Pothole Damage Claims

Posted on 1st March 202323rd March 2023 by Alexandra Lower

Here in the UK we’re not unfamiliar to a pothole. In fact, according to the RAC in 2022 Pothole related breakdowns were up by 23% in the last 3 months of the year than the previous three months[1]. Showing us that potholes are a huge problem to drivers across the country. One question you may ask if your vehicle is damaged by potholes, is who is liable for this damage?

What is a Pothole?

A pothole is classified as a pit in the road that round 1.5 inches deep and just under a foot wide [2]. They are usually caused by the erosion of the road surface from cold and wet weather. However, hot weather and friction on the roads can cause the initial cracks on the road surface which allows water to seep through the tarmac softening the road base underneath. The weight from traffic then breaks up the road surface forming a pothole[3].

What damage can potholes do to my car?

Potholes can cause a range of damage to your vehicle, however typically the faster you are travelling when you hit the pothole the more damage that’s likely to be done [4].

Tyres

Potholes can cause significant damage to tyres. Including punctures, sidewall bulges and tread separation. These are likely to cause you to need a new tyre.

Wheels

Wheels can get chipped or cracked when encountering potholes. This will cause your wheel to be unable to create an airtight seal with the tyre, leading to flat tyres.

Steering

Potholes can cause damage to your vehicles steering for example it’s alignment. You may notice this damage if your steering feels different or the car is veering to one side.

Suspension

Potholes can damage your vehicles suspension system through repetitive jolts, accelerating the rate of wear and tear.

If there is noticeable damage, you should take your car to a garage as soon as possible to get it checked over.

Who is liable for pothole damage to my car?

Most of the time Local Authorities are usually responsible for pothole damage as they hold responsibility for the maintenance of the road. Though this depends on the road type that you encountered the pothole on.

Motorways and A-roads ae maintained by the following:

England – National Highways

Northern Ireland – Department for Infrastructure

Scotland – Transport Scotland

Wales – Traffic Wales

How do I make a Claim for Pothole Damage?

Once you’ve checked the damaged to your vehicle, you should begin to gather information.

1. Gather Evidence

Make a note of the date and time of the incident and the location of the pothole on the road.

If you can and it is safe to do so, try and take some photos of the pothole.

Do not return to take photos of a pothole on a motorway. This is known as trespassing and could lead to prosecution and is incredibly dangerous.

Pictures of the damage to your vehicle are also helpful in making a claim as well as any paper work from a garage indicating further damage. A letter from a mechanic to confirm the cause of damage in writing may be beneficial to your claim.

2. Report the Pothole

Reporting a Pothole in England and Wales is super simple. You can use the GOV.UK website to gain the correct local authority that is in charge of maintenance for that specific road.

If the road is a motorway or A road, this will need to be reported to the correct national authority listed above.

Potholes should also be reported to local or national authorities even if damage was not caused to your vehicle. This is because potholes can pose a significant to road conditions and could lead to an accident or further damage to someone else’s vehicle.

3. Submit your pothole claim

You should submit your pothole damage claim to the same authority that you reported the pothole to. Put all your evidence that you gathered previously and attach it to your claim.

Damaged cause by debris in the road will not be covered as part of a pothole claim. A claim will need to be made through your car insurance provider instead.

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[1] RAC pothole-related breakdowns leap during last three months of 2022 | RAC Drive

[2] How to make a pothole claim – Confused.com

[3] What causes potholes? | Shropshire Council

[4] How to make a pothole claim – Confused.com

6 Eco Driving Tips!

Posted on 15th February 202323rd August 2023 by Alexandra Lower

Are you worried about climate change? You’re not alone. In a 2022 government survey, 75% of adults have stated they have made lifestyle changes to help tackle the issues which are impacting the environment[1].

One change we can make to help the environment is to adopt a more eco-friendly driving style. So, we’ve put together 6 eco-driving tips:

1. Drive more smoothly.

Repetitive speeding up and braking uses a lot more fuel than driving smoothly. When you accelerate and need to pull away from being stationary, your car needs to use more fuel to do this. And obviously the less fossil fuels we use the better!

For example, you see some traffic lights coming up and you know they are red or turning red.

There’s no need to speed up to them and fully stop just to pull away again when they go green.
You can slow down gradually and maybe by the time you get to the lights they will be green.
Even if they aren’t – you haven’t used fuel speeding up to them when you do stop.
Remember to always respect ‘giveaway’ and ‘STOP’ signs.

