Some of the most expensive cars in the world are breathtaking to look at and drive. so if you’ve got dreams of one day owning your very own Lamborghini, Ferrari or Aston Martin what we’re about to look at will be right up your street.

So if you’ve got a spare few million pounds floating about, in this post we count back from 10 of the most ridiculously expensive, most expensive cars in the world (not including the classics) that money can buy.

10. Porsche 918 Spyder (£501k)

Most expensive cars in the world

At £501,000, the Porsche 918 Spyder is one of the cheapest most expensive cars in the world on the list, but it’s also, according to Porsche, ‘the future of the sports car’. The Spyder goes from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, and, in case you’re bothered about the environment (which, looking at this list, is unlikely), it breaks the super car mold by being a hybrid too.

9. Hennessey Venom GT (£652k)

Most expensive cars in the world

We’re only the second car in and we’ve already broken the half a million pound barrier. At £652,000 the Hennessey Venom is a car you might not have heard of before, but one which you’d definitely notice if it pulled up next to you at the Tesco. Aside from its dashing good looks, Hennessey also claim that the Venom has a top speed of 287mph. We say claim because, well, who’s ever going to find out?

9. McLaren P1 (£652k)

Most expensive cars in the world

In joint place with the Hennessey Venom, the McLaren P1 also has a price tag of £652,000. Auto Express has compared the P1 to a fighter jet, and McLaren claim it’s the ‘best driver’s car in the world’. We think that’s probably something to do with the 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 engine… or then again maybe it’s just because of the beautiful carbon fiber chassis.

8. Zenvo ST1 (£710k)

Most expensive cars in the world

As one of the most expensive cars in the world, the Zenvo was the brain child of a group of people who wanted to make a car which could do two things: get you to the shops and back, as well as rival a Bugatti on the track… hence the massive 7 litre engine, and the three different driving modes. The £710,000 Zenvo ST1 also set Jeremy Clarkson on fire on Top Gear (which could be either a positive or negative… depending on how you look at it).

7. Maybach Landaulet (£750k)

Most expensive cars in the world

If you’re a rapper (or you have £750,000 to spare and want to look like Birdman), the Maybach Landaulet is more like a display case for the rich and famous. With a roof, which reclines the whole way back and a screen separating you and your driver, the Maybach Landaulet is so posh that you require someone else to drive it for you.

6. Ferrari LaFerrari (£770k)

Most expensive cars in the world

It’s got a posh name and an even posher looking set of doors. This £770,600 Ferrari probably isn’t one you’re likely to spot down your local Morrisons, and with a name which translates to ’The Ferrari’, it’s no wonder it’s exclusive. In fact, it’s so exclusive that Ferrari had to invite you to buy one of the 499 made. Didn’t get the call? There’s always eBay…

6. Pagani Huayra (£770k)

Most expensive cars in the world   (£770k)

The Pagani Huayra might be in a draw with LaFerrari, but, apart from that as one of most expensive cars in the world it’s a pretty unique supercar. With a 6 litre engine (custom made by AMG, of course), Autocar claim it’s on par with the Bugatti Veyron, and suggest it’s ‘arguably the best-looking supercar on the planet’. And they’ve certainly got a point.

5. Lamborghini Reventon (£954k)

Most expensive cars in the world

Here’s one of the most expensive cars in the world you may recognise. The Lamborghini Reventon has the looks of a fighter jet and the engine of one too. It’s not just the engine people are shouting about either – it’s got the intimidating looks we’re used to from Lambo as well. What makes this even better? There was only 20 of the Reventon’s ever made. And if you’ve got just shy of £1million going spare, one of those could be yours.

4. Aston Martin One-77 (£1.1m)

Most expensive cars in the world

If an Aston Martin is good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for someone with £1.1million sitting in the bank. It’s sophisticated, it’s fast and it’s really bloody expensive… but what more do you want from one of the most expensive cars in the world and a supercar with a 7.3 litre engine?

4. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster (£1.1m)

Most expensive cars in the world

The Pagani Zonda is sitting pretty in joint fourth, proving that new doesn’t always mean better. It may cost a few hundred thousand less than it’s baby brother, but there’s no denying it’s just as impressive. But you could be in for a bit of a wait if you’re in the market for one, as Pagani only made 5…

3. Koenigsegg One:1 (£1.18m)

Most expensive cars in the world

Now I know it sad, but this is one of the most expensive cars in the world that we have no idea about how you pronounce the name. But who cares when you find a car that looks like this. If you’re not one for following tradition, Koenigsegg’s self-titled ‘world’s first Megacar’ has a horsepower to kg curb weight ratio of 1:1. If you’re not sure what that means, it’s basically the ‘dream’ power to weight balance… hence the name, One:1. Clever eh?

2. Bugatti Veyron Vivere by Mansory (£2.01m)

Most expensive cars in the world

Not only is this Bugatti Veyron one of the most expensive cars in the world, but it’s also the fastest road-legal car in the world. The Bugatti Veyron might seem a little less alluring since Katie Price bought one and sprayed it pink, but we’re sure Mansory won’t let her get her hands on one of these beauties.

2. W Motors Lykan Hypersport (£2.01m)

Most expensive cars in the world

It’s got a funny name, it’s one of the most expensive cars in the world, and has a price tag so ridiculous you’d have to be swimming in money to buy one. The Lykan Hypersport comes from Lebanon (hand up who knew they were into making cars?), and it has lights covered in diamonds (real ones of course). If you’re looking for more than just pretty lights from a car, it will also do 245mph and 0-60 in 2.7 seconds.

1. Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (£3.3m)

Most expensive cars in the world

And here we have it – the title of the most expensive car in the world goes to the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster. At an eye-watering £3.3million, any buyer should be expecting a lot from this supercar, but don’t hope to keep your eardrums intact.

The roadster follows in the footsteps of the hard top version (of which only three were made), and to be quite honest, it looks like it could take off at any moment. You’re going to have to be pretty ballsy to get in the driving seat of one – the name is Spanish for ‘poison’, you know.

I’m off to see if anyone in my family has one the lottery.

Your fearless mechanic,

Phil

Images via: Kita Fluiera, Thomas Wolf, mystfire, Thesupermat, German Medeot, milliped, Clement Bucco-Lechat, tm, Taco Ekkel, cmonville, Damiano.46, Alexandre Prevot, Mansory gmbh, Clement Bucco-Lechat.

The post Top 10 most expensive cars in the world appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

Anyone that knows me well will tell you that I take pride in what I do. You know… I like to do the job right first time to make my customers happy.

So if a customer brings back their vehicle because we did something incorrectly, I feel it. Not only can it hurt business, but also in turn our reputation and worst still the customer may never use our services ever again. Not Good.

Recently a buddy of mine ran a survey with the question: “Do you trust your mechanic?” And we were surprised to see that 48% of those that responded said no.

Yeah I said it 48%!

The way I see it… if you didn’t trust your doctor… I bet your bottom dollar you’ll find another one.

So a question is: If you don’t trust your local mechanic, why bring your car back to them in the first place?

Honest local mechanic

Your local mechanic is very much like your local doctor. He should have that bedside manner to diagnose and treat your car ailments. In fact… in my opinion your local mechanic actually has to be better than your doctor, because your car can’t tell him where it really hurts.

I’ve been in the business for a long time, and would like to think that at Xavier Auto Clinic we have built up genuine relationships with our customers. Our customers are important to us, not only because they help to pay the bills but also because most of them become friends.

The industry has a saying: “There’s never enough time to do the job right the first time, but there’s always enough time to do it right the second time.”

It’s no wonder then that 48% of people want to work with a local mechanic they can trust. And with a little homework, you won’t be far from making that a reality, saving you money and time.

8 Top Tips to finding an Honest Local Mechanic

1. Fail to prepare and prepare to fail.

You don’t want to wait until you break down on Kensington High Street before you find an honest local mechanic.

Cars cost money, so shop around before you need car repairs. Prevention is better than a cure, and DIY simple vehicle maintenance and periodic checks, is the best way to keep your car running smoothly to avoid costly repairs.

2. References

If you were looking to register with a doctor, you want to know they are good – right? And a good practitioner will give you references. Your Local mechanic should be just as accommodating. Trust me… when it comes down to car mechanics a few minutes on the phone checking references will go a long way to making sure you don’t get ripped off.

3. Recommendations

Personal recommendations account for 60% of all car-buying decisions.

Referrals and recommendations really work, because if the mechanic messes up they not only run the risk of losing the new customer but also of disappointing and potentially losing the referrer.

