UK ‘crash for cash’ car insurance scams double in 2013

News that ‘crash for cash’ insurance scams rose by 51 per cent in the UK last year shows a worrying trend in car insurance fraud.
According to the UK’s biggest motor insurers, Aviva, who insures one in ten vehicles in the country, at least 820 accidents were induced (or intentionally) caused.

Witnessing first-hand such a scam just weeks before I was about to sell my car, I can tell you it is not a pleasant experience. However, knowing how you can combat the fraudsters is half the battle.
Faked accidents led to around 2,200 fraudulent claims for personal injury last year Aviva confirmed, but little more than a community order is the usual punishment for such crimes.
Most of these accidents are caused deliberately by gangs who then put in claims for whiplash compensation. But what should you be looking out for? Read More: AutosHype.com

Hackers can Control your Car's Steering and Brakes - Report

Hackers only need a gateway to get connected to any device and that’s also true for cars which have systems that connect them to a cellular network. A research report from Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, shared with CNNMoney, explain similar findings. According to the report, if a car’s functions like the steering, brakes and tire pressure monitor are on the similar network as features that link the car to the Internet, the hackers can control any function remotely.

They could engage brakes and control features like adaptive cruise control and active lane assist.
The security researchers analyzed 20 different cars with a goal to persuade automakers to make necessary changes to provide consumers robustly secure cars. They found the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 2015 Cadillac Escalade and 2014 Toyota Prius as most vulnerable vehicles, while the 2014 Dodge Viper and 2014 Audi A8 are least hackable as their wireless communications are not on the same network as their features. Read More :AutosHype.com

The Lexus CT 200h: Why Are People Flocking To Buy This Car?

Lexus has introduced several exciting new car models over recent years. But one model that has captivated motorists and the press alike is the Lexus CT 200h. It was first unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and available to buy from 2011 onwards.

The Lexus CT 200h got designed by Takeshi Tanabe. It is a luxury small family car that is also ideal for business users. The “CT” stands for “Creative Touring,” according to various online sources.
We know when the car was first made, and who designed it. We also know what size of car it is. But what is it about this car that makes it one of the Japanese car maker’s best-selling models? In this blog post, I discuss some of the car’s top selling points. Read More: AutosHype.com

Kia: We're Ready To Start Building Self-Driving Cars

Kia is a South Korean car maker that has been in business since 1957. They are the country’s second-largest car producer. They have been busy bees, with global sales totalling 2.75 million cars in 2013.
You will often find their car models for sale in various parts of the world. They enjoy relative success in the global markets they target.
The South Korean firm likes to come up with amazing technology in their newest models. One market they are keen to take advantage of is the driverless car market.

It’s a well-known fact that autonomous car technology is still in its infancy. But Kia have made a bold claim that they are ready to start building driverless cars! The only trouble is, the threat of litigation has put up hurdles for converting that dream into reality. Read More: AutosHype.com

What to Look For Before Buying a Used Car

So, you’re buying a used car. There’s nothing to be ashamed of; the majority of people choose to buy used cars in this day and age, as new cars are just too expensive. Plus, they depreciate in value the second that you buy them, making them a bit of a silly investment. You could always get a car on finance, but I find it much more effective to save for the car and pay it off in one. This way, you don’t have any more unnecessary payments to worry about. Anyway, you’re definitely buying a used car; so here’s what to look for before handing over your hard earned cash:

You can easily check your used car over. This applies even if you don’t have the first clue about what you’re looking at. The first step is to approach the fender at the front and make sure that it looks to be in full working order. You can then look around the trim lines to make sure they are straight; if not, this could indicate damage to the frame. This applies with offset doors, and any wonky lines too. Read More: AutosHype.com

Have You Fallen Out Of Love With Your Car?

Some people consider their cars to be just a way of getting them from A to B. For others, cars mean so much more than that. They are like part of the family, and their owners are happy to spend lots of time and money on them!
Sometimes, though, even die-hard car enthusiasts can end up falling out of love with their cars. If that sounds like you, check out the following top tips to help you rekindle your love for your car. Read More: AutosHype.com

Volvo - Shaking Off The Old Image?

We all have our preconceptions about certain car manufacturers. Volkswagens are reliable but expensive. Fiats go wrong a lot. French cars go wrong all the time. Japanese cars are no fun. Fords are a safe option. These ideas persist through time – they stick. Often, there’s not a lot that a car manufacturer can do about their brand image.
That’s true of Volvo. For decades, Sweden’s most famous marque has seemed a bit dull. We all think of Volvos as a little bit boring. The old joke – “boxy but good” – still has value to this day. We see Volvos as boxes on wheels, useful only for carrying goods. That’s not a bad image if you want to exploit that market. Of course, it does limit your marketing strategy somewhat. Not everyone wants a car that they can cram full of stuff. Read More: AutosHype.com