New research proves the name Chelsea Tractor is more accurate than previous thought as this area of London has the highest proportion of 4×4s anywhere in the UK.

Over 2.5 million motorists were surveyed across the UK and showed although there are many 4×4s in rural areas of Scotland – the majority were found in leafy urban areas in London and the Home Counties, according to Diamond.

Chelsea is at the top of the list with motorists only driving on city roads for shopping trips or the school run, this area accounted for 17.8 percent of the number of 4×4s vehicles in the UK.

This was followed by Kensington, London with 17.4 percent and Banchory, Aberdeenshire, 17.0 percent, while areas in Kent and Surrey also featured several times on the top ten list.

“You’d expect farmers to be among the most likely to drive a 4×4 but the variety of other jobs in the list emphasises how popular 4×4s have become away from what they were originally deigned for,” said Elwyn Gedrych, Diamond managing director.

“Many people see them as a status symbol, and some people perceive them to be safer for passengers.”

Haulage contractors are most likely to own this type of vehicle followed by bank directors in second place and in third are farmers.  Property developers, stockbrokers and publicans also featured in the top ten occupations of those who own a 4×4.

The research also showed men were more likely than women to own a 4×4, with the most popular the Range Rover followed by the Land Rover Freelander and Honda CRV.

4×4 Car Parts

If you own a 4×4 and require spare car parts try looking online as most online stockists hold a variety of different parts available for motorists immediately.

Most Range Rover, Land Rover and Honda 4×4 parts are available online and often at good prices.

UK motorists were questioned about recent automotive issues in a new survey to gauge public opinion in this arena.

Motoring Matters’ monthly report analysed the frequency, tone sentimentality and consensus of posts made online by the public across a variety of news channel, car part message boards, and motoring forums.

November’s top five discussed or debated issues were:

1                     Rising vehicle labour costs

2                     Big Brother speed cameras due to launch in 2013

3                     Closure of the M4 bus lane

4                     Robowardens

5                     The big freeze causing transport chaos

The first and main point of concern was the rise in vehicle labour costs which have increased by about 5.81 percent in a year.

Franchised dealers charge £90.59 up from £87.19 last year, while independents stand at £55.90, up from £52.69 in 2009.

The new wave of speed cameras are set to hit the roads in 2013 – which will also monitor tax disks, insurance cover and if you are wearing a seat belt or tail-gating someone, along with speeding.

Around 80 percent of those questioned were against this new system claiming it would make Britain closer to becoming a Big Brother like state.

The closure of the M4 bus lane has sparked a mixed view, with some angry about the increased pollution it will cause while others are pleased with the reopening of the 3.5 mile stretch for all vehicles.

The news that traffic wardens will be equipped with new camera headsets and DVLA hand-held computers was also not well received.

The latest snow blast has made many question Britain’s ability to handle these situations when the 3,300 gritters failed to treat the roads in time.

Make Savings with Cheap Car Parts

The cost of motoring is becoming more expensive, so if your vehicle requires a replacement car part to cope with the harsh weather conditions try investigating online stockists who supply them at discounted prices.

Experts warn this winter could see Britain’s roads deteriorate making it likely motorists will have to shell out to pay for damaged car parts.

Showing the severity of the pothole situation in the country, road maintenance campaign website, Potholes.co.uk, has seen 100 percent increase in web traffic during last week’s snow fall – twice as many visitors compared to the same week last year.

Warranty Direct expects to see a sharp rise in claims for damaged axle and suspension parts in the coming weeks as a result of potholes.

The insurance company estimated British motorists paid £320million in total on repairs on everything from wheels, tyres and suspension failure caused by the bad condition of the roads last year.

“The roads are going to deteriorate incredibly quickly over the coming months,” said Duncan McClure Fisher of Warranty Direct.

“Given the severity and earlier than normal arrival of harsh wintry conditions, everything is pointing towards a miserable period for motorists.”

Potholes have become worse due to the water filling the cracks in the road surfaces and then freezing causing the gaps to expand, breaking open the road when the ice melts.

Government spending cuts will also mean the situation is not likely to get better soon.

Buy Cheap Car Parts Online

If your car has been damaged due to potholes in the road recently, try looking online for cheap car parts to replace them with.

Motorists can order any car part they require for their particular model car – all offered at varying prices on the web depending on how much the consumer is willing to spend.

New or second hand parts can be purchased in good condition, including spare tyres, wheel discs, suspension parts, to bigger items such as body panels, engine replacements and steering wheels, all of which can become damaged due to obstacles on the road.

British car lovers have admitted they will be buying a Christmas present for their car this year in addition to their family and friends.  Find out where to buy quality car parts at half the price.

