Latest news with #RAC
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Top MOT fault for UK drivers and how likely it will cause you to breakdown
The RAC has revealed the most common fault flagged up on MOT tests in the UK, which could lead to an unfortunate breakdown or costly repair - and it's nothing to do with the brakes Brits are being urged to check their cars for a common fault that could leave you broken down and out of pocket. It's a yearly event that many motorists would rather skip — the dreaded MOT test. For some drivers the process is straightforward and trouble-free, but for others it can quickly become a costly calamity, revealing a long list of essential repairs. There is also a sizeable group that falls somewhere in between: their cars pass the MOT with advisories, with mechanics flagging issues that should be addressed sooner rather than later - but still allow Brits to drive off without having to deal with the problems straight away. But, ignoring these advisories can have serious consequences, as revealed by a recent RAC survey of almost 1,500 motorists. According to the findings, one in six drivers who ignored an MOT advisory in the past year ended up experiencing a vehicle breakdown or crash as a direct result of the unresolved issue flagged by the garage. The RAC described the phenomena as 'troubling advisory apathy among drivers'. READ MORE: Major MOT test changes that could impact millions of UK drivers What is an MOT? The annual MOT, which is required for cars, vans and motorcycles from their third year of registration, is a roadworthiness check covering a range of consumable parts — including lights, seatbelts, tyres and brakes — to ensure they meet legal standards. Vehicles found to have 'dangerous' or 'major' defects automatically fail the test. However, 'minor' problems are recorded as advisories because they are not severe enough to cause an immediate failure. Still, they are highlighted as issues that should be resolved in the near future to keep the car roadworthy. The RAC survey found that more than two in five drivers reported receiving one or more advisories at their last MOT. Despite this, more than half (54 per cent) admitted they did not act on the warning and neglected to get the problem fixed. RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, Nick Mullender, emphasised the importance of MOT advisories, saying they 'demand attention' because they indicate a vehicle 'isn't in the best of health'. He cautioned: "Unfortunately, our research suggests there's a lot of troubling advisory apathy among drivers. "Advisories indicate the potential for the vehicle to become unroadworthy in a matter of months or even weeks, depending on the nature of the issue and how often the vehicle is driven. It's crucial that drivers keep a close eye on any flagged items. An MOT is the most basic of roadworthiness checks, and no replacement for a proper service by a qualified mechanic." The RAC's survey found the most common advisories on MOTs arranged by drivers between May 2024 and May 2025 included issues with the tyres, brakes and suspension. Other factors included problems with the car's lights or exhaust system. Tyres (e.g. tread, wear, quality): 42% Brakes (e.g. pads or discs): 34% Suspension: 22% Lights: 16% Corrosion: 14% Something else: 11% Exhaust system: 9% Steering: 8% Visibility (e.g. out of windscreen): 8% Other electrical system: 4% Bodywork damage: 2% According to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) records for 2023-24, 34.7 million vehicles underwent MOT testing. Of these, 7.9 million initially failed — accounting for 28.4 per cent of cases. Notably, 2.7 million of these failures were due to dangerous defects, suggesting that 7.9 per cent of vehicles on the road had serious faults posing a real risk to owners, passengers and other road users. The consequences of this inaction can be severe. 17 per cent of those who ignored advisories said their vehicles subsequently broke down or were involved in a crash directly linked to the advisory defect highlighted during the MOT. But the good news is that tyre tread issues are among the easiest MOT faults to avoid. Simply check them regularly using a tread depth gauge or the '20p test' — insert a 20p coin into the tread and if the rim is visible, your tread is too low. Drivers should also ensure their tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and check for signs of uneven wear. So while the word 'advisory' may make the issues seem less than pressing, ignore them at your own peril. You could wind up with a hefty repair bill — or worse, involved in an accident.
