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There are over 2.5 million cars registered in London, and the city is home to many of the busiest roads in the UK. In some areas, you might face extra charges for driving at certain times of day and in certain types of vehicles. There's a congestion charge in the centre, from Marylebone to Shoreditch and down to Elephant and Castle, and there is also a low emission zone (LEZ) and an ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) you'll need to watch out for.

A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) operates in London to improve air quality and specifically reduce public exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant produced by traditional combustion engines. This goal is achieved by encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles, such as EVs, and restricting high-pollution vehicles. Many CAZs charge drivers for entering them, though some are non-charging. Before driving in London, it's worth checking online whether you will have to pay for driving through the zone.

You may encounter a congestion charge in some parts of London. Congestion charges are used to reduce the number of vehicles driving in a busy area, often a city centre, by making drivers pay a daily tariff to enter them. The charging zone usually operates at certain times, and once you have paid, you can leave, drive around and re-enter it as many times as you would like within that day. You can find more information about London's congestion charge online.

Driving in cities like London puts extra strain on your car due to long periods of idling and frequent stopping and starting in traffic. The parts most at risk are the brakes, cooling system and transmission. Manoeuvring into tight parking spaces and navigating busy roads can result in scuffed alloys and dented or scraped bodywork while driving over potholes can throw out your suspension. FixMyCar can help you find affordable repairs and maintenance in London for all these crucial components.

London is in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ), both of which are designed to reduce air pollution in the city. The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day, and excludes the M25 motorway. It charges drivers of cars, vans, motorcycles and specialist vehicles that don't meet the emissions standards £12.50 a day. The LEZ also covers most of Greater London and specifically targets drivers of the most polluting diesel vehicles. It is enforced year-round, and the amount you pay varies. It usually ranges from £100-300 depending on your vehicle, and you can pay online. This guide explains everything you need to know about ULEZ and LEZ.

Ticking and rattling are two closely related noises you might hear from your car. If you listen closely to where the sound is coming from and when it happens (while accelerating, for instance), you might be able to work out the cause.

The first thing to check is whether the engine oil is low, requiring a top-up - this is the best-case scenario. If your car is rattling and the sound is coming from the engine, it could be caused by a loose serpentine belt or timing chain. From the car's rear, it might be a loose exhaust or a broken catalytic converter, and the other possibility is worn suspension, which can cause rattling from the front or rear of the vehicle.

Possible explanations for ticking include worn spark plugs, knocking engine rods, dirty valve lifters and misaligned valves. You can learn more about these issues here.

Ticking and rattling noises should be taken seriously as they sometimes indicate a problem with the engine that could cause further damage if ignored.