Q1) How can I plan to park legally and safely in an area I don’t know?
Q2) I have received a parking ticket. What should I do?
Q3) Are tickets issued for parking on private land enforceable in the courts?
Q4) Is it illegal to clamp or remove vehicles parked on private land in England and Wales?
Q6) Are there any further plans to regulate enforcement by private parking companies?
Q7) Are scammers using fake QR codes in car parks?
Q8) How can I find out about the London Congestion Charge?
Q9) How many filling stations are there in the UK?
Q10) What is the percentage of petrol and diesel sold by supermarkets?
Q11) How many drivers in the UK live within 3 miles of supermarket fuel?
Q12) How can I find out where the cheapest petrol is in my area?
Q13) What should I do if I put the wrong fuel in my vehicle?
Q14) Is the amount of petrol and diesel being stolen from garage forecourts rising?
Q15) What do I need to do when driving abroad?
Q16) How can I plan my route most effectively?
Q17) What is the DVLA code needed to hire a motor vehicle?
Q18) How can I get cheaper car insurance?
Q19) Is the government taking any action to try and reduce the cost of car insurance?
Q21) What are fraudulent insurance policies and how can I avoid buying one?
Q22) What is the The Motor Insurance Database and how can I check if my vehicle is registered on it?
Q23) If I am involved in an accident, how can I check if the other party is insured?
Q24) What should I do if I have a vehicle accident?
Q25) What is a “crash for cash” scam and what should I do if I am targeted?
Q26) Are there any new "crash for cash" scams involving mopeds that I should be aware of?
Q27) Are moped scammers stealing people’s personal details?
Q30) Why do insurance premiums in the UK tend to be higher than in the rest of Europe?
Q31) How many motor vehicles were stolen in England and Wales in 2025?
Q32) What is keyless car theft and how can I stop my keyless car being stolen?
Q33) What should I do if my vehicle is stolen?
Q35) What points should I consider when buying or selling a car?
Q36) Where can I obtain a detailed breakdown of a car's MOT history and its mileage?
Q37) How can I get a free reminder advising when my vehicle’s next MOT is due?
Q38) How can I check if a vehicle is taxed?
Q39) What should I do if my vehicle is cloned?
Q40) Are more penalty charge notices (PCNs) being cancelled because of car cloning?
Q42) Should I have my car regularly serviced and how can I find a good mechanic?
Q43) What should I do if I have a problem with a car repair?
Q44) What do I do if I disagree with my vehicle’s MOT result?
Q45) What is the UK Safety Recalls Scheme and what should I do if I receive a safety recall letter?
Q46) How can I claim compensation if I hit a pothole and damage my car?
Q47) Are any subsidies available to me if I buy a new, low emission car?
Q48) What subsidies are available to me if I buy a new, low emission van?
Q49) What subsidies are available to me if I buy a new, low emission taxi?
Q50) What subsidies are available to me if I buy a new, low emission motorcycle?
Q51) Are there any subsidies available to buy other vehicles?
Q55) Are there any grants available for the installation of workplace electric vehicle chargepoints?
Q56) How many sockets in workplace car parks have been funded by the Workplace Charging Scheme?
Q1) How can I plan to park legally and safely in an area I don’t know?
A1) Many local authorities and public venues have parking guides on their website. Before travelling, type ‘parking’ and the name of the place you are visiting into a search engine such as Google. Here is a typical example from Manchester City Council.
There are guides to parking signs commonly found on-street in the Highway Code
Q2) I have received a parking ticket. What should I do?
A2) ‘Which?’ has a very useful page on its website giving information about what to do if you get a parking ticket on-street or in a local authority car park.
There is advice about what to do if you receive a ticket in a car park operated by a private company such as those in shopping centres and at railway stations in the “How to appeal a parking ticket” section of the Know Your Parking Rights website.
Never ignore a parking ticket. If your informal appeal to a local authority is refused, remember you can appeal to independent adjudicators. Who you appeal to depends on where you live. London Tribunals covers London; the Traffic Penalty Tribunal covers the rest of England and Wales; the Northern Ireland Traffic Penalty Tribunal covers Northern Ireland; and Scotland is covered by the Parking and Bus Lane Tribunal for Scotland.
If your appeal against a ticket issued on private land is rejected by the operator, you may take your appeal to the following appropriate bodies:-
- Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) This is an adjudication service for motorists seeking redress where a Parking Charge Notice has been issued by a member of the British Parking Association. (From 1 May 2019, POPLA has also been able to consider appeals against Parking Charge Notices issued in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
- The Independent Appeals Service (IAS) administered by the International Parking Community (IPC). This is an adjudication service for motorists seeking redress where a Parking Charge Notice has been issued by a parking operator who is a member of the IPC’s Accredited Operator Scheme.
Q3) Are tickets issued for parking on private land enforceable in the courts?
A3) A legal opinion for the RAC Foundation by John de Waal QC, a barrister at Hardwicke, argues that tickets issued for parking on private property are likely to be unenforceable by the courts as the charges imposed on drivers are out of all proportion to the losses suffered by landowners as a result of motorists’ actions.
However, on 23 April 2015 three judges at the Court of Appeal dismissed a case brought by a driver against a private parking firm brought on the basis that the £85 charge levied against him after he overstayed at a carpark was disproportionate and hence unlawful.
In their ruling the Judges unanimously decided that the charge was “not extravagant.”
The case was taken to the Supreme Court for final decision and heard on 21 July 2015. The appeal was dismissed on the grounds that whilst penalty charges should not be excessive, this charge was “neither extravagant nor unconscionable… taking into account use of this particular car park and clear wording of the notices”.
The ruling gave no guidance as to what an excessive charge might be.
