Try our Tips for Parking Next to a Curb

Parking next to a curb is annoying, yet doable with Canvey Carriage Company’s tips for parking next to a curb that you just have to try out on your next trip to town.

Parking, It Can Be Annoyingly Complicated

If you’re looking for a competitively priced, top quality used car, that drives and more importantly in this case, parks, like a dream, Canvey Carriage Company has your back. A Canvey, Essex-based used vehicle broker, we’re sure to have the right car for you when you walk onto our lot.

A LOT of people moan about parking when they’re looking to buy the right used car. Once you’ve found the right vehicle for you, you need to know how to park it. Parking can be annoyingly complicated whatever the circumstances; however it’s never more annoying than when you have to park right up to be curb.

Canvey Carriage Company’s Guide to Parking Next to a Curb

In the heavily urbanised world in which we live, parking next to a curb is something you really can’t avoid, even if it’s just to pop into the local supermarket for five minutes. However, the precise nature if the task can make it tricky to pull off, so when you’re attempting to park next to a curb, make sure you are…

Checking Your Mirrors: Curb parking is precise, so before you do anything, check your mirrors to see how much space you have to work with. Keep on checking them as you park, to make sure you’ve not bashed yours, or someone else’s car.

Signalling: You need to signal whenever you drive into a curb parking spot, so that other drivers know what you are doing, and know to go around you. Safety first!

Slowing the Car Down: Don’t drive into a curb parking space at breakneck speeds; you could break your neck. Try covering (placing your foot on the pedals but not pressing) the brake and the clutch, so you can ease the car into place.

Using Reference Points: Work out how much space you have to work with, and use the curb itself, any lines on the road, and any other cars around you as reference points. This lets you know how much space you have, and gives you a benchmark to know whether you are parking right. I.e. if you are in line with the cars in front and behind you, and on the same lines on the road as they are, then you know you’ve probably got it right!

Use these tips, and you’ll be parking perfectly next to your local curb in no time. Well, as long as you practise, practise, practise!

UK Government Embraces Electric Cars

Canvey Carriage Company has learned this week that even Downing Street is embracing the green trend, as the UK government embraces green cars.

We Keep Up With Auto Trends at Canvey Carriage Company

Are you looking for a quality used car at a price you can actually afford? If you are, come on down to Canvey Carriage Company. A Canvey Island, Essex-based used car provider, Canvey Carriage Company has a diverse range of quality used cars, at prices that won’t break the bank!

Our position at the forefront of the used car trade, means we spot auto trends coming a mile off. We couldn't have failed to spot the green car trend that has taken over the drivers of Britain, as we embrace the need to live a greener life. Now, it looks as though Prime Minister David Cameron is getting on the bandwagon too!

Charging Points Coming to Downing Street!

Last week, the Telegraph featured an article which revealed that soon, the Prime Minister and his government could be travelling in electric cars. Why? Well apparently Downing Street is being fitted with charging points.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with the way electric cars work; they are fuelled by a battery that needs to be recharged. Hence, you need to charge the battery at a charging point, in a similar way you would fill up your car with petrol when you’ve run low on fuel, or charge your smartphone overnight.

Charging points have been popping up all over the country in recent years, and now the government is set to “lead by example,” by adding charging points to Downing Street. Specifically, these will be used to recharge the 150 electric cars that are to be added to the government fleet, as of this autumn.

Electric Cars for Everyone in Government!

This comes as part of a wider £5 million scheme to make government operations greener. The money will also be used to add further 135 electric cars that will be added to councils, police forces and the NHS. It will also be used to expand the existing network of charging points across the country.

Chief Secretary of the Treasury, Danny Alexander, commented on the move. Alexander suggested that the end game, is to make the government’s fleet 100% electric. He added that “there may be some specific tasks when that’s more difficult or where the vehicle technology isn’t ready yet.”

Get Your Electric Car from Canvey Carriage Company!

Can you believe even the government is hopping on board the green car craze? If you want to join them, come to Canvey Carriage Company, and choose from our fantastic range of used electric vehicles!

What Does Your Car Colour Say About You?

Like with a mood ring, your cars colour says something about you, and this week, Canvey Carriage Company shares just what your car colour says about you.

At Canvey Carriage Company, We’ve seen A LOT of People Worry about The Colour of Their Car

We’ve had a lot of customers over the years here at the Canvey Carriage Company. As a used car provider who offers you with top of the range, second hand vehicles at competitive prices, we’ve seen a LOT of people fret about the colour of their car.