4. Good Garage Scheme

Check out The Good Garage Scheme for a list of professional and review based Garages in your local area you can trust.

5. Every heard the saying…

“Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless.” Or “You pay cheap you pay twice”. This is never more important than when looking for a local mechanic. It’s Simple…. don’t shop based on price alone.

I know things can be challenging with the economy and all that jazz, but it’s important to remember that you’re not just paying for the cost of the parts and labour. You’re also paying for the professionalism and technical expertise to get the job done right. Snooze on this one and you could loose big.

6. A picture will tell you…

You’ve heard it before… and I will say it again, a picture will tell you a thousand words. So if you rock up to a local mechanic and their garage looks like a health hazard ready to happen, or it just doesn’t seem to have the correct equipment to diagnose your car, think twice, ask the right questions and trust your gut.

I hope that helps, but if in doubt feel free to get in touch we’d be happy to help.

To health and vehicle happiness

Your fearless Mechanic,

Phil

The post Finding An Honest Local Mechanic appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

The last few weeks I’ve been though a right ordeal trying to find a genuine mechanic in London  But now I’m happy to say my car is running sweet thanks to Xavier Auto Clinic.

MY STORY

When It’s comes to cars I’m no mechanic, but know a little thing or two about average car maintenance. I can change the oil, thermostat, alternator and various other bits and bobs. But if my car has an issue with a number of possibilities, instead of crawling under the car at the risk of making things worst, I prefer to take it to someone that really knows their stuff, someone that is experienced and has the tools to diagnose and carry out the job properly… a mechanic.

Recently I was blessed to be referred over to Phil and the Xavier team by my friend Jonathan,(thanks darling). I’m happy to say at last I’ve found a garage with a mechanic that has not been tainted by the somewhat dodgy car mechanic circle.

Michael (Phil’s brother) also a mechanic, told me exactly what was wrong with my car. He showed me where the part was, and gave me a fair price on repair. To be honest after he diagnosed the problem I could of replaced the ignition coil pack myself, but since he was honest and upfront I paid him to do it.

Job done, from now on I will be taking my car to the Xavier boys whenever I have a problem that I can’t or don’t feel like fixing it myself.

The reason for asking Phil to add this to his blog, was to simply express gratitude my for the genuine car mechanics out there.

As single mother at times things can be tight, and some mechanics just seem to take advantage of individuals with challenging circumstances.

For example recently my car needed a radiator flush.

I didn’t feel like doing it myself so I decide to take it to a well-known franchise. Low and behold they tried to hand me a quote for £890. £890! Yes I’m a woman, but please don’t insult my intelligence. Obviously I politely refused the quote and as gesture of goodwill (unfortunately not) the mechanic left the caps off my radiator off with a dirty cloth tuck in between… nice.

Naturally I decided to take the car somewhere else. I was then told that my car, (ok it’s a few years old) was a complete on its way out, actually the mechanic called it “a plum” requiring a stack of repairs, which of course where far from cheap.

Thoroughly pissed because he called my car a plum, I moved on. BTW my car may be may many things but its no plum!

It all just cheeses me off, that a mechanic will just try it with a woman or anyone in vulnerable situations perhaps without experience. Why don’t they just try that BS with the rich, and lie to the people that actually have the cash? Or better still…how about as a mechanic they just pipe up and tell the truth?

Either way their poor attitude was my gain, as I managed to find a genuine mechanic in Phil and the boys. So thank you Xavier for all your help.

Amanda P

The post Genuine Mechanic? Few and Far Between appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

Porsche UK

The Porsche UK is one of the finest manufactured cars on the market. And anyone that owns a Porsche is aware that they own a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Porsche’s in the UK don’t come cheap, which is one of the reasons why the owner of a Porsche in the UK is touch more concerned when it comes to the general upkeep of their vehicle.

I love Porsche, and as an owner myself there are a few things you can do to ensure that the life of your “baby” is extended for many more years to come.

Porsche UK: Winter Maintenance

Porsche winter car care doesn’t have to be excessive. First it makes sense to check your tyres for pressure and tread depth to make sure everything is in order. A trip to your local auto clinic, to have your tyres and fluid levels checked and perhaps even a once over should do the trick.