Q4) Is it illegal to clamp or remove vehicles parked on private land in England and Wales?
A4) Yes. Since 1 October 2012 it has been illegal in England or Wales to clamp or remove vehicles parked on private land. The change came about because of a provision in the Protection of Freedoms Act which became law earlier in 2012.
There are some exceptions. The legislation does allow those with “lawful authority” to continue to clamp and remove vehicles parked on private land. Those with such authority will include the police. Local by-laws might also allow clamping to take place in some port, airport and railway station car parks. DVLA and VOSA will also continue to clamp or tow away vehicles which are un-roadworthy or have not had their vehicle tax paid.
Q5) Were any other changes introduced when the ban on clamping or removing vehicles parked on private land in England and Wales came into effect?
A5) Yes. The Department for Transport strengthened laws around ticketing in private car parks, so unpaid charges can be claimed not only from the driver but also from the keeper of the vehicle if the driver cannot be identified.
The Government also agreed that an Independent Appeals Service funded by the British Parking Association (BPA) would be established from 1 October 2012 – see question 2 above.
Q6) Are there any further plans to regulate enforcement by private parking companies?
A6) Yes. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 – introduced to Parliament by Sir Greg Knight MP – allows for a stringent new Code of Practice to be developed by the Secretary of State in conjunction with motorists groups and other experts. The Code is designed to end inconsistent practices and unfair treatment of motorists by a few rogue private parking operators.
In February 2022, the previous government issued a code of practice in accordance with this legislation, but it was withdrawn in June 2022 due to legal challenge. Matters raised included concerns that the Code incorporated lower caps than the industry caps on parking charges at the time and banned debt recovery fees. Challengers argued these points were not properly consulted on and that an impact assessment should have been carried out. At this point, the previous government withdrew that version of the Code (the Withdrawn Code) with a view to developing a fuller picture of the impact of the policy. This led to a Call for Evidence in 2023 asking for information about a variety of parking charge and debt recovery fee levels. The information gathered through this Call for Evidence has been helpful in developing the proposals within this consultation.
In October 2024, the 2 accredited trade associations for the industry, the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community, adopted many standards from the Withdrawn Code and published a single industry code of practice (Industry Code). The stated objective of this was to ensure key elements of the Withdrawn Code were implemented as soon as possible. However, the Industry Code did not adopt all the standards from the Withdrawn Code. It does not include a transparent and independent compliance framework, which is vital to restore trust in the industry and ensure poor behaviour is addressed. It also restricts the circumstances under which motorists can appeal parking charges and have the charges cancelled or refunded. Their code can be seen here.
In July 2025, the government started a consultation on a new Private Parking Code of Practice. The strengthened Code aims to create a fairer, more transparent private parking system, to better support drivers in vulnerable or stressful situations, such as attending hospital appointments and contains proposals which will ensure fair treatment for motorists and introduce common-sense standards across the industry, including clear signage and mandatory grace periods. These measures will help prevent charges caused by issues like payment machine errors, accidental typos, or poor mobile signal.
The consultation also seeks views on:-
- Appropriate caps for parking charges and debt recovery fees
- Improvements to second-stage appeals
- Requirements for operators to share data with government to inform future updates to the Code
The consultation ran until 5 September 2025 and is available here.
Q7) Are scammers using fake QR codes in car parks?
A7) Yes. Criminals are catching out unsuspecting drivers by placing fake QR codes on council-owned parking machines, The false codes are leading people to enter their card details into fraudulent websites where, instead of paying for their parking, the driver actually shares their payment details and information with the scammers.
The safest course of action when paying for parking at a council-owned car park is to avoid using QR codes altogether. If you are in any doubt, steer well clear and only pay with cash, card or via an official app downloaded from your smartphone’s app store. This advice should also be applied to any mode of transport where you can pay via a QR code, including electric vehicle charge points and private car parks.
If you decide to use the QR code, you should follow these steps:
- Check to see if it has been stuck onto the parking payment machine. Tell-tale signs are the code looking too big or if it partially obscures official information underneath
- Make sure the payment website’s URL is secure and is the official site for the company you want to pay. Look out for a padlock symbol and an address that begins with https://
- If you’re concerned you’ve used a false code, check your bank statement and banking app for any suspicious transactions and tell your bank
- Don’t disclose information if someone calls claiming to be from your bank – call them back using a phone number from their official website
Q8) How can I find out about the London Congestion Charge?
A8) Full details can be found in the congestion charge section of the Transport for London website here.
Q9) How many filling stations are there in the UK?
A9) The number of filling stations in the UK has reduced from over 30,000 in 1973 to 8,337 forecourts at the end of 2024, a decrease of 17 sites compared to the end of 2023.
The majority of forecourt sites are owned by dealers, with a total of 5,594 sites. They are followed by hypermarket owned sites (1,496) and company owned sites (1,247).
The fall in the number of filling stations is a result of strong competition between fuel retailers and the increasing costs of compliance with environmental regulation which favoured large service stations with lower overheads per litre sold. This meant that many smaller filling stations were economically unviable.
However, closure rates have tapered off in recent years and the long-term trend of declining numbers of forecourts in the UK appears to have stabilised and numbers have remained relatively stable over the past ten years.
Source: Fuels Industry UK: Fuel Statistics 2025
Q10) What is the percentage of petrol and diesel sold by supermarkets?
A10) In 2024, 42 per cent of petrol and 23 per cent of diesel was sold by supermarkets. (Note: This data includes sales by Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Tesco only).
Source: Energy Trends: UK oil and oil products – Biofuel sales and sales through supermarkets (ET 3.5 – quarterly)
Q11) How many drivers in the UK live within 3 miles of supermarket fuel?
A11) Almost four fifths (78 per cent) of households with a car or van now have a big four supermarket filling station on their doorstep.
