wheel alignment is also possible. If you notice a vibration, it’s important you ask a garage to check this for you. If left unchecked, the long-term effect could be damage to suspension components, higher fuel consumption, steering and braking problems.

Do I need to carry a spare tyre?

Surprisingly, very few cars are now sold with a spare wheel – in fact, it’s only about 8%. Instead, ‘space-saver’ wheels can be fitted or even temporary puncture repair kits to get you to the nearest JCB Group garage. You should be familiar with whichever of these is in your vehicle, so check before you go on your next journey. If you do have a spare, then ensure it’s in good condition and at the right pressure when you check your other tyres.

As we make our way towards the colder months of the year, the drop in temperature worsens road conditions, while the shorter days mean more night driving. It is therefore no surprise that the number of breakdowns and accidents vastly increase in the winter. However, by taking precautions, driving at this time of the year shouldn’t be a hassle.      

Get in gear

Small changes in your driving can make a huge difference in the winter. Using a higher gear when you set off will reduce the chance of spinning the wheels, something you definitely don’t want to be doing on icy roads. Pulling away in second gear rather than first will help you keep control of your wheels, as will being gentler with the clutch and throttle.

Sharp application of the brakes can make your car skid, which means losing control of your car. When this happens on ice your vehicle skids even further, and you have even less ability to stop. Therefore, using your brakes carefully is even more paramount in the winter.     

Think about your speed

The faster you travel the more difficult your car is to control. Reducing your speed will make your car easier to control; plus, this will also give you more time to react to developing situations, as will leaving a much bigger stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front.

You may find changing your route to work will help in making your journey safer, even if it takes you longer to get there. Major routes are more likely to have been gritted, while routes with higher levels of traffic will help prevent snow from settling and ice from forming.

Time for new tyres?

Changing to winter tyres will help your car grip better to the icy roads. Winter tyres differ from summer tyres as they use a softer rubber, and the surface of their tread blocks is covered with little jagged slits with deeper tread grooves. Many models have little spikes to further improve the grip.

We recommend that you keep a winter emergency kit in your car, which includes items that will help tackle the short days and the cold weather – like a warm blanket, a shovel, an ice-scraper and de-icer, a torch and batteries, non-perishable snacks like cereal bars and extra screenwash. It is also recommended that you have a warm winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves and warm clothes as well as waterproofs, sturdy footwear, and a flask of hot drink for journeys you take during more severe cold weather conditions.

By being a little more cautious and aware with your driving, and allowing extra time for your winter journeys, major incidents can be avoided. And, of course, if weather conditions get extreme it is best not to travel at all.

For VW cars, we offer advice on winter tyres (only effective at certain temperatures) and check out our video produced by VW on winter driving advice.

The Frankfurt Motor Show is the biggest car show in Europe, and not just in importance – it’s more than a mile from end to end, and almost as wide, with car manufacturers using the show to dazzle visitors with cars that are greener, smarter and faster than ever.

Volkswagen, the world’s biggest carmaker, used Frankfurt to announce that it will offer an electric version of all its 300 models by 2030 and 80 new electric cars across the group by 2025, becoming the latest manufacturer to move away from petrol and diesel.

Volkswagen Group Chief Matthias Mueller announced that the firm had “got the message”.

“Customers want clean vehicles. People want to have clean air, and we want to make our contribution here,” he said.

The German car maker, whose brands include Seat and Skoda, also said it would place orders worth more than 50bn euros for batteries to power the cars.

VW is confident its petrol and diesel engines are now clean, Mr Mueller said but he added that it could not drop combustion engines entirely yet because the infrastructure for electric vehicles was not in place.

“There will be a coexistence between internal combustion engines and electric drive systems for a certain period – I can’t tell you how long that will be,” he said.

While this announcement hit the headlines, elsewhere tongues were wagging when Volkswagen Group’s Bugatti once again demonstrated the awesome capabilities of its newest car, with a record breaking run that saw the $3 million Chiron accelerate from a standstill to 400 kph (249 mph) and then come to a stop in just 41.96 seconds.

