Blog - Page 16 of 88 - Indigo Car Hire

Ford tops the list among our customers

July 23, 2019 Robert Gillespie Audi, Ford, Mercedes, Vauxhall, Volkswagen Comments Off

In a recent survey we asked our customers which brand(s) of car they would most like to hire, if they had the choice. This isn’t something that happens a lot but some suppliers around the world now allow you to select your preferred car from the list of what is available in your category. Is this something that will catch on? It’s doubtful, although I am sure that suppliers would love to have a fleet of the most popular vehicles, to them cost is everything so, if they were to get a better deal on the latest Kia or Hyundai, chances are their fleet will be made up of them.

What did surprise me was the #1 choice, I have had a few myself and like them but didn’t expect them to top our list.

1. Ford

Ford make some of the best driver’s cars on the planet, so it is no surprise to see them high up on the list but #1 with 41% of the vote was a bit of a shock. Ford are popular among lots of rental suppliers so 41% of our customers may well be pleasantly surprised the next time they hire a car. The Fiesta and Focus are two of the most popular vehicles on the road, proven hire by Autoexpress and their list of best selling cars in 2019, so far. Fiesta takes the top spot with the Focus in 2nd place but over 10,000 sales behind, the Kuga takes position 8 giving Ford 3 of the top 10 places.

2. Volkswagen

No surprise here. Volkswagen seem to be the benchmark with which we rate vehicles, does it sound like a golf? Does it drive like a Tiguan? With 32% of our customers choosing VW as their brand of choice, it is clear that our customers have taste. However, good taste can get expensive which is why most suppliers do not have may Volkswagen cars on fleet. They are out there though, so if it is VW you want, just ask! The Volkswagen Golf and Polo both feature on the top ten list by AutoExpress.

3. Toyota & Audi

With the same number of votes Toyota & Audi are joint third in our list of most popular hire car brands with 23% each. The Toyota Yaris scraped into the AutoExpress top 10, as a small car they are brilliant. Audi doesn’t feature on their list at all but it does on ours. very few suppliers in the UK will have Audi on fleet but the Yaris is one of the most hired rental vehicles in the country.

4. Vauxhall

Vauxhall have been one of the best selling brands in the UK for years and 21% of our respondents would prefer to hire this brand over any other. The flagship Corsa is the 4th best selling car in the UK so far in 2019 and this is one brand you will see an awful lot of in rental supplier car parks. They are not the cheapest brand on the market but you get a lot of car for your money with Vauxhall, the Astra and Insignia are both very popular with rental providers too.

5. Mercedes

With only 15% of people preferring to hire a Mercedes it is no surprise that Mercedes do not feature on the AutoExpress list of best selling cars. Not surprisingly, as a premium brand they are less affordable than others on the list but I would have expected them to have a similar fan base to Audi. Mercedes have had a resurgence over the last few years with the introduction of the updated A Class and B Class models. Only a few years ago, their predecessors were terrible looking things and not much better to drive. Thankfully the Mercedes design team have changed direction more recently.

All of the above vehicles will be available to hire in certain locations around the world. If you are on the hunt for a specific model rental car then please get in touch as we may be able to help.

Why cost should not be your #1 consideration when hiring a car

July 23, 2019 Robert Gillespie Car Hire News, Debit Card Car Hire News Comments Off

When hiring a car there are a lot of factors to consider before making a booking, I am going to explain why the headline cost is not always the most important thing.

Yes, it seems a little silly but there are other things you should consider before even looking at the price.

In a recent survey, we asked our customers what their first consideration was when looking for a hire car. A Huge 47% of respondents said that cost was most important to them. Supplier reputation came in second with 19%, method of payment followed with 17%, insurance excess amount was just 6% while only 3% of those who responded said that quality of service was most important to them.

Supplier Reputation

One of the biggest issues facing that 47% portion of the public is that like some airlines, some rental companies are not always upfront and honest about pricing. This means that the price you see is not always the price you are going to pay.