Analysis by the RAC Foundation in 2019 shows that of the 19.6 million homes in the UK that have access to a car or van 15.2 million are situated within three miles (as the crow flies) of at least one Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda or Morrisons fuel forecourt.
When the net is widened to five miles that figure rises to 17.3 million (88 per cent).
At ten miles it jumps to 19 million (97 per cent).
| Car or van owning households | ||||
| Total | Within 3 miles of supermarket fuel | Within 5 miles of supermarket fuel | Within 10 miles of superm’t fuel | |
| England | 16.4 m | 13 m
(79 per cent) |
14.8 m
(90 per cent) |
16.2 m
(99 per cent ) |
| NI | 544,000 | 285,000
(52 per cent) |
346,000
(64 per cent) |
461,000
(85 per cent) |
| Scotland | 1.65 m | 1.19 m
(72 per cent) |
1.35 m
(82 per cent) |
1.49 m
(90 per cent) |
| Wales | 1 m | 692,000
(69 per cent) |
808,000
(81 per cent) |
937,000
(94 per cent) |
| UK | 19.6 m | 15.2 m
(78 per cent) |
17.3 m
(88 per cent) |
19 m
(97 per cent) |
(Note: The analysis does not include Tesco Express Esso forecourts.)
Q12) How can I find out where the cheapest petrol is in my area?
A12) In February 2026, the government introduced the Fuel Finder Scheme designed to enable motorists to compare the cost of fuel offered by all petrol stations across the UK and so enable them to shop around for the best price.
Garages and fuel stations must now report their prices to third-party apps and websites within 30 minutes of any change in price.
There is no specific government app to direct motorists to the cheapest forecourt or garage. Instead, this open source data will be used by established apps and websites that already map out and compare pump prices across the UK.
Current comparison apps and websites include the My RAC app and PetrolPrices.com, as well as in-car navigation systems and online map services.
Q13) What should I do if I put the wrong fuel in my vehicle?
A13) Every year around 150,000 drivers put the wrong fuel in their car. Driving your car after filling up with the wrong fuel can cause catastrophic damage to your engine – as much as £5,000 in the worst case.
If you do put the wrong fuel in your vehicle, do NOT start the engine or turn on the ignition – this can circulate the contaminated fuel around your vehicle’s fuel system and increase the risk of potential damage. Instead, seek assistance at the earliest opportunity.
The RAC offers a service that drains the vehicle’s tank and entire fuel system of contaminated fuel. It flushes the system through with clean fuel and supplies an amount of fuel to get the vehicle mobile. Details of this service are available here.
Q14) Is the amount of petrol and diesel being stolen from garage forecourts rising?
A14) Yes. Official figures suggest the number of drive-off fuel thefts has increased by almost a half (49 per cent) over the past year.
Forecourt owners attempted to trace offenders over 66,378 incidents between February and April 2025, according to data obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the RAC Foundation and the PA news agency. That is up from 44,631 during the same period last year.
The figures relate to the number of requests made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for vehicle keeper data in relation to fuel theft.
Most of the incidents are likely to relate to drive-offs – also known as bilking – where someone fills up their vehicle with no intention of paying, and then leaves.
A recent investigation by trade publication Forecourt Trader also found £6.6 million of fuel was stolen in these incidents in the five years to the end of 2024. This is based on data provided by 33 UK police forces in response to FOI requests.
Full details can be seen here.
Q15) What do I need to do when driving abroad?
A15) If you intend driving when visiting or moving to another country, it is important that you understand what is required of you, what you need to do before you go and what you should take with you.
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the guidance issued by the government on what UK drivers now need to do to drive when visiting the EU can be viewed here.
Helpful advice on driving abroad can also be obtained on the RAC’s website here. Country-specific travel advice can be found here.
Q16) How can I plan my route most effectively?
A16) Use the RAC Route Planner to plan journeys in the UK, across Europe and the USA.
Q17) What is the DVLA code needed to hire a motor vehicle?
A17) When collecting a vehicle from a hire company, some companies may only ask to see your photocard licence or your pre-1998 paper licence. Others, however, will want to check whether you have any penalty points on your licence and they may ask for a code so that they can check your licence online or for a printout of your licence details.
To obtain a code or a printout go to View Driving Licence and follow the instructions.
Q18) How can I get cheaper car insurance?
A18) Shop around as premium rates will vary between insurers. Use comparison websites, insurers’ own websites or a BIBA registered insurance broker – especially if you have a specialist need – to help secure you a deal. You can also contact your current insurer too to see if they can reduce the cost.
Additionally,
- If purchasing a car think about the insurance costs, as smaller lower-powered cars may be cheaper to insure. This is especially important for young, newly-qualified drivers.
- Renew early – Research suggests that premiums are likely to be at their lowest 20-26 days before your renewal is due. This alone could save you a considerable amount of money.
- Investigate whether a telematics based – black box – insurance policy might help reduce your premium as this reduces the risk to the insurer.
- Fit an approved immobiliser, as this can often earn you a discount on the premium.
- Consider opting for a higher voluntary excess (the first part of each claim that you pay yourself), as the higher the excess, the lower the premium.
- Drive fewer miles – reduced mileage equates to a greater saving
- Combine policies – consider one provider for multiple insurance policies, such as multi-car or car and home insurance, as some offer discounts.
- Electoral roll – being on the electoral role can be part of the ID check to reduce fraud, lowering the risk to the insurer.
There is also some helpful advice on how to get cheaper insurance on the Which? Money website that can be viewed here.
Q19) Is the government taking any action to try and reduce the cost of car insurance?