The Volkswagen brand used Frankfurt to begin its countdown to 2020, when it says there will be a “breakthrough in electric mobility”, unveiling its new generation of innovative electric vehicles – the I.D.², I.D. BUZZ³ and I.D.CROZZ.

Also on offer from VW, was the debut of the T-Roc, based on the Golf hatchback. As with the other junior crossovers in the market, VW is thinking big for its new small car. With prices starting from around £19,000 putting it in direct competition with the Mazda CX-3, Mini Countryman and the Audi Q2, which it shares tech with, quite understandably, it’s estimated this new T-Roc will be one of its biggest sellers in the UK and across Europe.

Like the Q2 and Golf, the T-Roc uses the VW Group’s MQB platform, and engines are from the Golf, too. There are six on offer, three petrol and three diesel. VW’s latest 113bhp 1.0 TSI turbo petrol and 148bhp 1.5 TSI Evo with cylinder deactivation will be available, while a 197bhp version of the ubiquitous 2.0 TSI completes the petrol line-up.

The T-Roc’s styling is a bit more adventurous to the larger Tiguan, coming in some striking colour choices and a contrasting roof that extends down the A-pillar between the windscreen and front door.

Inside, you get exactly what you’d expect from VW – excellent build quality and ergonomics as well as a dash of body colour across the dash.

Space and practicality hasn’t been sacrificed for outright style though, as there’s a handy recess in the roofline that creates more headroom. There’s a decent boot of 445 litres, which expands to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded flat. For comparison, an Audi Q2 boasts 405 litres with the seats up, and 1,050 litres with the seats down.

Over at Skoda, they used the event to debut their new compact SUV, the Karoq.

It has a relatively long wheelbase in relation to the overall length, so will be fairly spacious. Skoda also claims best-in-class luggage space, at 521 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,630 litres when they’re folded. There is also the option of VarioFlex rear seating, with three separate rear seats that can be individually adjusted. When they’re removed the total load volume is a van-like 1,810 litres.

It also features a fully customisable digital instrument panel in which the displays can be personalised and are linked to the infotainment system. Full connectivity and internet access are a given.

Five engines will be available initially, two petrol (both new to Skoda) and three diesel, with between 115 and 190PS.

Another public debut came from SEAT, who have doubled their SUV portfolio with the introduction of the all-new Arona.

Rivaling the Nissan Juke, it sits underneath the Ateca in the SEAT range, using the same platform as the all-new Ibiza. It will be available to buy from early 2018 and is expected to cost from around £15,000.

In terms of size the Arona is very slightly longer than the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur – but its 400 litre load capacity is a decent bit larger than the 354 litres in the Nissan and 377 litres for the Captur. If the cabin space in the Ibiza is anything to go by, the Arona should provide more rear leg and headroom than a Juke too.

Up front, the similarities with Ibiza continue. The centre stack features the same, driver-facing layout and touchscreen system, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. It’ll be offered with a huge range of high-tech equipment too, including adaptive cruise control, auto emergency brakes, lane keeping assistance and wireless smartphone charging.

The trim structure will follow other SEAT models, with S, SE, SE Technology, FR and Xcellence trim levels. The FR variant gets sportier styling and suspension, but other equipment details, as well as pricing information, will be confirmed nearer the car’s on sale date.

While multiple electric cars were revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2017, one in particular stole the show in our opinion.

When Honda revealed its Urban EV Concept it became an instant hit with the crowds thanks to its retro styling and cute proportions.

Many electric cars opt for futuristic styling, which at times can be a little bit over the top. This quirky EV’s styling is reminiscent of the 1970s VW Golf GTI, even down to its old-fashioned multi-spoke wheels, mixed with an Iphone. If Apple were ever to make an electric car, surely this is what it’d look like?

Inside the car is where the vehicle shakes its retro image with a completely modern cabin. On the dashboard sits a huge touchscreen panel which stretches almost all the way across the day and a smaller wraparound screen next to the driver.

Most significant about the Urban EV is that the car will actually enter production as early as 2019 and Honda say it won’t look that different when it does reach Europe.

The second of Honda’s announcements was its commitment to electric cars from 2018.

“Here in Europe, we see this move towards electrification gathering pace at an even higher rate than elsewhere,” Takahiro Hachigo, Honda President and CEO said, adding that Europe was therefore particularly appropriate for the global premiere of the “next step” in Honda’s ‘Electric Vision’ strategy.

