Arnold Clark has awarded scholarships to four Fife College students for their commitment to automotive studies. The scholarships were awarded to Luke Brown from Kirkcaldy, Mark Adair from Glenrothes, Keir Gardiner and Jordan Bachini from Leslie. All of the students are aged between 18 and 21. The scholarship is intended to help them progress their career in the automotive industry by providing them with a placement and possible job opportunity with Arnold Clark.

The awards were made by the Adam Smith Foundation, which takes care of the College’s scholarship programme. The awards were then presented at an event held at the College’s Stenton Campus in Glenrothes.

The students also enjoyed a monetary prize for their hard work. Keir and Mark received £500 while Luke and Jordan were awarded £250 each.

Vice Principal for Curriculum Dorothée Leslie and Gaynor Jarrett, Trust Fundraiser for the Adam Smith Foundation, welcomed the award winners. Eddie Hawthorne, Managing Director of Arnold Clark, also attended the event and presented them with their certificates.

Also in attendance was Carol Henry, Director of HR at Arnold Clark, Ian Taylor, Group Operations Manager of GTG Training, Stephen Ayton, Curriculum Manager for Mechanical and Automotive Engineering at Fife College and Tom McPherson, Vice President of the Fife College Student Association.

Eddie Hawthorne explained more about the details of the work placements linked to the scholarship and stressed the importance of attracting the best talent and maintaining a high level of customer service throughout the Group.

Eddie said:

‘Arnold Clark is Europe’s number one independently owned family-run car dealer and we are committed to ensuring we take on board people who have the passion and skills to keep us at the forefront of our business.

‘Supporting this scholarship through the Adam Smith Foundation and Fife College enables us to meet first-class students, recognise their achievements and provide a range of opportunities to help them progress in their careers.’

The four students were all very pleased to have received scholarships from Arnold Clark. Luke said:

‘I am delighted to have won this award and plan to spend the money on tools to help me progress my skills. Long term I hope to reach the top of my trade by becoming a Master Technician.’

Gaynor Jarrett, Trust Fundraiser for the Adam Smith Foundation, added:

‘The four award winners are a credit to the college and we are delighted that Eddie, Carol and Ian have joined us today to make this such a memorable occasion.

‘The Adam Smith Foundation is a unique programme that helps hundreds of students each year by giving them a helping hand and recognition which provides them with the boost they need to progress their studies and begin their career. I would like to congratulate the students on their achievement and thank Arnold Clark for their continued support.’

Chantelle Hudson from North Lincolnshire was delighted to discover she had won a brand-new car after taking part in the Good Egg Driver’s Programme. The programme is a UK-wide initiative that aims to make our roads safer by training young drivers.

The 20-year-old is now the proud owner of a brand-new, white Fiat 500 courtesy of Arnold Clark.

With this programme and competition, Good Egg hopes to raise awareness of the road safety issues that affect young drivers aged between 17 and 25.

Some of the key topics covered by the Good Egg course are:

• How to choose the right driving instructor
• Tips and techniques for staying safe as a young driver or passenger
• Getting insured

The course is delivered through interactive workshops, and it has proven to be very popular in schools and colleges throughout the UK.

Jan James, who runs the Good Egg Drivers initiative said:

‘We are delighted that Chantelle has won this great prize. Independent evaluation has underlined the effectiveness and importance of this programme in helping to tackle the unacceptably high number of young driver and passenger casualties on UK roads.

‘We had thousands of entries from young people this year and it is thanks to the generosity of our partners Arnold Clark that we can offer such a fantastic incentive for young people to engage in this potentially life-saving programme.’

Eddie Hawthorne, Arnold Clark Group Managing Director said:

‘It’s important to us to help raise awareness of young driver safety, that’s why we continuously support Good Egg with their new drivers initiative. The scheme is a valuable learning resource for young people and I am delighted to see that a participant of the workshops was chosen as the winner of the Fiat 500, donated by Arnold Clark. I’d like to wish Chantelle many years of safe and happy motoring in her new vehicle.’

As part of her prize, Chantelle will also receive a year’s worth of free telematics insurance from MORE TH>N SM>RTWHEELS.

Electric cars are more popular than ever on the UK’s roads. In 2013, there were 3,500 – now, just three years later, the amount of plug-in cars has increased to almost 90,000.

Government grants (guaranteed until 2018) are proving a powerful motivator, as are the increasing number of electric charging points. There are now 11,873 chargers across Britain, with the government recently pledging £390m to create more.

In fact, there’s never been a better time to consider going electric. So if you’re looking to reduce your impact on the environment, what are this year’s best electric car buys?

Renault ZOE

At the more affordable end of the scale, the Renault ZOE is a smart electric hatchback that gives a smooth and almost silent drive. Thanks to a new battery called the Z.E 40, higher spec models are capable of a 250-mile driving range (however, this varies depending on other factors, like temperature, topography and driving speed). Still, the ZOE is just £13,995 for an entry-level model and Renault even installs a home charger for speedy power-ups in between drives.

Kia Soul EV

If you’re looking for an electric car with space, headroom and fun touches (the ‘speakers that light up when you play music’ kind of fun), then the 5-door Kia Soul has it all. This compact SUV boasts a respectable range of 132 miles, and is designed with a black front grille and a boxy, urban look, so it’s perfect for style and environment-conscious city commuters.

