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May 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 49QUICK BURSTS:Don%u2019t lose your licenceWearing some types of sunglasses can be illegal while driving and could land you with a fi ne or points on your licence. Experts at tyre fi rm BlackCircles have outlined 10 littleknown ways to get points on your licence:1 Wearing sunglasses that are too dark. Penalty: %u00a35000.2 Smoking or vaping in your car. Potential careless driving. Penalty: %u00a32500.3 Eating and drinking (non-alcohol) while driving. Not being in proper control. Penalty: %u00a3200 / 6 points. 4 Cluttered dashboard. A messy dash that obscures the view. Penalty: %u00a3100 / 3 points.5 Letting your dog hang its head out of the window. Animals should be secured. Penalty: %u00a35000 / 6 points.6 If you haven%u2019t had an eye test. Poor eyesight is dangerous. Penalty: %u00a31000 / 3 points.7 Road rage. Don%u2019t shout or make gestures while driving. Penalty: %u00a31000 / 3 points.8 Sleeping in your vehicle. Under the infl uence of alcohol with your keys in your car. Penalty: 10 points.9 Riding an electric scooter over the alcohol limit. Penalty: 6 points.10 If your child%u2019s seat isn%u2019t properly fi tted. Penalty: %u00a3500 / 3 points.What%u2019s in a name?Are you called Melvyn or Norman? Chances are you haven%u2019t made a claim on your car insurance for years. New research from cover experts MoneySuperMarket has revealed the names of the drivers who have the longest stretch of no-claims. The length of time that a driver has held an insurance policy and hasn%u2019t made a claim is one signal insurance providers use to calculate the price of a new premium. Car insurance providers typically off er a no-claims bonus or discount to drivers who have gone 12 months or more without making a claim. Names from the 1930s to 1960s suggest these are people with great experience on the road.Melvyn, Norman, Geoff , Neville and Leslie are among the names of men with most years between claims. For women it%u2019s Norma, Pat, Pam, Beryl and Jean.ICIENT CARSgives the small car a brisk and nippy take off from a standing start but it helps to keep petrol use down too. Power is harvested and sent to the battery every time you decelerate or brake. Fuel economy %u2013 74 mpgCO2 %u2013 90g/kmPrice guide %u2013 %u00a324,000Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid%u2013 The Clio has been around for years and Renault has done a fi ne job of giving it a succession of facelifts and refreshes to keep it looking modern, attractive and, therefore, competitive. A potent 1.6-litre engine provides a lively 143 hp, more than enough for the small, light car. That performance is boosted by an electric motor which adds to the urgency when pulling away and accelerating. The E-Tech is a full self-charging hybrid so, as well as the decent performance and sharp handling that comes as standard on a Clio, you also get outstanding fuel economy.Fuel economy %u2013 67 mpgCO2 %u2013 96 g/kmPrice guide %u2013 %u00a320,000Vauxhall Corsa %u2013 Another highly successful name in the UK car world, Vauxhall%u2019s little Corsa goes back decades and although it is bigger and more well equipped than its older cousins from the 1980s and 1990s, it%u2019s still a decent consideration for anyone looking for a medium-size car with performance, a great drive and excellent fuel economy. There are petrol, hybrid and all-electric versions available, and all cars come well equipped and nicely fi nished. If you opt for a simple petrol car you can expect up to 128 hp from a turbocharged engine coupled with pleasing fuel usage. Fuel economy %u2013 60 mpgCO2 %u2013 120 g/kmPrice guide %u2013 %u00a318,500Suzuki Swifi %u2013 As good, rock-solid city runarounds go, the Swift takes some beating. It%u2019s a relatively no-frills experience but you do get a comfortable ride, ample performance and a decent amount of space inside the cabin and boot area. A 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine does the work, ably assisted by mild-hybrid electric motor assistance, which takes some of the strain away from the combustion engine thereby reducing the gas-guzzling. Build up some speed and carry it enthusiastically into a corner and the Swift lives up to its name, providing an entertaining drive.Fuel economy %u2013 61 mpgCO2 %u2013 105 g/kmPrice guide %u2013 %u00a319,500MG3 %u2013 Smart and modern to look at the MG3 is quick and sporty while returning strong fuel economy fi gures. It%u2019s priced attractively too, which makes the MG a serious consideration for anyone looking for a modern fi ve-door hatchback. The car%u2019s 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine gets, like most of these sorts of cars, assistance from an electric motor. The MG%u2019s is an effi cient system and allows you run on electric power for decent periods of time. Inside feels no-nonsense but wellmade and it has a quality fi nish. It%u2019s a satisfying car to drive too.Fuel economy %u2013 60 mpgCO2 %u2013 136 g/kmPrice guide %u2013 %u00a317,000Renault Clio ^Vauxhall Corsa ^Suzuki Swifi ^MG3 ^