You’d be really surprised what an agonising decision it turns out to be. The funny thing is, that often (according to some of the world’s premier ‘experts’), your cars colour really does say something about who you are; although often, it may to be what you think it is.

If You Really Care, This Is What Your Car Colour Says About You…

We’re not sure whether we really believe in all this hogwash, but we thought we’d give it a go, so here’s what your car colour says about you…

White: Apparently you’re fresh-faced, young yadda yadda yadda. Basically, white cars are supposedly owned by fresh university graduates scraping by on their first job, next…

Gray: You’re really dull, like, really, really dull, next…

Black: You’re trying to be posher than you are (think of all those celebs who roll around in a big black number!) next…

Silver: Often owned by people who actively try to fall flat on their faces, by taking ridiculous risks, next…

Red: You’re so crazy in love, you just have to show it, next…

Blue: You’re a really really positive person, which is why people can only take you in small doses, next…

Brown: See Gray, next…

Gold: Nobody will never ask you, ‘does this look good on me,’ ever again, next…

Green: You’re really into that whole chaining yourself to a chain-link fence thing, next…

Orange: You certainly don’t care what people think of you, after all, you bought an orange car…

The Used Car Provider of Many Colours

All joking aside, you really can express something about who you are as a person with the colour of your car, and as luck would have it, we have top notch used vehicles in an array of colours here for you at the Canvey Carriage Company.

Canvey Carriage Company’s Top Six Road Trip Anthems

We all love belting out a good tune to pass the time when we’re stuck on the road for hours, and here are our top seven road trip anthems of all time!

We Love a Good Tune, When We’re Flying down the Motorway

When you come to the Canvey Carriage Company for your used car, you get a first-rate, quality vehicle at the right price for your pocket book. With our competitive pricing, and the range of second hand vehicles we have to offer, you’re sure to walk away with the car of your dreams.

More often than not, once you've driven off the Canvey, lot you’re going to take your car on a road trip, at some point or another. Of course, road trips, tend to be long, and in Canvey Carriage’s opinion, you need some proper tunes to bop along to and pass the time when you’re cruising down the motorway!

Canvey Carriage Company’s Top Five Awesome Tunes!

We've been on a lot of road tips over the years, tried and tested our pop back catalogue to the nth degree, and in our expert(ish) opinion, these top six road trip anthems beat the others hands down!

500 Miles, The Proclaimers: Singing along to a song talking about walking 500 miles makes driving 500 miles somehow, a hell of a lot easier!

Holiday, Madonna: You’ve got time off work, you’re heading on a road trip for the trip of a lifetime, and you’re in a pretty good mood. What better song to pass the time with than the Material Girl’s endlessly upbeat ode to holidays, practically titled, ‘Holiday!’

Livin’ on a Prayer: ‘Ohhh we’re halfway there, Ohhhhhh, we’re livin’ on a prayer!!!’ We think we’ve made our case for this one!

Here I go again: An' here I go again on my own, Goin' down the only road I've ever known! For those who travel alot.

Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen: There’s nothing like getting out on the open motorway and blasting down the road at breakneck speeds to make you feel free, and ‘Born to Run’ captures that freedom better than any other record in pop history!

Highway to Hell: No Stop sign, speed limits, no body's gunna slow me down! Every drivers dream scenario.

It’s Official: Confusing Parking Signs are Costing Us Money

What Canvey Carriage Company have long suspected, was confirmed by a survey which revealed that one in five motorists had cars ticketed, clamped or towed, due to ‘confusing’ parking signs.

At Canvey Carriage Company Provides Used Cars You Can Actually Afford

If you want the right used car for your circumstances, you need to come to the Canvey Carriage Company. Based in Canvey, Essex, we supply first rate used cars, at prices you can actually afford.

As a used car provider we understand how important it is to motorists up and down the country, to keep the costs of driving down; money doesn’t grow on trees after all. That’s why when we heard this latest news, we just knew we had to let you know.

Yes, UK Parking Signs Are Confusing

A poll by car insurers Churchill, revealed that one in five UK motorists have had their vehicle ticketed, clamped or towed, due to ‘confusing’ parking signs. Furthermore, the survey revealed that some drivers admitted to trying to avoid areas altogether, where the signs are particularly prevalent.