Weather in the UK is sometimes unforgiving, and you never know when the snow is coming. Being trapped in the snow can be a right palaver, a great way to prevent this happening is to carry a bag of kitty litter and salt in the boot that can be used for tyre traction, with a de icer and ice scraper to remove ice from the windscreen.

Porsche UK: Spring and summer

As chilling as winter may be, spring and summer is generally not to far away.

With more frequent use during the spring summer months, it’s at this time of year when Porsche UK owners really enjoy their vehicles. That being the case, checking your oil and oil filter makes sense.

With the warmer weather be sure to also have your cooling system inspected, and in particular the hosepipes for leaks. Check your drive belts for any suspect cracks and make sure that your antifreeze is fresh to prevent the coolant from boiling in the summer heat. Just like in the winter take a little time out to make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure, preventing excessive petrol use and tyre wear.

Porsche UK: Bodywork and Interior

Irrespective of the time of year, if you’re anything like me I always like the bodywork of my car to be in tip top condition. Come on… a Porsche is meant to look great at all times, and there’s nothing worst than a grimy, dirty looking Porsche.

Salt can be a killer of bodywork. So when the weather starts to warm up I would suggest that any build up of salt that has occurred during the winter months is removed. Pay particular attention to the wheels; using a jet wash should do the trick.

As a Porsche UK driver, I find spring to also be the perfect opportunity to check for any damage that may have happened during the winter months. Unfortunately bodywork scratches, or small stone cracks in the windscreen can easily happen. Fortunately, if the damage created is small there’s no need to replace the windscreen, a simple repairing chip should do the job.

Dirty interior mats and carpets can be made to look as new using a decent carpet shampoo. Interior Vinyl can also treated to prevent cracking, and with your windows cleaned of grease, and the washer fluid topped up you should be ready to go.

Porsche UK: Regular Check ups

I always intend to get as much mileage out of my car as possible. So I advise having the oil checked several times a year, and changed around every 5000 miles.

As a Porsche UK owner, when having your oil changed it offers a great opportunity to have your Porsche specialist look over the overall condition of your vehicle. Checking your engine and electrics doesn’t take long, and may save you big money in the long run.

Finally

My personal opinion is that a Porsche is worth every penny it costs to own one; just make sure that those pennies don’t add up unnecessarily. And with very simple car care and maintenance carried out on a regular basis, you can have the pleasure of driving your Porsche for years to come.

Feel free to get in touch, we look forward to helping you.

To health and vehicle happiness,

Your fearless mechanic,

Phil

The post Porsche UK Car Care Tips appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

With about 2.5 million cars in London, somebody somewhere at this moment in time is trying to find a London garage to attend to mechanical repairs.

The thing is, with a huge metropolis comes a host of London garages. But in the era of right here right now, where convenience is key, and with the high price of manufacture repair costs, the question is – not just how to find a good local London garage, but how to spot a reliable one?

So without further ado, here are my 7 tips to helping you find a reliable London garage.

How to find a reliable London Garage

1. Good Garage Scheme

A good suggestion is to begin your search by looking on the Good Garage Scheme website.

On the website you can make a choice of London garages based on real customer reviews and feedback, as opposed to being drawn into biased advertisement claims that London garages are well renowned for. The Good Garage Scheme will also help you find the closest London garage specialist to you. All you have to do is type your postcode into the search and “Bob’s your uncle,” a list of options will appear.

2. Flashing Lights

Convenience may be an important factor in your choice of London garage, but think twice about going for a garage that has the largest, brightest “in your face” media advertisements, or those flashing lights, website banners/paid ads on Google. Businesses that do this type of advertising tend to be large national companies with a big punch of spending power.

The question is – are they too busy spending money on mass advertising trying to win business, rather than on their mechanics to provide a genuine, great personal service?

3. Knightsbridge Anybody?

Location, location, location – sorry for the pun… but have you ever noticed that petrol seems to get cheaper the further out from London you get? Funny enough, the petrol is the same but the price is difference.

Now I’m by no mean’s advocating that cheap is best – hell no! In fact – generally if you buy cheap you tend to buy twice. But let’s put it this way… perhaps the location where you live may just affect the price you pay. For example if you live in Knightsbridge there’s a high chance that you’ll end up paying significantly more for the same mechanical repair then if you were to look for a London garage further afield. Yeah I said it.

4. That Friday feeling

Fridays are great, it’s the end of the week and hopefully you can look forward to a few days of rest.