Using the highest gear possible in each situation is also a good way to reduce fuel consumption.

If this is something you really want to work on, there are even driving courses available, designed to help drivers reduce their emissions and fuel consumption.

You could also google the term ‘hypermiling’, which is the art of driving while using as little fuel as possible, for some more tips.

2. Reduce your speed.

Not only is it the law to stick to the speed limit but it also helps to reduce your fuel consumption and emissions. Figures from the Department of Transport found that:

Driving at 80mph on the motorway uses 25% more fuel than driving at 70mph. And is illegal on all roads.
Driving at 70mph instead of 60mph in an open speed limit zone uses 9% more fuel[2] and produces more emissions.

Some roads have even been limited to 50 mph to reduce emissions[3].

Reducing your journey speed will only increase your journey time by a few minutes and can make your journey a lot safer and more eco-friendly.

3. Use your Stop/Start system, if you have one.

If your vehicle is fitted with a stop/start system, make sure it is switched on. This means when your vehicle is stationary and in neutral with your foot off the clutch the engine will temporarily switch off. To activate the engine all you do is place your foot back on the clutch, making it easy to set off again.

If you don’t have a Stop/Start switch, there is uncertainty around whether they should switch off your engines while waiting in standstill traffic or at traffic lights.

This may be more economical and environmentally friendly than sitting in standstill traffic with your engine running. Though it’s important to remember you must be able to quickly restart your engine when traffic starts moving or to make way for emergency vehicles. If your battery is nearing the end of its life this may not be advisable, as there is a chance you won’t be able to start the car again.

4. Reduce using extras, where possible.

Using your aircon and heating in a car can consume fuel and give off more emissions, as they use engine power to run. Try to use these only when you really need to – this might mean wearing an extra layer for your journeys.

Other things you can reduce/avoid is using the following when they are not essential:

Stereo system
Headlights
Demisters

5. Check your Tyres.

Underinflated tyres can be a huge contribution to poor eco driving[4]. This is because your engine has to work harder to get the wheels moving. So make sure they are always at the correct pressure and have the right amount of tread. Cars must have a minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm.

You can find the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle in the vehicle handbook.

6. Share journeys.

One of the best ways to reduce your travel impact on the environment is travelling via bus or train. However, we’re aware that this isn’t possible for everyone. So why not try lift sharing? Whether it’s driving to work or the school run, sharing one vehicle is much more efficient than using multiple.

If you plan on sharing the drive, ensure all drivers are insured to drive the vehicle.

Get a car insurance quote here.

[1] Worries about climate change, Great Britain – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

[2] Top tips: How to save money on fuel costs (yahoo.com)

[3] How to be a greener driver: Eco-driving tips – Confused.com

[4] BBC – Shropshire – Save money with eco driving tips

How to recycle electrical items

Posted on 14th February 202323rd March 2023 by Alexandra Lower

Every year in the UK an estimated 2 million tonnes of electric waste is thrown away[1]. However, it’s not common knowledge exactly how to safely and responsibly dispose of electricals. This means a lot of this waste ends up in landfill.

Why shouldn’t you throw electrical waste in landfill?

Electrical items can be dangerous if they aren’t dealt with properly at the end of their life. Lots of these items contain hazardous chemicals. These can end up breaking down in landfill and causing water and air pollution[2].

Most electrical products also contain precious materials that can be recycled. Some you may have heard of like copper and silver – but there are also rarer elements like Gallium and Yttrium that are in high demand to make new electricals and are set to run out within the next century.

What elements are in my electricals?

These are just some of the elements and precious materials that can be salvaged from recycled tech and electricals:

Silver: Used in mirrors, reactive lenses that darken in sunlight, antibacterial clothing and gloves for use with touch-screens;
Gallium: Used in medical thermometers, LEDs, solar panels, telescopes and has possible anti-cancer properties;
Yttrium: Used in white LED lights, camera lenses and can be used to treat some cancers;
Indium: Used in transistors, microchips, fire-sprinkler systems, as a coating for ball-bearings in Formula One cars and solar panels;
Tantalum: Used in surgical implants, electrodes for neon lights, turbine blades, rocket nozzles and nose caps for supersonic aircraft, hearing aids and pacemakers.[3]

Campaigners are trying to encourage the recycling of these elements to avoid them ending up in land fill and continually being mined[4].