Specifically, out of 2,001 people surveyed, four in ten said that they found parking signs in their area confusing, a third used that as justification for avoiding parking in their local town/city centre, more than a quarter claimed that areas surrounding their homes had multiple contrasting restrictions and a third suggested that they believed that signs in their areas don’t clearly indicate the specific area the parking signs refer to.

Yes, Confusing Parking Signs Are Costing Drivers Money

So OK, there’s a problem with parking signs. Is it costing UK drivers money? Yes! The poll further revealed that one in five motorists have received a parking fine in the last two years; a fifth of the country’s driving population!

Steve Barrett, Head of Churchill Car Insurance commented on the polls results, saying that “‘it’s the driver’s responsibility to check which parking restrictions are in operation in a particular area.” He went on to argue though that “when there are multiple restrictions in operation on a single street, it can result in motorists being confused and unintentionally parking illegally, incurring fines that could have been avoided.”

There we are, confusing parking signs really are costing drivers’ money and at Canvey Carriage Company, we suggest that if you want to avoid falling into the next statistic, you do your research! 

Canvey Carriage Company Is Excited: Tesla To Give Up Its Patents!

CEO Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will give away its patents in order to aid the development of the wider electric car industry. Why does this excite Canvey Carriage Company so much?

Canvey Carriage Company: First Rate Used Car Provider

Canvey Carriage Company is a first rate used car provider based in Canvey, Essex. We stock a wide variety of second hand cars at a price that won’t break your bank balance.

We really do get every type of car on the Canvey lot, and increasingly we’ve seen consumer interest in electric cars rise, as more and more people decide that they want to live a green lifestyle. That’s why this news excites us so much.

Tesla: Premier Electric Car Provider

Tesla is an electric car provider that primarily trades in the US. Despite the fact that Tesla vehicles, such as the Tesla S Model, are often released this side of the pond far later than they are stateside, people in the UK want Tesla cars.

That’s because they are arguably the most effective electric cars on the market. Take the S Model Sedan, often touted as the company’s most popular car, as an example. It has an impressive range of 265 miles per charge. However, even stateside it’ll cost you around $100,000 a pop, meaning only 35,000 units are set to be produced this year. It looks like Tesla want to widen their scope, driving down the cost of their vehicles to $35,000 a go.

Tesla Will Not Initiate Patent Lawsuits

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk spoke out on his decision to achieve this aim, and boost the wider electric car industry by releasing Tesla’s patents. Wired reported Musk saying: "Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal. Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology." 

Thanks to Elon Musk and Tesla, the sky’s now the limit for the electric car industry and that’s why we’re so excited. It means as people embrace the technology, we’ll end up seeing more electric cars on the Canvey lot, providing you with a greater range of cars to choose from; we always like to give our customers what they want!

UK Car Industry Enjoys Longest Growth Since 1959!

Believe it or not the British car industry has recently been undergoing its longest period of growth since 1959. At Canvey Carriage Company we’ve found that figures indicates this growth really shows us why people are buying cars right now.

As one of country’s top used car providers, Canvey Carriage Company has seen how many people struggled to buy cars at the height of the Recession; they didn’t have the money and lenders weren’t giving out loans so freely. These new figures show though that this really has changed, indicating a golden age for the drivers of Britain.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers

News sources including The Guardian have released figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which show that the number of used cars registered in this country rose 7.7%, last month, to hit 194,032. This means that over a million new cars have been registered in 2014 so far.

It’s a record. The strongest May increase in a decade, it in fact has smashed through records that were set in May 1959. Furthermore it continues the longest period of growth (27 months) in the new car market analysts have ever seen.

The Effects of the Economic Recovery

So why now? What is it about this climate that is spurring on such a rapid period of growth? Chief Executive at SMMT Mike Hawes commented on the trend, saying: "The new car market has now grown in every month since March 2012 – the longest period of growth on record and a reflection of the UK's ever-improving economic conditions."

Furthermore SMMT found that the economic recovery is facilitating cheaper finance deals, which are essential for giving you access to the direct capital you need to buy a new car. Growing consumer confidence spurred on by the recovery and PPI pay outs have also been given as reasons why people are buying cars now more than ever.

Canvey Carriage Company on What a Cheap Finance Package Can Do For You

Here at the Canvey Carriage Company we’ve seen first-hand how the cheaper finance packages made possible by the economic recovery are inspiring people to buy cars. They make it easier. That’s why if you’re thinking of getting your first car, but not sure if you’re able to afford it, these figures prove that now is the time, as cars literally haven’t been this cheap in years!