A19) Yes. The government announced in October 2024 that a new cross-government motor insurance taskforce, supported by industry experts, would be launched by the Transport Secretary and Economic Secretary to the Treasury to help drive down the high costs of car insurance. The taskforce will seek to root out the factors that increase costs for car insurance industry and will agree solutions to keep costs under control.
The taskforce comes as motor insurance premiums have grown by an average of 21 per cent since June 2022, according to Financial Conduct Authority analysis – far higher than in comparable economies such as Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
Further details may be viewed here.
Q20) Does attending a National Driver Offending Retraining Scheme (NDORS) course (such as a Speed Awareness Course) affect my insurance?
A20) A frequently asked question from people being offered and attending courses is whether or not an NDORS course offer and attendance should be notified to their insurers.
The response that is carried on the NDORS website states that legal advice is that attendance on an NDORS course is not a conviction, nor should it be treated as a conviction, unlike a fixed penalty. So, unless the question regarding NDORS course attendance and completion is specifically asked at the time of taking out the policy, or at any other time during the lifetime of the policy, there is no obligation whatsoever on a driver who has completed an NDORS course to disclose this to their insurers. However, as always, the detail is in the small print.
NDORS Data is not shared with insurance companies and they have no access to it.
The information that is published on the NDORS website regarding this matter can be viewed here and the full advice should be read carefully in connection with any queries relating to this matter .
Q21) What are fraudulent insurance policies and how can I avoid buying one?
A21) Fraudulent motor insurance policies are sold by illegal insurance advisers, commonly known as ghost brokers. They are sold in two ways:-
- Genuine policies are bought from legitimate insurance companies using false information and then doctored before being sold on to customers
- Fake policy documents bearing the logo of legitimate insurance companies are created and sold on to customers
Customers often only find that their policies are fraudulent if:
- they are stopped by the police for driving uninsured
- they go to make a claim from their insurer
To avoid being sold a fraudulent policy, beware insurance policies sold via social networking websites, pubs, clubs and bars, newsagents and motor repair shops.
You should also:-
- Check the seller has a legitimate website, a UK phone number and address
- If buying through a broker, check they are registered with British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA)
- If buying directly through an insurer, check they are a member of Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB)
- Check your insurance advisor is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority
If you suspect you have bought a fraudulent insurance policy, check if your policy (with the correct details) is listed on the Motor Insurers’ Bureau’s Motor Insurance Database, which records the policy details of all vehicles insured in the UK. If your vehicle is not listed on the database your policy is not legitimate.
For more information, see the Insurance Fraud Bureau and Association of British Insurers advice on this matter.
Q22) What is the The Motor Insurance Database and how can I check if my vehicle is registered on it?
A22) The Motor Insurance Database (MID) is the only central record of all insured vehicles in the UK. It is used by the police and DVLA to enforce motor insurance laws.
You can check that your own vehicle is correctly recorded on the MID by going to www.askMID.
Q23) If I am involved in an accident, how can I check if the other party is insured?
A23) If you have been recently involved in a road traffic accident and wish to check if someone else’s vehicle involved in that accident is insured, you can confirm the insurance details of the other party involved using the askMID service. This service will provide you with a policy number and the name and contact details of the other party’s insurer.
Further details are available here.
Should you be involved in an accident with a driver who is not insured or who leaves the scene of the accident, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) may be able to help. The MIB operates a central fund to provide a means of compensating the victims of road accidents by negligent uninsured and untraced drivers where compensation cannot be claimed from another source such as an insurance company.
Q24) What should I do if I have a vehicle accident?
A24) It is normal to be shaken after an accident but try to remain calm and focus on the situation. It can also help to ease the situation if you know exactly what steps to take immediately after the event.
- Stop your vehicle in a safe location, ideally away from traffic. Turn off your engine and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries and call for medical help if needed.
- Get out of your vehicle carefully and check the scene. If someone is hurt, or there are vehicles blocking the road, call the police and an ambulance. (NOTE: You do not need to report a collision to the police if you have exchanged details, nobody was injured and there are no allegations of driving offences. However, you must report the collision to the police as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours if you were unable to exchange details at the scene, if anyone was injured or if you suspect that the other person may have committed a driving offence or caused the collision deliberately).
- Exchange details with the other driver. Take details from other drivers involved in the accident, including their name, address, telephone number, insurance details and car registration number. Make sure you do not apologise or admit fault as this verbal statement could be used against you when making a compensation claim and ultimately invalidate your claim.
- Collect statements from any witnesses. If there were any bystanders who saw the accident, be sure to collect their full details, including their name, contact information and a brief account of what they saw.
- Document the scene. Take plenty of pictures of the scene of the accident, particularly of the damage to any vehicles, but also of the positioning of the vehicles. Consider sketching the scene to accurately depict vehicle positions and other details and keep detailed notes about the time, location, weather and road quality (such as road markings, whether it was wet or muddy, repair of the road surface etc) and any other relevant information. You can also check for CCTV or surveillance cameras nearby.
- If your vehicle has a dashcam, make sure to save and back up the footage as soon as possible. This can provide crucial evidence of how the accident happened. Additionally, check if any other vehicles involved or nearby had dashcams recording at the time. If possible, ask the drivers if they are willing to share the footage.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, even if it is a minor incident. This applies even if you do not want to make a claim on your policy. You still need to notify your insurer about the accident.
Q25) What is a “crash for cash” scam and what should I do if I am targeted?
A25) “Crash for cash” scams are run by fraudsters who manufacture collisions, sometimes with innocent road users, hoping to profit from fraudulent insurance claims.
There are three types of “crash for cash” scams:-
- The staged accident: fraudsters crash their own vehicles together or mimic damage from a genuine crash.
- The induced accident: the fraudsters targets an innocent motorist to become the ‘at fault driver’, for example by deliberately slamming on the breaks of their car to ensure the car behind crashed into them.