This is why the reputation of the supplier should be more of a priority when booking, a quick look on a popular search engine will give you various bytes of information on any supplier you wish to research. How happy are the customers that have used them before? Have they found them good value? Would they use them again? If the information you find isn’t very positive would you still use them because they appear to be cheap?

Payment Method

A huge surprise to me was that only 17% of people considered how they would be paying for the car first. A large part of our day is spent arranging car hire for people who do not hold a credit card, those who want to hire a car with a debit card, a Monzo card or even paypal.

You may find at the end of your reservation process that it states a credit card will be needed upon collection of this vehicle, that is common in the vast majority of suppliers around the world. If you do not have a credit card, then regardless of how cheap the initial price was, it is useless for you.

Excess Deposit

Another surprise was that only 6% of people considered the insurance excess amount. Although in the vast majority of cases, this amount of money is returned to you at the end of the hire so those with the funds available may not need to consider this as much. However, when 47% of people look at the rental cost as the most important factor it makes me think that they are hiring a car on a budget, there is nothing at all wrong with that. However, when you arrive to collect your budget hire car and are asked for your credit or debit card to leave a deposit of up to £1,500.00 (sometimes more depending on the vehicle) would this leave enough money available to fund your trip?

Deposits can be as low as paying for a tank of fuel, so next time you are looking to hire a vehicle, take a look at different priced options to see if you can find one that suits better. You may just find that the slightly more expensive option suits you better.

This is where the team here at Indigo excel, of course we want to get you the best price available but our priority is to find you a rental package that suits your needs. If you are a 22 year old that has only held a licence for 12 months, do not hold a credit card nor do you have £1,500 available in the bank to cover the excess then chances are the cheapest headline price on the comparison website is going to be no good for you. All you need to do is contact us, we will take all of the relevant information and present you with a choice of vehicles that suit you.

Quality of Service

Perhaps the biggest surprise from this question was the amount of people who held ‘Quality of Service’ as their number #1 priority, just 3% of respondents. With the bad press that our industry gets on a regular basis I would have assumed that a higher priority was placed on the service received from the suppliers. The feedback we get from our customers is fantastic and we always try and work with reputable suppliers, maybe this is why people feel that they do not need to worry about this part of the rental.

if this is something that concerns you, simply get in touch and we can talk you through the suppliers who operate at your selected location and help you hire from one who will offer the service levels that our customers expect and enjoy.

Convertible Car Rental

July 18, 2019 Robert Gillespie News Comments Off

When abroad in a warm country, travelling in the car can be a terrible experience, before you know it you are sweating in a hot and stuffy car. As a result, you are forced to sit with the air conditioning on full or put all the windows down in an attempt to try cool the car down. Whichever method you choose, it’s not perfect and can make long journeys seem even longer.

We have a solution with our range of convertible cars available for hire across Europe and beyond so you can have an enjoyable car hire experience. Explore 250,000 acres of vineyards in style with a BMW 2 Series Convertible available to rent in Bordeaux or cruise around the coasts of the Grand Canaria in a Mini Cabrio. Once you try a convertible you won’t want to go back, a convertible means you can make the most of the sun, even when you are travelling.

If you need space for the family and plenty of luggage then a convertible car is not for you, but if you are looking to cruise around, taking in the sights and sounds then there is no better way!

Convertible Rental Locations

Convertible car hire is available in almost every location that we deal with, although some maybe a little cold to have the top down. Below is a list of locations that are popular with drivers requesting a soft top.

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Popular Convertible Rental Cars

Fiat 500 Cabriolet

More of a roll top than convertible but we couldn’t think of anything better than a 500 Cabrio to tackle the narrow, winding streets in European cities.

Mini Cabriolet

A modern classic, possibly the most iconic small car of all time and now you can have the wind in your hair while enjoying a Mini Convertible.

BMW 2 Series Convertible

BMW Convertibles are cool, the new BMW 2 series is no different. A stunning car that wouldn’t look out of place along any sunshine coast.

