fbpx

How To Choose Between HP vs PCP Car Finance

November 20th, 2022 Posted in motoring
No Comments

When buying a car, there are two options for financing that often crop up when browsing. These are HP and PCP. What do they mean? What are the differences?

If financing a car is financially more appropriate for you, then it’s worth knowing what HP and PCP car financing is and which one to choose.

What is a PCP?

PCP is short for Personal Contract Purchase. It’s a secured loan which means you won’t become the owner until you pay the final balloon payment at the end of the agreement.

With PCP you get three choices; pay the balloon payment to owe the car, give the car back or enter into a new PCP agreement. 

What is a HP?

HP stands for Hire Purchase. This involves making an initial deposit and the remaining cost of the vehicle is divided into equal monthly payments. Once the last payment is made, you’ll then own the car outright.

Choosing between PCP vs HP

Which one is the best for you? It’s important to consider which one is more affordable for the budget that’s available. For some, a secured loan through a PCP gives more options, whereas a HP allows you to own the car outright without the balloon payment at the end of the agreement.

When shopping for used car finance in Wales, think about what’s available. Some deals may only offer one finance option, whereas others will offer both. Weigh up the positives and negatives that come with both and use this infographic to help make an informed decision for your next car purchase. 


Shopping for used car finance wales
,
Read More

How to Run Your Car More Economically

November 6th, 2022 Posted in Money Tips, motoring
No Comments

Times are uncertain at the moment. Everything seems to be rising in cost, from your local supermarket shop to the petrol in your car. Some people are having to choose between eating and heating, and many people are considering getting rid of their second car. Unfortunately, there is no way to know how long the current financial situation will last, and that means we all better start making some changes to get through. The good news is that there are many ways you can make your car run more economically. If you are thinking of getting rid of a second car that your family relies on at the moment, you can try and implement some measures instead to see if you can make it more affordable. 

there are many ways you can make your car run more economically - old gas station pumps image
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Your Driving Style

Your driving style has a massive impact on how much fuel your car uses. An aggressive driving style which means you accelerate too quickly, brake too hard, and fight the gear stick, among other things, will cause your fuel to deplete a lot quicker. Not to mention all the other wear and tear issue on the car itself. If you want your car to run more cheaply, look at yourself. Maybe read up about driving style for fuel economy, or look to attend a class. Even if you think you are an economic driver, it may be ab idea to refresh your driving style. No one is perfect, after all. Chaing your driving style just a little bit may save you a lot of money in the long run.

Your Tyres

If you don’t regularly check your tyres, then it is time you start. Underinflated tyres can cost you a fortune in wasted fuel. Under-inflated tyres increase road resistance which increases fuel consumption. Additionally, if all four of your tyres are inflated to different PSIs, then you are causing issues with your car’s suspension and axels, etc. this is because you are running an unaligned car. If you need new tyres, buy decent tyres like Kumho Tyres, for example, which are high quality and will last a long time but are not as expensive as other high-quality brands. 

Weight

Is your boot always full? Is there a lot of rubbish in your passenger seat or back seats? Every unnecessary thing in your car can cost you fuel. So, if your car is full of a lot of junk, now is the time to remove it. If you can, maybe even think about removing the spare wheel and jack if you have them. Also, you may be able to remove the backseats in some cars, although this definitely is not for everyone. Another thing to consider is how much you refuel. It may be more economical to refuel more often with less fuel due to the weight of a full tank. Living close to a petrol station may make this more feasible. 

Your Oil

Cars need oil to run. However, if you are using low-quality oil, then you are not given the engine and moving parts the best things to make it run. High-quality or synthetic oil is far thinner than the standard stuff. High-quality oil can perform much better in evert circumstance; it does clog up as easily and can make your car cheaper to run because the car is being looked after better. Parts will last longer, everything will run more smoothly, and this can even save you on fuel costs too.   

Solar Panels

If you have an electric car, you may already be seeing how expensive this can make your electricity bill. With the cost of electricity rising, you need to find ways to make it cheaper to charge up your car. Perhaps your energy supplier offers a specialist tariff for electric cars, where you can fill up at night at a cheap electric rate. This means that you would get a two-rate meter where electricity at peak times during the day is more expensive. Perhaps you should discuss this with your energy supplier if you haven’t already. Another thing you could consider is getting solar panels on the roof of your house if you own your own home. If you work full time, then it still can make it cheaper to run an electric car as you can charge your car at the weekends for free and in the summer evenings. Additionally, solar panels, even in the winter, will make it cheaper to run the rest of the house, which can have a knock-on effect on the cost of your electricity bill. 

,
Read More

4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a New Fleet Vehicle

November 30th, 2021 Posted in Business, motoring
No Comments

Our fleet vehicles are the lifeblood of our business. It is imperative that we give them the best treatment and care, so they can perform to their best every day.

The importance of having the perfect vehicle for your fleet was highlighted by a recent study which found that a fleet vehicle with more than 100,000 miles on it has an 80% chance of reaching 300,000 miles or higher.

If you find that your fleet of cars and trucks are high-mileage and due for maintenance, you should look into some quality options at an affordable price.

4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a New Fleet Vehicle

Before buying a car or truck for your fleet, there are a few things you should consider. By following these principles, you will increase the chances of finding a new vehicle that is economical and has a longer lifespan.

Vehicle purchase decisions have a significant impact on the company’s bottom line. You need to be sure that you have done your research and carefully considered what features are most important to your company’s driving needs before purchasing any type of vehicle for your fleet.

With the rising number of new car options in the market, it’s time to consider what you really need and how much you can afford before purchasing a new fleet vehicle.

