99 1999 Nissan Pathfinder Keyless Remote Transmitter Fob Kbrastu09 on 2040-parts.com

Petrol cars twice as likely to fail MOT on emissions

The latest MOT test data shows that 26.2% of all cars tested fail on excess exhaust emissions – and surprisingly petrol cars fail more than twice as often as diesels in this part of the annual roadworthiness test. According to the official Vehicle Operator and Standard Agency (VOSA) figures, which cover all of 2010 and the first nine months of 2011, 9.7% of petrol cars failed to meet MOT emissions standards compared to just 3.9% of diesels. On Bing: see pictures of the MOT test Find out how much a used car with 12 months MOT costs on Auto Trader The analysis has been carried out by fuel additive “provider” Redex, which naturally has an interest in the findings, since its products are designed to breakdown engine deposits and improve efficiency.

Jaguar to end XK production after 18 years

Jaguar will this summer cease production of the XK 2+2 GT car after 18 years at the top of the Coventry firm’s model range. The decision to stop making the XK comes after the hugely successful launch of the F-Type – which, say analysts, has led to a big fall in XK sales as thousands of buyers queues up to buy the F-Type. Jaguar XK review (2009 onwards) Jaguar XKR-S Coupe review (2011 onwards) Some estimate Jaguar could triple its sports car volumes with the F-Type over the XK.

Ford B-Max (2012) goes into the great wide open

Ford hopes a less-is-more approach will lure punters to its new B-max MPV, unique in the supermini segment for having a big hole in the central cockpit instead of a structural pillar. The result is a flexible people mover that's a doddle to load with kids or cargo, Ford claims, thanks to its pillarless opening and sliding rear door. The novel doors landed the £12,500 people mover in the same must-see company as Bentley's grotesque SUV concept and Ferrari's beautiful F12.