Ford Focus Electric

This high specification electric version could easily pass as a traditional Ford Focus, if it wasn’t for the electric socket and the fact that the engine is almost silent. Okay, so at over £33,000, it’s the most expensive Ford Focus you could buy, but this sleek 5-door hatchback is an electric family car with real sophistication.

As part of a sponsorship deal, our Wigan Renault/Dacia branch has supplied five vehicles to the Wigan Warriors team to help various members of staff with their activities.

The cars will assist players in getting to matches, and will help behind-the-scenes members of staff at the club, too.

As part of this sponsorship, we’ve been given the chance to offer two lucky people a pair of free season tickets.

Wigan Warriors is a professional rugby league club that competes in the Super League and are the current Super League Champions.

Your chance to win

We’ll be offering you the chance to win a pair of season tickets to see the Wigan Warriors on Facebook.

The competition will take place on Monday 13th February, ahead of the Warriors’ first fixture against the Cronulla Sharks.

Keep an eye out on our Facebook page to see how you can enter!

_{Terms and conditions: The Wigan Warriors competition is not open to any employees of Arnold Clark or its subsidiaries or agencies. Competition ends on 14/02/2017. Winner(s) will be announced via Facebook. Prizes are non-transferable. There is no cash alternative. In the event of a prizewinner not replying to a prize notification within 28 days Arnold Clark reserves the right to disqualify the prizewinner. The promotion is not endorsed by Facebook.}

The winners of the 2017 AM Awards were announced at a special ceremony held at the ICC in Birmingham last night.

We’re proud to announce that Arnold Clark has been presented the following accolades Best Used Car Performance and Best Retail Group (more than 10 sites) Award:

Best Used Car Performance

In this area, our innovative and customer-centric approach to business was praised alongside our understanding of the role our employees play in the success of our used car policy.

Best Retail Group (more than 10 sites)

We were recognised for our outstanding performance across all areas of the business, and our ability to match this with a consistent and quality level of service across over 200 UK branches.

We’d like to say thanks to our customers and employees, without whom achieving these prestigious awards would not be possible.

The Arnold Clark Real Sale has now begun, offering customers the chance to make huge savings and get that #NewCarFeeling.

It only happens once a year

The Real Sale only happens once a year, giving customers the opportunity to save on over 18,000 used cars from any of the 200 Arnold Clark branches.

Last year, our customers saved over £12 million, with the biggest saving being £4,806. And this year, we expect the sale to be bigger and better than ever before.

‘Real savings on the UK’s biggest range of used cars’

Sir Arnold Clark, Chairman and Chief Executive, said:

‘We are very excited to be able to launch the Real Sale before Christmas, giving customers the best opportunity to enjoy the savings on offer. Each year we offer real savings on the UK’s biggest range of used cars to customers throughout the country. Last year the total customer savings were over £12 million and we hope to exceed that figure dramatically this year.’

Enjoy huge savings on:

• Small cars (city car/supermini)
• Medium cars (family/hatchback)
• Large cars (executive/luxury)
• MPV cars (utility/4x4)

_{Terms and conditions: The #NewCarFeeling competition is not open to any employees of Arnold Clark or its subsidiaries or agencies. Competition ends on 10/02/2017. Winner(s) will be announced via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (wherever the entry was posted) on each Friday of the Real Sale following 30/12/16. Prizes are non-transferable. There is no cash alternative. By taking part in the competition you agree to your name and photograph being used in promotional material both online and offline. In the event of a prizewinner not replying to a prize notification within 28 days Arnold Clark reserves the right to disqualify the prizewinner. The promotion is not endorsed by Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.}

Our Volkswagen Wishaw branch was recently crowned the UK’s best Volkswagen retailer at the franchise’s One Business Awards.

The awards league table consisted of 190 retailers throughout the UK and Northern Ireland, and took into account the following factors:

• Sales of new and used cars
• Customer satisfaction
• Staff training

Roch Starrs, Arnold Clark Volkswagen Franchise Manager, said:

‘We’re absolutely delighted to have received this award. This is a real testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff at Wishaw, who have expert knowledge in Volkswagen cars and continually provide the best possible service for our customers.’

Our Volkswagen Wishaw branch has over 200 cars available to browse on site, a fully equipped service and valet bays and children’s play area.

General Manager Craig Montgomery has worked at the branch for over 12 years. He commented:

‘This award means a lot to us here at Wishaw. I take real pride in my work and successes, and I know everyone here does, too. The whole team understands what makes a branch successful and every member of staff brings something different to the branch and our customers.’

We’d like to say a huge congratulations to all the staff at Wishaw for their hard work in achieving this impressive accolade.

If you want to find great deals on Volkswagens and experience this award-winning service firsthand, visit Arnold Clark Volkswagen Wishaw at Bogside, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 9PS where staff will be happy to help.

This March, Mazda will be launching the MX-5 RF, the hard-top version of its successful roadster. Here we take a look at the key features that make it stand out.

Retractable Fastback

RF stands for Retractable Fastback, which means that you can open and close the hard-top roof at the push of a button, whenever that ‘wind-in-the-hair’ feeling comes over you.

