London is the fourth most congested city in Europe and one of four UK cities in the top 59, according to research by TomTom.

The satnav manufacturer’s findings are based on years of research tracking road speeds, with more than 1.8 trillion speed measurements to date.

Sheffield, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh also featured in the list, with the latter coming in fifth place.

The Belgian city of Brussels was deemed the worst for traffic, and Poland did not fare too well either, with two of its cities making up the rest of the top five.

A city’s traffic is defined as congested if drivers can only travel at 70 per cent or less of the posted speed limit, and only cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants were included.

Over winter, the UK’s longest cold snap for 30 years caused chaos on the roads, with a 50 mile queue building up on one road on January 6th.

Car dealers are expecting the recession to last another two years, it has been claimed.

According to a new research by accountancy firm Baker Tilly, some three-quarters of dealers fear the recession will be much more protracted than recent forecasts have shown.

A number of factors have been blamed for the bleak outlook, including the end of the government’s scrappage scheme, the return to a 17.5 per cent VAT rate and general scepticism in the sector over the rate of the upturn.

Janet Hamblin, a partner at Baker Tilly, told the Scotsman: "As smaller dealers focus on used car sales over the next two years, I hope additional disappointment isn’t generated by false expectations for the end of the recession."

"Scrappage has certainly helped but going forward it will be challenging for some dealerships," she added.

Peter Cooke, professor of automotive management at Buckingham University, recently claimed that dealers need to change their business models if they are to thrive during the impending upturn.

Used car dealers are increasingly turning to the internet for accurate valuations, it has been claimed.

According to the publishers behind Glass’s Guides, printed valuation booklets are still a common sight in showrooms, but most dealers are using the net to get the latest prices.

The firm said that 90 per cent of all dealers in the UK rely on Glass’s data and the shift to the internet could be a growing trend.

"Ease of use and accuracy are critical factors driving this shift to web-based used car valuation, especially now that VRM-powered valuations are more readily available," said Vik Barodia, director of the dealer sector at Glass’s.

"Growing numbers of businesses are looking to access valuations and vehicle data via the internet," Barodia added.

According to a recent article in the Times, when it comes to buying a used car, consumers should carry out a number of simple checks including running the engine and checking the exhaust for smoke.

Motorists appear to be gearing up for a summer sizzler as British Car Auctions (BCA) revealed that 400 convertibles were sold at a recent specialist auction.

It was a complete sell-out, with all models on offer snapped up by willing buyers, many for higher prices than anticipated.

Ranging in value from £4,000 to £50,000, the array of drop tops included an Aston Martin DB9 V12 Volante, and a Porsche 911 3.8 Carrera Sport, which sold for £36,500.

Hundreds of buyers flocked to Blackbushe Auction Centre, while many dealers also logged on to BCA’s online bidding service, in total £4.6 million worth of vehicles was sold.

Tim Naylor, PR manager at BCA, said: "This sale seemed to suggest a good level of optimism amongst the trade and private buyers."

Yahoo.co.uk recently compiled a list of the top five cheap convertibles for summer, labeling the Smart Fortwo Pulse Cabriolet as Britain’s most inexpensive cabriolet, at just £10,665.

Audi is set to unveil a stretched version of its saloon model at the Beijing Motor Show later this month (April 27th – May 2nd).

An extra 130 millimetres will be added to the body length of the revamped Audi A8 L, which is scheduled to be available for UK order in late July for the princely sum of £58,000.

In addition, it will feature a twelve cylinder W12 engine which means it can go hit a speed of 62mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Along with the boost in power, improvements have also been made to the car’s efficiency, with an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, allowing for smooth gear shifting and enhanced performance.

The extra space will accommodate wider rear passenger doors, while the new model will also include an upgraded climate control system and an integrated satnav.

Audi recently announced changes to its Q7 range, with the improved models available in June.

Warm weather can take its toll on cars, but the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has offered advice to drivers on how to look after theirs.