The Star
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Irked by lack of parking at Ipoh Railway Station
Commuters want more bays, multistorey carpark built nearby It is often a struggle to find parking near Ipoh Railway Station, in the heart of the Perak capital city. There are limited parking bays provided by Ipoh City Council (MBI), Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) and KTM Bhd (KTMB)around the building on Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab. Those looking for parking say they often have to go round several times before finding a spot. To make matters worse, those going to the nearby lower and high courts also park their vehicles in the area. Engineer Kamal Hussain, 40, from Menglembu, said finding a parking spot near the railway station was a challenge, especially during rush hour. Kamal, who often travels between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, said he found it stressful to catch an early train with the lack of parking. 'By the time I circle the area two or three times, I have already lost 10 to 20 minutes,' he said. Commuters suggest this piece of land once occupied by a food court beside Ipoh Railway Station, be turned into a carpark. Researcher Fadhil Rahman, 35, who also travels frequently to Kuala Lumpur, hopes the authorities increase the number of parking bays in the area. 'Maybe build a multistorey carpark near the railway station. 'As commuters, we don't want to risk missing our train. 'By increasing the number of parking bays, it will make it easier for us,' he said. Fadhil said the proposed multistorey carpark at Lintasan Market in the Old Town area would not resolve the parking problem near the railway station. 'I have no doubt that the carpark project will be a welcome addition to the city. 'However, it is quite far from the railway station and not convenient for commuters,' he highlighted. Dhivannan says public transport to the train station may not be a practical solution. In April, it was reported that a RM15mil multistorey parking and commercial complex would be built about 650m from the railway station. The complex, a joint project by MBI and a private firm via a Private Financing Initiative, is expected to be able to accommodate 353 vehicles. It was announced that work was scheduled to start in May, but a recent check by StarMetro found that it has yet to begin. A couple of months earlier, the Perak Bar Committee rented a plot of land from RAC next to the station, opposite Ipoh High Court, to be used as a carpark for its members. The area accommodates about 30 vehicles. The move sparked public concern that it reduced the number of bays available near the station. Fadhil suggests building a multistorey carpark near the railway station. StarMetro also highlighted the lack of parking in Ipoh Old Town and called for the disused multistorey carpark at Jalan Dato Maharajalela to be refurbished and reopened in an April 11 article titled 'Multistorey mess'. This carpark is located about 250m from the railway station. Former Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin had said that there were talks between Ipoh City Council and a private company to refurbish the disused carpark into a commercial centre with parking bays. However, some who take public transport to the railway station say it poses a problem too. Student N. Dhivannan, 19, who had a hard time looking for a parking space near the station, said public transport as an option might not be a practical solution. 'Public transport is not always reliable or convenient. 'It also depends on where you are coming from,' he said. The space beside the train station is rented by Perak Bar Committee as a carpark for members. Student Nur Syahirah Syahril, 17, who travels frequently to Alor Setar in Kedah, said e-hailing rides, while convenient, were not always feasible. 'It can be hard to find a ride during peak hours, especially if you are in a rush. 'It can be unnerving too if we get caught in a traffic jam,' she said. However, tourist Quentin Plotton, 29, said he found it convenient to use e-hailing rides to get to the railway station. Plotton, from France, said e-hailing rides in the city were generally hassle-free. 'It is very convenient and easy. 'As a tourist, I don't have to worry about driving or finding parking,' he said. Artist's impression of the RM15mil parking complex planned for Lintasan Market, some 650m from Ipoh Railway Station, which was scheduled to start construction last month. A 63-year-old retiree, who did not want to be named, said there was a plot of land near the railway station that could be converted into a carpark. 'The place used to house a food court but it has been left unused for a long time. 'It should be turned into a carpark to make life easier for commuters. 'There are a number of parking bays near the banks and Ipoh Padang but these are mostly occupied, so there is really a need for more parking space,' she added. In a statement to StarMetro, RAC said the vacant space had been rented to a food outlet. 'However, the tenancy has since ended and RAC is now inviting interested parties to rent the site,' it said. It also welcomed the suggestion to use the space for parking. 'As the site is now available for rent, applications to utilise it as a carpark will also be considered. 'Given the limited parking in front of and around the railway station, RAC strongly encourages the public to opt for public transport. 'It is important to note that most parking areas around the station fall under the jurisdiction of MBI,' said RAC. The statement also said RAC had allocated areas for taxi as well as e-hailing pick-up and drop-off, to support commuter needs and ease congestion. 