Any electrical item with a WEEE symbol (a crossed out wheelie bin – as pictured below) means the item cannot be placed in a household waste bin to be taken to landfill[5].

A black outlined icon of a dustbin with a cross through it — WEEE Symbol

So, how can I recycle my electrical items?

1. Resell them

We all have the one draw in our house full of old electrical gadgets or mobile phones. But did you know you could get some quick and easy cash for them?

If your item still works, you just no longer want or need it then you can resell it. This could be through Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, Vinted or any other preloved items selling site.

If your item is faulty or no longer works, there are plenty of websites where you can get a quote for your gadget based on its condition. The company will send you a prepaid envelope to post your gadget back to them. They’ll then evaluate the product and offer you a final price. Most will deposit the money into your account the same day they receive it.

Note: Ensure you erase all person information from devices prior to selling them, this is usually known as a factory reset.

2. Drop them off at a Recycling Centre

Recycling centres across the UK recycle electrical goods. These items are then taken apart using a shredding process. Magnets and strong electrical currents are used to remove magnetic and nonmagnetic metals, which can then be used to make something new[6]. To find your local recycling centre, you can put your postcode into the recycle your electricals website. Anything with a battery, cable or plug can be recycled.

3. Arrange a Roadside Collection

If a recycling centre drop off seems too much for you, you may be able to get some smaller items collected as part of your household recycling collection. Usually smaller items such as kettles, toasters, phones, batteries (not car), straighteners and hair dryers can be placed into a plastic bag to keep it dry ready to be collected. For a full list of items that can be collected, check your local council’s website.

4. Get Larger Appliances Collected

When it comes to larger appliances such as washing machines and fridges, it can seem a bit tricker to recycle. However, at a cost you can arrange for this to be collected from your home. To apply for a special large appliance collection, input your postcode into this government website to get started.

5. Return to the Retailer

Retailers also offer a scheme to take back and correctly dispose of waste either in store or via home collection when purchasing the same type of item again. Smaller appliances (less than 25cm on their longest side) can be taken back to stores. Larger items will have to be collected from your home and this may come at a charge due to transportation.

Note – some retailers may be exempt from this legislation, we advise you contact the store in advance to avoid disappointment [7].

Looking for more ways to help the environment?

Did you know, here at Vavista we plant a tree for every policy taken out to help off set your carbon footprint?

Get a quote

[1] How to recycle electrical items – Which?

[2] Can we fix our way out of the growing e-waste problem? – BBC News

[3] Millions of old gadgets ‘stockpiled in drawers’ – BBC News

[4] Mine e-waste, not the Earth, say scientists – BBC News

[5] WEEE – what does the label mean, EU requirements – Your Europe (europa.eu)

[6] Recycle Now | Where and How to Recycle

[7] Electrical waste: retailer and distributor responsibilities: Take back waste in store – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Did your New Year’s Resolutions make it to February?

Posted on 1st February 202325th August 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

According to the data and research group, YouGov, 1 in 5 of us set ourselves some New Year’s resolutions in 2023. Unsurprisingly, over half wanted to exercise more or increase fitness and over 40% wanted to lose weight or improve their diet. But only around a quarter of us manage to keep all our resolutions. Have you managed to keep to yours?

Interestingly, far more people in their 20’s seem to make resolutions than those in their 50’s or over[1]. Does that mean that older people have managed to reach their optimal fitness and weight? More likely, they might have given up or found it too difficult!

The problem is, the New Year is often the worst time to make resolutions.

We’re tired from festive parties, buying presents or hosting, so it’s hard to use our willpower to make radical changes. We may have spent weeks tucking into mince pies, chocolate and alcohol…then we expect our body to accept a crash diet or brutal gym routine. This sudden change in routine can cause cravings, exhaustion, or insatiable hunger. It’s not just a physical problem – there’s a mental component too. The drop in mood that comes after the excitement of Christmas, added to dark nights, miserable weather and heading back to work is hardly a recipe for success. It’s no wonder that a lot of peoples resolutions fail.

So what can you do?

Don’t rush yourself.

February is still the new year. Forcing dramatic changes on yourself on January 1^st can be too much for most people. Why not delay New Year’s resolutions until you feel you’re back into a regular routine? Let the sugar rush die down and the January blues to pass – you might stand a better chance of keeping to your resolutions.