Research has shown an astonishing one in 10 motorists buy their car a Christmas present every year, Manheim Auctions revealed.

A fluffy dice is one of the most popular gifts along with a new air freshener or interior car parts such as a set of feet mats.  While some drivers were shown to treat their car to a good clean or pay for a valet service.

“Some drivers are just mad about their cars and use Christmas as the time to spend a little bit of money on their motor,” said Craig Mailey, Manheim Auctions’ marketing director.

“If it means more people are taking care of their cars, ensuring they’re well looked after, it can’t be a bad thing.”

Car Parts Online

Research by First Direct has shown Christmas this year is set to be a struggle financially for many of the population, with a third of their customers admitting they will go into their overdraft in December to fund the presents they will buy.

Keeping costs to a minimum and saving where you can is important in the current economic climate, and even those extravagant motorists splashing out on their cars this Christmas can make savings on the parts they purchase by looking online for cheaper alternatives.

Most car parts such as tyres, wheels, engines, suspension, and body panels can be purchased at discounted prices online, but some online stockists also offer interior parts such as foot mats, seat covers and car carpet.

Additionally, the stockists tend to have a bigger supply of car parts for varying makes or model vehicles making it more likely you will find the part you require.

Brits are determined to drive across the country to visit family and friends over Christmas new research reveals, despite the bad weather.

The average family travels up to 207 miles over the festive period putting huge pressure on car parts, Saab GB showed.

Each journey will make five stops to drop off the average of 37 presents bought for family and friends, costing a total of £520.49.

Of those families moving about over Christmas, 85 percent refuse to travel on Christmas Day and instead, 36 percent will travel before Christmas Eve, and 18 percent will arrive on the 24^th.

The lead up to Christmas will see many take three long distance car journeys of 59 miles and a further two short 15 mile trips for the delivery of presents.

Those in Northern Ireland are expected to take the most trips this Christmas with 17 percent planning on more than eight, while those in East Anglia will travel the furthest with an average of 80 miles being driven.

Travelling Tips over Christmas

If you have a number of journeys planned in your car to deliver presents, it is important you check your car is in fit condition to handle the long and short distance driving.

Check your car tyres have more than 3mm depth of tread and have the right pressure, perform general maintenance checks on all lights to make sure all the bulbs are working, and that oil levels are topped up.

If you think there is a possibility of snow make sure you take adequate clothing, food and a shovel to help you if you get caught in a snow storm.

Also make sure you can see out of your back window and your vision is not obscured due to the car being packed with presents, and if anything is being transported on the roof take measures to ensure it is secure.

New research has shown that when car bumpers are not at the same height and an accident happens, huge damage can occur resulting in costly repairs.

When car bumpers do not line up with SUV bumpers due to the height difference, even low speed collisions cause more damage and higher repair costs, research from the US New Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test showed.

SUVs, pickup vans or minivans have bumpers which are often flimsier and higher off the ground than bumpers on cars, which is what causes the problems.

“SUVs and cars share the same road,” said Joe Nolan, the Institute’s chief administrative officer.

“The problem is they don’t share the same bumper rules, and consumers end up paying the price.”

Buy Car Bumper Parts Online

If your car bumper has any dents on it this could make a huge difference to its effectiveness if you were to get shunted from behind, or involved in an accident.

It is important to check all your car parts are in good condition so they can work to the best of their ability to reduce the impact the rest of the car feels.

This in the long run will save on more costly repairs, as changing a bumper is cheaper than having to replace the engine for example.

If you require replacement car parts try looking online for a good deal as many online stockists offer both new and second hand parts at cheap prices.

Different providers will have different parts suitable for different model cars so you may have to shop around for the best fit, however always check the condition of the part first before you buy it.

If your car has collided with an SUV and the damage is not just located around the bumper area you may also require other car parts, all of which can be found online.

Child Safety is being flouted by many British drivers as new research finds one in four are not applying with child-seat laws.

LV=Streetwise showed it was extended family and friends who were most likely to ignore the legislation.

The law states drivers must make sure children under 12 years old and shorter than 135cm (4’5’) use proper car parts, either a child seat or booster seat while travelling in a car.

These measures have reduced the risk of fatality by 71 percent, the Department for Transport Road Casualties in Great Britain showed.

“Many drivers are still confused about the law on child seats and restraint,” said Alison Shelton, LV=Streetwise spokesperson.

“The five minutes it could take to install a child seat and check that everyone is safely secured may make the difference between life and death.”

Over half of motorists admit to never using or not owning a child seat and a fifth said they do not use them on every journey with a young passenger.