Owners of older cars can bag a bumper discount on a new set of wheels thanks to wave of scrappage schemes now available at JCB Group’s car and van dealerships across Kent and Sussex.

If you’ve got a seven-year itch on your car and fancy a new set of wheels, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, SEAT and ŠKODA’s are all now offering huge discounts via the scrappage scheme.

Fuelled by a need to lower emissions, owners of any car or van registered before December 2009, are being offered up to £10,000 off a new vehicle.

The move is a great way for car manufacturers to highlight the huge advances they’ve made in improving emissions and economy. But it’s also a great way for buyers to grab a bargain – if you tread carefully and use the schemes to their maximum potential.

What is the scrappage scheme?

The scrappage schemes on offer at the JCB Group have incentives between £1,500 and £10,000 off a selection of new electric, Euro-6-rated petrol or diesel cars when you trade in your old diesel car. It’ll run to the end of 2017 and is available if you trade in any Euro-4-rated diesel car registered before 31 December 2009 from any brand.

• Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: A saving of £1800 is on offer for the new Up!, while the highest discount is reserved for the e-Golf at £10,000 when including the Government’s £4500 OLEV grant. The Touareg is not included in the scheme.
• Between £1500 (Mii) and £3500 (Leon) is being offered off the SEAT range, excluding the Ateca.
• Skoda is offering up to £6000 off its range when a Euro 1-4 diesel car is traded in and scrapped. The largest discount applies to the Superb, while the smallest applies to the Citigo. The Kodiaq is not included in the scheme.

What cars can I buy?

The JCB Group has car and van dealerships across Kent and Sussex, with a number of different models manufactured by Volkswagen cars and vans, SEAT and SKODA on the scheme. The saving applies to a selection of these brand’s electric, new diesel or petrol models. Find out which models are on the scheme here

Make sure the manufacturer scrappage discount is greater than the combined new car discount and value of your used car, or you could lose out.

If not, then don’t be afraid to discuss the fact with at member of our helpful team – there could still be room for negotiation.

What cars can I trade in?

This checklist shows you how to qualify for the scrappage schemes on offer at the JCB Group:

Your trade-in car must be…

• Diesel powered
• Registered by 31 December 2009
• Euro-4 rated or lower
• Owned by you for at least six months

How long will the scheme last?

The scrappage scheme is now open at the JCB Group and you must order your new car before 31 December 2017 to qualify. It could potentially be extended beyond this initial period depending on how popular it proves to be.

What is Euro 4?

Car emissions are classified against a scale set by the European Commission. Essentially, every couple of years the emissions regulations are tightened to help improve air quality in Europe. The 2017 scrappage schemes generally require your old car to have a Euro 4 or earlier rating – so produced before 31 December 2010, but check your car’s emissions rating on the Vehicle Certification Agency’s website.

Euro 1 – 31 December 1992 to 31 December 1996

Euro 2 – 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000

Euro 3 – 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2005

Euro 4 – 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010

Euro 5 – 1 January 2011 to 31 August 2015

Euro 6 – introduced 1 September 2015

When it comes to cleaning your car there are tons of myths that drift around, detailing what the best and worst tactics are when you’re washing your car.

Cleaning your car or van not only helps it to look good, but also cares for it too. Dirt from the road, such as salt once the roads have been gritted, can cause the underneath of a car to corrode if it isn’t cleaned away. When your car gets a thorough clean inside and out it gives it a sense of being ‘new’ again, and might even give you a whole new appreciation for your pride and joy.

So, with so many myths around, we thought we would debunk some of them so you don’t end up damaging your car, or wasting your time when cleaning it.

Cleaning items are expensive

Well yes, they can be, but they don’t have to be. It’s easy to be taken in by the brightly coloured packaging and wonderful marketing ploys that companies put in place, but please don’t be fooled.

A toothbrush and paintbrushes are great ways to get into those tiny spaces that need cleaning, just as much as those brushes specifically designed for that job – but they cost half the price.

