Motoring News

Nissan Qashqai named best used car 2011
The Nissan Qashqai crossover has been named the best used car of 2011, for the second year running. read more

A welcome curb on rip-off card charges
Ministers' plan to end excessive charges for consumers paying for goods and services by credit or debit cards is a welcome gift for 2012. There has been mounting public anger in recent years over the surcharges imposed by a range of companies when paying by card. The most notorious offenders have been some of the budget airlines, notably Ryanair, although the practice is now far more widespread than that. Indeed even the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency surcharges those who choose to pay their car tax online with a credit card. Under the new plans, from the end of next year it will be illegal for companies to charge in this way, on pain of substantial fines.

A welcome curb on rip-off card charges
Ministers' plan to end excessive charges for consumers paying for goods and services by credit or debit cards is a welcome gift for 2012. There has been mounting public anger in recent years over the surcharges imposed by a range of companies when paying by card. The most notorious offenders have been some of the budget airlines, notably Ryanair, although the practice is now far more widespread than that. Indeed even the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency surcharges those who choose to pay their car tax online with a credit card. Under the new plans, from the end of next year it will be illegal for companies to charge in this way, on pain of substantial fines.

A welcome curb on rip-off card charges
Ministers' plan to end excessive charges for consumers paying for goods and services by credit or debit cards is a welcome gift for 2012. There has been mounting public anger in recent years over the surcharges imposed by a range of companies when paying by card. The most notorious offenders have been some of the budget airlines, notably Ryanair, although the practice is now far more widespread than that. Indeed even the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency surcharges those who choose to pay their car tax online with a credit card. Under the new plans, from the end of next year it will be illegal for companies to charge in this way, on pain of substantial fines.

A welcome curb on rip-off card charges
Ministers' plan to end excessive charges for consumers paying for goods and services by credit or debit cards is a welcome gift for 2012. There has been mounting public anger in recent years over the surcharges imposed by a range of companies when paying by card. The most notorious offenders have been some of the budget airlines, notably Ryanair, although the practice is now far more widespread than that. Indeed even the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency surcharges those who choose to pay their car tax online with a credit card. Under the new plans, from the end of next year it will be illegal for companies to charge in this way, on pain of substantial fines.

We owe Dickens a great debt for his Christmas vision
Riots on the streets. Politicians held in contempt. Bankers in the City widely derided as greedy and unconcerned. A million young people without jobs. And Christmas too. What better time than this to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens?

We owe Dickens a great debt for his Christmas vision
Riots on the streets. Politicians held in contempt. Bankers in the City widely derided as greedy and unconcerned. A million young people without jobs. And Christmas too. What better time than this to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens?

We owe Dickens a great debt for his Christmas vision
Riots on the streets. Politicians held in contempt. Bankers in the City widely derided as greedy and unconcerned. A million young people without jobs. And Christmas too. What better time than this to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens?

Singing carols restores a rich and joyous tradition
The first Christmas I distinctly remember was when I was about six. I sat listening to Once in Royal David's City at a church carol service - and realised that it was familiar from the year before. In this way, I grew up with Christmas music.

Singing carols restores a rich and joyous tradition
The first Christmas I distinctly remember was when I was about six. I sat listening to Once in Royal David's City at a church carol service - and realised that it was familiar from the year before. In this way, I grew up with Christmas music.

Singing carols restores a rich and joyous tradition
The first Christmas I distinctly remember was when I was about six. I sat listening to Once in Royal David's City at a church carol service - and realised that it was familiar from the year before. In this way, I grew up with Christmas music.

Singing carols restores a rich and joyous tradition
The first Christmas I distinctly remember was when I was about six. I sat listening to Once in Royal David's City at a church carol service - and realised that it was familiar from the year before. In this way, I grew up with Christmas music.

Just give socks and spare me shopping pain
Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Like most men, I normally leave it to the last minute, with often dire consequences. My wife will not let me forget my all-time worst gifts: polyester pyjamas (yes, inexcusable, but I was in a rush, honest), slippers with plastic beading (what's wrong with that? A lot, apparently) and a saucepan (never again).

Just give socks and spare me shopping pain
Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Like most men, I normally leave it to the last minute, with often dire consequences. My wife will not let me forget my all-time worst gifts: polyester pyjamas (yes, inexcusable, but I was in a rush, honest), slippers with plastic beading (what's wrong with that? A lot, apparently) and a saucepan (never again).

Just give socks and spare me shopping pain
Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Like most men, I normally leave it to the last minute, with often dire consequences. My wife will not let me forget my all-time worst gifts: polyester pyjamas (yes, inexcusable, but I was in a rush, honest), slippers with plastic beading (what's wrong with that? A lot, apparently) and a saucepan (never again).

Autocar's 2011 review: July
The month started in familiar fashion, with well deserved praise from all who were at the read more

Richard Hammond motoring news round-up
* BENTLEY has a new V8 engine that’s about to be slotted under the bonnet of its Continental GT and GTC models.The new engine doesn’t replace the current W12 engine, but joins it in the range. The new motor is a 4.0-litre V8 with 500bhp and 487lb ft of torque.The clever bit is a system that shuts off half the cylinders when it’s under a light throttle load. The advantage is, of course, lower fuel consumption and emissions.Give it full power and all eight cylinders come in and the car will run to 180mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in under 5sec. Further helping with economy is a new eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Royal approval for MG6
Prince Andrew accidentally unveils new diesel MG6

BMW M5 Olympic skidding
A bit of a ho-ho-hoon action from BMW to, er, celebrate the Olympics (no, nor us)

Pic of the Week: Alpine Renault on the slide
Xmas POTW comes with more snow than we'll be getting this year

PH drives and rides of 2011
The cars and bikes that really got us going over the last 12 months

SOTW: A trio of karts
Some two-stroke fun to help drown-out the Christmas telly

PistonHeads says happy new year!
How's the head? We won't shout but the best for 2012 to everyone...

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