- The ghost accident’: fraudsters submit completely fabricated claims for accidents which never actually took place.
If you think you have been targeted:-
- Note as much information as you can about the event, the driver, any passengers and the circumstances
- Take photos of the incident, if you are able and it is safe to do so
- Call the Police and report your suspicions
- Call the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s Cheatline on 0800 422 0421
Further information about these scams can be viewed on the Insurance Fraud Bureau website and the Association of British Insurers website.
Q26) Are there any new "crash for cash" scams involving mopeds that I should be aware of?
A26) Yes. Road users should be aware of 2 new types of scams involving mopeds that are currently taking place.
Crash for cash moped scams have been on the rise since 2021. They are common across London and recently there have been growing reports of them in the Home Counties, including in Chelmsford in Essex, Hertford, Rickmansworth and St Albans in Hertfordshire. “Clip for Cash” scams have been particularly prevalent in the Uxbridge area recently. While anyone can be affected, victims are more often women who are driving alone or with their children and there have been recent reports of elderly people being targeted.
The first scam involves mopeds being deliberately driven at on-coming traffic. Unlike traditional “crash for cash” scams where fraudsters slam on their car’s brakes so the victim behind cannot stop in time, this con involves mopeds being driven at on-coming cars. The scammer hides out of sight in a side road or parking space and then drives into the victim as they head towards them. The scammer then usually throws their moped to the ground and drops to the floor to act out an injury, before taking photos of the incident.
Full details may be viewed here.
The second scam, dubbed “clip for cash”, involves scammers accusing innocent drivers of clipping their wing mirror before demanding cash up front.
A “clip for cash” nearly always takes place on a residential road. As the victim drives by, the fraudster is parked in a car on the left hand side and throws an object, such as a large rock, at the side of the victim’s car to make an impact sound. The startled driver is soon flashed by the fraudster’s car to get them to stop before being accused of clipping their wing mirror (which was already damaged). The fraudster usually demands the victim hands over cash instantly.
Full details may be viewed here.
If you do witness or are involved in a collision with a moped and suspect it is a “crash for cash fraud”, gather as much information as possible. This could be the make and model of the moped, its number plate, livery, or the clothing that the driver is wearing. These details could be invaluable in disproving a fraudulent claim. Then report the incident as soon as possible to the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s CheatLine.
Q27) Are moped scammers stealing people’s personal details?
A27) Yes. In this new crash for cash development involving identity theft, moped scammers are exploiting the need to exchange details after a collision, by pressuring victims who may be in a distressed or confused state, into showing a copy of their insurance certificate or driving licence, which is photographed at the roadside.
The fraudsters then steal their details, which can be used in a range of financial crimes. Notably, this includes taking out fraudulent insurance policies, which are used to facilitate bogus claims linked to crash for cash activity.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has urged drivers to avoid exchanging unnecessary details after an accident, such as pictures of their insurance certificate and driving licence. Remember that if you’ve had an accident and the other driver wants a photo of your insurance certificate or driving licence, then that should be a red flag – you only need to share your name, address, insurance details and vehicle registration number. Don’t be pressured into handing over anything unnecessary.
Since last summer, the IFB has discovered over 1,100 fraudulent motor insurance policies were taken out by moped scammers using stolen details of crash for cash victims.
Full details can be viewed here.
Q28) How many car insurance claims are suspected to have been linked to "crash for cash" scams and where are the areas where these scams are most likely to happen?
A28) Analysis by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of 2.7 million motor insurance claims made across the UK between 1/10/2019 to 31/12/2020 has identified over 170,000 claims which could be linked to “crash for cash” networks.
The hotspots analysis confirms Birmingham remains the most prevalent area in the UK for the dangerous scam, followed by postcodes in Bradford, Manchester, London and Luton. The top 30 high-risk postcodes can be viewed here.
However, over the past 12 months the Insurance Fraud Bureau has found evidence that gangs using addresses in well-established “crash for cash” hotspots – such as Birmingham – are increasingly travelling out to unsuspecting areas to cause collisions with locals less familiar to the scam.
The top 3 areas are Frome in Somerset; Worksop in Nottinghamshire; and Cirencester in Gloucestershire. A list of the top 10 areas can be viewed here.
Q29) Why do companies contact me saying I have been in an accident when I have not been and what should I do if I am so contacted?
A29) A number of claims management companies ‘cold call’ people saying that they have records that you were in an accident. In many cases they claim to have got your information from the national road accident database or a governmental body. This is not correct. There is no national database of accidents with names, telephone numbers and addresses. Neither the Department for Transport nor any other government department hold any of this information and they would not supply it to anyone under any circumstances.
It is likely that the claims management company has simply dialled your number randomly. If you are able to get any contact details from them you can report them through https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-claims-company.
Q30) Why do insurance premiums in the UK tend to be higher than in the rest of Europe?
A30) RAC Foundation analysis in July 2017 showed that insurance premiums in the UK tend to be higher than the rest of Europe because the compensation paid in the UK to those injured in road accidents is much higher than in the rest of EU. Meeting the long-term care costs of those catastrophically injured in road accidents can result in compensation payments of around £10 million in the UK, significantly ahead of Germany (£6 million) and France (£6 million). In Sweden, compensation might be as little as £0.6 million.
Other reasons why the cost of UK motor insurance tends to be higher than in the rest of Europe include:
- Markets in other European countries, such as France, are generally more regulated with, for example, limitations on how much premiums can rise and fall
- UK insurers assess risk primarily on the age and experience of drivers, before taking other things into account, whereas in many other countries the type of vehicle is the starting point
- In the UK people can start driving at 17. On much of the continent the age is 18 and because accident risk reduces very rapidly with age, UK insurers exposure to claims is higher
- Third-party insurance is common across continental Europe and is usually cheaper than comprehensive cover which will pay out in more scenarios. But in the UK, comprehensive cover is most common and counter-intuitively those requesting third party only are seen as posing a higher risk and attract a higher premium, even for less perceived cover.