What Fatal Flaws are damaging the US Car Industry?

News sources such as the Independent have reported that a fatal flaw is driving the US Car industry backwards. On the Canvey Carriage Company blog this week, we ask what these fatal flaws are and what does it means for the current state of the international car market.

At the Canvey Carriage Company – the Canvey, Essex-based used car provider, known for the quality of the versatile service we offer, we provide you with used cars from all over the world, including the US, which is one of the most prolific makers on the planet. That is why we watch the market closely; to make sure any changes won’t affect the first rate service we strive to give you.

Millions of Vehicles Recalled by Ford and General Motors

So what are we dealing with here, how large is the scale of the problem over there? Well it seems it’s larger than you might think, as the Independent has reported that Ford recently announced the recall of 1.4 million vehicles. Furthermore General Motors (GM), its closest revival, has recalled an astonishing 15.8 vehicles so far this year.

The reason  that the US’ largest two car manufacturers are recalling cars is because people are finding that their vehicles have faulty ignitions, steering, brakes, disabled airbags etc. Specifically, for example, out of the 1.4 million vehicles recently recalled by Ford, 1.1 million Ford SUV’s were thought to be at risk of a loss of power steering, whilst 200,000 Ford Taurus Sedans, are thought to be prone to corrosion issues.

How dangerous are These Motors?

There’s a reason that these cars are being recalled and this reason is generally that they can be very dangerous and lead to road accidents that could even be fatal. Take GM for example. The fact they have recalled 15.8 vehicles in 2014 – 13.8 of them in the US alone, is astounding. The fact that they did so in part because of reports that faulty issues caused 13 road deaths, is even more striking.

Whilst at Canvey Carriage Company, we recognise that this is a problem mostly confined to our cousins across  the Atlantic, we realise that it could affect cars in Britain as well, which is why we would advise you to be really careful that you get a car fully check before you buy. 

Canvey Carriage Company Asks: Are Car Prices About to Go Up?

Reports that came out last week suggested that a future rise in interest rates may push up what you pay for a new car.  Is there any truth in this? Canvey Carriage Company Explores.

Canvey Carriage Company – The Cost Effective Used Car Service

We prioritise rock bottom prices here at the Canvey Carriage Company. A Canvey, Essex-based used car provider, we’ve built up a reputation as the showroom where you can bag a quality bargain for your latest used car.

The services of used car providers such as Canvey may be more in demand than ever, according to industry experts, as the wallet friendly prices currently trending in the national car industry may be set to disappear, as the national interest rate gets raised by the Bank of England.

Set to Hit Pre-2008 Levels of Economic Growth

For anyone who reads the money pages of their local rag, you’ll know we’re in the midst of an economic recovery. Accoridng to practically every financial expert around, our economy is stronger than it’s been since the recession, and we’re set to return to pre-2008 levels of growth by the summer.

This has been spurred on in no large part by the Bank of England setting their benchmark interest rate at 0.5% last year in a bid to spur British business growth. It clearly worked for the car industry, as UK car production jumped 12% in March alone and people are buying British cars in droves.

So Goes the Interest Rate, Goes the World

It seems like the bubble could burst a little now, though, as UK Hyundai CEO Tony Whitehorn has suggested that even small rises in the interest rate would impact the car industry, as it would restrict access to the funding people need from lenders to buy their car.

Reuters reported that Whitehorn said of the situation "I think it just has significant ramifications to confidence and directly into accessibility of funds to buy cars." Whitehorn has a point, as the interest rate will rise at some pint – it has to in order for the economy to keep on growing.

That is why used car services such as those supplied by Canvey Carriage Company are going to become more important than ever in the coming months – the interest rate can’t stay at 0.5% forever!

Canvey Carriage Company’s Top Five Road Safety Tips

If you want to make sure you stay safe on the road and get the most out of your used car for years to come, this blog post might just be the thing for you, as this week Canvey Carriage Company lists its top five road safety tips!

At Canvey Carriage Company, we’ve built a reputation as the Canvey Essex-based used car broker that you can count on for quality service. We’ve managed to do that, quite frankly, through the application of one very old fashioned principle. We care about our customers.

That care is why we provide the safest, most cost effective used cars you’ll find this side of the British Isles; it’s also why we provide you with an extensive MOT service that your wallet will love.  That’s why we want to make sure you play it safe on the road.