The 13-second mechanical movement is quite stunning, as the roof lowers and folds itself into the space behind the rear seats.

via GIPHY

With the roof up, there’s much less road noise than you’ll find in the soft-top version, so you can enjoy quieter cruising.

Unique style

In the past, Mazda has kept its soft-top and hard-top MX-5 models pretty similar in terms of styling, but the new RF offers something a little different.

When the roof is retracted, the rear buttresses remain in place, giving you added protection against the wind. (This is, incidentally, the reason why Mazda hasn’t called the roof a targa top.)

Better handling

The roof makes the RF 45kg heavier than its soft-top sibling, but Mazda’s suspension tweaks mean you’d never know.

In fact, both What Car? and Top Gear concluded that the RF is actually a smidge better than the soft-top model in terms of ride and handling.

‘Yes, the car is stiffer, but this manifests itself with a more planted stance rather than a ride that’ll jiggle that expensive new roof to pieces.’ – Ollie Kew, Top Gear

Some of the changes Mazda implemented to make up for the new weight were adding a thicker anti-roll bar, altered front damper settings and different rear spring and damper rates.

The result is a car that’s just as agile, spritely and fun to drive as ever.

Performance

The MX-5 RF has the same two petrol engine options as the soft-top – a 129bhp 1.5-litre engine or a 158bhp 2.0-litre version.

You might expect the extra weight from the roof would make the RF much slower than the soft-top, but it can still reach 0–62mph in 7.4 seconds, which is only a 0.1 second difference.

You can also choose from a six-speed manual transmission or automatic gearbox.

It’s finally time for the return of the Arnold Clark treat box, aka #ACTreatBox. What better way to treat your car than to win a box of car goodies to help you pamper it all year round? To enter, all you have to do is follow the Arnold Clark Twitter account and retweet our treat box posts. Simple, right?

Let’s see what you could win.

Ice plane and screen wash

An ice plane is an essential piece of kit for those cold mornings when you struggle out of bed to find your car encased in a block of ice. Use it to get the ice off your windshield and windows in one scrape. And with no sign of spring in sight, the roads are still coated in grit and dirt. Keeping your screen wash topped up is essential for safe driving in wintry, grimy conditions, so stow this in the boot and don’t set off without it!

Interior necessities

Everyone loves the welcoming smell of a clean car. What better way to keep your beloved runaround smelling beautiful than a Yankee Candle air freshener? (Fresh Cotton scented, to be exact). We’ve also included a handy extra drink holder to make sure you and your passengers always have somewhere to safely stash your warm drinks. And we’re throwing in an air vent car mount, too. Just attach it to your car vent, slot your phone onto it and go! Playing your favourite music en route has never been easier.

Goodies for cleaning

What better way to eradicate those ‘little mistakes’ than with a Scratch Wizard pen? If your car’s been scuffed, scraped or lightly scratched, use it to polish away the damage. We’ve also included a tyre depth gauge to help you keep a watchful eye on the tread depth of your tyres, and an alloy wheel brush to get winter grit out of your freshly washed car.

Arnold’s special goodies

It wouldn’t be an #ACTreatbox without some Arnold Clark goodies, so we’ve included an Arnold Clark travel mug – for wake-me-up teas and coffees. We also added an Arnold Clark trolley keyring – for quick after work shopping trips when you have no change. A notebook and an Arnold Clark pen are also in the box – for little bumps you’ll need to tell insurance about; or just penning random thoughts – it’s up to you. And of course our bright yellow Arnold Clark shades – an essential item for any wannabe fashionista!

This year’s big surprise

To top it all off, what better way to wave goodbye to the January blues than with £300 worth of savings? We’ve included some vouchers in our treat box to help you get the best possible deal on motoring essentials, from servicing to insurance.

So what are you waiting for? Your very own Arnold Clark treat box is waiting to be won. We’ll see you on Twitter very soon – and good luck!

Full treat box contents:

• Ice plane
• Screenwash
• Fresh Cotton Yankee Candle air freshener
• Handy holder
• Air vent phone holder
• Scratch Wizard pen
• Tyre depth gauge
• Alloy wheel brush
• Arnold Clark travel mug
• Arnold Clark trolley keyring
• Arnold Clark pen
• Notebook
• Arnold Clark sunglasses
• £300 worth of savings

Keep those winter blues away with SEAT’s Big Getaway event. Anyone who buys a new SEAT between 17th and 28th February inclusive will receive £250 of fuel.

Not only that, but if you book a test drive you’ll also get an extra £500 off all existing offers.

Claiming your free fuel is as easy as 1,2,3

1. Buy any new SEAT and Arnold Clark will give you a unique reference number.

2. Visit seatfreefuel.co.uk and enter your number. A card will then be posted out to you within 10 working days.

3. Once you receive your card, go back to seatfreefuel.co.uk and activate your card.

It really is that simple. So whether you want to enjoy the fun of an Ibiza, the practicality of the Ateca or great all-round performance of the Leon, you’ll be able to hit the ground running.

All you have to do is decide where your next adventure will take you!

