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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

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM ROB HULL

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I'm a car theft expert - this is why you haven't been told your stolen motor has actually been found...

06/03/25 06:00

'Whatever happened to my stolen car?' It's a question 3m victims of motor theft in the UK have asked since 2000. In 1.35m cases, it was recovered, but owners might not know. Dr Ken German (inset), former head at the Met's stolen car squad with a PHD in International Vehicle Crime, this could be due to how the insurance system works, human error when processing thefts and vehicles dropping off the police's database after a certain period of time....read

Rachel Reeves' April tax grab on EVs triggers huge scramble for new battery cars in February
05/03/25 12:30
The SMMT said the growth in demand was 'unsurprising' as private buyers brought forward EV purchases to avoid Labour's tax changes coming in two months' time.
Petrol hits a six-month high with drivers paying £3 more to fill up than October
05/03/25 09:55
The average price of a litre of unleaded at UK forecourts rose by 0.65p in February to 139.65p, according to the RAC.
- 19 comments
- 15 shares
I bought 239 Land Rover Defenders before production ended in 2016 and made millions selling them at profit
05/03/25 06:00
Charles Fawcett exclusively reveals he still has a few 'brand new' Defenders locked away, describing them as 'better than money in the bank'.
Towns and cities with highest car theft rates revealed - how at risk is YOUR motor based on where you live?
01/03/25 09:05
Our analysis of car theft data has named a town in East London as having the worst motor crime problem. Use our interactive map and tool to see how your area fairs.
The half a million pound Aston Martin - but where's the rest of it? Diminutive Cygnet city car with a V8 engine wedged under the bonnet is for sale
28/02/25 01:22
The 'Super Cygnet' is a unique creation by the British luxury vehicle maker's Q Division that has never been recreated since, making this a genuine one-off motor.
EV switching blueprint? The European country where 90% of new cars are already electric
28/02/25 07:00
This country has for years been leading Europe's transition to electric cars and is extremely well positioned to meet its own target of only adding EVs to its roads from 2025.
- 329 comments
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Electric cars already cheaper to own for four in five UK drivers, says industry report - here's how much it says you could save
27/02/25 05:18
Experts backing the study say the report 'shatters long-held myths' that the premium price of battery cars cannot be offset by cheaper maintenance and servicing costs.
- 348 comments
- 29 shares
Car production falls with auto makers off to a rocky 2025 amid 'perfect storm' of issues, more job cuts and EV output delays
27/02/25 09:11
The trade body said there was a slower than expected rollout of new models as manufacturers responded to 'softening demand in the UK and other key markets'.
- 177 comments
- shares
Riding an e-scooter could inflate car insurance costs by £1,000 before you've passed your test, experts warn
25/02/25 03:28
Almost 800 children aged 13 to 16 received endorsements for breaking the law by using private e-scooters in the last four years, a recent study revealed.
A third of car insurance policies DO NOT cover for this very common mishap
25/02/25 06:00
A review of 323 car insurance products revealed that only 68% cover this very easy mishap that happens to thousands of drivers each year.
Criminals caught with devices used in 40% of car thefts to face up to five years in prison under new laws
24/02/25 02:34
The Crime and Policing Bill will introduce to Parliament a ban on the possession, sale and distribution of gadgets such as signal jammers and relay devices.
Number of automatic cars on UK roads surges 118% in a decade - are we becoming lazy drivers?
24/02/25 12:48
Autos make up 29.3% of the nation's car parc today but a decade ago accounted for just 16.3%. Is it due to convenience or manufacturers steering away from manuals?
- 81 comments
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What happens when an electric car breaks down? Your questions answered
24/02/25 12:01
One of the big hurdles slowing EV uptake in Britain is the unknowns regarding what happens if one becomes faulty or breaks down. Here's what you need to know.
- 543 comments
- 46 shares
Why a used EV is £2,500 cheaper than buying a similar petrol car
23/02/25 09:16
A recent report concluded that the 'days of EV costing significantly more than fossil fuel models are over' after analysing the second-hand value of cars.
BMW pauses £600million plan to bring electric Mini production back to Britain over 'uncertainty' in industry
22/02/25 10:53
Due to 'multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry', the BMW Group said it is now rethinking the plan to bring EV production back to Britain next year.