Mercedes SLK

When you think of a convertible Mercedes, you think of the SLK. One of the most popular 2 seat sports cars on the planet.

Audi A5 Convertible

Audi have upped their game with the A5 Convertible. No longer a saloon with the roof missing, this is a proper roof down posing machine.

Ford Mustang Convertible

Perhaps the most iconic of them all, when you think of American road trip, you think of the Ford Mustang. As Forrest Gump once said, “they go together like peas and carrots”.

Car Hire With A Monzo Card

July 3, 2019 Robert Gillespie Debit Card Car Hire News, Monzo Comments Off

What Is A Monzo card?

If you haven’t yet heard about them, i’m sure you soon will. Monzo bank have launched a new card, not to be confused with their landmark pre-paid card. This one is a full on, proper, contact-less, bright orange debit card.

Over 40,000 people open a Monzo account every week because of the clever budgeting, easy low-cost travel, savings interest and human help, whenever you need it.

I have one personally and the new way of banking has got me convinced, there is loads you can do with this ‘app based’ bank account and if you would like to find out more. Click here to visit the Monzo page.

Can You Hire A Car With A Monzo Card?

What I would like to discuss is, paying for a rental car with a Monzo card. We at indigo have been banging our drum for years about making car hire more accessible to the masses and enabling our customers to pay for their rental with a debit card was the first step. Now though, things are changing, the Monzo bank is only online, they do not have a branch I can walk into and pay money in or ask for a new cheque book. Everything is online and via the smartphone app (which is brilliant by the way).

The only physical difference between the new Monzo card and your current debit card is that this one doesn’t show your account number and sort code. It has your name, card number and expiry date, chip, Pin and contact-less which are the only things you need to make a financial transaction.

The missing account number had us worried because we have spent a lot of time and effort confirming with suppliers what is and isn’t acceptable and having the account details on the card was always a must. However, having spoken to two of the biggest names in car rental, I can confirm that the new Monzo Debit Card is acceptable for car rental in the UK and I have it on good authority that if a supplier did allow debit card transactions before Monzo cards then they will continue to do so, it may even convince other suppliers to get into the 21st century.

NOT ALL SUPPLIERS ACCEPT DEBIT CARDS, EVEN FEWER ACCEPT MONZO CARDS. IF YOU NEED TO HIRE A CAR AND WANT TO PAY WITH A DEBIT CARD THEN PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE MAKING A BOOKING, WE WILL ENSURE YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE CORRECT SUPPLIER.

Top 10: Summer Holiday Destinations Popular With American Tourists

July 3, 2019 Robert Gillespie Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Jamaica, Mexico, USA Comments Off

I spend a lot of my time writing about the best locations for summer holidays, half term breaks and even ski trips but this is almost always from the point of view of an English Traveller. A huge chunk of our customer base is not here in the UK and this is the start of a number of posts aimed at you. Our friends abroad.

Ask any American where they are going on their summer vacation this year and I am 99.9% confident you will not hear the words Benidorm, Marbs or Albufeira. The most popular locations among American tourists are mostly, much more exotic, with a few surprise ones thrown in. Here are the top 10 that i could find, in no particular order!

Cape Cod, New England

Between Memorial Day weekend & Labor Day weekend, tourists join the locals and swarm 40 miles of picturesque beaches at Cape Cod. The temperatures throughout the day are regularly into the 70s in New England, giving the place and its residents a chance to thaw after frozen winters. In addition to relaxing on the shores, travellers can take a scenic bike ride along Rail Trail with friends and family or wander through the federal wildlife refuge on Monomoy island.

Miami, Florida

Miami is a location that has something for everyone. Take the family and explore Walt Disney World, go with friends for the summer for the beach life through the day and nightlife after dark or even take a romantic break and find some of the best restaurants in the USA. Miami is hugely popular with international travellers and Americans themselves who flock here in their millions every year.