_{Terms and Conditions Subject to availability. When ordered between 17th and 28th February 2017 and delivered by 30 June 2017. Retail only. For full Terms and Conditions visit: seatfreefuel.co.uk}

Arnold Clark’s new Motorstore branch in York opened its doors on Friday 17th February 2017.

250 cars on site

The branch holds 250 used cars on site, and has access to over 18,000 vehicles on the Arnold Clark database.

‘A fantastic selection’

Arnold Clark Franchise Manager, Gary Murphy, said:

‘We’re delighted to be bringing our successful Motorstore brand to a new city. Our customers can expect great value for money and excellent service at the new showroom, and of course, a fantastic selection of used cars.’

All of your motoring needs covered

At the new York Motorstore branch, there will also be Servicing and Parts departments, Car & Van Rental, valeting bays and bodyshop repairs.

On top of all that, the branch will also have private consultation booths, a waiting area with hot and cold refreshments, a kids’ play area and Wi-Fi access.

General Manager with over four years’ experience

Paul Darroch will be leading the team in York as General Manager. With four and a half years’ experience with Arnold Clark, Paul is looking forward to bringing his knowledge and expertise to the new branch.

York Motorstore joins UK network

This will be the 24th Arnold Clark Motorstore to open, with the first, Motherwell, opening in 2001. Arnold Clark’s Motorstore branches offer customers a wide range of used cars to choose from with competitive finance options available.

Get in touch today

York Motorstore

Great North Way

Nether Poppleton

YO26 6RB

It was another successful year for the Arnold Clark Jury’s Inn Snowman Rally, which took place near Inverness on Saturday 18th February.

Arnold Clark was proud to sponsor the event for another year, and to help out the organisers by allowing them to use its Inverness Peugeot branch as a base for scrutineering the cars the night before the rally.

_{Cars lined up ready to get checked at Inverness Peugeot.}

As has been customary for over 15 years, the cars started to arrive at Inverness Peugeot from 4pm the night before the rally. With almost 100 cars to check, the branch was kept open until 10pm, while the scrutineers carried out their vehicle checks.

_{Scrutineers at Inverness Peugeot.}

The branch also opened its doors on the morning of the rally, to accommodate any latecomers.

The pre-rally scrutineering attracts hundreds of spectators every year, and this year was no different. Local residents and motorsport fans lined the rear entrance to the workshop, taking advantage of the opportunity to get up close to the competing cars and to speak to the drivers and co-drivers ahead of the big day.

_{Spectators line up to watch the scrutineering at Inverness Peugeot.}

Inside the workshop, fans had the opportunity to see the scrutineering happen right in front of them, and to cheer on their favourite competitors.

Competitors appreciate the support

We caught up with Jock Armstrong and Paula Swinscoe, who came first place at the 2015 Snowman Rally, and fourth this year.

_{Jock Armstrong and Paula Swinscoe in their Subaru Impreza. Photo credit: www.lindsayphotosport.co.uk}

When asked what makes the Snowman special, Paula said, ‘It’s definitely the people, this is a very friendly part of the world to come to.’ They were also equally impressed with the condition of the course and the ‘fast-flowing stages’, with Contin being a firm favourite.

Steven Clark and Paul Brown, who came second in the Class 11 group, also echoed Jock and Paula’s enthusiasm for the spectators at the Snowman Rally. ‘The feeling is absolutely fantastic when you’re driving through and there are thousands of people watching,’ Paul commented. ‘Some people think spectators can ruin the sport, but I disagree - it’s what makes the rally.’

For Steven and Paul, the Snowman represents an element of risk, too. In fact, they went off course when leading a couple of years ago. ‘There’s always a chance of ice, but it doesn’t slow us down.’

David Bogie takes the title on the day

David Bogie, five-time Scottish champ and third-time Snowman star, drove his ŠKODA Fabia R5 to victory, with co-driver Kevin Rae. The pair enjoyed a comfortable 58-second win.

Speaking of his Snowman success, David said: ‘To start the season with a win is very encouraging, and to lead from the first stage right the way through was just fantastic.

‘The weather was quite mild this year, which makes a change from the past few times I’ve competed in the Snowman. It meant that the stages were in really good condition.

_{David Bogie's car being scrutineered the night before the rally.}

‘I chose to compete in the British Rally Championships this year, so I won’t be able to carry the points over, but it was great to get some practice in at the start of the season and it’s given me the confidence to get back out for the upcoming British rounds.’

In response to climate change and changing consumer choices, the automotive industry is predicting that the future of driving will be electric.

But as the world of electric car ownership is relatively new, it can all be a bit bewildering for buyers. Will driving an EV always make you feel like your phone battery is at 2%? Will your emissions stay low and your blood pressure go through the (sun)roof? And which electric cars are the best for families?

To answer these questions - and give you a bit of inspiration – we’ve chosen some of the best electric family cars of 2017.

Renault ZOE

The ZOE is an all-electric, nippy small hatchback, and one of the cheapest fully electric cars on the market. If your family has ever owned a Renault Clio, it might feel familiar, as it’s modelled on the design. The good news is that it’s a bit larger, with space for five passengers. New models also have an improved driving range of up to 250 miles, one of the best available, so there’s less anxiety about running out of battery on the motorway. You will need a driveway or garage to charge it as it runs off the mains, and you rent your battery separately (for around £89 a month). However, Renault will very kindly provide you with a home charging station for free, and in return for your pioneering, zero emission choice, you’ll get a family car that’s quiet, smooth and infinitely practical. And just imagine – you will never, ever have to spend money on petrol again.

