Daily Motor News – Tuesday 13 May 2025 

“There is a risk now that this progress will be reversed if automotive trade negotiations result in a roll back of safety standards. We believe that it is extremely important not to confuse well-established global regulations with alleged ‘unfair’ trade practices. Unfortunately, this is now happening.” Read more

Quarterly motor claims hit record high 

Motor insurers paid out £3.2 billion in car insurance claims during the first quarter of the year,the highest quarterly payout since records began in 2013, according to the latest data from the ABI. Read more

New guidance from BIBA seeks a clearer approach to disclosure 

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has launched some cross industry guidance that will reduce misunderstandings over what should have been disclosed when cover was taken out and which in some cases will cause a claim to be repudiated or reduced. Read more

Allianz turns to Spotify for new campaign that encourages safer driving 

Allianz has  launched a new data-driven initiative on Spotify that encourages motorists to drive more safely – simply by changing the beat of their music. ‘Seat Belters’ is a free in-app experience  for Spotify users that creates a personalised playlist  featuring  songs that have lower beats per minute (BPM). Read more

Gen Z drivers more likely to have their car stolen than boomers 

With almost one in 12 (7%) of UK drivers having their car stolen in the last five years, it is revealed that Gen Z are the generation most at risk – with 17– to 24-year olds’ cars being stolen 36 times more than over 55s’ cars (18% versus 0.5%) Read more

Rideshare car covers scam – it may be costing consumers and insurers millions 

Australia: Insurance Business is investigating taxi and rideshare clubs in Victoria allegedly selling substandard motor covers to 100s of drivers. These incorporated associations sell coverages without the Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) legally required by insurance firms. Some sources say this costs consumers and insurers millions of dollars each year and likely contributes to steeply rising motor premiums. Read more

Lithium-ion battery related fires grew by 17% in one year 

New Zealand: Fire incidents involving lithium-ion batteries have surged in New Zealand by 17% in the last one year according to data published by AMI Insurance. Read more

Standards for pedestrian protection could be at risk 

Road safety should not be compromised as a result of automotive trade negotiations. Ahead of the International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit of transport minsters next week in Germany, the road safety community has written to Dr. Juan Carlos Muñoz, who holds the current presidency, with a call to action on levelling up vehicle safety standards. Global NCAP is proud to be a signatory. Read more

Missed recalls worryingly on the rise in the UK 

The UK is facing a rising trend of missed vehicle recalls, as the latest data reveals that more than 3.2 million cars are on the road with faults that have not yet been rectified – and some of them are potentially unsafe. Read more

The secret genius of modern life 

Britain’s 2,300 miles of motorway are the backbone of the country, and without them, it’d probably all grind to a halt. Hannah takes a drive to the National Highways control centre for the UK’s busiest motorway to meet the team that keep these super-roads running 24/7. And she discovers how a mathematician with a passion for wild swimming, a Formula One legend and a 1960s road-sign revolution created the modern motorway. Read more

Brits go topless as convertible searches on Auto Trader are up by over 34% 

The sun has finally returned, and Brits are finding every opportunity to soak up the Spring heatwave. Brand new data from Auto Trader has revealed that convertible season is back, with searches for convertible cars soaring over 34% during the recent spell of warm weather. Read more

Recycled plastics in cars: why we need an effective, well thought-out ELV regulation 

Most of us never think about what happens to our cars after their final journey, long after the last technical inspection, after the engine dies, after the keys are handed in. And yet, as Europe moves towards a circular economy, what happens to those vehicles, and the plastics inside them, matters more than ever, writes Silvia Vecchione, ACEA Senior Environmental Policy Manager. Read more

Government consultation on mandating solar canopies for car parks 

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks. Read more

Nova Automotive Group has announced its third and newest site in Cambridge is officially open. 

Steven Williams has started a new role as Interim Partnerships Director at Cavefish AI. 

Michael Routley has started a new position as Motor Forensic Collison Investigator at GBB (UK) Ltd 

Charles Pugh (Glass) Ltd has announced the opening of its state-of-the-art glass distribution centre at Trafford Park in Manchester. 

Vanessa Carr has joined Kennedys as Client Relationship Manager. 

The team from S&G Response have completed their epic bike ride – 585km in four days with elevation up to 10,000m – in support of the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust. To show support visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/nick-stone-4