Portland, Oregon

To be honest, not a location that has ever been near the top of my ‘list of places to visit’ but if you are looking for a different kind of vacation away from crowded beaches and theme parks then I am told Portland should be way up there. The people here make the most of their sun-filled days in the summer months. Outdoor live music, food and drink festivals, pop up beer gardens, white water rafting and forest hikes are just a few of the activities to get involved, and that is just day one.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

If you like the beach life then this should be next on your list. Seafood, water sports, sunbathing and diving, A water lover’s paradise. And that is just by day. At night this place transforms into a cosmopolitan city with clubs, bars and restaurants full to bursting. I’m told you haven’t experienced the Cayman Islands until you have woken up on Seven Mile Beach.

Jamaica, Caribbean

Close your eyes and disconnect for a hot second. And by hot, we mean temperatures are definitely warm in the summer in Jamaica. When the weather is warm it is time for some of the best sunrises, sunsets, beach days you will ever know. When you’re not thumbing through the latest novel, explore the many shorelines, including Dr’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher among others. If you’re into snorkelling or scuba diving, the protected waters at Montego Bay Marine Park are a must-dive, too.

Maui, Hawaii

Maui is possibly the most amazing of the Hawaiian Islands. Visit any time of year but summertime is obviously the most popular. The majority of people enjoy traveling to Maui with their families in the summertime and Maui is a great place for a family vacation. Make sure to take in the summer events like 4th of July (Independence Day) parade or the Slack Key Guitar Festival!

Las Vegas, Nevada

From amazing stage and stadium shows and death-defying magic acts to vast casinos and huge dancing fountains, Sin City is a dazzling playground by night. By day you will find the holidaymakers, making the most of the climate at one of a hundred different pool parties at bars, hotels and casinos up and down the strip. Las Vegas is the place to go if you do not intend to sleep for long periods of time.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

On the sun-soaked Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen or to the regulars and locals – just Playa – was made famous by back-packing travellers who arrived for the perfect beaches and coral reefs. This small fishing town has been quickly changed into a haven for party goers with an extra cluster of hotels in Playa car. However, if you really want to party then ‘Playa’ has a noisy neighbour that will suit you. A little place called Cancun!

Cancun, Mexico

If you are looking for a holiday destination in Mexico, Cancun must be top of the list. The 70’s saw this former fishing village transform into a hot spot for tourism with the development of the Hotel Zone. The 18KM long island with the Caribbean Sea on one side and Laguna Nichupté on the other. This place spoils its visitors with shopping malls, casinos, golf courses, and the best nightlife you can find in south America.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana is party central and is located on the north-eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. Bavaro is the liveliest of the resorts with a beach that has been modelled from the pages of a glossy travel mag. Between learning how to surf, scuba dive around coral reefs and investigating shipwrecks, you will find a non-stop list of things to do on dry land too. Punta Cana is home to over a dozen golf clubs but if the countryside is your scene, head to the rain forest in a buggy on a guided tour or, fly through air along the tree canopies on a zip wire excursion.

Debit Card Car Hire In Norway With A Low Deposit

June 28, 2019 Robert Gillespie Debit Card Car Hire News, Norway Comments Off

Debit card car hire in norway with low deposit

About Norway

Norway is the land of fishing, hiking and skiing, if you love the natural world you will love Norway. Located in Scandinavia is filled with mountains, fjords and glaciers, debatably making it one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The capital city Oslo has open green spaces and museums, one of which contains a preserved 9th Century Viking ship! With so much to do in Norway there is no reason not to visit.

Car Hire In Norway

As there is so much to do, we recommend hiring a car, so you don’t miss any of it. One big problem is that Norway can be expensive so your holiday can easily add up leaving you with not much money to spare. The last thing you want is a massive deposit been held on your card for your car hire.
We are pleased to announce we can offer low deposit car hire in Norway, so you have some extra cash to spend doing the things you love. Better still, low deposit is available even if you are hiring using your debit card. These are just some of the ways we help make car hire more accessible and a better experience for you.