4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a New Fleet Vehicle - rows of minibuses image
Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

1. How much does each driver spend on gas?

There are several factors that go into how much a driver spends on gas including the distance to drive, the number of miles per gallon, and the cost of gasoline in their area. Of course, electric vehicles are now also a consideration, as are hybrid ones.

2. Should you lease or should you buy?

The decision to lease or buy a new fleet vehicle is an important one. It should be made with careful consideration of the company’s needs, including how much it will cost to maintain the vehicle over its lifetime.

3. Look at the overall cost of ownership and maintenance of different makes in comparison with each other

Which vehicle option is the best value for your money? The cost of ownership and maintenance of a car or truck can vary significantly depending on the make. It’s important to know these costs – servicing, replacing truck tyres, replacing various other parts – before deciding which vehicle you should buy.

4. Consider how often you plan on replacing them in comparison to when they will need an expensive repair or replacement

As vehicles get older, they start to require more maintenance and repairs. To avoid spending a lot of money on vehicles in the long run, it is a good idea to buy a new one.

Replacing an old car or truck with a new one can be costly for fleets. They have to account for the depreciation in the value of their previous car and they would need to put money aside for future repairs. But if fleets invest in a new vehicle that may cost them less than what they would have spent on their old one, then that is an obvious choice.

,
Read More

Are You Struggling With Car Maintenance? Here Are Some Tips for You

October 21st, 2021 Posted in Money Tips, motoring
No Comments

Getting a car makes it easier for you to move around. However, most people already understand how car value depreciates, and you have to put in the work if you want to have the same car for the longest time.

Are You Struggling With Car Maintenance? Here Are Some Tips for You - mechanic under car image
Photo by Malte Luk from Pexels

Based on how expensive cars are in the market, maintaining them is less costly than buying new ones frequently. If you are struggling to figure out the best car maintenance methods, here is what to do:

Wheel Repair

Repairing or replacing your car wheels can go a long way to ensuring you stay safe on the road. You can decide what company to use once you learn more about it on a website or advertisement posts. 

Some companies are better than others at these services; therefore, enough research should help you hire the best one.

The wheels you go for are also determined by the material used to make them. Wheel repair and refurbishment companies can have alloy or other metallic materials. It would be best to research customer reviews about different wheels to determine the right quality for your car.

Conduct Safety Checks Before Using the Car

Everyone knows that once you get in the car seat, the essential thing is to fasten the belt before driving off to wherever you want to go. However, a seat belt is not the only safety check you need to do.

Checking the fluid levels and the tire pressure is essential to making your vehicle safe for use. The liquid level should be enough for a to and fro journey if an emergency happens and you cannot get another refill.

Taking your car for checkups in the garage once in a while is also an important safety check. It ensures that you understand its condition before using it for travel.

Replace Wiper Blades

Noticing when your wiper blades get worn out can be easy since they may start working at a reduced speed. It could also be challenging to make them flick from one side to the other. Some drivers also notice a problem with wiper blades when the blades do not clean efficiently.

Replacing the blades can save you the struggle of handling defaulted ones. You can visit any store with auto parts to acquire quality wiper blades that function correctly.

Cleaning Your Car Regularly

Car washing has to be the most regular thing car owners and drivers do. It should not be a surprise how quickly cars get dirty. Most people add carpet squares in the back seat to help you keep the inside area clean for a while.

Having trash in your vehicle is normal; the only thing you have to do is remove it regularly.

Vacuuming your car seats and floor can remove dust and make it leave it with a fresh smell. It would be best to clean any part of the car where the nozzle fits, including the peddle area.

Conclusion

Car maintenance requires discipline and commitments. Most people do not get much time to do this stuff during the day, and outsourcing the services saves the day. If you are committed to moving around in a clean car, you will do everything to maintain its value.

Read More

How To Help Your Loved One If They Are A Car Accident

October 14th, 2021 Posted in motoring
No Comments

If your loved one is involved in a car accident, it is important to be there for them as they might be struggling with their mental health. Whether or not they have incurred physical injuries, it is common to deal with anxiety or stress after the event of an incident. Therefore, it is useful to know how to help them. On that note, here are the best tips for helping your loved one when they have been involved in a car accident.

How To Help Your Loved One If They Are A Car Accident - reporting a car crash image
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Get legal help

When your loved one has been involved in a car accident, the last thing they might want to do is talk to someone. They might want to deal with the issue alone. However, it is essential to get legal help so that they get the help that they deserve. After them being involved in an accident, there are many different types of lawyers that you might consider. However, it is best to ask for help from a car specialist so that you get them the best help that they need.

The most incredibly talented car accident lawyers will help you and your loved ones after the event, to ensure that you receive the medical help and compensation that you deserve.

Listen to them 

Although your loved one might not want to talk straight away, they will want to talk eventually. No matter if it was their fault or not, it is a lot to process. Therefore, it might take them some time to open up and tell you exactly what happened or how they are feeling. 

When they are ready to talk, make sure to be there for them. If you don’t listen, then they might not have anyone else to turn to. Showing them that you care and want to listen to them will help them open up and find someone to trust. It can help improve their mental health by opening up and sharing their emotions. When they share how they are feeling, make sure to give gentle advice to help support their emotional needs.

Be patient

On the topic of your loved one taking time to open up, it is very important to be patient after they have been involved in an accident. Although they might not realize it, it might have caused them a lot of stress, which could cause them to act or speak negatively towards you. 

Make sure to be kind back to them and let them let off steam so that you don’t upset them further, as it can further deter their mental health.

Keep an eye on them

If your loved one is being quiet (or even seems fine) it is important to keep a close eye on them. Doing so will ensure that they are okay and means that you can give them help when you think they need it. 

They might think that they don’t need help. But as an outsider, you might realize that they do. Hence, you can take action and help them recover in the best possible way.

,
Read More
Older Entries