A pressure washer may make it easier to get rid of dirt, but a garden hose or water in a bucket can do the same job. And the same goes for the fancy cleaning cloths designed for cars; they do the exact same as the microfibre cloths you can get hold of, but at a much higher price.

Are car shampoos worth the hype?

YES! They are specifically designed to be used on cars and their paintwork, to get rid of the tough dirt and grime attached to your car. A car’s paintwork can be irritated and breakdown if non specific car shampoo is used, causing the deterioration of your paintwork to happen quicker. They also provide a thorough and better clean than any other shampoo substance that you may use.

Don’t wash the car until it is really filthy

This is quite possibly the worst way to think about cleaning your car. The moment you get bird droppings, tree sap, grit and dead bugs on your car, these will start eating away and breaking down your paint – which is never good. It is recommended to wash your car every one to two weeks to prevent any dirt from damaging your car’s’ paint and overall finish.

It can be hard to find the time to clean and wash your car weekly, but it really is crucial and beneficial to do so. After all, you don’t let the dirt build up at home, so why should you in and on your car? Dirty interiors can harbour many germs and cold virus’ too, as well as many other nasty things you wouldn’t want to sit amongst on your daily commute. However, because its your car and you don’t really see yourself as “living in it” you probably think, like most car users, that it doesn’t matter, but it really does. It is just as important as cleaning your home.

It’s shiny, so it must be clean?

Nope, not necessarily. It may look shiny and streak free but if you run your hand over it, and it doesn’t feel smooth or as though you are touching glass, then, sadly, it is still dirty.

For a car to be truly clean you don’t want to feel any roughness on the car once it has dried.

Clay bars are a great way to remove all the dirt from your car, plus they’re easy to get hold off, with many available in car stores.

Not sure where to start with giving your pride and joy a spring clean? We can help. Book in for one of our detailing treatments and give your car the TLC it deserves. Get in touch with our team for more information.

Air con – what would we do without it? With summer here and the temperature outside creeping up, many of us will find ourselves asking this exact question. But thanks to Packard, an American luxury automobile company, who were the first automobile company in 1939 to offer an air conditioning unit in its cars, we will never need to find out the answer.

What is air con and how does it work?

Air conditioning, often referred to as A/C, is pretty universal these days, with most regular cars featuring an air con system. But how does it work?

Unlike many of us would think, it does not create cold air. In fact, it actually takes the heat and moisture out of the air, leaving behind cool air.

A car air conditioning system is made up of several components: a compressor, condenser, an evaporator, thermal expansion valve and a drier/accumulator. All of which contribute to a fully functioning air conditioning system.

Here’s how they work:

Compressor:

The compressor takes the refrigerant (the gas) and creates pressure. It compresses the gas and raises its temperature so that it changes into a high pressure gas; the high pressure then forces it through to the condenser.

Condenser:

The condenser is a radiator-like component that the gas moves through once it has been heated. Inside of the condenser, the heat is removed from the gas, turning it into a liquid.

Evaporator:

As the liquid passes through the evaporator tubes, the air is forced through, becoming really cold – right before it hits your face.

Thermal Expansion Valve:

Although it may be super warm outside, you don’t necessarily want to be freezing your toes off! For this reason, the air conditioning system has a valve that controls the flow of the cold refrigerant to the evaporator – meaning you can control how cold the air blowing out gets.

Drier or Accumulator:

There is always the chance that some liquid could make it to the end of the process, which is where the drier comes into play. The drier catches the rogue liquid before it can damage the compressor.

Without the drier, the unit could end up forming ice crystals, which, as you can imagine, could damage the air conditioning unit.

How to keep your air con running efficiently

Buy a bacterial cleaner

Available online or at many online and physical car stores, a bacterial cleaner works to dissolve the dirt build up in your air conditioning system.

Usually sold in an aerosol can form; you must startup your car and put the A/C on full. With the air con blowing full, the aerosol can is placed in the middle of the car. Press down the nozzle on the can, unlike normal aerosol cans the nozzle stays pressed down when you let go, close the car door and allow to run until the can runs out.

You should allow the air to circulate for about 10 minutes before opening the doors to allow to vent.

The aerosol cans can come as single use or rechargeable.