BMW i3

If you’ve found £30,000 in spare change under the sofa cushions, you could do a lot worse than purchase the BMW i3. This hatchback may have a price tag that could give some a shock to the system, but it’s a great investment in quality. The all-electric version has a healthy range of 195 miles, making it capable of handling longer journeys, and boasts some futuristic features that’ll make your children boggle-eyed, including doors that hinge at the back, rather than the front, a dashboard with two colour touch screens and a zingy metallic blue paintwork option as standard. OK, so admittedly this car is more for you than your kids – but if the parents are happy, the kids are too, right?

The 109th Chicago Auto Show has just finished and as the best-attended motor show in North America, it was the perfect place for manufacturers to show off their latest models. There were around 40 exhibitors displaying more than 1,000 vehicles, with many making their debuts. As America likes everything bigger, it’s no surprise that there were plenty of SUVs on show. Here are some of the most exciting reveals from this year’s event.

Volkswagen Atlas Weekend Edition

The regular Atlas hasn’t arrived in US showrooms yet, but VW are already upping the ante with this new concept edition of their SUV. As the name suggests, it’s designed for a weekend getaway with all the accessories required for the adventurous driver. Kit includes a pop-up roof that expands to create 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space, along with 18-inch Prisma wheels, all-weather rubber mats, splashguards and wheel locks. There’s also a universal tablet mount, meaning passengers can stay connected even when exploring the great outdoors. Underneath the bonnet, there’s a powerful 3.6-litre VR-6 engine, which delivers 276 bhp.

Toyota RAV4 Adventure

The RAV4 is one of the best selling compact SUVs and the new adventure trim is perfect for those with an active driving lifestyle. There’s the option of a tow-pack as well as a higher ride height in the suspension system and a choice between front and 4-wheel drive. There are also a number of styling features to create the perfect look for the outdoor adventurer with 18-inch alloy wheels, lower body guards, a roof rack and blacked-out lights.

Vans might not be renowned for their stylish looks, but that’s all about to change with the latest Ford Transit Custom Trend Colour Edition and Sport Series.

The Trend Colour Edition uses four vibrant colour schemes that would put the A-Team to shame, with options for a contrasting roof, mirrors, side decals and skid plates.

Choose from Shadow Black with Race Red contrasts, or Deep Impact Blue, Race Red and Frozen White with Jet Black contrasts – kitted out with 17” dark alloys.

Or if that’s not eye catching enough, you could go for the muscular Transit/Tourneo Sport model. Due to a 52% rise in sales in 2016, the Sport is now available in six body styles with contrasting signature twin bonnet stripes. As well as giving them a super stylish design, Ford has made sure to include the familiar specs that make the Transit such an enduring workhorse. All Sport models are based on the 290 series Transit Custom, renowned for its agile, strong handling and comfortable ride. Meanwhile, both the Trend Colour Edition and Sport are powered by Ford’s new 2.0tdci 170ps EcoBlue engine, with a 6-speed manual gearbox on the Trend Colour Edition, and the choice of either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission on the Sport. Both models will go out for delivery from March onwards, and the Trend Colour Edition will be available in in limited numbers, making this a vehicle guaranteed to turn heads.

The only question remains - does this mean the end of White Van Man?

When it comes to owning a vehicle, the responsibility falls to the person whose name appears on the vehicle licence. Here are just a few important obligations you’ll need to fulfil as a vehicle owner.

Service

A car’s servicing requirements will vary, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, its age and the number of miles it has travelled. A new car may need a service after its first two years on the road or after its first 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. After its first service, the car must continue to be serviced every year.

MOT

An MOT is carried out annually, and tests for safety, emissions and other important aspects that could deem it non-roadworthy. The MOT is a legal requirement for a car that is three years old or older and is an annual requirement after this time.

Vehicle excise duty (VED)

No matter the age of your car, vehicle excise duty (more commonly known as road tax) is a legal requirement that must be paid for every six or twelve months. However, if a car is not in use and stored off a public road then the owner of the vehicle does not have to pay road tax on this, but must ensure they have a Statutory Off-road Notification (SORN). Despite some new cars being available free from road tax, the owner of this type of vehicle must still apply for road tax, despite no fee being paid.

Insurance

When you buy your new car, one of the first things that you should do is take out insurance. There are a number of different insurance policy types available, each varying in cost, but insurance is a legal requirement that every car owner must have. Like many responsibilities of car ownership, insurance must be paid for every year. There are three main types of insurance you can buy, and it’s important to know what’s covered with each one. These are third party, third party fire and theft, and fully comprehensive.

• Third party – This is the insurance option with the lowest level of cover. It only covers the cost of damage to third party vehicles or property – not to your car.

• Third party fire and theft – This offers the same level of cover as ordinary third party insurance, but you’ll also be covered if there’s any damage to your car as a result of fire or theft.

