Rob Hull, Motoring Editor

Rob has been Motoring Editor across Daily Mail and ThisisMoney since 2021 having joined as Motoring Reporter in September 2015. He's been writing about the automotive sector for 20 years and specialises in all things that impact motorists in Britain. He previously worked at consumer watchdog Which? as a Senior Researcher overseeing vehicle testing and the UK's largest survey of car drivers. Before that, Rob was a reporter, road tester and serial crasher at Motorcycle News (MCN).

Coverage: Cars Electric Cars

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New electric car MOT tests could be introduced in Britain - here's why

29/04/25 01:27

The Government has refused to rule out changes to the MOT test to include specific checks for electric cars in-line with changes being made in the EU. According to the European Commission, current testing methods have 'not been adapted to advances and roll-out of new technologies, such as advanced driver assistance features, and electric vehicles'. The DfT says any proposals for the EU 'will be reviewed'....read

All UK government vehicles must be EVs by 2027 - but NOT Keir Starmer's gas-guzzling Range Rover
29/04/25 09:59
All central government cars and vans must be zero emissions by the end of 2027 - two years earlier than ministers will impose a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel passenger cars.
Summer holidays might cost you a £500 fine for one particular motoring offence...
29/04/25 06:00
The chances of drivers being fined for a particular offence is set to spike over the coming months, especially during the school summer holidays.
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AA describes private parking firms as 'shark-like' - here's why drivers should always appeal a charge
28/04/25 09:33
The AA blasted delays by the government introducing a code of practice to protect motorists from private parking operators, which it described as 'scandalous'.
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UK car production rose in March for the first time in a year
25/04/25 04:35
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said attention for UK car makers will now focus on how they will adjust to Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on all vehicles imported into the USA.
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Car production rose in March for the first time in a year with almost half of output EVs - but 'trade uncertainty' is now the 'major challenge'
25/04/25 10:48
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said attention for UK car makers will now focus on how they will adjust to Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on all vehicles imported into the USA.
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Electric Range Rover completes Arctic Circle test as it bids to become the 'world's most capable luxury SUV'
25/04/25 08:38
The Range Rover Electric is expected to be revealed in production form towards the end of this year, with first deliveries arriving in early 2026.
Is it illegal to use my smartwatch while driving - and could I really face a £1,000 fine?
25/04/25 06:01
I regularly use my smartwatch at the wheel of my car when stuck in traffic, or waiting at lights, to check messages. Is this deemed a motoring offence?
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Ford turns electric Transit van into a mobile sauna
24/04/25 04:18
The 'E-Sauna' is powered by the E-Transit's built-in Pro Power Onboard system, meaning it can be deployed virtually anywhere without the need for external power hook-ups.
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Nissan estimates £4BN net loss as it embraces major cost-cutting measures
24/04/25 03:52
Towards the end of last year, alarm bells were sounded at the company, which was described as being 'on the brink of collapse' with 'just 12 months to survive'.
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Nissan estimates £4BN net loss in revised earnings forecast as it embraces huge cost-cutting measures to save it from the 'brink of collapse'
24/04/25 02:47
Towards the end of last year, alarm bells were sounded at the company, which was described as being 'on the brink of collapse' with 'just 12 months to survive'.
Could EV battery health certificates convince more drivers to buy a used electric car?
24/04/25 01:50
The longevity of battery life remains a major hurdle for second-hand car buyers who fear getting stung with a massive bill of up to £30k to replace a battery.
Mercedes to replace steering wheel with futuristic spaceship-like yoke for its latest EV
24/04/25 08:16
The German car giant will soon offer a cut-away steering wheel design for its flagship EV alongside a new 'steer-by-wire' system. We explain how it works and if it's legal.
The 50 greatest British cars of all time ranked by experts - do YOU agree with all their picks?
23/04/25 06:00
Have any cars been overlooked or is one too high or low in the list? Let us know your opinion.