Have it serviced regularly

You should have your air conditioning system serviced every 18 months to 2 years. If you let the system run low on refrigerant, the compressor will have to work twice as hard, which will cause it to wear out quicker.

If you have any further questions about your car air conditioning system, or want to know more about the new and used cars currently available at JCB, get in contact with us today.

PCP stands for personal contract purchases, and is an increasingly popular method of car payment. It allows “buyers” to pay a fixed monthly rate for a new car, usually in contracts of around 3 years. According to the published statistics by the Finance & Leasing Association, last year 78.1% of new cars were purchased by private owners using credit, a majority of which were PCP purchases.

In short, leasing a car allows you to pay for a new car by covering the costs of depreciation over the course of the contract, plus a little extra for the contract provider. It is easy to see why PCP is an inviting concept for drivers. You can put down generally affordable monthly sums and drive away cars that you may not necessarily be able to afford otherwise.

The following is a made up scenario to explain, in the simplest form, how PCP works.

Example:

A new Ford Focus costs £10,000 when the contract is started, and is expected to depreciate to a cost of around £5000 after the three years. That means that the driver will have to pay the £5000 over the three years, including extra fees for the leasing company. In this example, total costs for the three years are £6500. After putting down a deposit of £3000, the driver would then have to pay £194 every month for the three years. At the end of the contract, the driver could then pay the remaining £5000 to buy the car if they wished.

In a bit more detail, once the contract is up you’ll have three options open to you. The first is to simply return the vehicle. You can then decide to take up a new PCP contract on another car or simply walk away, it is up to you. The second and third option that you could entertain is to either purchase the car at its depreciated, end of contract price, or put any equity towards a new contract.

The most obvious downside of the usual PCP contract is that you don’t own the car at the end, though there is still the option of purchasing the vehicle by paying the remaining value.

Less obvious is the quality of the contract itself. It is difficult to work out the best deal with leasing cars, as the depreciated value is largely estimated. Plus, somewhat counter intuitively, it is generally best to find a more popular car which will depreciate less, to make the most of your deal.

Make sure you fully plan out a budget for PCP contracts as some more inviting deals, offering leasing costs as low as £99-per month, may not be the best deals. These could involve ramping up the price through deposits, additional company takings or restricted mileage.

In summary, PCP leasing offers an intriguing payment model for those looking for a new car. However, it’s important to remember the need to research your budget for your chosen plan in order to make sure you get the best deal. Find out more about the car finance options we offer.

One of the main questions that drivers face when considering their first car is whether to get a new model, or save money and buy a used car. When it comes to safety, there are a number of things that drivers should consider before making their decision.

Though used cars are still MOT tested, the age and care of a car can seriously affect its running and its potential to breakdown during the year. This can end up costing the driver more money in the long run, with increased breakdown and repair costs. In these situations, having a new car might mean you can avoid these situations altogether.

New cars also have an additional positive aspect for parents of new drivers, as newer models are generally safer overall. Because of technological improvements and updated standards in car manufacture, recently built cars should be better placed to protect you and your passengers in the case of an emergency. Given the higher percentage chance of accidents in the first few months of a driver passing their test, repairing a new car may be more costly if you do have an accident, but the increased safety they can offer might give peace of mind to worried parents.

Newer cars generally have improved crumple zones, seat belts and numerous airbags. As well as this, they are also better equipped to help you avoid an accident in the first place thanks to anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and new technology like lane departure warnings and blind spot assist.

The downside with modern vehicles is generally their cost. As well as the higher price tag and higher costs of insurance, modern systems can be expensive to repair if they go wrong. Additionally, if you have a warning light showing a fault at the time of your MOT, it will cause you to fail your MOT.

Age isn’t the only influencer when determining the safety of a car. Certain models will be considered safer than others, and it is worth doing research into reviews of the safety features of a car before making a purchase.

Whether you decide to go old or new for your first vehicle, safe driving and doing regular checks on your car should alleviate most concerns when it comes to overall car safety.

For those worried about safety, the used cars that we provide at JCB Group are typically no older than 4 years. This means that they are in a good condition, and are generally equipped with very up to date safety precautions and technological improvements. Find out more about the new and used cars we have available, or get in touch if you have any questions.