Other Service available in Norway

Young Driver car hire: If you are over 21 and have held your licence for at least 1 year we can hire a car to you.

Senior Driver Car Hire: Just like we can offer car hire to young drivers in Norway, we can also offer car hire to anyone over the age of 75.

Unlimited Mileage Car Hire: With so much to do and so much to see you will want to make use of our unlimited mileage offer so you can explore without any limits.

If you are interested in any of the services above, please contact us directly, you can call us on +44 (0) 113 88 00 748, email us to sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk or chat with one of our team online using the function to the bottom right.

Travelling To Japan For The Rugby World Cup?

June 26, 2019 Robert Gillespie Japan Comments Off

The Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport, bringing nations of the world together in union to compete and eventually crown another world champion in 2019. Japan plays host to this monumental event. Whether you’re a fan of England, the All Blacks, the Wallabies or even of the mighty Cherry Blossoms themselves, the rugby world cup provides a perfect opportunity to explore the endless discovery of Japan.

We at Indigo will be following England, unfortunately from the office or home rather than watching live in Japan. We know thousands of Rugby fans from around the world are making the trip so we wanted to write this article to help people decide how to navigate themselves around Japan.

Where are England Playing?

Lets take England’s group games:

England V Tonga, 22/09/19 @ 11.15am GMT, Sapporo Dome
England V USA, 26/09/19 @ 11.45am GMT, Kobe Misaki Stadium
England V Argentina, 05/10/19 @ 9.00am GMT, Tokyo Stadium
England V France, 12/10/19 @ 9.15am GMT, Yokohama Int Stadium

Travelling from one to the next without return journeys is a total of over 2,200KM. That’s a long way even for a die hard fan. The saving grace is that there is plenty of time between matches which gives you days to make the journey to your next location. There is a lot to see on the way so you are not going to want to rush.

If I was travelling alone and only intent on watching the matches then I would probably use public transport. Its rated very highly compared to what we are used to but does come at a cost. Buses are cheap but trains and more specifically the bullet train can be hundreds of pounds a time.

If there is a small group travelling then for me your best and most economical mode of transport is to hire a car. Not only will this keep costs down, it means that you can stop anywhere you like to see and do anything you like along the way.

At today’s prices, Japan isn’t a cheap country to hire a car compared to other Asian locations. However, when compared to the alternatives it is by far the lowest cost option. A car large enough for 4 with luggage will set you back around £1400 but this would include a sat nav, an additional driver and unlimited KM’s, which will be important. That’s around £350 each (4 people) for all of your travel for a 23 day rental.

Other expenses for fuel, toll roads and ferry crossings should be considered but are relatively low cost. Fuel is around 30 pence per litre less than what we are used to in the UK.

What Else Is There To See In Japan?

In no particular order, if you are travelling around Japan and have time to kill, you must visit some if not all of the below attractions and locations.

Suzuka

If you are staying for all of the group games then you will be around for the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix, this could be your best chance to tick one off the buckets list, that is indeed if F1 is your thing.

Peace Park

North of the hypocentre, Peace Park is presided over by the 10-tonne bronze Nagasaki Peace Statue, designed in 1955 by Kitamura Seibō.

Mt Fuji

Fuji is an active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters.

Kinkakuji Temple

One of Kyoto’s most famous attractions, this temple was originally built in 1397 as a residence for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The structure was completely covered in gold leaf, earning it the name Golden Pavilion.

Minato Mirai

Minatomirai is a futuristic waterfront with a high-rise observation deck and stylish boutiques at Yokohama Landmark Tower and Plaza. Families also take in the skyline from the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel or tour the 1930s sailing ship Nippon Maru. Mitsubishi Industrial Museum has dynamic exhibits of rockets and submarines, while Rinko Park hosts summer concerts. Waterside promenades host upscale bars and eateries.