Pothole-related breakdowns rocketed in the first three months of the year, RAC says
22/04/25 11:06
The motoring group said the data 'sadly shows the pothole plague is as prevalent as ever', revealing that drivers are having to fork out hundreds of pounds for non-puncture repairs.
Mercedes previews Vision V electric limo with a 65-inch telly and karaoke bar mode
22/04/25 10:48
The 'private lounge' area is divided from the chauffeur by an enormous 65-inch TV screen, which can retract into the ceiling. Check out some of the MPVs other business-class features.
Cars owners sell quickest revealed: Tesla tops the list AGAIN but an old favourite proves a keeper
21/04/25 07:55
Vehicle history checking service CarVertical says the average driver keeps cars from this EV brand for just 29 months, compared to an average of 62 months.
Are these SUVs now modern classics? Noughties cars like Porsche's Cayenne will be collector's items, experts say
19/04/25 06:00
Hagerty has earmarked four segment-driving SUVs from the noughties it believes have the ingredients to go on to become modern classics. Would you snap one up?
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Ferrari owned by Ralph Lauren heads to auction with eye-watering price
18/04/25 05:00
It goes to the block in California in the summer with a mere 5,400 miles chalked up in its 30-year life. The price the winning bidder is expected to hand over is astronomical.
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Ferrari F50 owned by Ralph Lauren heads to auction with eye-watering guide price
18/04/25 08:02
It goes to the block in California in the summer with a mere 5,400 miles chalked up in its 30-year life. The amount the winning bidder is expected to hand over is astronomical.
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The EV graveyard is cleared! Abandoned new electric cars worth £275k dumped on Nottingham road are collected - and will be sold at auction
17/04/25 12:53
The eight EVs, which we showed abandoned at the roadside in Nottingham yesterday, were recovered last night and are being prepared for sale at auction alongside another 35 new examples.
Repair costs for the most popular cars in Britain rose by 20% last year - and garage bills are expected to get steeper in 2025
17/04/25 09:13
Motor industry bodies and repair centres have warned that the cost to fix cars will continue to rise, blaming parts supply shortages and inflation pounding auto businesses.
Over £275k of unwanted electric cars dumped at the roadside in Nottingham after US Tesla rival went bust
16/04/25 11:01
Nine brand new EVs have been abandoned on a public road after the Tesla-rivalling manufacturer went into liquidation last year.
Only a third of new cars now offer a much-loved feature that experts warn will vanish by 2037
15/04/25 12:14
Of the 278 different new car options available in showrooms today, only 82 have a much-loved feature that has been a key factor in driving enjoyment for decades.
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Plunging used electric car prices costing fleet businesses 'hundreds of millions'
14/04/25 02:53
Car leasing firms say they have been the driving force behind EV growth - but are now being being left to 'shoulder' massive losses resulting from plummeting residual values.
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Cars that become classics in 2025: These 12 models all turn 40 this year - but are they collectable or regrettable?
12/04/25 06:00
When you hear the words 'classic car' your mind drifts away typically to think about iconic models from yesteryear like Silver Birch Aston Martin DB5s. But probably not Renault Espace MPVs...
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Hybrids stay on sale until 2035 - these are the most reliable ones in showrooms now
11/04/25 06:00
What's the difference between the four types of hybrid car? Which will stay on sale beyond 2030? And which are the most reliable hybrid models in showrooms today?
Ford turns electric Transit van into a mobile SAUNA
10/04/25 04:25
The 'E-Sauna' is powered by the E-Transit's built-in Pro Power Onboard system, meaning it can be deployed virtually anywhere without the need for external power hook-ups.
- 25 comments
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Major carmaker cuts electric vehicle sales target by more than 20% for 2030
10/04/25 02:23
In response to a slow EV uptake and increasing uncertainty over US tariffs, the manufacturer slashed 340k zero-emission models from its 2030 global sales targets.
Petrol to fall below 130p a litre within days as Trump tariffs cause oil price to plunge
09/04/25 02:53
Fears that Trump's new trade tariffs could trigger a global recession has sent oil prices plummeting - and drivers will benefit at the pumps.