'These facilities are aimed at enhancing user convenience and improving traffic flow, especially during peak periods. 'This initiative is also in line with the National Transport Policy (NTP) 2019-2030, which promotes a sustainable, integrated and efficient transport sector while encouraging public transport as the primary mode of mobility,' the statement said. 'Among NTP's key objectives include improving inclusivity and accessibility of the transport system and minimising environmental impact. 'RAC remains committed to supporting this policy by enhancing facilities, improving access to railway stations and collaborating with local authorities and relevant agencies to upgrade existing infrastructure for the benefit of all users,' it added.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Drivers are only just realising little-known 99p household item can stop car thieves from accessing their vehicle
Car theft is on the increase – here's how to prevent it WHEELY USEFUL Drivers are only just realising little-known 99p household item can stop car thieves from accessing their vehicle MOTORISTS are being urged to use a little-known household item costing less than ONE POUND to stop car thieves stealing their vehicle. It comes as the Office of National Statistics reports there were 133,708 recorded motor vehicle theft offences in England and Wales between April 2023 and March 2024. 1 Car theft is on the rise in the UK This is a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2019-20. While the numbers are lower compared to the early 2000s, the recent increase tracks with the overall increase of crime figures in the UK. But to prevent thieves stealing a car, all drivers need is an inexpensive roll of tinfoil. This can be purchased for as little as 99p at a local supermarket. Driver Lucy Lewis started the tin foil trend after she took to TikTok to share her straightforward hack for preventing thieves from gaining access to her car. "I can't be the only one that goes to sleep with the [car] key wrapped in tinfoil," Lucy said at the start of the video, showing how her key was indeed wrapped in foil. She went on to explain: "I've got a stop start button, whatever, and I've seen loads of videos on Facebook of people's cars getting stolen because they've got that kind of car with the button. "If I wake up and my car is stolen, and I didn't wrap my key in tinfoil, there's gonna be trouble." Lucy then urged other people to say if they do a similar thing. She added: "Please tell me I'm not the only one, because I feel like a psycho and I have to wrap my key – it's like I have to put it to bed and wrap it in tinfoil and it just feels a bit pathetic." Watch as thieves use high-tech trick to swipe Mercedes in under 20 secs - as devices used in 40% of thefts to be BANNED Should you wrap your car key in tin foil? Some security experts have claimed wrapping or covering your car key with metal, such as tin foil, can help prevent cars with start and stop buttons from being key hacked and stolen. Key hacking is when thieves attack built-in systems that can unlock a car when the key is nearby, without having to press a button on the fob or put a key in the lock. To help prevent car and key hacking, RAC recommends getting a car key signal blocker to keep your car key in. They are metal-lined key wallets or special bags designed to keep your keys safe. However, just using tin foil or a metal bin with a lid will also work to prevent the electronic signals from passing through to your car. According to RAC, while tin foil can help prevent the electronic signals from your car key from pass through the metal, it's not the ideal solution seeing as it's usually difficult to recycle. Instead, they recommend using a reusable metal tin or a car signal blocker.
The Age
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Age
Can Perth have infill without cars spilling onto our streets?
According to research last year from the EAFIT University in Medellin and the Complexity Science Hub, 82 per cent of commuters use cars, 12 per cent use public transport, and 4 per cent walk or cycle. Loading So how do we put the brakes on our perverse attraction to monstrous SUVs and 4WDs? According to WA Greens MLC Brad Pettitt – a keen bike enthusiast – well-designed infill could almost make the car optional. 'Infill should be around little hubs; around our train stations, around our activity centres, but the idea that our definition of infill in Perth is just to kind of double the density of our suburbs is the worst kind of infill,' he said. 'Smart infill ideally doesn't demolish every tree in a suburb, which we've seen especially in places like Stirling, which has lost 80 per cent of its canopy cover due to poor infill over the last few decades. 'We've got to get smarter about where we do with our infill and have a better plan rather than this weird ad-hoc approach.' High-density living is also seen as a way to address the housing crisis, but given the real estate market has been on Viagra for the past two or so years, it's making it harder for young people to buy homes or rent. So, with the kids bunking down with their parents longer, almost every home in Perth now is a two-car household. And you can't blame motor-mad Millennials and Gen Z for not wanting to scurry around on bikes, given the cycling network around Fremantle looks like it was designed by a depressed East German urban planner from the 1970s. Fittingly, the only people using these dour Eastern Bloc-style paths are men over 40 riding their kids' mountain bikes because they've lost their license for drink-driving, and teenagers on stolen pushies. You also need the survival skills of recent Alone Australia winner Shay Williamson to endure travelling on a bus or train across the world's longest city, given Perth's transport network is often ranked as one of the worst on the planet. A report released by the RAC just two weeks ago revealed only 13 per cent of people felt comfortable riding on busy streets alongside traffic. It probably has something to do with the fact Perth motorists can barely tolerate other drivers, let alone some Lycra-clad loner, hogging half a metre of road. You've got more chance of a motorist merging with the cosmos than letting another lead foot move an inch in front of him. Loading RAC's general manager external relations Will Golsby said increased investment for better infrastructure could increase cycling uptake and help manage congestion. 