The UK as a rule has mild winters, without the extreme low temperatures and heavy snowfalls experienced in other parts of the world. Changing over to winter tyres for part of the year is not compulsory as it is in some countries, but opinion is divided within the motor trade, and drivers as to whether this is a good idea. more info…
Even the world’s greatest drivers need to know when to leave the car keys on the side and dial for a cab instead. Calculating risk is all part of the motor trade, but this is a risk that’s never worth taking: driving under the influence is dangerous for you and other road users. But not everyone is completely clear on what the legal quantities are for driving after alcohol, so read on to make sure that you know your limits. more info…
Littering is a serious problem in the UK, with the equivalent of 200,000 sacks of rubbish dropped every year. As well as spoiling beauty spots and harming wildlife, dropped rubbish is a potential hazard to other motorists, and costly to the taxpayer. more info…
The Law
Under the Children and Families Act of 2015 it was made an offence to smoke in a private vehicle when carrying passengers under 18 years of age. The law does not apply to those vehicles without any passengers, and smoking an e-cigarette is not against the law. more info…
New research by the RAC indicates that vehicle thefts in the UK are on the rise again. Despite a gradual fall over the preceding decade, car thefts jumped by 30% in the three years to the end of 2016. In real terms, this reflects just under 86,000 thefts of new and used cars in 2016, according to numbers provided by 40 police forces in the UK. more info…
When it comes to your insurance policy, do you really know your onions, or do you just think you have the facts? more info…
A brand new online auction website for car sales has launched in September 2017, promising to revolutionise the way in which motor trade dealers can sell their new and used cars: from trade plates to online trading, the future seems clear. more info…
When the UK government introduced a scrappage scheme back in 2009, it was hoping to encourage drivers to trade in their old cars for more environmentally friendly new models. At the time, this move was controversial and attracted criticism from drivers of new and used cars, classic car enthusiasts, and environmentalists. more info…
Each year thousands of motorists suffer breakdowns or incur unnecessary repair bills, many of which could be avoided with simple home maintenance. In this guide we list ten simple tasks that can reduce your chances of a breakdown or accident. All of these can be carried out by anyone without specialist motor trade experience. Note that we recommend you adhere to manufacturer guidelines on servicing of new and used cars, whether they’re driven on the roads or on trade plates, and have your vehicle checked by a professional annually. more info…
There are a number of rules for anyone who’s considering bringing new and used cars into the UK on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. The key points are that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) must be notified within 14 days of arrival, the vehicle should be registered and taxed, any relevant duties and VAT must be paid, and certain documentation must be obtained proving that each vehicle meets the correct safety regulations and environmental standards. It is also essential to obtain an insurance policy before driving an imported vehicle, whether publicly or on trade plates. more info…
If you have any questions or would prefer to speak to someone, please call us on the numbers above or click for more contact options...
CONTACT USGet the latest Trade Insurance news from Unicom
