Ford Hat on 2040-parts.com

MINI owners paying TWICE for servicing

Don’y pay to service your MINI twice MINI has been busy launching the New MINI of late, with the bigger – and some would say less ‘Mini’ MINI – now revealed in both regular 3-door and new 5-door guise, and many will be popping off to their local MINI showrooms to spec up their new car. And despite a headline starting price for the new MINI Hatch of just £13,750, many buyers will end up adding thousands to the cost once they’ve been tempted by the multitude of options on offer. But one option that’s a real no-brainer is the MINI TLC Pack.

Opel/Vauxhall Astra GTC

Opel/Vauxhall has revealed pictures of the forthcoming Astra GTC ahead of its official unveiling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Virtually unchanged from the GTC Paris concept of last year, the Astra GTC will go head to head with the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault’s Megane Coupe. The third body style to enter the Astra family, the GTC shares only the door handles and roof aerial with its siblings.

DSA and VOSA to be merged and rebranded

TWO MAJOR governmental organisations particularly familiar to motorists are to be merged and rebranded under plans to save money. In an attempt to boost service and cut costs, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are being turned into a single, new organisation. Transport Minister Robert Goodwill has confirmed the new, streamlined agency will be called the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Mr Goodwill said that during a transition period to April 1 next year, references to the new DVSA would include a statement "incorporating DSA and VOSA".