It’s only when our cars are in various stages of protest that we realise something is wrong with them. This might be a mystery squeak or rattle, the assertive glare of a warning light, or a full-on engine implosion. We may curse our wheels when they let us down by the side of the road, but there are a series of driving habits we subject our cars to that only make life difficult for ourselves, even if they seem like the easiest (or laziest) option at the time:   Not checking your tyres Your tyres need a tread depth of at least 1.6mm to be road legal, as well as the correct tyre pressure to ensure effective grip and braking. Underinflated tyres can accelerate the rate at which the tread wears out and have an impact on safety. Overinflated tyres can lead to a blowout.   Letting fluid run low Empty windscreen wash can lead to scratches on your windscreen as wipers scrape across dirt on dry glass, while an oil shortage can cause engine components to seize up. Frequently letting your fuel drop down to the minimum can also create issues, as contaminants sitting at the bottom of your fuel tank will be drawn through – leading to potential blockages.   Hitting potholes The pothole affliction on UK roads means safety avoiding them is not easy, but your car’s suspension springs will thank you if you do. Look ahead to see if there’s a way to go round them without obstructing other motorists. Similarly, try not to mount kerbs too often, and slow right down on approaching a speed bump. That is the point of them after all.   Coasting Not only will keeping your foot on the clutch when you don’t need to  – a practice known as “coasting” – cause wear in the engine’s rotor or break pedals; it’s also dangerous as it gives you less control over the car’s steer and breaking capabilities.  Taking care of your vehicle by eliminating these bad habits from your driving practices are a good way to help maintain your car. For times when careful driving isn’t enough to avoid problems, there’s always breakdown cover.

The Government has published its Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill (AEV Bill), designed to support the uptake of electric vehicles and create legislation around evolving driverless vehicle technology. The bill is being reviewed by MPs. At this stage, experts are given the chance to submit concerns to the committee. Industry insiders have voiced worries about who would pay in the event of a crash, while privacy and driver training are also being raised. Who is liable if driverless cars are hacked? The AEV Bill hopes to ensure that all parties will be covered by insurance companies in driverless car accidents, rather than individual drivers and owners having to pay. The secretary of state for transport Chris Grayling hopes self-driving cars will be in use by 2021. But legal academics from Exeter University warned that a “mass hack scenario”, a group of the same cars being maliciously hacked, may not be covered by insurers. The confusion stems from the bill’s wording relating to property damage liability for “any one accident” – what remains to be seen is whether a large-scale hack counts as one incident or if it would only cover a single crash. Liability has long plagued the development of self-driving cars, particularly during the transitional period when drivers will remain legally in charge of a vehicle even when in ‘autonomous’ mode. Are experts worried about anything else? Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, told the committee that car manufacturers should be responsible for training drivers in the safe operation of autonomous cars. “This is particularly important in a world where software upgrades can be applied remotely – the car that you parked in the evening may have a whole range of new functions added overnight,” he explained. These wireless software updates themselves have also come under fire, as security experts warn sensitive customer, driver or vehicle data could be accessed by the manufacturer or even international espionage. While the general public may not be too concerned, this may put the Ministry of Defence’s fleet of otherwise inconspicuous rented vehicles at risk. What does the bill say about electric vehicles? As well as addressing driverless car liabilities, the bill proposes changes to consumer experience regarding electric cars. The new legislation would require public charging points to be universal in both payment method and plug type, so consumers do not have to join certain schemes to use certain points. The bill would also require operators to announce the location of every point, its operating hours, available charging and payment options and whether it’s in working order, to reduce “range anxiety”. Eventually, all large fuel retailers such as motorway service stations would be required to provide charging points. The Association of Convenience Stores opposed this clause, suggesting forecourt members should be given incentives to invest in the infrastructure. “It costs in the region of £50,000 and £60,000 to install electric vehicle charge points and this is heavily dependent on the existing fuel site’s capacity and connection to the National Grid”, it said.

Technology has made vehicles safer and more efficient but thieves are exploiting weaknesses in the latest systems to compromise security and steal high-performance cars to order. One of the most common hi-tech thefts, widely known as car hacking, targets vehicles with keyless ignition systems. With this the thieves use a hand-held radio jammer to block the signal to remote locking car keys. This renders them useless and, although the driver will think they have locked their vehicle, it will remain unlocked. The thieves are then able to gain access to the vehicle and, within minutes, can re-programme a blank electronic key to start and steal the vehicle. Even where the vehicle has a more traditional key-operated ignition, the thieves are still able to gain access to the vehicle and steal any valuables. The latest potential threat is even more sinister. This exploits the infotainment systems that are becoming increasingly popular in vehicles. These systems allow drivers to play music, make phone calls and view vehicle information but technology security experts have demonstrated that it is possible to hack into them by sending data through the digital audio broadcasting (DAB) radio signals. This is particularly concerning as these infotainment systems are often connected to the same computer systems that manage the vehicle’s steering and braking. This means a hacker could take control of a vehicle and potentially put the occupants’ lives in danger. Further, security experts have also demonstrated that, with a strong enough transmitter, it could be possible to hack many vehicles at the same time. One high profile example saw two US security researchers hack into a vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, being driven by a journalist from Wired magazine. Once hooked up to its computers, they were able to take control of the radio, air conditioning and the windscreen wipers. Understandably, the vehicle manufacturers are taking these threats seriously and are looking at ways to improve security and deter the criminals. For example, after its Jeep Cherokee was hacked, Chrysler issued a security patch to secure any vulnerabilities in its systems. In the UK, the motor insurers’ automotive research centre, Thatcham Research, is also looking at ways to combat these hi-tech forms of vehicle crime. As well as using its position to influence vehicle and product manufacturers to take a coordinated approach to developing security solutions, it is also a member of the Cyber Security Consortium for Connected Vehicles. Through this it is looking to develop new standards around cyber security to promote consumer confidence. Reviving some of the security measures that were commonplace in the 1990s will also help to reduce the risk of theft from car hacking. “Park vehicles in a secure, well-lit area,” explains Mark Ashwood, Motor Trade Underwriting Account Manager, “preferably in a locked garage or compound if possible. A range of security devices are also available to deter thieves. These include alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices as well as steering wheel locks and locking wheel nuts.”  