Peter Rodger, IAM chief examiner, said: "After a long winter of wear and tear through snow, salt and potholes – and now volcanic dust – your car will be in need of a little TLC. Being prepared for the summer and making checks now can save you a lot of money in the long run."

The motoring body suggested five helpful hints, starting with the advice to thoroughly clean the car as residual salt can corrode the bodywork.

With the UK pollen season starting season, a replacement pollen filter is described as "a vital investment," while servicing the air-con will also help along with improving the smell of the car.

Topping up the washer fluid was also on the list, as flies will soon become a problem for motorists, and old wipers blades should also be replaced as they can mark the windscreen.

The IAM is a charitable organisation which supports the raising of driving and riding standards and campaigns for increased on-road skills.

Volkswagen’s updated Phaeton model is to go on sale in August after being unveiled at the Beijing motor show, the company has announced.

The current version is already regarded as "one of the most advanced and thoroughly engineered cars on the road today", but the revamped model offers further improvements.

Boasting a new grille, updated front wings, a re-profiled bonnet and new alloy wheels, the Dresden-manufactured car has also seen improvements to its interior.

A new steering wheel and fresh trim finishes are also in evidence, while satellite navigation is included as standard and the car features 18-way adjustable electric seats.

For safety, there are a total of eight airbags in the Dresden-manufactured model, but prices and specifications are yet to be confirmed.

Volkswagen recently revealed its new-look Touran model at the Leipzig Motor Show. The new model, which is expected to go on sale in September, features a new engine and a reworked interior.

BMW’s first series-production electric-drive model will aim to create "new benchmarks" when it goes on sale in 2013.

The launch of its Megacity Vehicle was announced by Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, on Thursday (April 22nd).

Billed as "a zero-emission urban car for the world’s metropolitan regions", the Megacity will feature ultra-lightweight materials to optimise performance.

"With this innovative vehicle, designed from the ground up, we will be creating new benchmarks for electric mobility from 2013 on," said Mr Reithofer.

BMW has been conducting research into electric vehicles since mid-2009, when its Mini E models were involved in global field testing.

The German car manufacturer recently said it was on the lookout for 20 volunteers to lease out a Mini E as its trials continued, but participants had to live within a triangular geographical area between Andover, Oxford and West London and pay £330 per month for the lease.

Motorists on a tight budget can take advantage of some bargains left in the wake of the scrappage scheme.

Late 1990s cars are cropping up more frequently on the used car market, offering great deals to buyers looking to save money.

Independent motoring expert HonestJohn.com said: "Reports that late 1990s cars had all but disappeared due to the scrappage scheme seem to have been greatly exaggerated.

"You couldn’t move for late 1990s cars at the auction I went to on Monday and there were plenty of bargains to be had, which is great news for motorists who are on a tight budget but still want a decent set of wheels."

A Times Online article advised used car buyers to ensure they give any potential purchase a thorough examination before completing the deal.

Buyers should check the car inside and out, and definitely make sure to take it for a test drive as this can show up other potential problem areas.

Hybrid cars which can run on electric power or petrol should be the future of motoring, according to an expert.

Graham Smith, managing director of Toyota Motor Europe, made the claim during a speech at the International Automotive Committee yesterday (April 21st), reports TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk.

He suggested that plug-in hybrids will provide the perfect solution while the market awaits the arrival of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles.

While many other manufacturers continue to channel their efforts into producing fully electric cars, Toyota aims to provide a hybrid version of every model in its range within ten years, Mr Smith added.

The car manufacturer’s popular Prius model has sold well around the world, which appears to have strengthened the company’s resolve to focus on hybrid vehicles.

Recent figures from Clean Green Cars revealed Toyota’s range of cars were some of the most eco-friendly on the market.

Surpassing the target figure of 130g/km, set by the European Union, Toyota’s mean average across its model range was 124.55g/km.