Daily Motor News – Friday 14 August 2026

Young drivers need scam awareness before they hit the road Allianz warns

As new research reveals one in ten (12%) 17–25-year-olds have already fallen victim to ghost broking, Allianz UK steps up to help parents educate the next generation of drivers on how to protect themselves. Read more

Aviva plc Half Year Results Announcement 2026

Amanda Blanc, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Aviva’s results in the first half of 2026 were very strong, with operating profit up 24% to £1.3bn. We have now achieved six consecutive years of excellent financial performance, with much more to come.” She continued, “We are making very good progress with the integration of Direct Line. We have quickly improved Direct Line’s profitability, grown price comparison website sales, and maintained excellent levels of customer service. We are well on track to deliver all the financial benefits of the acquisition.” Read more

AXA Insurance UK announces new partnerships to boost fleet management offering

Helping customers manage their risk exposures more effectively is a key priority for AXA Insurance UK, and commercial motor fleet is an area where identifying opportunities for developing risk management programmes and sharing best practice can have a significant impact. Read more

‘My bargain £600 car insurance deal cost me £26,000’

Teenage driver trying to beat sky-high prices was taken for a ride by ghost brokers who left him uninsured and, ultimately, without wheels. Read more

Which?: The UK towns with the most pothole claims – and how to get compensated

Potholes can buckle your wheels, snap suspension springs and puncture your tyres. New data from Tesco Insurance suggests you need to be especially wary if you drive in Peterborough, which topped the insurer’s list for pothole damage claims in the first five months of the year, followed by Tonbridge and Northampton. Read more

Carmaker optimistic despite slump in profits

Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is blaming the war in the Middle East and a slump in vehicle sales for a big drop in profits. The Coventry-based carmaker, which has factories across the West Midlands and around the UK, also said a fire at a major components supplier in Norway had meant profits fell to £66m in the first three months of the financial year, compared to £248m for the same period in 2025. Read more

VWFS launches Drive marketplace to connect car buyers with dealers

Volkswagen Financial Services UK has launched a consumer vehicle marketplace bringing thousands of approved used cars, leasing offers and finance products together on a single platform. Read more

WTW research warns of global vulnerabilities from concentrated lithium supply chains as critical mineral demand grows

Nearly half of the world’s identified lithium resources are concentrated in South America’s Lithium Triangle, making the region one of the most strategically important links in the global energy transition. Read more

Accelerant Enters into Definitive Agreement to be Acquired by Thoma Bravo

Accelerant, the data-driven risk exchange platform transforming the specialty insurance marketplace through the Accelerant Risk Exchange, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Thoma Bravo to become a privately held company in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of more than $4 billion. Read more

New training will strengthen solicitor competency, APIL says

Plans to bolster competency training for solicitors are crucial to ensuring injured people receive the best possible legal help, APIL has said. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is consulting on proposals to strengthen expertise requirements. Read more