Latest news with #SkodaFabia


Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Max Verstappen's dad, 53, suffers HORROR crash as his car flips over during rally - with health update revealed after he drove 'too quick'
Max Verstappen 's father Jos survived a dramatic crash on Friday as his rally car flipped over. Disaster struck for the former F1 driver, 53, as he was competing in the Royal Rally of Scandinavia in Sweden - part of the FIA European Rally Championship. He and navigator Renaud Jamoul started well - they were 18th overall and best out of the Master classification - but they came unstuck on stage nine. Verstappen admitted they entered a corner 'too quick' before ending up in a ditch and rolling over in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, cracking the windscreen and causing other damage. The duo retired from the race but fortunately escaped unscathed after what was only Verstappen's third-ever start on an unfamiliar gravel surface. 'I think I went a little bit too quick into the corner and then I missed the apex, the inside of the corner, I was in the loose gravel, on full grass and I couldn't make the corner,' Verstappen admitted. 'The rear wheels went into the ditch and the car rolled. Very easy to happen in this kind of rally. It happens, from what I have seen on the videos, a lot. It was a typical Sweden roll. I flipped it and I was back on the four wheels. 'The roll cage is all fine but the front was a little bit damaged, there was some rear damage and one damper was broken. Because Poland is coming so quickly and my feeling wasn't that good in the car in this particular rally so we want to check everything instead of keep going. Every crash should be a lesson but it's a typical thing for here. 'I must say I really enjoyed it, the way of driving. Obviously these people from these countries they used to that, the only driving they do is on these kind of stages. 'For sure, and definitely at my age, if I have to change the style after 45 years of racing it's not so easy. 'It's a completely different thing and of course the age doesn't help. But I really enjoy it, I can also enjoy from the people in front how they're pushing and things like that. I'm happy what I see and hopefully I can improve a little bit more.' This was Verstappen's first time on the fast-paced gravel roads of Sweden's Varmland. Despite leaving F1 behind in 2003, he still makes plenty of time to put himself to the test in various races and he is committed to the full European rally season. Of course, lots of his time is still devoted to overseeing the development of his son, the four-time World Drivers' Champion. He was in Monaco over the weekend to watch as Max came home fourth, despite leading much of the race due to the mandated two-stop system. Jos is also an outspoken voice on issues inside the Formula One world, particularly when it comes to Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.


Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Max Verstappen's dad Jos' car flips over in rally crash as health update issued
Former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen still partakes in rally racing at the age of 53 but suffered a crash which saw his Skoda Fabia roll over in Sweden on Friday Jos Verstappen managed to escape unharmed after rolling over his car in a rally event. The former Formula 1 driver, father of four-time champion Max Verstappen, suffered the accident while competing at the Royal Rally of Scandinavia in Sweden this weekend. Aged 53, he continues to partake in several rally events. And, instead of travelling to Barcelona to cheer on his son at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, Jos headed to Sweden for the latest round of the FIA European Rally Championship. Things started well and Verstappen, along with co-driver Renaud Jamoul, were leading the Master classification and 18th overall in the rally when disaster struck on stage nine and the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 rolled over, cracking the windscreen along with other damage to the car. But it has been confirmed that neither Verstappen nor Jamoul were injured in the accident. Despite that escape, they elected not to continue with the rally this weekend, leading to their first DNF of 2025. Sign up to our free weekly F1 newsletter, Pit Lane Chronicle, by entering your email address below so that every new edition lands straight in your inbox! Speaking after the crash, Verstappen said: "I think I went a little bit too quick into the corner and then I missed the apex, the inside of the corner, I was in the loose gravel, on full grass and I couldn't make the corner. "The rear wheels went into the ditch and the car rolled. Very easy to happen in this kind of rally. It happens, from what I have seen on the videos, a lot. It was a typical Sweden roll. I flipped it and I was back on the four wheels. "The roll cage is all fine but the front was a little bit damaged, there was some rear damage and one damper was broken. Because Poland is coming so quickly and my feeling wasn't that good in the car in this particular rally so we want to check everything instead of keep going. Every crash should be a lesson but it's a typical thing for here." Though Verstappen Snr is no stranger to rallying, he is not so familiar with gravel tracks like the one he crashed on in Varmland, Sweden, on Friday. He was making only his third ever start on gravel and his first on a loose-surface event at high speed. But despite the unwelcome end to his weekend, he said: "I must say I really enjoyed it, the way of driving. Obviously these people from these countries they used to that, the only driving they do is on these kind of stages. For sure, and definitely at my age, if I have to change the style after 45 years of racing it's not so easy. "It's a completely different thing and of course the age doesn't help. But I really enjoy it, I can also enjoy from the people in front how they're pushing and things like that. I'm happy what I see and hopefully I can improve a little bit more."


Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Best used cars to buy: Discover which motor will suit YOU best, from a used car expert
motor match Best used cars to buy: Discover which motor will suit YOU best, from a used car expert Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FROM the most boring family saloon to super exciting single-seat sports cars, I've driven my fair share of cars, and it's helped me to understand some of the things that make a great motor. In this guide, I've selected some of my favourite used cars. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The criteria include cost, practicality and performance. It's also my personal choice, so feel free to disagree. Whether you're a single person looking for a performance car, a country dweller looking for wet road traction and action, or a new parent who wants some peace and quiet on the way back from the nursery, we've got you covered. These cars are the used cars I'd buy (and, in some cases, have owned). Let's start with my top choice of used car in the UK. What is the best used car to buy? Practical? Check. Affordable? Check. Reliable? Check. Fashionable? Err, maybe… All these things – and more – can be used to describe my favourite used car, the old(er) Dacia Duster. 8 Model: Dacia Duster It's a great family car that's also a fairly capable country car (especially if you invest in the rarer 4x4 version). In the city, the elevated driving position provides great visibility. As a crossover, the carrying capacity is great. It's pretty economical, too, with the (now unpopular) diesel version doing over 40mpg. It gets even better when you realise you can pick up a 10-year-old car for £3,000, and a modern, low-mileage 2021 Duster for £13,000. Dacia owners are like Millwall fans. Everyone hates them, and they don't care. Don't judge them until you've driven a hundred miles in their shoes… If you do, you'll probably buy a Dacia too. Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors here. Which used car should I buy? You're an adult (we hope) and have control of all your faculties, so you can choose to buy any car you want. Here are some of *my* favourite used cars for each of these core categories. Best used city car 8 Model: Skoda Fabia The Skoda Fabia is a great-looking little car that's practical, safe and reliable. You'll have no trouble getting in and out of tight parking space. So, it's small, but it is actually reasonably sized inside and will carry four people in relative comfort. The Skoda Fabia isn't a blow-your-socks-off city car like the Audi A1, for example, but it's cheaper to buy and run. When it inevitably loses a wing mirror or picks up a dent or scratch, you won't be as bothered. We really like the bolder colours like this striking blue 2019 Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI for a few quid under £10,000. Best used for rural driving 8 Model: Subaru Forester Modern Range Rovers aren't the rugged beasts of the past (unless you're paying for premium models), so we're going for the Subaru Forester. These are a farmer's favourite, with a bullet-proof engine and incredible build quality. Top Gear calls it 'comfy, spacious and dependable', which is what you want from a rural runaround. Reliability, too, is amazing. It's not the most refined driving experience and the interior can leave you a bit cold, but countryside folk aren't worried about looks. Resale value is great as well. The most recent hybrid engine Foresters are good cars, but we're going old school with the 2015 Subaru Forester 2.0i XE. Buying a used car? Find cars for under £150 on Sun Motors here. Best used car for first-time drivers 8 Model: Ford Fiesta Join generations of new drivers with the Ford Fiesta. First-time drivers will want a low-cost car that's affordable to insure. You'll also want a small and reliable motor to keep running costs and insurance down. The Fiesta does all this (and more). It was a sad day in 2023 when Ford pulled the plug on the Fiesta, but that means you can pick up a bargain. New drivers should focus on the smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine Fiestas, like this sporty and pretty stunning 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0T EcoBoost Zetec S. Best used family car 8 Model: Citroen C3 The Citroen C3 is a cool and compact city car that's just about big enough to fit a young family in. Classed as a supermini, it's surprisingly spacious. The quirky, box-style shape works (for me) and the proportions are great. When you drive it, it's fairly basic and a little bit boring, but it will get your family from A to B without much fuss. Citroen has shrugged off its reputation for poor reliability, says WhatCar?, with the brand building some excellent cars. Check out this nearly new, 2022 Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Shine Plus. It's a lot of car for £15,499, and with just 4,000 miles on the clock, it's ready for a few more family holidays… Best used luxury cars 8 Model: Range Rover Evoque This is where personal preference takes over, so feel free to ignore my choice. But, if you're looking for a car that will do everything, go anywhere and look good while doing it, then you're talking about a Range Rover Evoque. It's the smallest Range Rover, but you still get the premium feel and prestige badge you want. This 