• Fully comprehensive – This will cover you for all of the above, plus any damage to your vehicle even if you were at fault. You may find that some insurance companies also cover you when driving other vehicles with this insurance type. However, your level of cover may drop to third party when driving another vehicle.

Whichever option you go for, remember to check your policy terms and conditions, as the details will be different for each insurance company.

Modifications

As a car owner you may take the decision to make changes to your car, such as engine modifications, paintwork and even suspension. However, if you choose to take this path and make changes to your car there a number of factors that you must consider before carrying out any work.

1. Does the car belong to you? When buying a car, despite you making the payments for the car, until that final payment is made the car may not belong to you, but in fact the finance company. Due to this changes and modifications may not be permitted.

2. Your vehicle’s V5 must be updated with any changes that are made to the vehicle, to ensure that anyone who buys the car in the future knows all they need to know about the car and any changes that have been made.

3. Have you informed your insurance provider of the changes? Any changes made to a vehicle, no matter how small or insignificant you may believe them to be, must be reported to your insurance provider as this could make your insurance invalid if you were to be involved in an accident.

4. Are the changes legal? In order to make your car stand out from the rest you may choose to make some significant changes, such as tinted windows or engine remapping. However, before carrying out this work you must ensure these changes are legal and meet DVLA standards.

Up-to-date information

A final aspect that you must consider when owning a vehicle is to ensure that your details are kept up to date and relevant throughout your driving life. Information may include your address, name, contact details and any changes in your health. All of this information is relevant to the DVLA and the information that is related to your vehicle. In addition to this, the driver of a vehicle is responsible for their own license and must ensure that it is kept up to date and is valid for them and the type of vehicle they will be driving.

In 1975, a legend was born. The Volkswagen Golf GTI would revolutionise the way we thought about the hatchback, taking the small, practical car and elevating it to become one of the most stylish, sporty and desirable models on the market. Today the GTI has sold two million vehicles worldwide, but what makes this hot hatch so special?

The beginning

The Golf GTI was unveiled to the public at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 1975 but it took a less-than-conventional route to production. It was the brainchild of former Volkswagen PR director Anton Konrad and engineer Alfons Löwenberg. While management were lukewarm to the idea of a ‘Sport Golf’, Löwenberg worked in secret on a test car and Konrad formed a team of seven specialists to make the dream a reality.

The idea was simple – take a family car, and add a performance engine and sports styling. It was to be a car that would retain the practicality of the Golf but was designed to attract a younger audience. After proving the concept could work, they were granted a run of just 5,000 cars.

At launch it was billed as the ‘fastest Volkswagen of all time’ with a top speed of 110 mph. It was made available for order in 1977 but didn’t arrive on UK roads until 1979. It debuted in a market dominated by the Ford Escort and Austin Allegro with the British driving public looking for something more reliable, more stylish, and above all – more fun to drive.

Golf GTI Mk I (1977–1984)

_{Image by Spanish Coches (1984 Volkswagen Golf GTI MKI) CC BY 2.0}

The right-hand-drive version finally arrived on the UK market in 1979 and within a year it sold more than 1,500 units. Its increasing popularity meant that figure would triple within the next two years. It was powered by a 1,588 cc, four-cylinder engine that generated 110 bhp, allowing this car to accelerate from 0–60 mph in an astonishing nine seconds.

It had an instantly iconic look inside and out: round buggy headlights; red-trimmed front grille; the golf-ball style gear grip; and those iconic tartan seats.

In total, more than 420,000 Golf GTI Mk Is were sold worldwide. Now, more than 40 years since its launch, the GTI has gained classic car status. Although many have rusted and ended up on the scrapheap, careful keepers have joined to form the MK1 Golf Owners Club.

Golf GTI Mk II (1984–1992)

_{Image by Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kingdom (Terenure, Co. Dublin - Ireland) CC BY 2.0}

Launched in 1984, many regard the Mk II as the pinnacle of the Golf GTI line. It had a new chassis, a more powerful engine (1,781 cc) and a top speed of 124 mph. It took all the elements people loved from the first iteration and refined and built upon them. The Mk II set the standard for cars in its class and ultimately outsold its predecessor in the UK, in the process becoming one of the definitive cars of the 1980s.

Golf GTI Mk III (1992–1998)

By the time the Mk III was launched in 1992, it was perhaps starting to show its age. Just like the drivers who embraced the car in the 80s, the Golf had increased in size and weight, and had lost some of the edge that made it so appealing in the first place. The aerodynamics were improved and a new 2.0-litre engine was added to the range, but that couldn’t make up for the extra 188 kilograms.

Other manufacturers had warmed up to the idea of the hot hatch and were able to provide the adrenaline rush that this Golf couldn’t match. Models including the Ford Escort RS Cosworth and Renault Clio Williams attracted car lovers in their droves.

Golf GTI Mk IV (1998–2004)

_{Image by Rudolf Stricker, CC 3.0}.

Often seen as more of an evolution than revolution, the power to weight ratio finally reached the magic number where it was actually slower than its predecessors – even the Mk I. However, it did see the launch of the first ever GTI diesel and in later models, a turbocharger gave the engine some more grunt. This ultimately brought the car back into line with the performance expected from the GTI, with turbos fitted on every engine since.