Don’t let one setback make you quit.

If you have tried to keep a resolution and failed, don’t give up. Call it a practice run and try again. Set a new date, whether it’s the first of February, March or even April. 1% of progress is better than 0% of progress. Remind yourself of this when you feel like throwing in the towel.

Don’t set unrealistic expectations.

Plan a gentle lead-up to your planned resolution rather than a drastic change that often follows the guilty indulgences of Christmas. If you want to run a mile in ten minutes, start off with a 15 minute goal and work yourself up. You can’t expect to be perfect immediately, that just sets you up to fail. Make sure you set clear, measurable, and realistic goals and you may find it far easier to succeed this time!

For more health advice, take a look at our other blogs. And good luck with your 2023 goals!

[1] YouGov – New Year’s resolutions.pdf

5 Sustainable Household Swaps to Make Today

Posted on 19th January 202323rd August 2023 by Alexandra Lower

Here at Vavista, we’re conscious about not only the health and wellbeing of our customers, but our wonderful planet too. So many of our purchases are packaged in non-recyclable materials, which eventually end up in landfill.

The good news is there are plenty of household items that are friendlier to the planet. Check out our list for 5 sustainable house swaps to make today!

1. Soap and Shampoo bars

Using a soap bar instead of liquid soap greatly reduces the need for plastic bottles in your bathroom. It’s also believed it takes less water to produce a soap bar and soap bars have a lower carbon footprint due to a reduction in its weight for transportation [1]. You can make these sustainable household swaps and instead of hand wash, body wash, face wash, shampoo and even conditioner – use solid bar alternatives. If everyone in the UK opted for soap bars instead of plastic shampoo and body wash bottles, think of the amount of plastic we could save.

2. Natural Sponges

By making the sustainable household swap from artificial sponges to natural sponges, you will be reducing your plastic waste yet again. They’re 100% natural and 100% biodegradable. Once harvested, sea sponges are able to regrow too[2]. You can make this swap in the kitchen to clean your dishes and in the shower. Or if you want a more thorough scrub, you could also get a natural loofah in the shower. And if you want to level up even further you can grow a loofah yourself if you have the time and determination[3].

Find out how with this handy guide: Grow your own Loofah.

3. Reusable dish cloths

It’s easy to just pick up a new pack of cloths for kitchen cleaning when yours get a bit dirty. Why not make one of the easiest sustainable household swaps and change your disposable dish cloths that end up on landfill for reusable biodegradable ones? By purchasing machine washable cloths, you can save yourself some money in the long run as well as helping the planet [4].

4. Bees wax food wraps

Bees wax food wraps are a the perfect Sustainable household swaps. Instead of plastic food wraps such as cling film or sandwich bags – switch to beeswax coverings. This is ideal for keeping food fresh for longer while reducing your plastic waste. By warming the wraps with your hands, the wax on the muslin become tacky making it easy to mould and seal around packaging and containers[5]. Again, if you want to be an eco-superstar, then you can easily create your own.

5. Refill Products

There is a growing number of locations around the country that offer plastic free refills for many household items from cleaning products, to rice and pasta. All with the same goal to cut down on our plastic usage[6]. You just take your own container to a refill shop, they weigh this and then weigh your container again when it’s filled to charge you for how much product you’ve taken. These shops are usually happy to take donated containers too, so if you have a pasta jar with a lid you’d like to wash out and give to them, take it with you.

We hope these tips have been helpful. Check out our otherblog posts for more!

[1] 10 simple steps to a more sustainable bathroom | BBC Earth

[2] Sea Sponges; A Sustainable Solution– Eco Bath London

[3] Sustainable sponges: How to grow your own loofah – BBC News

[4] Green kitchen swaps | BBC Good Food

[5] Step by step tutorial | Blue Peter makes | Plastic free – CBBC – BBC

[6] Waste reduction: ‘Refill just one bottle and cut plastic use’ – BBC News

How to recover from a Marathon

Posted on 4th October 202223rd March 2023 by Dr Sally Norton

For those that took part in the London Marathon, after finally crossing the finishing line, thoughts may now be turning to how to help your body recover…

Months of training, determination and mental resilience will have gone into the build-up to the big day and to the race itself – but few people will have thought about the recovery afterwards, other than to imagine a celebratory drink and days of lounging on the sofa without having to don the running kit.