Winter is the time that classic cars are used the least but also when they can become the most damaged. To avoid this being the ‘winter of discontent’ for your customers, we’ve got 10 top tips on what your customers can do to maintain their classic car this season: 1. Invest in a smart charger A smart charger which will keep the battery charged. Remember, on-board computers can be damaged by disconnecting the battery for too long so they should start their car every few weeks and run the engine for 10 minutes. 2. Clean and polish the car Before storage, remove mud, dirt and road salt that harbours moisture to help prevent corrosion. 3. Plenty of ventilation If the car is being stored in a garage, ensure that it’s well ventilated and consider investing in a dehumidifier that will keep the air dry as well. 4. Top up with fuel and anti-freeze Filling the fuel tank will reduce condensation levels that can build up over time. The same goes for anti-freeze – top up the levels and run the engine for a few minutes so they get circulated. 5. Use WD-40 to reduce corrosion Any unpainted metal parts under the car can be painted with WD-40 to prevent rust. Avoid spraying belts, hoses and braking surfaces. 6. Inflate tyres to correct pressures Ensure that tyre pressures are correct. If the car is being stored for several months, lift the vehicle to raise the tyres from the ground to prevent flat spots. 7. Don’t use the handbrake Leaving the handbrake on can allow the brake pads to become fused to the discs. Instead, tyre stoppers should be used to prevent the car from rolling. 8. Invest in a good waterproof car cover This will keep dust, debris and small animals away from the car. Non-plastic tarp should be used to avoid paint damage. 9. Change the oil and filters Old engine oil can contain contaminants that damage the engine if left to sit for long periods of time. Oil and air filters should also be swapped at the same time. 10. Make a note of all the work carried out Write down all the steps taken to maintain the vehicle on a notepad, so when the time comes to restart the car in the spring, it won’t accidentally end up being damaged for example, forgetting to pull out the rag left in the exhaust. This article originally appeared on LV Broker Blog.

From alloy wheels to body kits and specialist paintwork, there are numerous ways you can give your vehicle a personal touch. Car modifications can be functional, performance-related or purely aesthetic, but have you spared a thought for how they could affect your insurance? Generally speaking, any modification you make to your car will result in a hike in premium costs. The exact increase will depend on your insurer but also on the type of modification carried out. For instance, while tinted windows might result in a small increase, supercharging your car could see your premium almost double. There are three factors all insurers consider when calculating a premium: risk of accident, risk of theft and vehicle value. Any modification you make to your car will affect at least one of these factors, which is why costs increase. For instance, aesthetic modifications can make your car more appealing to criminals, which increases the risk of theft. Similarly, certain modifications are expensive to repair or replace, adding value to your car and thus increasing your insurance premium. As well as costing you more money to insure, there are other factors to consider, such as the safety and legal implications of modifying your vehicle. Here are some things you must bear in mind before revamping your motor:

• There are a number of modifications that can negatively impact the handling of your vehicle. Not only are these modifications unsafe, but they could be illegal, too, so make sure you check.
• In-car entertainment devices have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, tech can be very distracting for the driver, who has an extremely important job to do. Never install tech at the expense of your concentration – it’s not worth the risk. Plus, it’s illegal to have moving images on display in sight of the driver.
• If you’re considering upgrading your wheels or tyres, this will inevitably alter the way your car handles on the road. Check the wheels or tyres are manufacturer-approved before buying and when fitting, and ensure that there’s enough clearance between the bodywork and tyre.
• Don’t attempt to make changes to your car’s brakes or suspension on your own. This type of work should only be carried out by a professional and so long as the changes do not compromise the car’s handling.
• It’s against the law to remove a manufacturer-fitted silencer or modify your car’s exhaust so that it emits a louder noise than the original exhaust.
• Whilst changing your number plate is legal, there are rules you need to be aware of. For instance, the number plate must be of a certain font, the numbers and letters must have correct spacing, and it must be displayed in a prominent position.

Before making any modifications to your vehicle, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the legislation and consider the impact on your premium. Specialist car garages will be able to advise you on this. You must declare any modifications with your current insurer, as not doing so could render your policy invalid. Likewise, when searching for insurance or using an insurance broker, you need to make them aware of any modifications you’ve already made to your vehicle. At Anami Luxus, our prestige car experts will ask all the right questions to ensure you are paired with cover that suits your car, and any modifications, down to the ground. Get in touch to find out more.