Now just like that Friday feeling, there’s nothing that makes you feel more at ease than when you find a London Garage where the owner/manager is at hand to give you confidence, and let you know everything will be alright.

A smaller London garage will tend to have a more personal service, hopefully where the owners will give you that “we won’t rip you off” peace of mind. Everyone also knows that employees work harder, and are more inclined to look after every detail when the boss is around.

There is a chance however, that you find yourself in a situation where the mechanic has talked a good talk, but you’re just not sure, you can’t put your finger on it, but it doesn’t feel right.

In those situations all I can say is “when you know you know,” which means – if in doubt, leave it out. Trust that feeling in your gut – listen to it, because it may just be trying to tell you something.

5. MOT’s

When it comes to MOT’s there are bunch of London garages offering special offers.

So if it’s that time of the year where you’re looking for a good London garage MOT tester, to begin with, ask the London garage you’re considering information on the mechanic that will be testing your vehicle.

Find out about their qualifications and experience as it will help you to paint a better picture about who will be working on your car. It will also give you a vital indication as to whether the London garage you’re contemplating will execute a genuine, honest MOT service.

6. Inspector Gadget

If you’re old enough to remember the days of the cartoon Inspection Gadget, then you can probably recall he was always snooping around trying to investigate the crime.

Now I’m not saying that you should go into each London garage with your magnifying glass, but when you are there, take a good look around.

A tidy, orderly workshop is usually a good sign of caring car mechanics. Ask yourself, would you feel confident leaving your car with a garage that looks grimy?

Yes, of course all garages should have evidence of mechanical repairs, but it’s a “crime” and totally different if the garage is untidy and cluttered with a stack of ‘stuff’ all over the place. Not only is it a health hazard but a safety hazard too. My guess is when you see you’ll know it.

7. So how long have you been doing this for?

Yes this tends to be a favorite question to ask someone, regardless of what job he or she does. And it is a question you should definitely pose when it comes to selecting a London garage.

Try to find out how long the London garage has been operating. Ask them if they have an active social media following? Can they provide genuine, believable testimonials of happy customers? If so, who are they?

Finally

There is so much more I could say, but hopefully you can see that there’s more to choosing a London garage than just selecting an offer from a newspaper, or an advertisement on Google.

I hope that helps, but if you’re still struggling to find someone that can recommend a good, local London garage, feel free to get in touch, we’d be happy to help.

Oh, and remember if else fails… listen to your gut. ☺

To health and vehicle happiness,

Your fearless mechanic,

Phil.

The post 7 Tips To Finding A Reliable London Garage appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

When I was younger, I remember being absolutely obsessed with TV show Knight Rider. Watch the Knight Rider intro and reminisce.

The main character in the show was a guy called Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff), and he had a car named KITT,

And KITT was… special.

KITT could do amazing things; I mean super duper, wishful thinking things like… talk!

Now I don’t mean that “turn left in 40 yards” chat that your GPS garbles out… I mean full blown in-depth conversation like –

“Hi Michael, that is a lovely jacket you have on today.”

To help all you Knight rider lovers out there reminisce, K.I.T.T, was an acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand… yeah I said it! And K.I.T.T had the functionality to do car fantasyland feats.

For example one press of a button would give you “Turbo Boost”, giving the car the ability to jump over other cars… so cool.

TURBO BOOST!

And yes although I digress, the show Knight Rider was a bit of indulgent, tongue in cheek car fantasy – that offered us a glimpse into the future of car technology.  I… was hooked.

Future car technology is now in a period, where just like KITT in Knight Rider, the once impossible, is swiftly becoming the norm. And it’s a time where technological evolution within the automotive industry is emerging at break neck speed.

The development into future car technology is simply relentless – and it needs to be, because with competition between manufacturers is nothing short of fierce, and the race to stay at the forefront of the industry is hot.

GIVE ME MORE…

Drivers now don’t just want four wheels and power, they want slick design, convenience, eco efficiency, more features, more gadgets, more options at a click of a button, with fewer distractions and complex components that are easier to use.

So without further ado here is my round up of the 10 tech innovations, set to revolutionise the way we drive.

1: CARS THAT COMMUNICATE

Imagine approaching an intersection as another car runs a red light. You don’t see them at first, but your car gets a signal from the other car directly in your path to warn you of a potential collision, and your car engages the capacity to hit the brakes automatically to avoid an accident.