Golf GTI Mk V (2004–2009)

The Mk V is widely seen as a return to form. While it’s still a sophisticated car, the styling went back to the sporty routes, notably with the return of the tartan trim, and a red surround on the front grille. It was 15 mm lower than the standard Golf, with new springs as well as the addition of dampers and anti-roll bars. The 2.0-litre engine was more powerful, allowing the car to go from 0–60 mph in just 7.2 seconds with the special edition T-FSI engine taking that time down to just 6.8 seconds.

Golf GTI Mk VI (2009–2013)

Following the success of the Mark 5, the next model built on its good features rather than making any serious departure. It had a leaner-looking body and a (slightly) more powerful and efficient engine. A new traction control system distributed the power better and enhanced the handling. It was a solid if unremarkable GTI, but a step in the right direction.

Golf GTI Mk VII (2013–present)

There will be some who still long for the simplicity of the lightweight, high performance car created by some rebellious Germans, but it’s hard to argue with the all round spec, comfort and quality found in today’s GTI. It’s the accumulation of 40 years of knowledge and easily the best-looking Golf since the Mk II. The GTI Clubsport S edition is the most powerful Golf yet, and holds the record as the fastest front-drive car to lap the Nürburgring.

The Mark VII has everything you’d expect from a modern, practical family car –sat nav, safety features and infotainment system. But underneath the smart exterior, there’s still a rebel under the hood – a car that goes faster, handles better and revs higher.

A fantastic opportunity for school leavers

Arnold Clark will be recruiting 270 new apprentices this summer.

The apprenticeship programme offers anyone aged 16–19 years old the opportunity to learn skills and gain a recognised qualification in the motor industry.

The apprentices will receive both on-the-job training at an Arnold Clark branch, as well as attend a number of weeklong training blocks at one of Arnold Clark’s GTG Training centres.

Chance to progress

Many apprentices have the opportunity to move on to more senior roles after qualification, including senior technician, supervisory and management positions.

Danielle Hume, a 2016 graduate apprentice at Stirling Mazda, said: ‘I’ve had a passion for cars for as long as I can remember! When I was at school, we had an open day and an Arnold Clark representative came in and spoke to us about the apprenticeship, so I just applied as soon as I finished school. I’ve always wanted to work for a big company because I think the job security is better.’

Each apprentice is assigned a mentor who guides them through the 3-year training programme. Speaking of her mentor, Danielle said: ‘My mentor Paul MacKie sadly passed away last year. He was the best mentor, very skillful – he knew cars inside out. He let me make mistakes and helped me improve, he was such a brilliant person.’ The next step in her career sees Danielle hoping to become a qualified technician on a manufacturer specific level.

Creating new jobs in the UK

Suzanne Sherry, Apprentice Recruitment Manager at Arnold Clark said: ‘As Scotland’s largest privately owned company, this move demonstrates our continued commitment to the apprenticeship scheme and to creating new jobs for Scotland and the UK. We are very keen to introduce a younger workforce to the Arnold Clark family of already over 11,000 staff.’

Have you got what it takes?

If you have a keen interest in cars and have, or are currently studying for Standard Grades (1–4), National Grade (4/5) or GSCE (A–C) in Maths or English and either a science or technical subject and would like to earn while you learn, then an apprenticeship with Arnold Clark could be ideal for you.

For further information on careers at Arnold Clark, contact 0141 435 4490 or click the button below.

Arnold Clark’s Aberdeen Toyota branch was chosen by Toyota to service and deliver 10 Toyota Mirai (hydrogren fuel cell cars) to local businesses.

The move follows the UK government’s announcement of a £2m fleet funding support initiative in May last year, which encouraged more businesses to switch to hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The initiative will bring 20 hydrogen cars to UK roads this year, 10 of which were sent to our Aberdeen Toyota branch to be PDI’d, serviced and fitted with winter tyres before delivery to local business fleets. Some of them were then wrapped in custom livery before being delivered to their new owners.

The Scottish businesses that have decided to embrace hydrogen technology are the NHS, SEPA and Aberdeen City Council. This will make Aberdeen City Council the biggest users of hydrogen fuel in the world.

Aberdeen Toyota will now be a key branch for these early adopters, as it becomes just one of two UK centres with the facilities and trained staff to service the vehicles, with the other in Edgeware, London.

Andy Evans, pictured below (left), is one of only a handful of master technicians who have been trained to work on the Toyota Mirai.

_{Andy Evans, Toyota Master Technician and Scott Gibson, Aberdeen Toyota General Manager.}

Speaking about learning how to service these impressive vehicles, Andy said:

‘It was great to able to learn how to work with this new technology. The main difference in servicing these cars is that they don’t have any engine oil but otherwise they’re quite similar to ordinary cars, as they still use things like air filters and brake fluids.’

Scott Gibson, Aberdeen Toyota General Manager, added,

‘We’re extremely proud to have been picked to champion hydrogen fuel cell servicing in Scotland. Ultra-low emission vehicles are the future of motoring, and it’s great to be involved in this clean fuel initiative. Working with Toyota to train staff at the branch and prep the cars has been a real privilege, and we hope the NHS, SEPA and Aberdeen City Council are as excited as we are to get these fantastic cars on the road.’