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Rolls-Royce used by Field Marshal Montgomery and Winston Churchill during D-Day planning heads to auction
09/04/25 08:55
Montgomery's 1936 Rolls-Royce carried some of the most iconic high-ranking military figures during the war, including Churchill, President Eisenhower and HM King George VI.
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Detroit's 'Big Three' car makers more exposed to Trump's tariffs than German and Japanese rivals
08/04/25 12:07
General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis have been left vulnerable by Trump's 25% import levy, according to UK-based automotive intelligence company Jato Dynamics.
Pothole crisis: Only 3% of England's crumbling local roads underwent maintenance last year
07/04/25 11:01
In total, just 4,894 miles of 183,054 local roads in England were strengthened, resurfaced or preserved in 2023/24, the RAC has revealed.
French car brand to fit 68mph speed limiters to small model popular among young drivers
07/04/25 01:23
Called the 'safety car' package, the limiter is currently only available in France, but there is potential for it to be installed in UK models too, This is Money reveals.
As Starmer relaxes electric car targets, here's what it really means for YOU: Five major changes including a stay of execution for hybrids
07/04/25 11:11
The Prime Minister dramatically watered down the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, and provided more lenience to manufacturers on EV sales targets.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Automotive reignites feud with Land Rover with 'cheeky' ad campaign five years after landmark legal battle
07/04/25 08:33
A digital billboard erected outside a Jaguar Land Rover dealership in London threatens to renew tensions between the two companies that have been at legal loggerheads in the past.
New car sales accelerate 12.4% with record volume of EV deliveries - but it is still well below government targets
04/04/25 10:23
Industry body the SMMT said 357,103 new passenger cars were registered in the UK in March. That's 39,317 more than were delivered in the same month last year.
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Britain's worst motorway: Huge poll of drivers reveals which one is detested most
02/04/25 02:22
The one rated worst in the huge survey - receiving a whopping 40% of votes - might not come as a huge surprise to motorists, even those using it on an infrequent basis.
Trump's 25% tariffs on US car imports could threaten 25,000 UK jobs, think tank warns
02/04/25 07:52
The Institute for Public Policy Research said the President's levies on UK-made cars entering the US would put 'extreme pressure' on Britain's car makers'.
Drivers 'being ripped off by 14p a litre at the pumps', watchdog says
01/04/25 11:35
In its latest analysis, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said forecourt margins 'remain high compared to historic levels'.
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Get £20 off an MOT: This is Money Motoring Club
01/04/25 09:53
Save money and win a car for six months: This is Money Motoring Club
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Most new electric cars to be hit with £2,125 'luxury' tax under revamped VED rules
01/04/25 09:53
Changes to car tax will see all new EVs priced over £40,000 stung with an 'expensive car supplement' costing £425 annually for five years.
How much car tax will YOU pay now? Higher VED rates from 1 April 2025 explained
31/03/25 11:01
This is Money details all the changes to car tax from 1 April 2025. Find the section relating to your car based on its age to find out how much you will pay for VED compared to last year.
How new car tax changes affect YOU? Major warning for drivers as many will be clobbered by VED increases from 1 April 2025
31/03/25 01:35
The cost of car tax is set to rise dramatically for many drivers from 1 April 2025 in the biggest shake up to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in almost a decade.
Do these nine things to your car for £250 to boost its sale value by up to £2,800
29/03/25 07:00
Dedicating some time and money to minor repairs, arranging documentation and giving the vehicle a clean could drastically increase the value of a car.
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Labour 'considers' adopting EU rules forcing all new cars to have these 19 safety systems
28/03/25 09:22
Ministers say they are in the process of determining which of 19 safety systems required for models sold in Europe since last summer are 'right for Britain'.
Tesla hits major UK sales milestone
27/03/25 04:02
Having entered the UK car market in 2014 with its Model S saloon, the EV maker has this month hit a major deliveries landmark.
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Tesla hits major UK sales milestone - here's how many of its EVs have been delivered since 2014...