Car manufacturers and interestingly the U.S. government, are seriously researching into two technologies that will enable future cars to communicate with each other, and with objects around them.

Right now, automotive manufacturers like Ford Motors are in the throws of developing a future car technology called Vehicle to Vehicle Communication, or V2V tested as a way to help reduce the amount of accidents on the road.

2: CONNECTED SERVICES

Many modern cars already have the capability to hook your smartphone up to your infotainment system, utilising mobile data connection to provide social media and perhaps web searches to scope out your intended destination for things to do.

Some car companies are already trialing systems that actually find empty parking spaces, identify the charge and then take you to your chosen bay.

Although primarily available in electric vehicles, with the option so to be potentially opened up to combustion-engine cars; future car technology integration with your mobile device will enable you to turn your car on in the morning – without you being in the car, complimented with additional options like, pre-heating the cabin and turning on the heated seats during those frosty winter mornings.

Future car technology will also help the dealers keep track of your car performance, alerting them to problems as they develop, thereby helping to reduce mechanical failures and repair costs.

3: DIGITAL MIRRORS

Increasingly more future car technology development is being put into on-board cameras, with the technology possibly set to replace the conventional rear-view mirror.

Although slightly more expensive than a traditional silvered piece of glass, the benefit of using cameras to see behind you is that provided a wide enough lens or multiple cameras are being used, the days of having a blind spot are over.

The introduction of this future car technology may help reduce minor car parking bumps, together with more serious accidents linked with changing lanes on the motorway.

4: SOLAR CHARGES

Fisker might be dead, but some of the Karma’s technologies should really make it into the mainstream.

As long as the weather is sunny, solar panels can charge the vehicle’s battery power, the air conditioning system and/or the infotainment system. Solar panels are a great way to improve your mileage without sacrificing performance. Sure, you can have it as an option on your Prius, but why isn’t it standard equipment already?

 5: ADVANCED FATIGUE DETECTION

“Tiredness kills. Take a break.”

Many drivers would have seen this slogan displayed on UK motorways. And it’s true. Oodles of vehicles already have a system that monitors how you drive, alerting you if it senses you becoming drowsy. But soon to emerge is the next generation of fatigue detection and monitoring.

This new crop of Future car technology systems, actively monitors your heart rate and respiration level wirelessly through sensors built into the driver’s seat. If your breathing or heart rate slows down too much, the system will sense your energy levels dwindling and alert you, telling you to pull over.

6: FULL LED HEADLIGHTS

LED lights on cars have been around for a while, but only in the form of daytime lights. There are a select group of manufacturers who recently have made the use of full LED technology available on their vehicles, but this type of LED lighting is still not mainstream yet.

The benefits is that LED lighting has brighter lighting than regular filament bulbs, improving safety and vision, but using less energy and lasting longer.

7: 3D INSTRUMENTATION

 3D technology has received a lot of attention over the last few years, and carmakers are turning their hand to integrating it into their vehicles. The “new kid on the block” which works without the need for 3D glasses, is called ‘autostereoscopic’ technology.

Basically what autostereoscopic offers you is the functionality for your car’s dials and instruments to ‘pop out’ of the dashboard to create a three-dimensional virtual information display – imagine… 3D SAT NAV.

8: 3D SURROUND SOUND

It’s not just the 3D visual elements vehicle manufacturers are looking to develop either.

Companies such as in-car audio specialists Harman, have tried and tested 3D sound systems for cars, incorporating speakers into the dash, doors, parcel shelf and headlining.

Akin to a stereo that can separate the individual audio elements, 3D surround sound will send those signals to the relevant car speaker to create a much clearer, fuller sound to immerse you in the music, as if you were there in real life.

9: ALTERNATIVE FULES

Whoever comes up with a cheaper green alternative for petrol (ha-ha!), will be as He Man said, “Masters of the universe.”

As we all hold our breath, in bated anticipation for Citroën to work out its high-pressure,  air hybrid system – the alternative fuels, future car technology race continues to bulge into a  multi million pound industry

Simply put… fossil fuels won’t last long, and hydrogen related practices currently require massive containers. And batteries? Well… let’s just say they are heavy without providing enough range.

So right now, the jury is out to see who will come up trumps.