The Top Five Ways You Can Stay Safe on the Road

We’ve seen many a driver over the years, and a fair few of them have played it risky on the roads and paid the price. Our time in the business has given us the knowledge of how to stay safe on the road and here’s what we learned:

Don’t Be Tempted to Overtake: When you’re in a rush and you’re stuck behind a driver cruising at a snail’s pace, it’ll seem tempting to overtake them. Really tempting. Don’t. Did you know that hundreds of accidents are caused every year on the road because of overtaking? Maybe just beep them instead?

Keep Your Distance: It’s always a good idea to keep a healthy distance between you and the drivers in front and behind at all times on the road. Think of it this way, if you don’t and they come to a sudden stop, you’re screwed. Use your mirrors to keep your car at a healthy distance. 

Stick to the Speed Limit: We know you’re on a motorway and it’s so tempting to put your foot down, but you really shouldn’t. Did you know that 3,267 people were killed or seriously injured in speeding accidents in 2011 alone? Stick to the speed limit.

Be Aware of What’s Around You: Have you ever had to suddenly stop because a pedestrian has unwittingly walked into the road? Everyone has, and to drive safely you need to be aware of what’s going on around you. Don’t use mobiles while driving, check mirrors, ask your passengers to keep an eye out etc.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time: People who are in a rush tend to be careless on the road; carelessness tends to lead to accidents. Set off early when you’ve got to arrive at your destination by a specific time, so you can concentrate on the road. 

If you're in the market for a used car, visit Canvey Carriage Company.

Canvey Carriage Company on Toyota HQ move

At Canvey Carriage Company we have lots of Toyotas available, but news has come in today that Toyota plan to move their HQ from Southern California to Dallas, Texas.

After a rumours have been circulating for some time, Canvey Carriage Company can now report that the move will go ahead with an expected move in date to be around early 2017.

Toyota Prius available from Canvey Carriage Company

The Japanese car giant are relocating from Torrance, just outside of Los Angeles, and the move will bring

much of the manufactures operations under one roof. This includes Toyota’s sales, marketing, servicing, advertising and quality control. As well as this some manufacturing operations will be moved to Texas, which currently operates in Kentucky.

The move by Toyota will be staggered, and begin to take place at the end of 2016. Toyota set up in California in 1957, beginning in a shop at a former rambler dealership in Hollywood.

Torrance mayor has described the move as “sad news”. Adding that "Toyota has been an integral part of the city."

Toyota’s move means that all three major Japanese car manufactures, which account for a large proportion of the US auto market share, will have left the state where they first moved in the beginning of their US operations.

Nissan moved most of its operations from Gardena, California, to Franklin, Tennessee, outside Nashville in 2006. Just last year, Honda decided to move a number of executives from Torrance to Columbus, Ohio.

Speaking to employees, Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz said: "Currently, we’re operating as multiple affiliates in a connected-but-independent way. In other words, we still have silos, and that’s slowing our decision-making processes. Our goal is to become not a group of dedicated affiliates, but one company -- One Toyota."

Lentz added: "Many roles will transfer, unchanged, to the new locations. Some new roles will be created, while others may evolve to meet the changing needs of the new organization."

It’s a bold move for Toyota, but one that they must believe will benefit the company going forward.

Canvey Carriage Company discuss Apple CarPlay

Canvey Carriage Company were pleased to hear that Apple has confirmed that their upcoming iOS CarPlay dashboard won’t be limited solely to new cars. Japanese electronics company, Pioneer, who produce dashboard media receivers, have confirmed that they will begin supporting CarPlay this summer.

These receivers will be able to pick up CarPlay in the form of a firmware update to Pioneer’s existing line of NEX units. The receivers range in price from $700 (around £420) to $1,400 (around £840). The upcoming CarPlay support update was announced by Pioneer via press release, with Apple later confirming the news.

This new technology will allow drivers to control iPhone features such as media playback and navigation through Siri. Siri operates through voice commands. They will also be able to use a touchscreen function on their vehicle dashboard. Users must physically tether their iPhone 5, iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C to the units to activate the system. They must remain tethered throughout use. The technology will be able to predict potential journeys based on previous travel and will incorporate apps like Spotify to give users a broader range of services.