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is at the affordable end for a Range Rover. It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which pushes out 249 bhp. That will help you achieve a top speed of 142 mph and hit 60mph from a standing start in 7.4 seconds Best used small car 8 Model: Kia Picanto Kia changed the game with its massive 7-year warranty, which was either huge confidence in the quality of its cars or the worst business mistake of all time. Turns out to be the former and we're huge fans of its small car, the Kia Picanto. It's small, smart and built to a high standard. It could easily have been our choice of the best city car. While small engine Picantos might run out of puff on the motorway, the 1.2-litre engine is more than enough to keep up with traffic. The Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S is an affordable and sporty small car with extra points for the go-faster stripe on the side. Car buying FAQs Here are some of the most common questions we're asked about buying a used car. When is best to buy a used car? When you need one and can afford one! In the end, the market for used cars is, like any market, about supply and demand. You'll find that campervans and convertibles are cheaper in the winter. But not by much. If you're looking for the perfect time to buy a used car, it's today… What's the best mileage on a used car? In the past, high mileage was a huge warning sign. Today, not so much. What's more important is a full-service history and an understanding of how the miles were driven and by who. A low-mileage hire car driven (badly) by hundreds of users will be a worse buy than a high-mileage vehicle that's mostly done on long motorway runs. Ask questions of the dealer, check out the MOT history and (if possible) inspect the car for signs of wear and tear. Discover our experts' top 5 best-mileage used cars that will go the distance and find out what mileage is good on a second-hand car. Where to buy used cars Obviously, the answer is Sun Motors! You'll find the UK's best selection of used cars, including popular makes and models from Ford, Kia, Skoda, Dacia, Audi, BMW, Range Rover and any number of other brands I can't remember. Sun Motors makes buying a used car stress-free. Select your model, chat with your dealer and apply and agree on finance in one place. Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you're looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.


The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Best used cars to buy: Discover which motor will suit YOU best, from a used car expert
FROM the most boring family saloon to super exciting single-seat sports cars, I've driven my fair share of cars, and it's helped me to understand some of the things that make a great motor. In this guide, I've selected some of my favourite used cars. Advertisement 8 The criteria include cost, practicality and performance. It's also my personal choice, so feel free to disagree. Whether you're a single person looking for a performance car, a country dweller looking for wet road traction and action, or a new parent who wants some peace and quiet on the way back from the nursery, we've got you covered. These cars are the used cars I'd buy (and, in some cases, have owned). Let's start with my top choice of used car in the UK. What is the best used car to buy? Practical? Check. Affordable? Check. Reliable? Check. Fashionable? Err, maybe… Advertisement MORE IN USED MOTORS All these things – and more – can be used to describe my favourite used car, the old(er) Dacia Duster. 8 Model: Dacia Duster It's a great family car that's also a fairly capable country car (especially if you invest in the rarer 4x4 version). Advertisement In the city, the elevated driving position provides great visibility. As a crossover, the carrying capacity is great. Most read in Buy Sponsored Sponsored Sponsored Sponsored It's pretty economical, too, with the (now unpopular) diesel version doing over 40mpg. It gets even better when you realise you can pick up a 10-year-old car for £3,000, and a modern, low-mileage 2021 Duster for £13,000. Advertisement Don't judge them until you've driven a hundred miles in their shoes… If you do, you'll probably buy a Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors Which used car should I buy? You're an adult (we hope) and have control of all your faculties, so you can choose to buy any car you want. Here are some of *my* favourite used cars for each of these core categories. Advertisement Best used city car 8 Model: Skoda Fabia The You'll have no trouble getting in and out of tight parking space. So, it's small, but it is actually reasonably sized inside and will carry four people in relative comfort. Advertisement The When it inevitably loses a wing mirror or picks up a dent or scratch, you won't be as bothered. We really like the bolder colours like this striking blue 2019 Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI for a few quid under £10,000. Best used for rural driving 8 Advertisement Model: Subaru Forester Modern Range Rovers aren't the rugged beasts of the past (unless you're paying for premium models), so we're going for the Subaru Forester. These are a farmer's favourite, with a bullet-proof engine and incredible build quality. Advertisement The most recent hybrid engine