10: AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES 

Going one step further than vehicles being able to communicate with each other, automobiles that can actually drive themselves without any  human input (like KITT), are just around the corner.

Tested with some success in individual vehicles as well as ‘road trains,’ the technology work by sucking signals and information from other cars in the area. Although autonomous vehicles for the mass market might be a long way off, when compared to some of the Future car technology innovations featured here, believe you me, the technology is just round the corner.

EXCITING TIMES

At the moment, it’s truly an exciting time within the automotive industry, and with the unrelenting pace of development pushing the sector over the edge and into the next frontier, Future car technology is set to place whatever vehicle you have right now, firmly into the history books.

So it begs the question…

Which of these technologies would you like to see on your next car?

Are there any innovations we haven’t listed, you’d like to see developed?

Feel free to share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page.

To health and vehicle happiness,

Phil.

The post Future Car Technology appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

Sun tan lotion? Check.

Mills and Boon? Check.

Strawberries and cream? Check.

Cooler? Check. The kids? Check.

So you’re all ready to roll out for your summer road trip…

Then you hear the voice in the background…“Darling have you checked the car?”

Question. Before you hit the road, are you up to date with your summer vehicle maintenance?

It’s ok I get it… vehicle auto maintenance is perhaps the last thing on your mind. But trust me, it will hit the top spot pretty damn fast if you end up breaking down at the side of the road.

So to help, here are my top 7 summer vehicle maintenance checks – which I hope once carried out, you’ll be patting yourself on the back for.

Oh… and don’t forget the lemonade.

First up:

1. Tyre Check:

I didn’t want to go there, but traveling during the summer in the UK, can and generally does involve driving in the rain. So its important to ensure that the tread on your tyres is adequate for any rainy weather, we really don’t want you ending up in a ditch.

Checking the tread depth on your tyre’s doesn’t take long, so while you’re at it you may as well check your tyre pressure too.

2. Replace Windshield Wipers:

Have you ever put your windscreen wipers on during a downpour, to realise they are not… doing the job there suppose to? It’s not a good look, and it can most definitely be scary.

The UK has just been through a rather intense winter, so it makes sense to check your windscreen wipers for wear and tear.

Winter weather can be ruthless on your windshield wipers, making them virtually useless during those summer showers. So by having quick vehicle maintenance check, and ideally replacing them at the beginning of the summer it should aid to a little peace of mind.

3. Check Your Headlights:

It’s so easy to be driving, without realising that one of your headlights is out.

Not only is it unsafe, but the police could pull you over and slap you with a ticket, – all of which is unnecessary. So what better time than now, to do a quick vehicle maintenance check,and take a little gander to see if you need to replace a headlight bulb.

4. Inspect Your Brakes:  

It goes without saying, but car safety should be your top priority, and what is a car without good brakes?

I always suggest to my customers, that they at least inspect their brakes twice a year just to make sure everything is tiptop. But while you’re at it, why not check your brake fluid also.

5. Car Radiator Flush:

Did you know that the coolant in your radiator doesn’t last forever? In fact unless replenished over time,  it can break down and begin to corrode the inside of your radiator. Which would naturally lead to cooling problems and, you got it…radiator repair.

A great, cheap way to prevent this and reduce the cost of vehicle maintenance is by flushing your radiator once a year.

6. Check Your Car Battery:

You may think, that checking the car battery every now and again should be given. But unfortunately, you’d be surprised just how many people fail to do it until it is too late.

During winter months corrosion is very likely to build up. So take some time out to check your battery posts and cables to ensure that you have no starting problems.

7. Replace Your Air Filter:

Last but by no means least; you should really replace your air filter twice a year. It’s a 10-minute job and good check to get it out the way before your summer road trip.

Glass of Pimms Anyone?

7 top tips for summer vehicle maintenance checks

Finally… let’s be honest, it’s summer, and at the end of the day who doesn’t like a drop of Pimms or a glass of plonk or two? But if you’re driving – car safety begins and indeed ends with you.

So please don’t do anything silly like drink driving or speeding, it’s really not worth it. But most of all, enjoy your road trips and enjoy the summer, because who knows how long it will last!

If you have the know-how and the tools, perhaps now is good time to look at undertaking some of my  7 top summer vehicle maintenance checks. If not, and you need a little guidance, feel free to get in touch as we’d love to help.