Before this announcement was made, rumours were flying around that Mercedes-Benz were looking into aftermarket solutions for CarPlay support. It has now been confirmed that CarPlay will be included in the production of all 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars, as well as the Ferrari FF and the Volvo XC90 SUV. Honda, Hyundai and Jaguar Land Rover are expected to follow suit soon too.

This is all great new for car stereo fitters. The new CarPlay system will have an incredible presence in the car stereo industry and will help to inject some life into what has, in recent years, been a flailing business. This would mark the return of an industry that Apple inadvertently stole with the dawn of the iPod.

Indian Car Sales on the Up

Canvey Carriage Company were today reading about a modest pickup in the number of car sales in India so far this year. After two years of decline, analysts have said they can see a very slight recovery coming in the aftermath of the country’s general election.

In the last financial year, car sales dropped by 5%. This fall came during a period that many are calling the worst period in India’s fledgling auto sector. It comes after a 7% fall in the previous year. However, car sales are expected to increase now that India’s annual economic growth is headed back to 7-8%.

Experts are saying that 2014 won’t be nearly as bad as 2013, but that’s largely because 2013 was a terrible year all round. However, much of the predicted recover depends on the outcome of the election. It is felt that a stable government can do wonders for the economy.

If you’re interested in a quality used car, contact Canvey Carriage Company for details of our full range. You can visit our website or call us on 01268 690015.

Canvey Carriage Company on Noiseless Motors

Canvey Carriage Company were pleased to read about new legislation this week that will make it mandatory for electric cars to make artificial engine noises. This is to aid blind and partially sighted people, to ensure they hear the cars coming, and was voted on in the European Parliament. They also decided that conventional petrol and diesel engines should make 25% less noise than they do currently.

Mandatory “acoustic vehicle alerting systems” (AVAS) will be install in all new electric and hybrid cars to protect vulnerable pedestrians and road users. Groups including Guide Dogs for the Blind have been lobbying for this system for a number of years, since electric and hybrid cars were introduced. All-electric cars, such as the Toyota Prius, currently emit very little sound when they’re in electric-only mode.

Liberal Democrat MEPs have successfully campaigned for the introduction of the AVAS to be a mandatory requirement; previous campaigns suggested a voluntary installation policy. Car manufacturers in the EU will now have five years to implement this change and comply with the ruling. The hope is that road accidents will be reduced, lowering injury and death rates.

It is generally agreed that quiet electric cars will become a common sight on our roads within the next few year, so it’s important to protect the interests of blind pedestrians, children and the elderly, who may be more vulnerable at the roadside. The AVAS will sound very similar to cars with regular combustible engines, which will allow all pedestrians to hear it and judge how safe it is to cross the road.

Conventional passenger cars will also be subject to change in the coming years since the European Parliament ruled to lower conventional passenger car noise by four decibels for cars, vans, buses and coaches, and three decibels for trucks. It is hoped that this will reduce noise nuisances caused by vehicles by around 25%.

Canvey Carriage Company on what the budget means for motorists

Following yesterday’s budget, Canvey Carriage Company decided to bring you a quick run though of what it means for motorists. There were a handful of small measure that will hopefully help Britain’s road users everywhere.

There will be a freeze on fuel duty until spring next year, meaning the rise that was planned for this September has now been abandoned. George Osborne outlined how this freeze would make petrol 20 pence per litre cheaper on average.

There were however, details of an increase in vehicle excise duty, in line with inflation. This means that from the 1st of April, any cars that fall into band D or higher will rise by £5 or more. Vehicle owners will be able to pay for their vehicle excise on a monthly, biannual or annual basis from October 2014. Remaining tax on a car being sold on will no longer be transferrable. 

Osborne also gave details on a £200 million fund for local authorities to repair potholes, which was welcomed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists. UK roads have been hit hard by bad weather over the last few years so every little helps in terms of repairs. The RAC on the other hand have stated that to simply patch up potholes perhaps isn’t enough. They suggested that whole stretches of road need to be resurfaced regularly. They said that patching up potholes is a false economy that leads to more damage to the cars of taxpayers on a year by year basis.

Exemption from car tax for classic cars will move to a 40-year rolling period as of April this year. Models such as the Austin Allegro and the Reliant Robin will qualify for tax exemption, potentially increasing their resale value.

These are largely positive steps for motorists across the country and we should begin to see their benefits in the coming months.

If you’re looking for a new used car, why not check out the Canvey Carriage Company website, where you’ll find our exquisite range of quality used cars. You can also follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook for more stories like this. 

