Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Car hire costs branded ‘extortionate’

MORE THAN 45% of hire car users described hidden costs such as insurance and fuel as extortionate, according to a new survey. 200 UK consumers aged over 30 and earning more than £20,000 per annum were quizzed for the survey, conducted on behalf of Carhiremarket.com, with over 45% agreeing that hidden costs for insurance and fuel were extortionate. Users cited greater transparency or an all-inclusive upfront price as a more desirable option.

POTHOLES cause 'over £1 billion in damage every year'

POTHOLES are costing British drivers £1.2 billion every year due to damage to suspension, steering and wheels. This is a 16% rise in the cost of damage to cars on the UK’s roads and the weather has played a major part in the rise in the number of potholes. Councils say they don’t have the money to deal with the problem due to budget cuts and there has also been an 18% increase in the number of dangerous potholes reported during the past 12 months according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA).

Best of British: top 10 cars built in Britain during 2013

British car factories are booming, building more than 1.5 million cars during 2013. This is not only great news for the manufacturers, but it’s great news for the country too – because the vast majority of these cars were exported abroad. This brings money into the UK, strengthens our economy and also maintains jobs for hundreds of thousands of British workers – a real win-win story.