Full details can be viewed here.
Q31) How many motor vehicles were stolen in England and Wales in 2025?
A31) According to data contained in the ONS Crime in England and Wales dataset, 115,431 offences of “theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle” were logged by the police in England and Wales in 2025. This equates to about 13 vehicles being reported stolen every hour.
The figure is about 8 per cent lower than the 125,007 vehicles reported stolen in 2024.
Source: ONS: Crime in England and Wales, Year Ending December 2025 and Appendix Table A5a
Q32) What is keyless car theft and how can I stop my keyless car being stolen?
A32) Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key fob comes within a short-range distance of the car.
Keyless car theft, also known as ‘relay theft’, occurs when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the car’s own remote key fob is close by; this unlocks the car and allows the ignition to be started. Keyless car theft can take only 20-30 seconds.
Your vehicle can be protected by:-
- Keeping your car keys safe. Key fobs generally have a range of between 5-20 metres on average so whilst at home keep your car keys away from the car to disrupt communication range. Avoid leaving them near your door or window.
- Using a signal-blocking pouch. The pouch is lined with a metallic material that isolates the fob’s radio frequency and blocks the transmission of the signal from the car key once it is inside the pouch.
- Turning off the fob’s wireless signal. Wireless signals on some keyless fobs can be turned off. Look in your car manual to see it this is possible. If not, contact your vehicle manufacturer.
- Re-programming your keys. Reprogramming your keys erases the code from the car key to the car itself. This will mean a spare car key that is not in your possession can no longer be paired with your car leaving it susceptible to theft.
- Using a steering wheel lock. Consider reintroducing a steering wheel lock to your vehicle. This can be an effective tool in the fight against keyless thefts, purely for the reason that it cannot be compromised via technology.
- Parking. If you have a garage, use it to secure your vehicle in. If you park on the driveway, park as close to the property as you can. If you have more than one vehicle on your driveway, park the less desirable vehicle in front of the more desirable vehicle to block its access. Consider using a driveway parking post.
- Using a tracker system. A tracking device won’t stop your vehicle being stolen, but it significantly increases the chances of the police recovering and returning it to you.
Q33) What should I do if my vehicle is stolen?
A33) If your vehicle is stolen you should report it immediately to the police and your insurance company.
To report the theft to the police, dial 101 and ask to be put through to your local police.
Make sure you have your vehicle’s:-
- registration number
- make and model
- colour
You will get a crime reference number. You will need this when you call your insurance company.
The police will notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the details of the theft and if the vehicle is found.
Your insurance company will tell you how to make an insurance claim. If your insurance company pays out a claim for your stolen vehicle, you must tell DVLA it has been sold to the insurance company.
For full details see here.
Q34) Why are catalytic converters being stolen and what can I do to try and stop my car's catalytic converter being stolen?
A34) A catalytic converter helps clean your car’s exhaust emissions. It is made up of precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium and the price of some of these metals has risen sharply in recent years. In particular, rhodium has tripled in value since March 2020 and is now worth far more than gold. This has led to a sharp increase in the number of catalytic converters being stolen.
Cars that are most frequently targeted are hybrids as the converter is used less frequently and is generally less corroded. Older hybrid cars, such as the pre-2008 Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius (2004-2016), Toyota Arius (2012-2018,) Lexus RX (2005-2008) and the Honda CR-V have been particularly targeted. But all cars with a catalytic converter are at risk.
In order to protect your catalytic converter from being stolen:-
- Park your car in a locked garage if possible.
- Avoid parking half on a kerb, because that gives thieves easier access to the underside.
- When using a garage is not possible, park close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make theft difficult.
- Speak to a car security specialist about fitting a tilt sensor that activates the alarm if thieves attempt to jack up the car to access the catalytic converter.
- Consider fitting CCTV on your home or driveway and use PIR or LED security lighting to make your vehicle more visible to help deter thieves.
- If your catalytic converter is bolted on, consider having the bolts welded to make removal difficult.
- Fit protective coverings on catalytic converters. For example, Toyota has its own device called a CATLOC. These devices can make it much more difficult for thieves.
- Have your catalytic converter etched or forensically marked, and put stickers in the windscreen to say this has been done.
Q35) What points should I consider when buying or selling a car?
A35) Buying a used vehicle is a serious business and, while there’s no way to guarantee that you won’t be a victim of vehicle crime, you can reduce the risks.
The advice given by Citizens Advice can be viewed here.
You can also check that your chosen car is safe and roadworthy with an expert inspection from an RAC engineer. Car data checks designed to ensure a vehicle is not stolen, written off or still on finance are also available. For full details, see here.
Q36) Where can I obtain a detailed breakdown of a car's MOT history and its mileage?
A36) This information can be obtained by inputting the registration number and make of car on the MOT-history-net website.
Q37) How can I get a free reminder advising when my vehicle’s next MOT is due?
A37) You can sign up to get free reminders by text message or email advising when your vehicle’s next MOT is due here.
Q38) How can I check if a vehicle is taxed?
A38) You can find out if a vehicle has up-to-date vehicle tax or has been declared SORN (off the road) on the Check if a vehicle is taxed website.
Q39) What should I do if my vehicle is cloned?
A39) Cloning involves the copying of the identity of a similar (non-stolen) vehicle already on the road. Criminals find an exact match of the car they have stolen, they then copy the identity of the legitimate vehicle, thus making it look legal based on false number plates being fitted.