Canvey Carriage Company on Eco-Friendly Cars

At Canvey Carriage Company we understand that fuel economy is an important topic. Potential buyers want to make sure they’re buying a car that will go easy on the bank balance throughout their relationship with it. Car firms are responding to this by producing ever-more fuel efficient cars. It is now common to see new cars returning more than 80 miles per gallon. Low CO2 emissions are also important, and if you purchase an eco-friendly car, you pay lower tax on it. The team at CanveyCarriage Company have compiled a guide to some of the most efficient and cheapest new cars money can buy.

Vauxhall Ampera/Chevrolet Volt - 27g/km

The Chevrolet and the Vauxhall combine an electric-drive and petrol-powered electricity generator for when the circa-40 mile range is exhausted, giving EV motoring without the range restrictions, and a staggering official combined economy figure of 235.4mpg. Pretty impressive!

Toyota Prius Plug-in - 49g/km

This is a regular Toyota Prius with the addition of batteries that can be charged from your mains electricity supply. Because they can store more electricity, they allow an all-electric range of up to 15 miles before the petrol engine kicks in. Thanks to this, the official combined consumption figure shoots up, to 134.5mpg.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid – 79g/km, 80.7mpg

The Yaris Hybrid is a combination of a 1.5 litre engine and electric motor drivetrain from the Prius and Auris with the lighter, more compact Yaris body. This lightness makes it even more fuel-efficient than it’s bigger siblings. It averages up to 81mpg and emitting just 79g/km CO2 - Toyota's lowest-ever figure. This car can travel for up to a mile on electric power alone.

Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 90 ECO – 83g/km, 88.3mpg

This car has a 1.5-litre diesel engine that’s capable of 88.3mpg and emits just 83g/km CO2. This is a stylish option for budget-conscious buyers. And when it comes to green credentials, it trumps the VW Polo BlueMotion and Ford Fiesta ECOnetic.

Hyundai i20 1.1 CRDi Blue – 84g/km, 88.3mpg

Hyundai have given their i20 supermini a facelift recently and these revisions include the new super-efficient diesel model, using the firm's excellent 1.1-litre three-cylinder engine. This car emits just 84g/km and averages an impressive 88.3mpg. Hyundai offer a great deal here with the greenest regular-engine road car, for one of the best-value prices on the road.

Canvey Carriage Company on the World's Fastest Cars

Today, Canvey Carriage Company decided to take a look at some of the fastest cars in the world. So hold onto your seats and enjoy the ride!

In 2010, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport reached 267.81 mph, driving straight into the Guinness World Record book. Thirty models were initially produced and five of those had their speed limiter removed to make this mammoth speed achievable. That being said, the standard models still reaches speeds of more than 250mph! Its 8.0-litre W16 engine has four turbochargers and produces 987bhp - 0-62mph takes just 2.5 seconds.

However, in February this year, the Hennessey Venom GT reached 270mph on a track of 3.22 miles. Also going from 0-60mph in just 2.5 seconds, it comes with has a 7.0 liter LS7 Turbocharged V8 Twin Turbo V8 Engine producing 1244 hp, with a price tag of $1,000,000 and up!

The record for world's fastest naturally aspirated road car is still held by McLaren F1, which set a speed of 240mph back in 1993. Unusually this hypercar has a central driver’s seat with passenger seats on either side. It uses a 6.1-litre V12 with 627bhp - quite a bit less than the Veyron, but it does weigh less than the Bugatti too.

As hypercar fans know, the 90s were the golden age. That’s when the top speed war was in full swing between the McLaren F1, the Ferrari F40 and the Porsche 959. Porsche was the first of the three to hold the record with an impressive 195mph. However, the F40 soon overtook it with an incredible attempt at 202.6mph. This was the first time a road car had broken the 200mph barrier.

Until the 90s, the Lamborghini Miura was the fastest road car in the world. Launched in 1966, it was able to reach speeds of over 170mph. Before that, both the Aston Martin DB4 and the Mercedes 300SL had held the record.

As technology improves, the record for world’s fastest car will always be under threat. While the Koenigsegg One:1, which was revealed at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, didn’t beat the Bugatti Veyron or the Hennessey Venom, it’s breaking records of its own. Even if it can't match the ultimate speed record, the One:1 is the world's most powerful road car with 1,322bhp - 22bhp beating the previous champion, the 1,300bhp SCC Ultimate Aero to the top spot.