- 138 comments
- 10 shares
Revealed: The mileage threshold that wipes the most value off your car
22/02/25 08:59
Analysis claims to have identified the threshold in which thousands of pounds can roll off a used car - and what impact mileage has on price thereafter.
A Land Rover that truly was fit for a King: Charles' bespoke Defender to be sold at auction
21/02/25 01:36
It was delivered new to the Royal Garage at Highgrove House on 15 November 2010 and is sold with the confirmation letter addressed to his head chauffeur.
- 17 comments
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Used car buyers beware! The popular family SUV that's the UK's most clocked model
21/02/25 07:01
Around one in 50 second-hand motors on sale today has had its mileage tampered with to artificially inflate the perceived value, a report suggested last year.
- 88 comments
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Would you buy a Tesla with 150,000 miles on the clock? A high mileage EV might come with a HUGE bonus
20/02/25 03:39
There is one very significant financial benefit of buying older Teslas with high mileage - and it will mean incredibly low running costs.
Cyclists' high-visibility jackets are invisible to modern car safety systems and will not trigger their emergency brakes
20/02/25 10:15
All new cars are now fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that are designed to reduce the number of head-on collisions.
- 12 comments
- 1 share
Most expensive stolen cars of 2024: Our interactive heat map reveals the motor theft hotspots
20/02/25 08:00
Although fewer than 100 of the 61,343 cars stolen in the UK last year were exotic vehicles, many are worth in excess of £100k and tally to a total of more than £5million.
Are you invalidating your car insurance because you haven't had it fixed?
19/02/25 01:36
A review of vehicle history reports from January 2023 to September 2024 by CarVertical found that only 28% of recalled vehicles in the UK had the defects addressed.
- 28 comments
- 1 share
Do you drive an EV? Use this loophole before 1 April to push Rachel Reeves' £195 car tax hike back a YEAR
18/02/25 02:45
The Chancellor will launch a massive car tax sting on Britain's drivers this year - but for those who own electric vehicles there is a way to defer costs for another 12 months.
Green signs for EVs: Drivers want unique charging signage and petrol station-style totem poles showing kWh pricing
17/02/25 11:05
A poll of more than 8,200 drivers has found widespread support for green signs pointing to public EV charging locations and pricing displays similar to fuel stations.
Britons could face immediate driving bans under new Labour proposals
07/02/25 01:11
Swindon North MP Will Stone has tabled a draft bill that would see an unlicensed driver who causes the death of another person automatically convicted of a criminal offence.
- 153 comments
- 1 share
Now car makers are slashing EV prices so buyers can avoid Labour's £425-a-year tax sting introduced in April - here's how YOU can cheat the system
07/02/25 09:26
An Italian car brand has taken matters into its own hands by cutting the price of one of its EVs below £40,000 so customers can evade a £425 tax from 1 April.
Vauxhall owner reaffirms closure of Luton van factory within months
06/02/25 11:58
The move, announced in November, puts some 1,100 jobs at risk with its workforce in Bedfordshire offered roles at its Ellesmere Port plant 150 miles away in Cheshire.
The car brands with the most loyal customers: Tesla ranks second overall in huge poll of UK drivers - how does your manufacturer perform?
06/02/25 10:45
Three in five UK drivers stick with their existing brand when it comes time to change their cars - and a new report reveals which manufacturers have the best customer retention.
- 123 comments
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Could the cost of an MOT be about to rise for the first time in 14 YEARS?
06/02/25 06:00
The IGA, which represents hundreds of garages across the country, said the £54.85 cap 'threatens the viability' of small businesses facing 'inflationary pressures'.
Labour's April car tax hike of up to £620 for EVs will be another stranglehold on demand, motor sector bosses warn
05/02/25 01:26
From 1 April, EV owners will be forced to pay Vehicle Excise Duty for the first time under measures implemented by minsters to make the car tax system 'fairer'.
- 315 comments
- 32 shares
Price of petrol and diesel has risen for four consecutive months
05/02/25 09:45
Petrol went up 2p a litre in January to an average of 139p and diesel by nearly 3p to 145.7p (from 142.9p), the RAC says.
- 94 comments
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Traces of FAECES found on petrol pumps across Britain in revolting investigation
05/02/25 06:00
Bacteria samples were taken at four sites in London, Nottingham and Manchester. All were found to be contaminated with faecal streptococci and enterococci.
- 280 comments
- 68 shares
Chinese car sales surge in Britain but older drivers remain fearful of data threat and privacy security
04/02/25 06:00
Registrations figures for 2024 show a 14% increase in sales of models from the four major Chinese brands now available in the UK: BYD, MG, Omoda and Ora.
Formidable 1954 Grand Prix Mercedes driven by F1 royalty Fangio and Moss sells for a record £42.75M
03/02/25 10:03
The 1954 W 196 R Streamliner has been driven by F1 royalty - Fangio and Moss (pictured inset). On 1 February, it became the world's priciest Grand Prix car sold.
Car tax hikes coming in April that 75% of Britons are unaware of: Some drivers pummelled by £2,745 increase
01/02/25 07:00
We detail the three main updates to car tax that will hammer the wallets of the nation's drivers from 1 April 2025.
Most stolen cars of 2024 REVEALED: A motor was pinched every 8 and a half minutes - is yours among the 20 models under threat?
31/01/25 12:00
Some 61,343 cars were reported stolen last year, official figures have confirmed - and we can tell you if yours is among those most at risk.
Pensioner, 74, passes driving test after failing only previous attempt 50 YEARS AGO (in a Ford Anglia)
31/01/25 09:10
Linda Ning fulfilled a 'life-long ambition' by gaining her driving licence on 17 January at the age of 74. So how many other senior drivers leave it to their later years to get on the road?
- 24 comments
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Money pit motors: Expect to lose thousands on these new EVs and luxury cars that depreciate fastest
30/01/25 06:00
The worst offender - a popular battery model built in Britain - loses 73% of its value after just three years of ownership, new data from motoring title Auto Express shows.
UK car making falls to 1950s levels as drive to go green wreaks havoc in the industry
29/01/25 10:28
Society of Motor Manufacturers boss Mike Hawes (pictured) said the industry was at a 'low ebb' amid a switch to electric vehicles and push to meet Government quotas.
- 153 comments
- 1 share
Have you mistakenly driven in a bus lane? More than a third of motorists have - so should first-time offenders avoid fines?
29/01/25 09:27
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'We have always maintained that the majority of drivers don't deliberately set out to drive in bus lanes, so it's good to see research confirming that.'
- 51 comments
- 13 shares
Electric Porsche Taycan drifts for 11 miles on ice to set new world record - and it could have been longer if not for one limitation...
28/01/25 01:00
In total, the £117,500 Taycan EV was travelling sideways for 46 minutes - equivalent to have a football match. But it could have carried on for longer had it not been for one problem...
Major city cancels London-style ULEZ scheme set to charge drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles up to £60 a day
27/01/25 10:44
It opens the door for reviews of other emissions-based zones across the country and whether they could achieve pollution targets without charging drivers.
- 241 comments
- 75 shares
Fastest-selling used cars revealed: A luxury Mercedes is snapped up in a fortnight while an electric Hyundai takes FOUR MONTHS to shift
25/01/25 07:00
Auto Trader - the nation's biggest second-hand car platform - measured the median duration between models being listed for sale on its website in 2024 and a buyer eventually being found.
Am I insured to drive during a red weather warning? All your motoring questions answered as Storm Eowyn brings record-breaking 114mph gusts
24/01/25 09:39
As record-breaking 114mph gusts hit parts of the British Isles, there are warnings insurers might refuse to pay out on claims if they can prove negligence.
- 62 comments
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Half of drivers drug tested at the roadside are over the legal limit as safety groups warn of 'growing epidemic'
23/01/25 03:06
Police figures obtained by motoring safety charity IAM RoadSmart indicate that around 50% of motorists drug tested at the roadside in 2023/24 were over the legal limit.
- 126 comments
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Fiat slashes EV prices after recording a 14% decline in UK car sales last year
10/01/25 04:14
Prices tags for the 600e family crossover and Abarth 500e hot hatch have been trimmed by up to £4,220. Both now start from £29,975.
SUVs officially become Britain's favourite type of car for the first time on record
10/01/25 07:00
A third of new cars entering the road last year were 'Chelsea Tractors', snatching the mantle of most popular segment from superminis, which had topped the sales charts for decades.
Britain's luxury car hotspots revealed - do you live near any of top 25 areas?
08/01/25 07:00
Beyond central London, the most affluent parts of the commuter zone are home to the highest concentration of super-luxe cars.
Older but not wiser! Age of oldest driver caught in Britain using mobile phone revealed
07/01/25 06:00
Some 84 motorists in their eighties were also caught using a device while driving between January 2022 and October 2024, and three licence holders in their nineties.
- 120 comments
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The best-selling new cars of 2024: Is yours among the 10 most popular models?
06/01/25 09:39
SUVs have overtaken superminis as the most popular class of vehicle, which is reflected in the best sellers list which is dominated by jacked-up models.
Classic car experts say these ten models will rise in value from 2025
06/01/25 12:01
While a few are predicted to rise in value in the future, others have been selected for their superb value for money and rewarding ownership experience.
- 167 comments
- 42 shares
Electric car range can plummet by up to 40% in winter, test reveals
05/01/25 06:00
Real-world tests reveal the best-case scenario will see range slashed by 16.5% - and the worst results in two fifths of the quoted distance disappearing.
The most - and least - reliable electric cars have been named...
04/01/25 06:00
Logic would suggest that EVs should be less likely to breakdown because they have fewer mechanical moving parts than a traditional petrol or diesel model. Is that true?
Just one in ten private buyers purchased an electric car in 2024 after being put off by high prices and a lack of charging infrastructure
04/01/25 12:39
Only 10.1% - or 75,346 - of cars sold to private customers were fully electric vehicles, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
- 376 comments
- 13 shares
Ten cars from European and US brands you might not know are made in China
03/01/25 06:00
There are numerous examples of mainstream models from non-Chinese brands that are produced in the country.
Most reliable small cars - and the three models you might want to avoid...
02/01/25 07:00
Small cars are the most popular type of new vehicle bought in Britain. These are the most and least dependable models up to five years old you can buy right now.
Nine well-known cars killed off in 2024 from the Ford Focus to... EVERY Jaguar
29/12/24 10:03
As car manufacturers continue to drive towards an electric future, models we've come to know and love are disappearing. And 2024 has claimed some huge automotive scalps.
Want a hybrid car? The most and least reliable models revealed
27/12/24 07:00
Despite the complexities of having a combination of combustion engine (almost always petrol), small battery pack and electric motor, hybrids are by far the most robust fuel type.
REVEALED: The 10 most reliable family cars - and three to knock off your shopping list
24/12/24 07:45
Buying a family car is a big decision, especially as you might need to consider factors you hadn't before, including interior space and boot size. But reliability is also a key requirement.
Has your car gone up or down in value in 2024? Biggest used price movers revealed
21/12/24 07:00
The figures are based on three-year-old vehicles with an average of 30,000 miles on the clock. Here's which have become more desirable... and those that have dropped significantly.
British car production plunges to its lowest level in more than four decades - as automakers struggle to deal with falling demand
19/12/24 10:31
Around 64,216 new cars rolled off UK production lines last month, down 30% from last year, according to the automotive industry body.
- 509 comments
- 21 shares
Motorists rally behind calls for tougher sentences to tackle drink-driving as AI cameras are rolled out to snare offenders
19/12/24 08:55
Harsher punishments were selected by nearly two in five motorists when asked to suggest tactics to curb drink-driving. Devon and Cornwall is tackling the issue with AI cameras.
- 77 comments
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How much will Britain's most popular new cars cost to tax next year?
18/12/24 09:35
Experts have labelled the doubling of first-year Vehicle Excise Duty a stealth tax on new petrol and diesel cars and a 'shove, not a nudge' towards EV uptake.
- comments
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How much will the 10 most popular new cars cost to tax from April 2025 thanks to Labour changes?
18/12/24 06:00
Experts have labelled the doubling of first-year Vehicle Excise Duty a stealth tax on new petrol and diesel cars and a 'shove, not a nudge' towards EV uptake.
Renault 5 Turbo 3E hot hatch will go into production - but will be pricey
13/12/24 10:47
Rather than a volume production run model, the R5 Turbo 3E will be a limited-edition, hand-built EV made in very low numbers that's likely to cost well into six figures.
Only 15% of public electric car charging points are in rural areas as EV transition threatens to leave behind millions of drivers
13/12/24 06:54
The National Audit Office (NAO) has urged ministers to put 'greater focus' on ensuring more devices in rural locations and regions outside the South East.
- 450 comments
- shares
How well do you know your car dashboard warning lights? Take this tricky quiz to find out - only 4% of motorists know them all
13/12/24 06:00
Some 46% of motorists - who represent 23m licence holders in Britain - can't correctly name half of the symbols that show up on the instrument cluster.
- 368 comments
- 42 shares
Toyota's second electric car sees the return of a former nameplate
12/12/24 01:31
Unlike Ford, which caused huge controversy when it adopted the iconic Capri name for its latest electric SUV, the Japanese brand is unlikely to trigger too much upset with the move.
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Toyota's second electric car sees the return of a former nameplate - do you remember the original?
12/12/24 01:03
Unlike Ford, which caused huge controversy when it adopted the iconic Capri name for its latest electric SUV, the Japanese brand is unlikely to trigger too much upset with the move.
Car makers 'withholding deliveries of new petrol and diesel models until January' to hit 2024 EV sales targets
11/12/24 12:58
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors, said dealers are being forced to delay customers from taking delivery of their new cars, which are being held in 'compounds'.
- 301 comments
- 178 shares
Plummeting used electric vehicle prices have triggered a 'car leasing crisis'
11/12/24 06:00
A 'mismatch between market forces for new and used EVs' is at the heart of the issue, as the popularity of new electric car leases is not being met by equally strong used EV demand.
- 1157 comments
- 246 shares
Backlash at new B plate stunt for drivers to warn they're terrible at one type of manoeuvre
10/12/24 02:52
Motorists who acknowledge they struggle with the driving manoeuvre are being urged to order one to display on their vehicles.
- 589 comments
- 39 shares
Ten used electric cars that have tumbled in value most this year: One's worth TWO THIRDS less than it was 12 months ago
10/12/24 06:00
Second-hand electric cars are currently selling faster than petrols and diesels - and it's all because they're becoming far more affordable as a result of huge price deflation.
Drivers issued safety warning as study finds more than half are turning to rural roads to dodge motorway jams
10/12/24 12:01
A poll of 2,000 UK motorists commissioned by charity IAM RoadSmart suggested 51% have decided to ditch roadwork-littered motorways. But this increases risk.
- 236 comments
- 17 shares
Used electric cars are selling FASTER than petrol and diesel models - for one very good reason
09/12/24 07:00
In the month of November, second-hand dealers were, on average, selling a used EV in just 33 days. This compares to a 40 days across all fuel types.
- 2645 comments
- 83 shares
Last of the petrol Jaguars: ROB HULL drives one of the final F-Type sports cars built before it goes electric
08/12/24 07:00
MailOnline and This is Money Motoring Editor Rob Hull managed to get his hands on one of the last snarling V8 F-Types off the assembly line to get one last fix of unleaded Jaguar enjoyment.
Petrol cars on the road PEAKED this year, experts predict a 'seismic shift' to EVs is coming
05/12/24 03:13
Auto Trader forecasts petrol car numbers will decline from 18..7million today to just 11.1million by 2034. Here's how EV ownership will grow over the same period.
- 398 comments
- shares
Hundreds of thousands of drivers could be invalidating insurance by having this common feature fitted to their car...
04/12/24 04:28
One motorist has been left with a six-figure bill when his insurer refused to pay out on a claim and cancelled his policy because it had not been listed as a 'modification'.
- 1058 comments
- 273 shares
Searches for used Jaguars have spiked since its radical rebrand as buyers hunt for 'Jags they've always known'
04/12/24 11:49
Auto Trader says it has seen an increase in motorists looking for used Jags since the iconic British brand unveiled its contentious new brand identity on 19 November.

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