'WA has some good cycling infrastructure, but it can be disconnected so driving becomes the default option which contributes to congestion and diminished air quality,' he said. 'We need to make active travel an attractive option to entice people – of any age or ability – to walk or ride for short trips rather than take the car.' Pettit said more money was needed for the construction of the crucial bike network. But Australian governments have a love affair with highways and byways, with around $714 spent per person on roads every year. Only 90 cents goes to walking, wheeling and cycling. 'Funding for neighbourhood-scale or local cycling infrastructure projects is relatively low at an average of $5 million a year and currently this must be 50 per cent co-funded by participating local governments,' Pettitt said. 'The Office of Auditor General's December 2021 report into Viable Cycling in the Perth Area notes while the state has added 85 kilometres to its network of principal paths, completing the remaining 100 kilometres will take time, with only 21 kilometres planned to be built by 2025.'
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Can Perth have infill without cars spilling onto our streets?
According to research last year from the EAFIT University in Medellin and the Complexity Science Hub, 82 per cent of commuters use cars, 12 per cent use public transport, and 4 per cent walk or cycle. Loading So how do we put the brakes on our perverse attraction to monstrous SUVs and 4WDs? According to WA Greens MLC Brad Pettitt – a keen bike enthusiast – well-designed infill could almost make the car optional. 'Infill should be around little hubs; around our train stations, around our activity centres, but the idea that our definition of infill in Perth is just to kind of double the density of our suburbs is the worst kind of infill,' he said. 'Smart infill ideally doesn't demolish every tree in a suburb, which we've seen especially in places like Stirling, which has lost 80 per cent of its canopy cover due to poor infill over the last few decades. 'We've got to get smarter about where we do with our infill and have a better plan rather than this weird ad-hoc approach.' High-density living is also seen as a way to address the housing crisis, but given the real estate market has been on Viagra for the past two or so years, it's making it harder for young people to buy homes or rent. So, with the kids bunking down with their parents longer, almost every home in Perth now is a two-car household. And you can't blame motor-mad Millennials and Gen Z for not wanting to scurry around on bikes, given the cycling network around Fremantle looks like it was designed by a depressed East German urban planner from the 1970s. Fittingly, the only people using these dour Eastern Bloc-style paths are men over 40 riding their kids' mountain bikes because they've lost their license for drink-driving, and teenagers on stolen pushies. You also need the survival skills of recent Alone Australia winner Shay Williamson to endure travelling on a bus or train across the world's longest city, given Perth's transport network is often ranked as one of the worst on the planet. A report released by the RAC just two weeks ago revealed only 13 per cent of people felt comfortable riding on busy streets alongside traffic. It probably has something to do with the fact Perth motorists can barely tolerate other drivers, let alone some Lycra-clad loner, hogging half a metre of road. You've got more chance of a motorist merging with the cosmos than letting another lead foot move an inch in front of him. Loading RAC's general manager external relations Will Golsby said increased investment for better infrastructure could increase cycling uptake and help manage congestion. 'WA has some good cycling infrastructure, but it can be disconnected so driving becomes the default option which contributes to congestion and diminished air quality,' he said. 'We need to make active travel an attractive option to entice people – of any age or ability – to walk or ride for short trips rather than take the car.' Pettit said more money was needed for the construction of the crucial bike network. But Australian governments have a love affair with highways and byways, with around $714 spent per person on roads every year. Only 90 cents goes to walking, wheeling and cycling. 'Funding for neighbourhood-scale or local cycling infrastructure projects is relatively low at an average of $5 million a year and currently this must be 50 per cent co-funded by participating local governments,' Pettitt said. 'The Office of Auditor General's December 2021 report into Viable Cycling in the Perth Area notes while the state has added 85 kilometres to its network of principal paths, completing the remaining 100 kilometres will take time, with only 21 kilometres planned to be built by 2025.'