If you are being contacted about fines or charges for which you are not responsible because someone else is using your registration mark, it is possible that your vehicle has been cloned.
If you think you have been the victim of vehicle cloning you should:-
- Return any fines or correspondence to the issuing authority, providing them with any documentary evidence that you have to prove your case.
- Contact the DVLA. They will record your correspondence on the vehicle record for future reference.
- Contact the police. They can trace and prosecute the culprit to prevent this illegal activity from continuing.
Q40) Are more penalty charge notices (PCNs) being cancelled because of car cloning?
A40) Yes, a BBC investigation has uncovered a sharp rise in penalty charge notices (PCNs) cancelled due to car cloning.
The investigation, based on a freedom of information request sent to all London councils, revealed a 64 per cent surge in car cloning leading to fines being cancelled over three years with the number of cases rising from 22,450 in 2021 to 36,794 in 2023.
Some councils saw more than 1.5 per cent of all their traffic fines linked to cloned vehicles. Hackney topped the list with nearly 2 per cent of tickets issued attached to cloned cars.
Q41) Is there a problem with the UK regulated number plate system that enables criminals and organised crime groups to operate undetected on our road network?
A41) Yes. Research by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Transport (APPGTS) has identified that as many as one in fifteen vehicles may carry modified, non-compliant plates including ‘ghost’ and stealth plates that are designed to evade ANPR detection. These plates, often sold openly online by unregulated suppliers, enable drivers to avoid paying road charges, tolls, congestion fees and fines.
The report advocates for wholesale revision of the registration plate system from production to supply, usage and management
Q42) Should I have my car regularly serviced and how can I find a good mechanic?
A42) Regularly maintaining your car could save you money over time. More importantly, you will also be making sure your car is safe on the road.
The Car Care section of the RAC website has a facility to compare garages and MoTs and to book a car service and repair.
Q43) What should I do if I have a problem with a car repair?
A43) The advice given by Citizens Advice can be viewed here.
Q44) What do I do if I disagree with my vehicle’s MOT result?
A44) If your vehicle fails its MOT, and you are unhappy with the way your MOT test was carried out, you need to discuss your test results with the test centre before anyone starts repairs.
You can appeal against the failure if you think it’s wrong. Fill in the complaint form and send it to DVSA within 14 working days of the test.
For full details see here.
Q45) What is the UK Safety Recalls Scheme and what should I do if I receive a safety recall letter?
A45) A safety recall is a pro-active action taken by a manufacturer when a critical safety defect is identified that affects a range of on-road and off-road vehicles, including vehicles with an operators’ license.
Manufacturers will only issue a safety recall for those defects which have the potential to cause serious injury. These are defects that have the potential to put you, your passengers or other road users in danger if not acted upon
You should act promptly act on a Safety Recall letter and follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. You should also keep your keeper record up to date with the DVLA – this is the data that the manufacturer may use to locate your vehicle during a safety recall. If you no longer own the vehicle, be proactive and inform the manufacturer. This will protect the new owner.
Full details may be viewed here.
Q46) How can I claim compensation if I hit a pothole and damage my car?
A46) If your car is damaged by a pothole, you may be able to claim compensation.
A helpful step-by-step guide to claiming compensation has been published by the RAC. The advice can be viewed here.
Q47) Are any subsidies available to me if I buy a new, low emission car?
A47) Yes. The government’s new Electric Car Grant offers discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric vehicles.
Car buyers can claim the discount directly at dealerships on electric cars priced under £37,000 – no separate application is needed. There are two levels of support linked to sustainability criteria set by the Department for Transport – the greenest models qualify for the full £3,750 discount, while cars that do not quite meet the highest eco-standards still get £1,500 off.
It was announced in Budget 2025 that the grant will be available until 31 March 2030 (the end of the 2029/30 financial year).
The list of low-emission vehicles eligible for grant can be viewed here.
Q48) What subsidies are available to me if I buy a new, low emission van?
A48) The Plug-In Van Grant enables motorists purchasing a qualifying, new low emission van to receive a grant towards the cost of the vehicle. The value of the grant depends upon the size of the van.
Small vans – these are vehicles less than 2,500 kilograms (kg) gross vehicle weight, have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and can travel at least 96km (60 miles) without any emissions at all – are eligible for a grant of 35 per cent of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £2,500.
Large vans – these are vehicles between 2,500 kg and 4,250 kg gross vehicle weight, have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and can travel at least 96km (60 miles) without any emissions at all – are eligible for a grant of 35 per cent of the purchase price, up to a maximum of £5,000.
For further details, including a list of eligible vehicles, see here.
Q49) What subsidies are available to me if I buy a new, low emission taxi?
A49) The Plug-In Taxi Grant enables motorists purchasing a qualifying, new purpose-built low emission taxi to receive a grant of 20 per cent of the purchase price of the vehicle, up to a maximum of £4,000.
The vehicles must have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and be able to travel at least 112km (70 miles) without any emissions at all.
For further details, including a list of eligible vehicles, see here.
Q50) What subsidies are available to me if I buy a new, low emission motorcycle?
A50) The Plug-In Motorcycle Grant enables riders purchasing a qualifying, new low emission motorcycle to receive a grant of 35 per cent of the cost of the vehicle, up to a maximum of £500. To be eligible for a grant, the motorcycle must have a recommended retail price of less than £10,000, including VAT and delivery fees.
Motorcycles must have no CO2 emissions and be able to travel at least 50km (31 miles) between charges.
For further details, including a list of eligible vehicles, see here.
Q51) Are there any subsidies available to buy other vehicles?
A51) Yes. Subsidies are available to buy wheelchair accessible vehicles, small trucks and large trucks.