It’s worth knowing about a few tips from seasoned marathon runners though, to ensure you feel as good, physically, as you will, mentally, after such a huge achievement.

Immediate aftermath

Keep moving, though it may be the last thing you want to do. Instead of collapsing, or even static stretching, try to walk it out for 10-15 minutes as this will ensure good blood flow can flush away the by-products of strenuous exercise and help recovery of your muscles and joints.
Change into warm dry clothes as soon as possible. Sweaty, damp kit will mean you lose heat quickly and, coupled with the post-adrenaline rush and the crash that follows, you can quickly feel cold and shivery which won’t help your muscle recovery.
Drink to rehydrate. You may well have avoided too much fluid before the race and been unable to tolerate much fluid during the run. Coupled with sweating and panting which loses a lot of fluid, you may need a lot of rehydration for your kidneys to recover. How much to drink is best determined by a slow and steady intake until your pee is a pale straw colour!
Whilst on the subject of your kidneys, be aware that anti-inflammatory drugs, which may seem like a great idea for your aching muscles, can be damaging to stressed kidneys. They aren’t great for your stomach lining either, which has already had its usual blood flow partially diverted to your muscles during the race.
Refuel with carbs and protein as soon as you can stomach it – even just a milkshake to start with. And, whilst it’s tempting to tuck into a few alcoholic drinks in celebration, your dehydration may mean they go straight to your head as well as give your liver and kidneys even more work to do.

Next day and beyond

Sleep is a great recovery tool and was probably a bit lacking, due to the pre-race nerves. Now’s the time to repay the sleep debt.
Use a foam roller or massage to loosen up tight muscles and their fascial covering which can feel tight due to the swelling of the muscles within.
Consider a cold bath which apparently can reduce DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) – although you may feel you have gone through enough trauma after 26 miles!
Expect your body to need recovery time for several weeks – not just days – and so go easy on yourself. Gentle activity will get stiff muscles and joints moving again without the risk of injury so don’t worry about retaining your marathon fitness until your body is ready to go again (if ever!).
Put up a large photo of you with your medal as a reminder of your amazing achievement, to give you a mental boost for years to come!

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

The most popular electric car models in the UK

Posted on 12th July 202223rd March 2023 by Vavista

With the rise in the price and demand for fuel, as well as leaving many drivers worried, the hike has increased the interest in electric vehicle

So, where do you start when it comes to selecting an electric vehicle? According to GoCompare, here are the top 10 most popular EV’s around right now.

UK’s most popular Electric Vehicles

1. Tesla Model 3

One of most popular electric vehicles in the UK right now is the Tesla Model 3. It’s known as one of the ‘more affordable’ Tesla models coming in at £ 42,935 – £ 56,490 for a 4 door, 5 seat saloon. Carrying a 278 mile range before recharging. [1]

[1] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/tesla/model-3

2. Nissan Leaf

The second most popular is the Nissan Leaf pricing between £ 28,440 – £ 39,340. Though the range is significantly less than the Tesla Model 3 at 168 miles but of course the price makes up for this. [2]

[2] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/nissan/leaf

3. Tesla X

If you’re willing to pay out for your new EV, on the higher end of the Tesla models is the Tesla X, coming in between £ 87,190 – £ 168,730 for a 7-seater with Falcon doors. The long-range spec offers a 360-mile range and speeds from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds.[3]

[3] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/tesla/model-x

4. BMW Model I3

Introducing the BMW Model i3. Though rather expensive for a car its size remains to be quite popular, pricing between £ 35,970 – £ 40,500. It offers up to a 168-mile range, perfect for shorter journeys, but those planning on regular long journeys may struggle. [4]

[4] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/bmw/i3/driving

5. Tesla S

The Tesla S model was the first mass market electric car. Even though it has a conventional silhouette, it reaches 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds. If that wasn’t enough to impress you, perhaps the range of 405 miles will.[5]

[5] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/tesla/model-s

6. Renault Zoe EV

A considerably efficient electric vehicle is the Renault Zoe EV, offering a 345-mile range which is significantly more than its competitors. It also prices on the cheaper side between £21,865 – £ 34,540. Though smaller, its perfect for long journeys. [6]

[6] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/renault/zoe

7. Volkswagen e-Golf

The VW electric golf sits at a reasonable price of £31,625 for a 5-seat hatchback. Though the range is only 118 miles meaning it is not suitable for longer commutes.[7]