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

On 9 August 1945, the world’s second nuclear weapon detonated over Nagasaki, and this sombre place recounts the city’s destruction and loss of life through photos and artefacts

Tōshō-gū

A Unesco World Heritage Site in an idyllic natural setting.

Tokyo National Museum

If you visit only one museum in Tokyo, make it the Tokyo National Museum. Here you’ll find the world’s largest collection of Japanese art, including ancient pottery, Buddhist sculptures, samurai swords,

Ryōgoku Kokugikan

If you’re in town when a tournament is on, don’t miss the chance to catch the big boys of Japanese wrestling in action at the country’s largest sumo stadium.

Sunayama Beach

Just 4km north of the Hirara district of Miyakojima city, you’ll find this little, archetypally tropical Japan beach, which lies at the bottom of a large sand dune.

Travelling To Spa For The Belgian Grand Prix?

June 26, 2019 Robert Gillespie Belgium, F1 Comments Off

If you are travelling to Belgium this year for the Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps you may find our following guide helpful. Spa is one of the most rural locations on the F1 calendar and as such, can be more difficult to get to than other racetracks on the ‘circuit’ (no pun intended). Yes, once you are there, travelling between your hotel or campsite and the track itself can be very easy, but how do you intend to get there from the airport in the first place?

Closest Airports To Spa

Depending on where you are travelling, routes into Belgium can be sparse. Below are the closest airports you will find to the circuit, most of which aren’t even in the same country.

Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST), 80km from the circuit: limited seasonal connections to Alicante, Barcelona and Bari.
Luxembourg Airport (LUX), 110km south of Spa: Luxair, the flag carrier of Luxembourg, flies to 20+ destinations in Europe. In addition, there are flights with British Airways (to London Heathrow), Easyjet (4 routes), KLM (to Amsterdam), TAP (to Lisbon) and more.
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), 140km east of Spa: large number of connections, mainly with discount carriers. Airlines serving the airport include Germanwings (40+ routes), Air Berlin (17 routes), Ryanair (19 routes, including to the UK & Ireland) and Wizz Air (6 Eastern Europe routes).
Brussels Airport (BRU), 140km west of Spa: a major international airport serving most European routes, plus destinations as far afield as the Middle East, Asia and the USA.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), 140km west of Spa: an important hub for Ryanair, which flies 50+ routes from all over Europe to CRL. Wizz Air also serves the airport with around 10 routes to Eastern Europe.
Dusseldorf Airport (DUS): 155km east the circuit: a major international airport serving most European routes, plus destinations as far afield as the Middle East.

Travelling To & From The Track

Lets work on the basis that you arrive into Maastricht Aachen Airport, the closest one to Spa, you have a few options on how you are going to get there.

Train

You can get a train from Maastricht City Station to Spa for around £25 per person according to today’s rates on Trainline.com, We don’t tend to travel alone to these things, so lets say there is 3 of us. That’s £75 on Train fares. A taxi from the Airport to Maastricht Station at a guess would be around €20 for 14km journey and at the other end, a taxi from Gare De Spa (train station) to the circuit would be around another €40 for 25km trip.

The other thing to bear in mind with the train journey is that there is no direct train to Gare De Spa, from Maastricht there are 2 changes, in Liège-Guillemins and in Pepinster. Keen travellers won’t be put off by this but it is something to consider when deciding how to get from A to B.

Car Hire

Our obvious favourite choice would be to hire a car but there is no bias attached to this article, all prices, distances and timings are what I can find online today. Sticking with arriving at Maastricht Aachen Airport, you can hire a car from various suppliers. All who offer different terms to suit different folks. Im just going to go with the cheapest I can find but with a household name and a car that will fit 3 adults and luggage for 4 days.

Hiring a car from Thursday 29th August at 10am and Returning on Sunday 1st September at 7pm. A compact car like a Vauxhall Astra, Citroen Cactus or VW Golf would cost £136.97 with Budget car Rental. Factor in the fuel cost, which 80km each way isn’t going to be much and you have a pretty good deal.