27/03/25 02:53
Having entered the UK car market in 2014 with its Model S saloon, the EV maker has this month hit a major deliveries landmark.
Car production falls for 12th month in a row as Trump's new 25% tariffs threaten to compound struggles - these British makers will be hit hardest
27/03/25 10:18
Four in five cars built in Britain are exported overseas - and the US is the second most common destination. One in five (19.7%) went to the US, the SMMT confirms.
Two in five Britons still reliant on their cars to get to work
27/03/25 12:01
The RAC said that despite the Government's 'focus on improving public transport' the research proves that the car 'remains central to so many people's lives'.
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EV owners now cover more miles per year than those driving petrol cars
26/03/25 10:21
The average yearly distance driven in EVs in Britain is now 8,740 miles, which is 444 miles further than petrol cars, new analysis shows.
Six best EVs under £40,000 that evade Rachel Reeves' tax sting
26/03/25 09:25
The Chancellor's car tax sting on EVs from 1 April will have major cost implications for buyers of new battery cars costing over £40k. Here's six of the best options below that price point.
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The six best EVs that dodge Rachel Reeves' electric car tax raid from April - saving buyers over £2,000
26/03/25 07:00
The Chancellor's car tax sting on EVs from 1 April will have major cost implications for buyers of new battery cars costing over £40k. Here's six of the best options below that price point.
King Charles' Land Rover Defender sells for estimate-busting price at auction
25/03/25 09:47
The 2010 Defender 90 Hardtop was originally supplied to his Royal Highness and the Duchess of Cornwall by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicles division 15 years ago.
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Where have all the small petrol cars gone? Just three are now on sale as drivers get pushed to EVs
24/03/25 06:57
Drivers wanting small petrol cars ideal for nipping around town and parking in tight spaces now have extremely limited options in showrooms.
Car safety tech dubbed 'dangerous, distracting and useless' by drivers - and it's why half turn assist features OFF
22/03/25 12:01
Motorists are often infuriated by incessant warning bongs from these system or feel too uncomfortable relinquishing control - and their safety - to tech in their cars.
Electric car buyers three times more likely to fall foul of luxury car tax sting from 1 April - it will cost them thousands
21/03/25 04:28
From 1 April, EV owners for the first time will be forced to pay Vehicle Excise Duty under a fresh taxation policy introduced by the Labour government.
Car buyers 'more disloyal to motor brands than ever' as new Chinese makes expand choice, says Google
20/03/25 01:55
Car buyers no longer have brand loyalty, new research from Google has found. Three quarters of customers switched to a different manufacturer last year, it said.
Roundabouts most common location for 'near misses'
19/03/25 12:01
The incidents largely involved respondents saying someone almost ran into the back of them, or they nearly drove into the vehicle in front.
Major car maker partners with Swedish flat-pack EV brand - and no, it's not Ikea
18/03/25 05:31
A mainstream global car manufacturer has signed a year-long commercial agreement to evaluate the feasibility of using the Luvly O's flat-pack design to expand its own quadricycle business.
BYD unveils new battery technology to 'solve' one of the biggest flaws with EVs
18/03/25 11:58
The world's biggest EV maker revealed its 'Super e-Platform' using the latest lithium-ion-phosphate Blade battery technology. Here's why it's so important...
Which used cars can you buy with confidence? Brands most commonly showing clean records
18/03/25 07:00
The findings raise alarm bells for motorists considering a used luxury German car, which are among the most common brands to have a checkered history.
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Average pothole-related repair costs 'hit record high' as craters trigger issues with car tech as well as punctures
17/03/25 03:23
Kwik Fit's annual Pothole Impact Tracker report suggests repair bills jumped in 2024 with motorists faced with an estimated £1.7bn outlay.
Iconic 1980s Renault 5 Turbo to return as a £135k electric 'beast' in 2027
17/03/25 11:53
One of the numerous complaints drivers have about electric vehicles is they're boring and all a bit samey. But nobody's told Renault...