To vehicle health

By Philip Xavier

The post Top 7 Summer Vehicle Maintenance Checks appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.

We all love a good deal, and currently there are a tons of garages offering cheap MOT specials online for customers. But how do you go about spotting a genuine deal from a scam?

“It’s not the MOT test fee, but repairing the “fails” that usually costs a fortune.”

Companies can only charge up to the official maximum for an MOT. (The maximum test costs are £54.85 for cars or motor caravans and £29.65 for motorbikes. For a full list, see the Gov.uk website).

For example while some garages may promote MOT West London, with specials to win  new clients over and build lasting relationships, (based on good service and a positive first experience), others might have a more short-term objective in mind, and unfortunately your £24.99 MOT deal may just end up costing you thousands in repair costs.

Still, getting your MOT done in a local garage does bring convenience, as you can get all the necessary repairs done in one place – and the re-tests are usually free.

So how do you separate the genuine deals from the phonies and avoid unnecessary repairs?

For example if your looking for and MOT West London, check that the garage is on Good Garage to ensure it’s trustworthy, its great website because the reviews are based on real customer feedback and experience.

Second, conduct a do-it-yourself MOT check of the avoidable fails.

Forty percent of MOT’s fail first time, and far too many are due to a simple avoidable reason. Don’t worry, most of this is common sense not mechanical sense. Some of the fails you can sort yourself, others will need professional help. Either way, sorting out some basic work pre-test will usually end up being cheaper, and either way at least you’ll be prepared.

How To Beat The Most Frequent Fails

Without further ado, here’s my guide to helping you beat the most frequent types of MOT fails.

Lights: Are your lights fully working?

Have someone sit in your car while you walk around checking every light. Front, rear, headlights and dipped, hazards and indicators. If any aren’t working properly, buy a new bulb for a few quid and replace it. It’s easy in most cars although a few manufactures do make it slightly more complex.

Suspensions: Check your suspension.

While a full suspension check is difficult, in order to see if your shock absorbers have gone, quickly apply your weight to each corner of the car and then release. The car should quickly settle back into place – if not you may have a problem.

Brakes – Is there tension on the handbrake?

This is not so easy to do yourself, and it will need a professional mechanic to fix. If your brakes feel loose and unresponsive, or the handbrake slides up without resistance and can’t be reached at a certain level, it’s likely you have a issue with your brakes that will need attention.

Tyre’s: Check your tyre pressure.

To check your tyre pressure, look up what pressure they should be and fill ’em up at the petrol station. Check your tyre tread, which is the depth of grooves for road grip. The legal minimum is 1.6mm for a car tyre (enough to let surface water slip through).To measure, use the quick 20p tyre test detailed on the Tyre Safe website. Pop a 20p coin on its edge into the main grooves of the tyre tread. If the outer rim of the coin is hidden, your tyres should be legal. If you can see it, well its probably new tyre time.

Windscreen: Is your windscreen damaged?

Damage to the driver’s central view should be no larger than 10mm, and within the whole of the swept area, it should be no larger than 40mm. If it is, it make sense to have it fixed pre-test (often this is included in car insurance policies). Windscreen wipers? Front wipers are checked in the MOT test and need to clear the windscreen in conjunction with the washers.

Exhaust: Is your exhaust leaking?

To check, start the engine (in a well-ventilated place, at normal temperature) and from the rear of the car listen for any unusual noises or abnormal smoke. If you can hear unusual noises this may indicate a leak, which you should have looked at and fix pre-MOT.

License Plate: Can you read your license plate clearly?

Make sure that your license plates are clean and easily legible from 20m away.

Fluids: Are all your car fluids topped up?

Check the brake fluid, windscreen washer and oil reserves.

The rest: An all-over once-over. Make sure that your fuel cap is secure, that your mirrors are in good condition, and that all your seat-belts are fully functional.

Heads Up

New MOT checks were introduced in March 2013 under EU rules which were already in place in Northern Ireland. These include some extra checks on categories already part of the test, including  electronic warning lights, speedometers and electronic handbrake checks.

You can find more info on these individual changes via the DFT website, but for a full list of each check type please see – Gov.uk.

But as always, if you need any help or guidance please feel free to get in touch.

To health and vehicle happiness

Your fearless mechanic

Phil 

The post MOT West London – Should you be scared of cheap? appeared first on Xavier Auto Clinic.