If you flight doesn’t arrive into Maastricht, the same car From Luxembourg Airport would be slightly less at £132.27 but would add another 60km onto your round trip. On the same note, if you do not mind driving a few extra KM’s, you can hire the same car from Cologne-Bonn Airport for less than £77. That’s around £60 less if you are prepared to drive a little further.

Other Transport Options

Aside from the train or car hire options, you may want to look into local buses or coach journeys. These can become expensive when travelling across border but the main reason for us not including them in our comparison is because it is 2019 and it should not take 5 hours to travel 80km’s.

If you are travelling to Spa for the Grand Prix or indeed Belgium for any other reason then our reservations team are here waiting to find you the right rental car to suit your needs. Contact us direct before making a booking and we will ensure that you will not find a better package elsewhere. Call us on 0113 88 00 748, chat with us online or email sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

Skoda Octavia Lease With A Debit Card

June 19, 2019 Robert Gillespie Leasing, Skoda, Volkswagen Comments Off

The Octavia is the best-selling Skoda there is, selling 3.7 million around the world since 1996. Classified as a family hatchback the Octavia comes with 5 seats and a decent sized boot. It also comes with a whole host of features including hill hold assist, stop/start engine and heated wind mirrors. If you are looking for a cheap family car there isn’t much to fault the Octavia on.

You might be convinced to buy one or maybe already be looking at buying one. If you are however much you read about them, you still won’t have full peace of mind that you will like it a few weeks down the line. There are always everyday situations where you realise your perfect car isn’t quite as perfect as you thought. Sometimes the car can fail to meet your expectations in day to day life and when this happens you can’t just hand it back to the dealership. We have a solution to avoid this;

You can now lease a Skoda Octavia with Indigo. This means you can try it out for a long period of time to decide if it is the car for you. To make this even better you can lease this car even if you don’t have a credit card! We are able to take debit card as payment for leasing even if you have bad credit. The lease price comes with VAT included and comprehensive insurance, all for the price of £555 per month. Make sure the Octavia is the perfect car for you before you buy it.

Along side the Skoda Octavia we offer lease with a debit card on a range of different VW’s and Skoda’s so take a look at our full list of lease deals and see if one of them catches your eye.
If you are interested in this offer or you just have any questions we recommend that you call us on +44 (0)113 880 0748 or send us an email at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk

Noise Cameras – What Are They & How Will They Work?

June 14, 2019 Robert Gillespie Motoring Law News, News, UK Comments Off

Noise Cameras could fine drivers for having loud exhausts

Cars with loud exhausts, we have all heard it before whether it is in the middle of the day or the middle of the night. I’m sure most people can agree that it is a nuisance, but you can’t do anything about it. Well that is until now…

The government is trialling a prototype noise camera in several locations across the UK over the next seven months to cut down on motorists with extremely loud cars or motorbikes. If these trials are successful there is a good chance these cameras will be rolled out across the whole country. The man behind this is the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, who described the noise pollution of cars as an “absolute misery”. He also went on to say noise pollution has “very serious health impacts”.

What Is the Legal Noise Limit For Cars And Bikes?

The current law across Europe is that it is illegal for your car to be louder than 74 decibels. The Police have suggested that to be considered a nuisance it would have to be 90 decibels. This does raise some questions as some high-end supercars or older cars are in excess of the 74-decibel limit, so it will be interesting to see what happens with them if the camera was to be successful.

How Will the Cameras Work?

The trial will consist of noise detectors been placed on ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras in this phase the ANPR cameras will not be used to issue fines. If the trial is deemed successful, they will operate in a similar way to speed cameras. The noise detector will be triggered if the microphone detects sound levels that are louder than the legal limit. Once the noise detector has been triggered the camera will take a picture of the offending vehicles number plate. With this information the police will then issue a fine of £50 to the offender’s address.

What is your opinion on this, is it a good idea or do you think there is a better way? Be sure to let us know.