[7] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/golfgolf-sv/e-golf-5dr-auto/road-test

8. Jaguar I-Pace

The first premium competitor to Tesla within the EV market is the Jaguar i-Pace offering a 292-mile range and incredible speed, going from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. It’s staring price is £65,565 so again on the higher end.[8]

[8] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/jaguar/i-pace

9. MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV offers a spacious experience for the family. However, its 163-mile range means long journeys are out of the picture unless you’re happy to stop and recharge often. The speed also is a drawback in comparison to some EV competitors, but it makes up for this in the price from £27,000.[9]

[9] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/mg-motor-uk/zs-ev

10. Kia E-Niro

Quite similar to the MG is the Kia Niro EV with an official range of 180 miles and a speed of 0-60 in 9.5 seconds which is slower. However, it is more expensive at around £37,000. [10]

[10] https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/kia/e-niro

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

New Clean Air Zones in 2022

Posted on 24th May 202223rd March 2023 by Vavista

At Vavista we’re passionate about ways in which we can be kinder to our planet and do as much as we can to help to reduce our carbon footprint. One way in which we try to give back to our wonderful planet includes planting a tree for every policy we sell.

Another initiative the government has introduced is Clean Air Zones.

Clear Air Zones already exist in London, better known as the ‘Low Congestion Zone’ zone. If you pass through this zone, you must pay the congestion charge. These zones are now appearing in Bath, Birmingham and Portsmouth, with more cities expected to join throughout 2022.

So, what is a Clean Air Zone?

Clean air zones are areas of a city where vehicles need to pay a fee to pass through because they produce a certain amount of emissions. This is to tackle heavy traffic, improve air quality and encourage people to use more environmentally friendly transport such as bicycles.

Some of these zones target buses or taxes but others also charge private vehicles if they emit over a certain number of emissions.

When is this happening?

It’s been announced that on the 30th May 2022, Manchester’s Clean Air Zone will cover:

HGVs
Buses
Coaches
Vans
Minibuses
Hackney cabs and private hire vehicles
Motorhomes and camper vans

The fee for these vehicles could be up to £60 per day however, the cost of motorhomes and camper vans will be assessed individually depending on their emissions.

The good news is, if you are a private car, moped or motorbike driver, you shouldn’t be affected.

Where else will there be Clean Air Zones?

There are expected to be more cities adding Clean Air Zones in the future. Cities such including Bradford and Oxford started work on Clean Air Zones, but this was stopped due to the pandemic, however, work is now back underway.

How do I pay the charge?

The charges need to be pre-paid and can be done via phone or online.

The government website, will tell you:

Where you’ll find clean air zones
How to check if you’ll need to pay a charge
How to create a business account; and
What monetary support or exemptions are available.

There’s a different service if you want to drive in London’s low emission zones. You can check your vehicle on the Transport for London (TfL) website here to find out more.

Sources: Clean air zones – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

How to look after your car

Posted on 10th May 202223rd March 2023 by Vavista

Everyone wants their car to last for as long as possible and why wouldn’t you? But not many people know how to make this happen. So, we’re here to help. We want you to get the most out of your car with these simple tips….

1. Your user manual is your best friend when it comes to your car

It will tell you all you need to know about every aspect of your car.

2. Your tyres are easily the most important feature on your car

They keep you on the road, so you need to check them. Having tyre pressures at the right level could save your life. Aim to check your tyres once a week – the recommended pressures for your tyres will be in your user manual or sometimes shown on the door frame.

3. Keeping your car serviced is vital for its health

Your handbook will tell you how often you should do it. Many cars, these days, have warning lights that come up on the dashboard and alert you when a service is needed – don’t ignore them!

4. Another way you can help your car is by driving smoothly

Small things such as going over speed bumps gently and avoiding sudden braking can make a difference. And making sure your car has a long motorway run every once in a while, to clear out the carbon deposit build up, can also help.

5. It is important to change your car’s filters

Both the oil and air filters get clogged over time and can cause damage. Filter changes are usually done at the time of service but if you’re feeling brave, you can change them yourself. Just make sure you get genuine parts and read the owner’s manual thoroughly.

6. Many cars now have air conditioning

Which is obviously great but is another aspect of your car that needs looking after. Air con needs to be in regular use as when it isn’t used for long periods, gas leaks can occur. This means that they need to be ‘re-gassed’. So, although not having your air conditioning on may save you a bit of money in petrol, it could cost you more in the long run.