Foresters are good cars, but we're going old school with the Buying a used car? Find cars for under £150 on Sun Motors Best used car for first-time drivers 8 Model: Ford Fiesta Advertisement Join generations of new drivers with the You'll also want a small and reliable motor to keep running costs and insurance down. The Fiesta does all this (and more). It was a sad day in 2023 when Ford pulled the plug on the Fiesta, but that means you can pick up a bargain. New drivers should focus on the smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine Fiestas, like this sporty and pretty stunning 2016 Advertisement Best used family car 8 Model: Citroen C3 The Classed as a supermini, it's surprisingly spacious. The quirky, box-style shape works (for me) and the proportions are great. Advertisement When you drive it, it's fairly basic and a little bit boring, but it will get your family from A to B without much fuss. Citroen has shrugged off its reputation for poor reliability, Check out this nearly new, Best used luxury cars 8 Advertisement Model: Range Rover Evoque This is where personal preference takes over, so feel free to ignore my choice. But, if you're looking for a car that will do everything, go anywhere and look good while doing it, then you're talking about a It's the smallest Range Rover, but you still get the premium feel and prestige badge you want. Advertisement This Best used small car 8 Model: Kia Picanto Kia changed the game with its massive 7-year warranty, which was either huge confidence in the quality of its cars or the worst business mistake of all time. Advertisement Turns out to be the former and we're huge fans of its small car, the It's small, smart and built to a high standard. It could easily have been our choice of the best city car. While small engine Picantos might run out of puff on the motorway, the 1.2-litre engine is more than enough to keep up with traffic. The Advertisement Car buying FAQs Here are some of the most common questions we're asked about buying a used car. When is best to buy a used car? When you need one and can afford one! In the end, the market for used cars is, like any market, about supply and demand. You'll find that campervans and convertibles are cheaper in the winter. But not by much. If you're looking for the What's the best mileage on a used car? In the past, high mileage was a huge warning sign. Today, not so much. Advertisement What's more important is a full-service history and an understanding of how the miles were driven and by who. A low-mileage hire car driven (badly) by hundreds of users will be a worse buy than a high-mileage vehicle that's mostly done on long motorway runs. Ask questions of the dealer, check out the MOT history and (if possible) inspect the car for signs of wear and tear. Discover Advertisement Where to buy used cars Obviously, the answer is Sun Motors! You'll find the UK's best selection of used cars, including popular makes and models from Ford, Kia, Skoda, Dacia, Audi, BMW, Range Rover and any number of other brands I can't remember. Sun Motors makes buying a used car stress-free. Select your model, chat with your dealer and apply and agree on finance in one place. Buying a used car? Check out


Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Top 10 cheapest cars to insure for new drivers in 2025
Car insurance can be costly - particularly for those under 25 who tend to have the highest premiums Many drivers, or even those still in the learning phase, often overlook car insurance when contemplating purchasing a new vehicle. However, car insurance can be quite expensive, with various factors influencing the cost. The cost of car insurance is a big concern for drivers, particularly those under 25 who tend to have the highest premiums. A recent RAC Report on Motoring said 44% of 17–24-year-old drivers list it as their top concern. According to RAC, the most effective way of reducing your insurance premiums - particularly as a young driver - is to choose the right car. Insurance groups are decided by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and cars in the lowest groups are generally the cheapest to insure. Cars in low insurance groups tend to be small, affordable and have low-powered engines - though that isn't always the case. RAC recommends factoring in where you live and where you park your can when considering insurance costs. RAC shared a list of the cheapest new cars to insure in 2025, based on the car's quoted insurance groups. It points out that it is designed as a guide, and insurance costs can vary depending on your individual circumstances. Top 10 cheapest cars to insure for new drivers 2025 Hyundai i10 Volkswagen Polo Skoda Fabia Kia Picanto Toyota Aygo X VW Caddy Fiat 500 Dacia Sandero Renault Clio Seat Arona What makes a car cheap to insure? According to RAC, the biggest factor that makes a car cheap to insure is its performance. They said: "Generally, a car with a large, powerful engine has a higher insurance premium than one with a small engine and more modest performance. "Insurers deem high performance cars more likely to be involved in a collision at a higher speed, and more expensive to repair or replace alongside that." Other factors that make a car cheaper to insure is a good crash safety rating, a low purchase cost and a lack of popularity with thieves.