The research shows, more than four years on following the new regulations 32 percent of drivers with children are unclear about the new law.

One in five admitted they were unaware a law even existed regarding child seats in cars and one in ten disregarded the seat as they do not think it is necessary or will not make a difference in an accident.

Car Safety Measures

Motorists are urged to comply with legislation on safe driving to ensure their lives and others are not put at risk.

There is an increased risk of serious injury to the driver or front seat passenger also if the backseat passenger is not properly strapped in and thrown forward.

Check your seat belts are working correctly and can be accessed by all passengers, if you have an old car where there are no seat belts in the back you can buy them at a reasonable price online.

The snowy conditions have caused a surge in breakdowns on Britain’s roads as call outs peaked at 2,500 in one hour on Monday morning.

The RAC figures show Wales, North-East England and the Midlands have experienced the most breakdowns with some rescue areas running twice their levels for a normal Monday morning.

Cars failing to start remains the biggest breakdown problem recorded as low temperatures put pressure on older motor vehicles.

Since the start of the bad weather the RAC states they have rescued more than 50,000 drivers and this figure is set to rise as the snow and cold snap show no sign of abating.

Driving in Hazardous Conditions

If you are setting out on the road in the winter weather, make sure you and your car are prepared for the bad weather. Tyres, engine oil and petrol should be checked often so you are not caught out in the middle of a storm.

Driving on salt gritted roads can also damage car parts such as body work which can become scratched, so too can windscreens and mirrors.

If this happens you can buy replacement parts online at good prices. Damage to windscreens can make driving more dangerous, affect your chances of passing an MOT and obstruct your view of the road.

Give yourself more time for each journey so you do not rush down slippery roads and make sure you scrape off all the snow and ice from the windows of your car before departing. Also ensure your car lights are clear from snow so other drivers can see you.

When driving try and stay in high gears to prevent revving, which may cause the car to slide – do not put the clutch down and coast either, you will lose control of the car by doing this.

Try not to brake too suddenly or forcefully as this could make the car skid or make a skid worse as the tyres are unable to grip the road as effectively.

Men cherish their cars more than their marriage and even their own children, new research claims.

A shocking new study by Turtle Wax has shown that one in ten male drivers love their car more than their wife or girlfriend and four percent like it more than their kids.

Men are however, not the only ones obsessed with their cars: five percent of women prefer their car to their other half, and even more surprising a quarter said they would save their car before their wardrobe.

A quarter of the men surveyed admitted their car was their most treasured possession and over half said they got jealous when a friend buys a more expensive car than them.

A similar number however think their dream car is out of their reach as it is too expensive to purchase and then maintain.

Children are banned from many cherished cars, the research claims, with a third of men saying they are terrified of the mess they will make.

The same number also admitted to escaping family life occasionally to sit in the motor and listen to music, without actually driving anywhere.

Car Maintenance Tips

If you take pride in your car and enjoy fixing and repairing any faults or worn out car parts try looking online for a good price on top quality spare parts.

Even though many in the survey said their dream car was out of their financial reach, a few adaptions to your current motor can make it look and feel as good as new again.

Interior car parts and upholstery can be purchased at an affordable price from online stockists to re-cover your car seats and even carpet, which can become worn over time.

Car body panel parts can also make an old car look younger and you can even replace your manual windows with electric ones for a small price.

A worrying number of British drivers fail to check their cars in between MoTs new research highlights.

The survey by Kwik Fit showed a fifth of drivers do not make important car part checks on their motors between annual MoTs, which means up to six million people could be completely unprepared for a breakdown.

A further 61 percent of motorists do not check their brakes, 75 percent their battery and 37 percent admitted to never having checked their lights in the last year.

The number who had not checked their tyres in the run up to winter was even more worrying as 33 percent admitted to not doing so making driving on wet, icy or snowy roads even more dangerous.

“Last winter was the most severe for many years, and lots of drivers were caught out,” said Ian Fraser, Kwik Fit’s chief executive.

“We saw too many stories of motorists stranded by the side of the road, or skidding into an accident.”

Breakdown Preparation Tips

Survival pack – Last year saw many motorists stranded at the side of roads unable to move due to heavy snow.  It is important to carry a few essentials to keep you going if this were to happen to you this year – a blanket, some food and a shovel are good basics to keep in your boot.

Carry a Phone – Whenever you leave the house to drive somewhere whether it is a short or long journey always carry a mobile phone on you so you can call for help if you were to breakdown.

Spare Tyres – While many motorists check their tyre pressure for the tyres on the car, a lot forget to do the same with the spare tyre which is not in use.  Make sure this is in good condition for when you may need it.