Man who bought 240 Land Rover Defenders in 2015 reveals how much he made from 'biggest risk of his career'
15/03/25 01:11
In 2015, Charles Fawcett, founder of Yorkshire-based modifying company Twisted, made the decision to bulk-order a hoard of 'final run' of Defenders believing they would sky-rocket in value.
The car insurance sweet spot before renewal date that could save you £164
15/03/25 07:00
While ultra-organised drivers research quotes in advance, some don't bother at all and auto renew. But there is a sweet-spot in between when prices are lowest.
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Which car makers are going full tilt on EVs? As choice soars 246%, we reveal who added most models
14/03/25 07:00
In terms of different EV models, numbers have grown from 37 in 2020 to a whopping 132 options by the end of 2024. It means a third of new car variants are now battery powered.
Britain's 'first-ever electric sports car maker' founded by former Tesla execs debuts £65k featherweight EVs
13/03/25 11:09
Longbow's starting price of £64,995 is less than half what the new Tesla Roadster will cost as Elon Musk's former employees look to steal a march on the US firm's electric sports car.
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Car touchscreens 'increasingly distracting' as simple tasks can take 23 seconds to complete
12/03/25 02:55
Auto Express examined which car brands have the most complex infotainment systems. The test ranked the screens based on how distracting they can be.
Used EVs 'close to tipping point' of being more popular than petrol and diesel cars
12/03/25 08:00
Exeter University's Global Systems Institute department said interest in EVs has become more 'sticky', as drivers spend increased amounts of time hunting for pre-owned battery cars.
- 336 comments
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Morgan unveils the £102,000 Supersport to take the 115-year-old British carmaker into the future
11/03/25 12:03
The car company is sticking with its time-honoured tradition of hand-forming this over a wooden ash frame.
Ford recalls 26,000 plug-in hybrid SUVs but warns fix isn't ready and tells owners NOT to charge due to battery fire risk
10/03/25 12:54
In letters sent to over 26,000 affected owners of the family car, Ford said drivers may 'experience battery thermal venting potentially resulting in a vehicle fire'.
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Drivers 'confused' by electric cars, ministers warned - and one in five are 'diehard' against ever owning one
10/03/25 10:00
The AA said most drivers are 'hesitant but not hostile' towards EVs but more education and incentives are required to make them appeal to a wider audience.
Do you live in one of the 10 areas of Britain where people drive the oldest cars?
10/03/25 09:50
Ownership figures show that the average age of vehicles on our roads has increased to nine years. But the city with the oldest motors has an average age of 12.
- 139 comments
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Which Chinese cars can you buy in Britain? The 10 brands already here and what they offer
09/03/25 08:14
While MG and BYD are already established in the UK, there are 10 different Chinese brands in total that will be selling passenger cars to British drivers in 2025.
Fancy a fixer-upper? Four dust-covered classic cars salvaged from garages after 40 years of slumber to sell at auction for up to £75k
09/03/25 06:00
Four 'garage find' vehicles - all of which have been locked away for years without use - will be offered to the highest bidders at the end of March.
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Chinese cars: Are they ethical, should you be concerned about spyware and why are they so cheap?
08/03/25 07:00
With prices typically cheaper than well-known mainstream car firms from Europe, Japan and Korea, should you be seriously thinking about buying a Chinese car now?
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Ford confirms date it will stop making one of UK's most-loved cars
07/03/25 04:45
The popular brand has been wielding the axe on some of its most recognisable combustion-engine model names in recent years as part of its ongoing efforts to switch to EVs.
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Ford confirms date THIS YEAR that it will kill off another of Britain's most loved cars owned by 1.3million drivers
07/03/25 09:23
The popular brand has been wielding the axe on some of its most recognisable combustion-engine model names in recent years as part of its ongoing efforts to switch to EVs.
Volkswagen's affordable small EV: ID.1 will arrive in 2027 and look something like this - here's how much it will cost
06/03/25 12:05
Bosses have promised nine new EVs to transform its line-up, with the ID.1 seen as the 'last piece of the puzzle'.

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