Direct Line magazine

electric car charging
Motor

Electric vehicle jargon explained

If you’re thinking about buying an electric car, some of the technical terms can be difficult to understand. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to switch to an electric car, so here’s our jargon buster to help you out.
a woman with electric car
Motor

What you need to know before you buy an electric car

Thinking of switching to an electric car? Our handy guide will help you make your mind up.
a father secures his son in a car seat
Motor

Child car seats and the law

Child seats are a safety requirement for newborns and children up to their 12th birthday, or those of a certain height. Knowing the car seat rules - and which products meet them - is vital to keeping kids safe and protected during car journeys.

A thief attempts to break into a car.
Motor

Top tips to prevent car theft

Car theft is on the increase, and criminals are getting smarter. Here’s how to protect your car from thieves.
an MOT sign at a garage
Motor

Car MOT checks

Getting bad news from the garage about a failed MOT can be frustrating. While the MOT rules in the UK can seem complicated, the most common causes of MOT failure are pretty straightforward - and can easily be fixed. Avoid these common MOT failures with our handy checklist.
a couple test drive a car
Motor

How to test drive a car

Buying a new car? Test driving a car is a valuable opportunity to suss out if it's for you... if you know what you're looking for. Read our top tips on what to find out when you're taking a car for a test drive.
a car drives through the autumn leaves
Motor

Prepare your car for autumn

From heavy rainfall causing floods on the road, to mulch piling up under trees causing cars to slip and slide, autumn presents unique hazards. Minimise the risks and stay safe with our tips.
inspecting the damage after a road accident
Motor

What to do if you have an accident

In the moments after a crash, it can be difficult to know what actions to take and what information to collect. Check out this step-by-step guide on what you need to do if you have a car accident.
Car keys on the ground
Motor

What should you do if you lose your car keys?

Losing your car keys is not only annoying, but gives you security concerns. But you do have options if you're stuck without keys, so don't panic. Find out what to do with our top tips.
A couple share a drink on their sofa.
Motor

Drink Driving: the day after the night before

Been out partying? Or just enjoyed a bottle of wine in front of the TV? You can still be over the limit the next day and it may be too dangerous to drive. If caught, you'll face the same convictions as you would if you were driving at night.
the open road
Motor

How to prepare your car for a road trip

Planning a long journey on the road? From local laws to testing tyres, we've put together the top five tips to ensure both you and your car are ready.
a yellow car with "for sale" written on the windscreen
Motor

Six of the best ways to increase the value of your car

To make your second-hand cars stand out, it pays to prepare your vehicle to make it as appealing as possible. Read our tips to increase the resale value of your car.
an electric car is plugged in to a charge point
Motor

Electric car insurance

Whether you're thinking of buying an electric car, or you already own one, here's what you need to know about electric car insurance.
A young driver and two passengers
Motor

Young drivers’ car insurance: what you need to know

You've passed your test, and you're ready to hit the road. But if you're a young driver, your car insurance could end up costing more than your first car. Here's what you can do to get yourself a good deal.
An SOS phone on the side of a motorway.
Motor

What to do when your car breaks down on the motorway

With cars travelling at high speeds, breaking down on a motorway is a dangerous situation to be in. That's why it's really important you follow advice designed to keep you and your passengers safe.
Congestion charge road sign
Motor

The Congestion Charge

If you're planning on driving in the UK's capital, it's important you find out about the Congestion Charge. Applying to weekdays, paying the fee allows you to enter, drive within and exit the Congestion Charging Zone as many times as you wish on a day.
a crowd of people surround a car at auction
Motor

How to buy a car at auction

You could save money when buying a car at auction, but you need to be prepared to take some risks. We've put together leading advice on bidding, buying and winning cars at auctions.
a woman gets angry behind the wheel of her car
Motor

How to deal with road rage

Aggressive behaviour on the road is on the rise. Here's how to deal with it if you feel the red mist descending, or if someone is directing their anger towards you.