Hydrogren infrastructure

Aberdeen has the most robust hydrogen infrastructure in the UK. Spearheading the ultra-low emission vehicle movement, the city was the first to open a hydrogen production and bus refuelling station back in 2015.

The station was opened to fuel the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project, Europe’s largest hydrogen bus fleet.

With its worldwide reputation in the energy industry and a clear Hydrogen Strategy (H2 Aberdeen), it’s easy to see why Aberdeen was picked to pioneer the UK Government’s hydrogen initiative.

_{One of the first UK Toyota Mirai customers, Theo Etrue-Ellis, talks about what it’s like to drive a Mirai.}

If your car loses power while driving, there are a number of potential causes. In order for a car to operate efficiently, it needs to regulate the correct flow of air, fuel and compression. Any compromise to this process could result in a significant loss of horsepower. While there is a wide range of problems that could impact your power, there are a number of common offenders that could be slowing down your journeys.

Clogged fuel filter

When you put your foot down on the accelerator and don’t get the reaction you expect, it could mean there’s a problem with the fuel system. The most likely issue is a clogged fuel filter. The purpose of the fuel filter is to ensure that dirt and debris stay out of the fuel system, so over time, it may need cleaned or replaced. When the fuel filter is clogged, the fuel pump has to work much harder, resulting in a far less efficient drive. This means you can’t get the power you need if you’re trying to accelerate when overtaking or going uphill.

While the fuel filter is the most common problem with the fuel system and is the easiest to fix, a lack of power could also point to issues with the fuel line or the fuel pump.

Fuel injector problems

If fuel injectors are either clogged or leaking, this can cause the car to struggle when trying to reach high revs. If there are fuel injector problems, these are likely to be accompanied by other problems, including issues with ignition, misfiring and even an increased smell of fuel around the car.

Air conditioning draining power

If your car is losing power in hot temperatures, it’s important to be aware that your air conditioning uses a portion of your engine’s power. So if you are going on a long journey on a particularly hot day, you might feel like your car just doesn’t have the pull you’d normally expect.

Engine warning light is on

If your engine warning light is on, this is a sign that there is a significant problem with your vehicle that requires the attention of a qualified mechanic. Many modern cars have engine control units that will automatically put the car into limp mode when a problem is detected, restricting power in order to ensure that driving is safe and accidents are avoided. If the light turns on with a false positive, this could also cause limp mode to be activated, even if there is no underlying issue. In any case, you should still get the vehicle inspected as this false positive could point to a problem with the electronics.

Turbocharger problems

Turbochargers are increasingly fitted to engines as standard. These work by increasing air pressure in the combustion chamber, allowing more fuel to be added to the mix so that more power is generated from the explosions in the cylinder. While turbos make engines more efficient, if anything goes wrong with them, the engine will lose power.

Problems could be as simple as dirt or debris entering the turbo and causing issues with the mechanism. Similarly, a simple hole or loose connection in the tubing will hugely impact on performance. Turbochargers also need oil to work effectively so ensure that oil and the oil filter are well maintained.

Overheated cooling system

The cooling system is designed to maintain the engine at a particular temperature. In very high external temperatures, an overloaded heating system would cause the cooling fan to start working harder, taking power away from the engine and reducing performance levels.

If the weather is cool and the engine is overheating, this points to a more serious problem. Always keep an eye on the engine temperature, as running with a hot engine is likely to cause serious permanent damage to a car.

Power loss from an overheated cooling system could also be experienced if the car is at high altitudes, where the air is thin.

Blocked catalytic converter

If you feel your car is accelerating more slowly than usual, it could be a sign of a clogged catalytic converter. Your car’s catalytic converter cuts down on harmful emissions by using catalysts to convert harmful pollutants into water and less harmful gases before releasing them via the exhaust. A clogged catalytic converter blocks gases, meaning that the engine cannot rev to its maximum capacity. If this is the case, take the car to a mechanic where the problem can be diagnosed.

Diesel particulate filter

For diesel cars, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) could also get blocked. The DPF is designed to remove diesel particulate matter or exhaust pollutant particles, however, like all filters, they have a finite capacity. If your DPF becomes clogged up, you may find that your vehicle switches to ‘limp-home mode’; this is mainly to prevent any further damage occurring to the engine and possible over-fuelling. When your car is in this mode, you should only drive the car for a few miles, we’d advise you take it to your nearest garage to be looked over.

Timing belt or chain problems

While timing belt or chain problems are relatively rare, if the belt/chain is not properly maintained, is incorrectly installed or does not have the correct tension, it can cause the engine valves to open and close at incorrect intervals. This will result in a loss of power, often accompanied by a rattling noise from the engine.

Backfiring exhaust

Backfires are caused by an incorrect fuel to air ratio. These small explosions result in a loss of power when accelerating and a loud pop or bang. In some cases, this may even be accompanied by a burst of flames. There are many causes for a backfiring exhaust, including problems with the fuel pump, leaks in the fuel tank or issues with the carburettor.

If you are experiencing any of these problems with your engine, your car should be inspected and assessed by a qualified mechanic in order to ensure that it’s safe to drive and prevent further damage from developing.