For full details see here.
Q52) Are there any grants available to Ultra-low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) owners to have a dedicated chargepoint installed at home?
A52) Yes, in certain circumstances.
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant (EVCG) provides funding towards the cost of installing electric vehicle smart chargepoints at certain sites across the UK. It replaced the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) on 1 April 2022.
You can only apply for this grant if all these conditions apply:
- you live in a flat that you own (this includes flats bought through the shared ownership scheme), or you rent a residential property
- your home has its own private off-street parking space
- you own or use an eligible vehicle
The EVCG can be broken down by the following residential grants:-
- for landlords, grants of up to £350 per socket for residential or commercial properties that the applicant owns or manages but does not live within
- for car parks, grants of up to £30,000 off the costs of the infrastructure needed to install chargepoints in residential or staff and fleet car parks
- for renters and flat owners, grants of up to £350 for electric vehicle drivers who live in a flat or rent any residential property
Full details can be viewed here.
Q53) Are there any grants available to electric vehicle drivers to go towards the costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle chargepoints at residential properties with on-street parking?
A53) Yes. A separate component of the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for households with on street parking, opened in 2024.
The grant can be put towards the costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle chargepoints at residential properties if you are also installing a cross-pavement charging solution (e.g. a cable channel). You can get 75 per cent off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350.
You can apply for this grant if you:
- have not already installed your chargepoint (as this grant cannot be backdated)
- own or rent a residential property in which you live
- will install a cross-pavement charging solution alongside the chargepoint (for you to be eligible for this grant the cross-pavement solution must not be a temporary solution, such as cable covers or mats which can be placed on top of a cable)
- do not have private and exclusive access to off-street parking such as a driveway, garage or residential car park
- have adequate on-street parking
- have permission from your local highways authority for the installation of the cross-pavement charging solution. You must also declare in your application that you will obtain planning permissions as required by your local planning authority
- own or are responsible for an eligible vehicle
Full details can be viewed here.
Q54) How many domestic charging devices have been funded through the various Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) funded grant schemes?
A54) As of 1 January 2026:-
- the newest domestic Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) funded grant scheme, the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant (EVCG), has funded the installation of 32,451 domestic sockets since the scheme was launched in April 2022
- of the 32,451 sockets installed, renters and flat owners account for 21,754 sockets (67 per cent of installations); car parks account for 8,658 sockets (27 per cent of installations) and landlords account for 2,039 sockets (6 per cent of installations)
- total EVCG funding, including non-socket charging infrastructure such as wiring, represents £20.9 million
- the EVCG funded 13,091 sockets in the 12 months ending at 1 January 2026
- the EVCG scheme also funds the installation of chargepoints at residential properties with on-street parking if they are also installing a cross-pavement solution. As of 1 January 2026, this grant has funded 39 sockets with a grant value of £13,531
- previous OZEV funded grant schemes (the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) and the Domestic Recharge Scheme (DRS)) together contributed to the installation of 380,555 domestic electric vehicle charging devices across the UK
Source: Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme statistics: January 2026
Q55) Are there any grants available for the installation of workplace electric vehicle chargepoints?
A55) The Workplace Charging Scheme provides support for organisations towards the cost of installing up to 40 electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their sites.
The scheme covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (including VAT), capped at a maximum of:-
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site
It is open to eligible:-
- businesses
- charities
- public sector organisations
- small accommodation businesses
All chargepoints must be installed by an OZEV authorised installer.
There is a separate scheme with a different grant amount for state-funded education institutions.
The grant is still open and funding has been extended for a final year until 31 March 2027.
Full details of the scheme, including eligibility and how to apply, can be viewed here.
Q56) How many sockets in workplace car parks have been funded by the Workplace Charging Scheme?
A56) As of 1 January 2026:-
- the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant has funded the installation of 67,290 sockets in workplace carparks (excluding state-funded education institutions) since the scheme started in 2016
- the WCS funded 7,734 sockets in workplace car parks (excluding education institutions) in the 12 months ending 1 January 2026
- in addition to the above, the WCS has funded 4,866 sockets in state-funded education institutions, with a grant value of £11.3 million, since the education institutions grant started in 2024
Source: Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme statistics: January 2026
Q57) Are there any grants available to UK local authorities to fund the capital costs of installing on-street residential charging devices?
A57) No, the scheme designed to support local authorities in the UK to deliver electric vehicle charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking is now closed to new applicants.
Previously, the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) was available to all UK local authorities to part-fund the capital costs of installing public local charging devices to ensure those without off-street parking can access reliable charging infrastructure. Ongoing projects were required to be completed by March 2025.
Q58) How many on-street residential chargepoints have been installed under the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme?
A58) As of 1 January 2026:-
- completed On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) projects represent 14,989 public charging devices installed, with a grant value of £51.7 million, across local authorities in the UK since the scheme’s launch in 2017
- projects completed in the 12 months ending at 1 January 2026 included 3,951 on-street charging devices
Source: Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme statistics: January 2026
Q59) What is the NHS Chargepoint Accelerator Scheme and how many sockets have been installed under this scheme?
A59) The NHS Chargepoint Accelerator Scheme (NCAS) is a government initiative to install onsite electric vehicle charging infrastructure across NHS Trusts, supporting the transition of NHS fleets to electric vehicles. A list of NHS England trusts that have been awarded funding under the NCAS can be found on the NHS Chargepoint Accelerator Scheme funding transparency data page.
As of 1 January 2026, in England the NCAS has funded:-
- the installation of 189 sockets since the scheme started in July 2025
- £1.3 million total spend to date for charging infrastructure projects at NHS sites
- there has been a substantial increase in the number of installations in November and December 2025
Source: Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme statistics: January 2026