Canvey Carriage Company on Popular Car Colours

Here at Canvey Carriage Company, we love all things car. This week, we decided to take a look at most popular car colours amongst drivers and why some are more favoured than others.

While they may be less easy to spot in the dark, heat up more quickly in the sun and call to mind taxis and hearses, black cars are eternally popular in the UK. However, silver and blue cars continue to outstrip their darker brothers. A recent survey showed that around 29% of cars on the roads are silver, while 23% are blue.

The same survey also suggested that red and green cars have become less popular in recent years and that there was little difference between the sexes  in terms of car colour, though women were slightly more inclined towards blue and green vehicles.

Black cars are apparently more popular in the North East, while silver is preferred in Northern Ireland.  Yorkshire and Humberside tend towards red, and the West Midlands go for white cars. There weren’t many orange cars but they were more likely to be owned by older drivers in the South East. The higher the social status the more likely the driver was to own a silver car.

Does Car Colour Matter?

Canvey Carriage Company understand that cars mean different things to different people. It is true that the colour of your car can indicate various things about your lifestyle.

Status: Some feel that black or white cars denote status whilst those with orange, yellow or purple cars are trying to be whacky.

Sale: When it comes to reselling the car there are still two clear contenders for most saleable colours – silver and black. Sellers of purple or beige cars may struggle. Various police forces switched to silver cars a few years ago to cash in on better resale values.

Spick and span: One of the attractions of silver is the feeling that it is by far the easiest to keep clean or indeed appear to be clean. Black and white cars tend to show up the dirt.

Safest: Lighter colours are felt to be the safest. Yellow, white and then red topped the poll for safety. In bad light some colours are easier to spot than others hence the importance of using your lights when visibility is poor.

Sanest: A motoring psychologist has suggested that owners of beige or pastel coloured cars are more likely to suffer from depression. The happiest drivers have blue metallic cars. Owners of black cars try to top the pecking order whilst white car owners tend to be distant and aloof. Other psychologists suggest that silver denotes prestige and wealth but has a feminine energy; it is related to the moon and the ebb and flow of the tides - it is fluid, emotional, sensitive and mysterious. It is soothing, calming and purifying.

Suits: Some people argue that a certain colour may suit a particular model of car such as a red Ferrari or British Racing Green older MG. Others accept that more quirky cars (2CVs, Beetles) can get away with more exotic colours.

Canvey Carriage Company on Toyota Recall

Canvey Carriage Company read today that Toyota is to recall of 1.9 million Prius hybrid cars due to a fault with speed control. Toyota, the world's biggest car maker said cars may suddenly slow down due to a problem with software. In some cases, they said, the car may even come to a full halt while being driven.

They also said, however, that the fault may simply activate the warning light and cause the car to enter “failsafe mode”. While the cars would still operate, they would do so at a reduced output. If the car was to stop, it would not do so suddenly, instead making a gradual slow before coming to a stop.

The issue centres around the boost converter in the Intelligent Power Module. The boost converter is required when for example you accelerate hard from a standstill. The problem was identified through Toyota’s stringent quality reporting system.

Toyota confirmed it had identified at least 400 faulty vehicles, three-quarters of those were discovered in Japan. The recall will now affect 30,790 Prius cars in the UK and 700,000 in the US. There have been no reports so far of any accidents or injuries relating to this issue, though it is a recurring problem.

All the vehicles that are affected by the software problem will be recalled for a system update. Registered owners will be contacted by Toyota over the next few weeks by post or telephone. They will be invited to take their car to their nearest Toyota garage where a full update will be carried out.

Toyota and other Japanese car firms have suffered a series of high profile recalls in recent years, which has undermined their reputation for quality control. In the US a recall has also been issued on 260,000 2012 RAV4s, Tacomas and Lexus RX 350s over an unconnected potential braking issue. They have also recently announced an end to production in Australia. Read more on that here.

Canvey Carriage Company

Welcome to the new Canvey Carriage Company Blog!

This is the Canvey Carriage Company blog, where we will share the latest trends and stories in the world of motoring.

At Canvey Carriage Company we specialise in used cars and have a huge range of makes and models to suit your budget and lifestyle. We will offer tips and tricks for buying a used car.

We aim to update this blog at least once a week and in the meantime would love to hear from you in the comments box below, or via Twitter.