7. A vital part of your car to maintain is the battery

Not using your car for long periods at a time can be detrimental – this causes the battery to degrade and go flat. Even jump-starting your car puts a strain on it. To combat this, consider trickle charging it whilst it’s not in use.

8. Spark plugs and high-tension leads are a critical part of your engine

They can have a major effect on the performance of your engine. Whilst these generally get changed during a service, if you notice signs of wear and tear then get them checked sooner.

9. It used to be that a vehicle’s oil needed to be replaced every 3000 miles or every three months

Luckily for us, this has now changed to 5000 miles / every six months. However, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t check the oil regularly. This is simply done by removing the dipstick and just making sure the oil level is between the minimum and maximum level and is a light yellow/brown colour.

10. And last but not least, keep it clean

Too many people never wash their car, but they don’t know that washing a car is far more than just making it look nice. Washing gets rid of grime and helps avoid corrosion which ultimately leads to a longer life. Read our tips on how to clean your car here.

Date	Claims Team	Sales & Customer Service Team
Mon 23^rd Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am - 7pm
Christmas Eve	9am – 12:45pm	9am - 4pm
Christmas Day	CLOSED	CLOSED
Boxing Day	CLOSED	CLOSED
Fri 27^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 7pm
Sat 28^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 6pm
Sun 29^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 4pm
Mon 30^th Dec	9am – 5:30pm	9am – 7pm
New Year’s Eve	9am – 12:45pm	9am – 4pm
New Year’s Day	CLOSED	CLOSED
2^nd – 3^rd Jan	9am – 5:30pm	9am - 7pm

What is a Pothole?

What damage can potholes do to my car?

Tyres

Wheels

Steering

Suspension

Who is liable for pothole damage to my car?

How do I make a Claim for Pothole Damage?

1. Gather Evidence

2. Report the Pothole

3. Submit your pothole claim

1. Drive more smoothly.

2. Reduce your speed.

3. Use your Stop/Start system, if you have one.

4. Reduce using extras, where possible.

5. Check your Tyres.

6. Share journeys.

Why shouldn’t you throw electrical waste in landfill?

What elements are in my electricals?

So, how can I recycle my electrical items?

1. Resell them

2. Drop them off at a Recycling Centre

3. Arrange a Roadside Collection

4. Get Larger Appliances Collected

5. Return to the Retailer

So what can you do?

Don’t rush yourself.

Don’t let one setback make you quit.

Don’t set unrealistic expectations.

1. Soap and Shampoo bars

2. Natural Sponges

3. Reusable dish cloths

4. Bees wax food wraps

5. Refill Products

For those that took part in the London Marathon, after finally crossing the finishing line, thoughts may now be turning to how to help your body recover…

Immediate aftermath

Next day and beyond

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

With the rise in the price and demand for fuel, as well as leaving many drivers worried, the hike has increased the interest in electric vehicle

UK’s most popular Electric Vehicles

1. Tesla Model 3

2. Nissan Leaf

3. Tesla X

4. BMW Model I3

5. Tesla S

6. Renault Zoe EV

7. Volkswagen e-Golf

8. Jaguar I-Pace

9. MG ZS EV

10. Kia E-Niro

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

At Vavista we’re passionate about ways in which we can be kinder to our planet and do as much as we can to help to reduce our carbon footprint. One way in which we try to give back to our wonderful planet includes planting a tree for every policy we sell.

Another initiative the government has introduced is Clean Air Zones.

So, what is a Clean Air Zone?

When is this happening?

Where else will there be Clean Air Zones?

How do I pay the charge?

Sources: Clean air zones – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

Everyone wants their car to last for as long as possible and why wouldn’t you? But not many people know how to make this happen. So, we’re here to help. We want you to get the most out of your car with these simple tips….

1. Your user manual is your best friend when it comes to your car

2. Your tyres are easily the most important feature on your car

3. Keeping your car serviced is vital for its health

4. Another way you can help your car is by driving smoothly

5. It is important to change your car’s filters

6. Many cars now have air conditioning

7. A vital part of your car to maintain is the battery

8. Spark plugs and high-tension leads are a critical part of your engine

9. It used to be that a vehicle’s oil needed to be replaced every 3000 miles or every three months

10. And last but not least, keep it clean

Christmas Opening Hours

Christmas Opening Hours

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