Daily Motor News – Thursday 02 April 2026 

 “With so many drivers set to hit the road this Easter, it’s worrying to see that many are still skipping basic safety checks before setting off. Simple steps like checking your tyre pressure, oil, coolant level and lights only take a few minutes, but they could make all the difference to having a safe journey.” Ian Edwards, young driver expert at Veygo. Read more

Motability drivers ‘horrified’ by compulsory black-box trackers 

Motability drivers under the age of 30 say they are “horrified” by rule changes that mean their vehicles will be fitted with compulsory black boxes. The boxes will monitor driving habits, such as speed and braking, and will provide a weekly rating. Read more

Catch up with: Niamh Brady, Senior Customer Claims Manager, Covea 

When a private client suffers a loss, the claims experience matters. According to Niamh Brady, Senior Customer Claims Manager, it starts with recognising the impact on the customer. Read more

Rejected claims expose behavioural risk in motor insurance 

Motor insurance claim rejections are being driven less by technicalities and more by driver behaviour – with direct implications for underwriting, advice, and client outcomes. 

Data from the Insurance Data System (IDS) and findings from the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) show that driver conduct, vehicle condition, and compliance with legal requirements directly influence both accident outcomes and claim decisions. Read more

Thousands of drivers ‘could break law before leaving home’ this Easter 

Thousands of drivers could be breaking the law before they even pull off the drive this Easter, according to research from Veygo by Admiral. A third of drivers say they will be driving somewhere this weekend, but 43% won’t check their tyre pressure, and 57% will skip tyre tread checks. Read more

Lloyds sticks to £2bn provision for motor finance compensation 

Lloyds Banking Group is sticking to a £1.95 billion provision to compensate customers mis-sold a car finance loan, having reviewed changes to the financial watchdog’s compensation scheme. Read more

The new GB self-driving pilot scheme and Automated Passenger Service Pilot guidance: What Transport Operators and Authorities Need to Know 

The UK is entering a pivotal phase in the commercial deployment of selfdriving technology on roads without a safety driver. The Government has published new guidance for operators, local authorities and first responders applicable to England, Wales and Scotland on the SelfDriving Vehicle Pilot Scheme and the new Automated Passenger Service (APS) permitting regime. Transport operators and public authorities now have a defined legal pathway in particular for introducing automated passenger services ahead of the full implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (the AV Act).  Read more

Guest Column: Marek Vanzura PhD on Chinese robotaxi performance 

Have you ever wondered how Chinese autonomous vehicles actually perform? With Baidu coming to London this year, to start a robotaxi service in cooperation with Uber and Lyft, this question is urgent. Considering the general lack of transparency, it is not an easy question to answer, but let’s try. Read more

UK repairers prepare for SERMI roll-out 

The UK automotive repair sector is preparing for a significant change as SERMI (Security-Related Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Information) went live from 1 April 2026. Read more

LKQ introduces filler-less plastic repair solution 

LKQ UK and Ireland has launched a new filler-less plastic repair process in partnership with Plastrepair, helping bodyshops expand their repair capabilities while reducing waste and improving efficiency. Read more

Europcar supports Camden’s switch to electric fleet 

Europcar Mobility Group UK has partnered with the London Borough of Camden to support its journey to net zero, supplying a flexible electric van solution aligned with the council’s Climate Action Plan 2026–2030. Read more

JLR cyber-attack highlights industry’s growing well-being concerns 

Rachel, CEO of automotive industry charity Ben, has called on the sector to take a more proactive approach to workforce wellbeing following the disruption caused by last year’s cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Read more