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March 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 49QUICK BURSTS:Testing timesOne in six men used their own car when they passed their driving test, while three quarters of women passed in their instructor%u2019s car, a new survey reveals.The fi ndings, from learner driver insurer Tempcover, also showed that more people aged 18-24 years passed their driving test in a Toyota (18.2%) than any other car brand. However, Ford models were the most common car used to pass a driving test for learners aged 25 and above (24.1%).For pass rates, Bedford came 34th with 52.67%, Northampton was 65th in the UK with 49.24%, and Aylesbury trailed in in 125th place with 44.87%. More blue cars were used in a successful test than any other colour, with red, white, and black also featuring highly. Orange was the least common colour for a test-passing vehicle.%u201cBetween starting your driving lessons and taking your test, it%u2019s important to gain as much experience as possible,%u201d said Tempcover%u2019s Claire Wills-Mckissick.Tyred of safetyWith only a third of drivers checking their vehicle%u2019s tyre tread at least once a month %u2013 the minimum recommendation %u2013 road safety charity TyreSafe has launched a campaign to raise awareness of this crucial bit of DIY maintenance for your car.The charity%u2019s ACT principle focusses on three simple yet vital areas:%u2022 Air Pressure: Highlighting the need to keep tyres adequately inflated to ensure optimal performance and fuel effi ciency.%u2022 Condition: Urging motorists to inspect their tyres regularly for any signs of damage, such as cuts, bulges, or other issues that might compromise safety.%u2022 Tread: Stressing the importance of maintaining suffi cient tread depth for eff ective grip and braking.%u201cTyres are the only contact point between a vehicle and the road, yet they%u2019re often overlooked,%u201d says Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair. %u201cOur %u2018Love Your Tyres%u2019 campaign is a timely reminder for road users to give their tyres the attention they deserve. By performing simple, regular checks, road users can help keep themselves, their passengers, and others safe while avoiding costly fi nes and breakdowns.%u201d1. Save money right from the startIt%u2019s a great feeling driving a new car away from the dealer%u2019s showroom, but the moment the car%u2019s tyres touch the tarmac of a public road, it%u2019s already losing money. Cars depreciate by as much as 40 per cent in their fi rst year and continue to do so, at a lesser rate, throughout their life. Choosing a quality used car can not only be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also save you big money. 2. It should still be guaranteedBuy a used but recent car and you still get the manufacturer%u2019s warranty associated with it. Many used cars are former dealer demonstrators or company vehicles that might not have driven many miles. But they should still be covered by warranty %u2013 some manufacturers, such as Kia, now off er a seven year guarantee which is transferable, covering you if something major goes wrong.3. You get a dealer warrantyManufacturer%u2019s warranty or not, buying your used car from a reputable dealer%u2019s showroom or even online, means you should benefi t from a guarantee of some sort. Even with older vehicles, most traders will off er at least a three-month warranty and sometimes breakdown cover. Ask what%u2019s off ered before you start looking seriously at a car and use warranty as a bargaining tool %u2013 no guarantee, no sale.4. Receive the full serviceSome newer used cars could still have an outstanding service plan. This is where a set number of services have been paid for in advance. If the car has not reached the mileage of the fi nal service in the plan, it%u2019s possible you will be able to take advantage of that %u2013 and you might even be able to buy an extension to the plan. 5. Get it on fi nance You no longer have to save up hard-earned cash and then trawl the classifieds or visit second-hand dealers hoping to buy a used car within budget. Today, reputable used vehicle showrooms will off er acceptable fi nance plans, similar to those that are available to people buying a new model. 6. Cars that look like newCars are built very well today, and quality suppliers make their used examples look and feel just like new before they off er them for sale. So, driving one away feels almost like you have bought a new model. Dealers will often show you the multi-point inspection lists they go through on every car they sell. And you can certainly expect the car to be cleaned and valeted before taking delivery.7. No time to waitNobody likes waiting. Especially when the delay in question is for your next car. Place an order on a new vehicle and you could face a waiting time of weeks or even months. If they haven%u2019t got the model or colour you want in stock, factories have to build one for you. But that%u2019s not a problem if you are buying a pre-owned vehicle because it%u2019s already built, run-in and possibly sat right in front of you on the forecourt. It could be on your driveway in no time. 8. Go higher up the spec listIf you are saving money by buying a used car %u2013 or budgeting for fi nance %u2013 you will be in a better position to venture further up the specifi cation list. A used car with all the %u2018bells and whistles%u2019 will off er better value than a similar, new vehicle in basic, entry-level form. Looking for alloy wheels, climate control and keyless central locking? Consider a good used car. 9. Avoid early problemsVehicle reliability has been greatly improved across the whole of the industry and cars are built to last for 12 to 15 years. So, a three-yearold vehicle with a service history will feel like it has barely started its life. However, even the best car can go wrong, so buying used often means that any early squeaks, rattles or settling-in problems will already have been reported by the original owner and fi xed by the dealer.10. It%u2019s run-in and testedThere%u2019s nothing better than a nicely run-in engine. It%u2019s quiet, economical and operates like a well-oiled machine %u2013 literally. And while the old routine of changing a new car%u2019s oil after 3,000 miles has gone, the chances are that the car will have had at least one lubricant change by the time you have bought it. First services can be 10-12,000 miles today, but for many cars, it%u2019s sooner. And the air conditioning unit will have had a winter or two of operation to make sure it%u2019s working well, too.TOP POINTERS FOR THE USED BUYER: