Car Ownership 101: Everything You Need to Know
FixMyCar discusses all aspects of car ownership.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Monday October 07 2024
12 min read
Owning a car gives you a great sense of freedom, but it can also be a steep learning curve. From finding the best car insurance deal to knowing what to do in the event of a breakdown, we’ve compiled a range of guides to help you.
Driving advice
Once you’ve passed your test, it’s easy to fall into bad habits and forget some of the essential information you relied on as a learner.
How to overtake safely
Overtaking involves passing a slower road user travelling in the same direction. It’s a tricky manoeuvre that requires patience, timing and careful judgement.
Find out how to overtake safely in this guide.
Understanding stopping distances
Your stopping distance is the distance it takes you to come to a complete stop. You can calculate it by adding the braking distance and thinking distance together.
Learn more about stopping distances.
What to do after a car accident
Being involved in a car accident can be scary. It’s important to stay calm, stay safe, and report the incident. The following guides provide in-depth advice:
How far can you drive when the fuel light comes on?
When your car is almost out of fuel, you will see a low fuel warning light on the dashboard. This means you need to fill it up soon, as only a small amount is left in the tank. All cars have some fuel in reserve for situations like this. The question is, how much?
Terms you need to know
There are a few terms for driving techniques and systems you should be aware of.
Rules of the road
Staying on the right side of the law as a motorist is vital. These guides explain the rules and regulations you must follow and the different kinds of roads you might encounter.
Find out what rules have changed for drivers over the past year.
Watch your speed
Driving too fast puts you and other road users in danger. That’s why there are strict laws in place determining how fast you can go in different areas.
Driving offences
Some rules are obvious, such as don’t drink and drive. But the law in other areas is more complex.
Low Emission Zones & Smart Motorways
As a driver, it’s important to be aware of Low Emission Zones, which are becoming increasingly popular in urban areas. Find out what they are and how they might affect you.
Another term you need to know is ‘smart motorway’. The chances are, you’ve probably driven on one before, even if you’re not exactly sure what they are. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Car insurance
All cars in the UK must have at least third-party insurance to use public roads. Read on if you want advice about comparing insurance deals and saving money.
What is car insurance?
Car insurance gives you financial protection if you’re involved in an accident. Unfortunately, insuring your car can be expensive, especially for a new driver.
Learn about the different types of insurance and how to find the best deal
Find out what third-party insurance covers and how much it costs
One of the best ways to bring down the price of your insurance is to build up a no-claims bonus (NCB). Find out what an NCB is and whether it’s worth protecting.
What happens if you drive without insurance?
Driving on a public road without insurance is against the law. If you get caught, you will be prosecuted, and your insurance price will increase the next time you take out a new policy or renew your existing one.
This guide discusses the penalties you could face.
The benefits and drawbacks of motor legal protection
Motor legal protection is an optional add-on for some insurance policies. It covers your legal fees up to a specific limit if you’re involved in a car accident.
Find out more about motor legal protection and whether it’s worth it.
MOT
All vehicles aged three and older must have an annual MOT (Ministry of Transport) test to check they are safe and roadworthy. We have an extensive collection of guides to help you understand when to book an MOT, how to pass the first time, and what to do if you fail.
Road tax
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is more commonly known as road tax. It’s a legal requirement for most road users and can be paid to the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) monthly or annually. Discover everything you need to know about road tax.
Wondering if electric cars pay road tax? Find out in this guide.
You can get some of your money back for the months and weeks left on your road tax if you cancel it. However, there are only six valid reasons for cancellation. Learn more.
Maintenance
Maintenance is vital for keeping your car in good condition and preventing costly repair bills. From topping up your engine oil to checking your tyre pressure and tread, there are several things you should be doing on a regular basis.
Our ultimate guide to car maintenance covers everything you need to know.
Servicing
Getting your car serviced regularly has significant benefits. It can lead to better fuel efficiency, fewer repair bills and a longer lifespan. The guides below answer the most common questions motorists have about vehicle servicing.
Warranty
Most new cars are sold with a warranty that covers the cost of some repairs during a specified timeframe. You have to meet certain conditions to keep the warranty valid, such as following a servicing schedule outlined by the vehicle manufacturer.
Learn more about how to keep your warranty valid.
It’s also possible to purchase a used car warranty. However, there are pros and cons to consider.
Breakdowns
According to data from the RAC, around 7,000 vehicles break down in the UK every day. You can do several things to reduce your likelihood of getting stuck at the roadside, as we discuss here.
Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet for preventing breakdowns. That’s why it’s vital to learn what to do if it happens to you.
Here are our other top breakdown-related guides:
Getting back on the road
You have two options when your car breaks down. You can try to fix it yourself, which may be possible if you have a flat tyre or the battery needs jumping, or you can call for help from your breakdown provider or a towing company.
These guides are focused on helping you get back on the road:
Fuel
All cars need some form of fuel to power them, whether that’s petrol, diesel or electricity.
Learn more about your car
Different vehicles require different tyres, engine oil and aircon gas. These guides aim to help you work out what your car needs and which parts it has.
How to find out if your car has a timing chain or a timing belt
What are full beam headlights, and when should you use them?
Important information about your car is stored using a vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this number in your vehicle registration document (V5C) and at the base of the windscreen on the passenger side. Learn more about what a VIN number is and why it matters.
Tips and tricks
Anything that makes life easier for motorists gets a big thumbs up from us. We’ve compiled the best advice from across the internet.
Handy hacks
Car repairs
General advice
What to do if…
Money saving advice
Car ownership can be expensive, so every penny counts. These guides are packed with practical tips for saving money, including several tried-and-tested methods and a few ways to think outside the box.
Buying a car
Buying a new car is exciting, but it can also be stressful. There are many things to consider, including whether to buy new or used. If you feel intimidated by the buying process or have questions about how it works, the following guides should help set your mind at ease.
Find out how much it costs to run a car here.
Car finance
Several financing options are available if you decide to pay for your next car by borrowing money. These include:
Hire Purchase (HP)
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
Personal loan
Before proceeding, you should carefully consider the pros and cons of these finance options, as they are all slightly different.
This guide covers everything you need to know.
Second-hand cars
When buying a used car, there are some additional things you should consider, such as finding out whether the car you’re interested in has ever been involved in an accident.
Buying a car that has previously been written off can sometimes result in a good deal if the repairs have been carried out to a high standard. Read our guide to written-off cars to learn more. However, some sellers may try to hide the extent of the damage, which is why you need to be careful not to take information at face value.
Find out what to look for when buying a used car.
One of the most important checks when looking at a second-hand car is to ensure the vehicle identification number (VIN) in the car’s log book (V5C) matches the number stamped on the bodywork. If it doesn’t, this should raise immediate alarm bells, and you shouldn’t go through with the purchase.
This guide discusses V5C documents and why they’re so important.
Electric vehicles
Thinking about going electric? You’re not alone. Quote requests for EV-related jobs increased 98% on FixMyCar between September 2023 and August 2024. The following guides provide valuable advice if you’re in the market for an electric car.
Selling a car
Selling your car can be nerve-wracking if you decide to do so privately, but it doesn’t have to be. With some research, your confidence will grow, and you can sell with certainty, knowing you’ve protected yourself from common pitfalls.
Before you sell
You’ll probably make more money on your vehicle if you spend time preparing it for sale. It should be clean on the inside and outside, and you should remove any personal belongings.
How to sell
Drivers have more options than ever when it comes to selling their cars. We recommend evaluating the pros and cons of each method before you sell to ensure you get your desired outcome, whether that’s a quick sale or a competitive price.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.