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Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Top tips for a hassle-free bank holiday road trip
Is it the traffic? The last-minute packing frenzy? Or maybe the sinking realisation that your tyres look a little… flat? Whatever it is, bank holiday road trips are meant to be fun—not a chaotic test of stress levels. The good news? A hassle-free road trip is possible. Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) UK has shared some expert tips to help ensure your bank holiday drive is smooth, safe, and packed with fun. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Start with a pre-trip check-up Your car is about to become your home on wheels for the weekend. Treat it like one. Before you set off, take 10–15 minutes to check the basics. Tyre pressure and tread User (UGC) Submitted Under- or over-inflated tyres can compromise your car's performance and safety. Use a pressure gauge to adjust them according to your manufacturer's recommendations. Also, check the tread depth. Legally, your tyres need at least 1.6mm, but for safety, aim for at least 3mm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Oil levels Without enough engine oil, even the shortest trips can lead to overheating or breakdowns. Use your car's dipstick to check the oil level and top it up if needed. Lights and wipers Don't forget to test your headlights, brake lights, and indicators, as well as your windscreen wipers and washer fluid. Wet weather (synonymous with a British summer) and poorly lit roads can cause serious issues if these aren't functioning properly. Plan your route and stops Bank holiday weekends tend to bring heavier traffic, so a bit of route pre-planning can spare you some headaches. If your vehicle doesn't have a built-in navigation system, navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps can give you real-time traffic updates and recommend alternative routes if you hit unexpected delays. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you're in a battery electric vehicle (BEV), knowing where charging stations are along your route is essential. Apps like Zapmap or A Better Route Planner can help you pinpoint charge points ahead of time. Align your charging stops with meal breaks to make the most of your downtime. Longer term, a vehicle service plan can ensure your car is well-maintained and road-trip ready, giving you one less thing to worry about. With fixed costs and expert care, these plans help prevent unexpected issues and expenses, so you can focus on enjoying your bank holiday adventure. Take regular breaks Even the best routes can feel tedious after a few hours behind the wheel. Long stretches of driving lead to fatigue, which poses serious safety risks. Take at least a 15-minute break every two hours of driving. Use the stops to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, or refresh with a quick walk. James Taylor, Head of Product (Non-Asset Based) at Volkswagen Financial Services UK comments: "Preparation is key to enjoying a safe and stress-free road trip. Ensuring your car is well-maintained not only reduces the risk of unexpected issues but also makes the journey smoother and more enjoyable. Regular servicing provides the confidence that your vehicle is ready for the road, allowing you to focus on creating memorable experiences with your loved ones rather than worrying about potential setbacks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With long weekends just around the corner, many families are gearing up for their next adventure. Whether you're heading to the seaside, visiting relatives, or exploring the countryside, careful planning can make the difference between a great getaway and a travel nightmare.'
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Car dealership with over 90,000 vehicles to close in weeks
A large car dealership which has more than 91,000 vehicles currently on sale is set to close within weeks, leaving hundreds of employees vulnerable. German online used car marketplace Heycar, founded in 2017 and later launched in the UK in 2019, had initially set its sights on rivaling Auto Trader and Motors, but experienced a loss of £30million in 2022, followed by a £22.4million loss in 2023. Its latest annual report indicated that the firm had even seen its revenue decrease to just £7.4million. Now, its once majority shareholders, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), have withdrawn from the business, leaving its more than 126 employees in the UK, Germany and France all at risk. As a result, the firm is expected to close in Germany in the next couple of weeks, with the UK set to follow shortly after. Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) had initially acted as the company's largest shareholder at 78 per cent, followed by Volkswagen at 13 per cent and Renault at 9 per cent. Some reports even suggested that VWFS had invested more than £205million in the marketplace since its launch, according to Car Dealer Magazine. Described on their website as 'the place to buy your next car the feel good way' and designed 'with car buyers in mind', the dealership, which sought to focus on younger used cars and provide greater backing for buyers, was described by a VWFS spokesperson as 'a pioneer in the online used car marketplace'. Former CEO Matt Moakes previously declared: 'Other online listings businesses are just digital versions of newspaper ads. That's not Heycar. 'We have features and products that improve the experience whether you're a dealer or a consumer, the latest of which includes our worry-free back guarantee, and our new Concierge service which helps car buyers take the stress and inconvenience out of car ownership.' But now, the VWFS spokesperson has confirmed to Car Dealer that the company 'expect we will have to let go of a large proportion of Heycar's employees'. They are, however, set to launch a 'new subsidiary' that they hoped would 'integrate the technology developed by Heycar' into its wider business. They added: 'We are considering whether some of the UK employees could be taken on by VWFS UK to further expand the used car business in the B2B sector. 'Despite the decision to wind down their operations, the valuable insights and digital solutions developed so far will play a crucial role in the future of VWFS UK, as we continue to explore new ways to drive growth and innovation in the automotive e-commerce space.' Heycar and VWFS were both contacted for comment.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Huge car dealership with over 90,000 vehicles to close in weeks - putting over 100 jobs at risk
A large car dealership which has more than 91,000 vehicles currently on sale is set to close within weeks, leaving hundreds of employees vulnerable. German online used car marketplace Heycar, founded in 2017 and later launched in the UK in 2019, had initially set its sights on rivaling Auto Trader and Motors, but experienced a loss of £30million in 2022, followed by a £22.4million loss in 2023. Its latest annual report indicated that the firm had even seen its revenue decrease to just £7.4million. Now, its once majority shareholders, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), have withdrawn from the business, leaving its more than 126 employees in the UK, Germany and France all at risk. As a result, the firm is expected to close in Germany in the next couple of weeks, with the UK set to follow shortly after. Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) had initially acted as the company's largest shareholder at 78 per cent, followed by Volkswagen at 13 per cent and Renault at 9 per cent. Some reports even suggested that VWFS had invested more than £205million in the marketplace since its launch, according to Car Dealer Magazine. Described on their website as 'the place to buy your next car the feel good way' and designed 'with car buyers in mind', the dealership was described by a VWFS spokesperson as 'a pioneer in the online used car marketplace'. Described on their website as 'the place to buy your next car the feel good way' and designed 'with car buyers in mind', the dealership, which sought to focus on younger used cars and provide greater backing for buyers, was described by a VWFS spokesperson as 'a pioneer in the online used car marketplace'. Former CEO Matt Moakes previously declared: 'Other online listings businesses are just digital versions of newspaper ads. That's not Heycar. 'We have features and products that improve the experience whether you're a dealer or a consumer, the latest of which includes our worry-free back guarantee, and our new Concierge service which helps car buyers take the stress and inconvenience out of car ownership.' But now, the VWFS spokesperson has confirmed to Car Dealer that the company 'expect we will have to let go of a large proportion of Heycar's employees'. They are, however, set to launch a 'new subsidiary' that they hoped would 'integrate the technology developed by Heycar' into its wider business. They added: 'We are considering whether some of the UK employees could be taken on by VWFS UK to further expand the used car business in the B2B sector. 'Despite the decision to wind down their operations, the valuable insights and digital solutions developed so far will play a crucial role in the future of VWFS UK, as we continue to explore new ways to drive growth and innovation in the automotive e-commerce space.'
