Motoring news roundup: Nine stories that caught our attention
From soaring fuel prices and potholes to classic cars, British manufacturing and some encouraging news for electric vehicles, it’s been a busy few weeks in the motoring world.
Here are nine stories that caught our attention.
1. Prices at the pump soar
September brought more pain at the pumps, with both petrol and diesel prices rising sharply. By 28 September, average diesel had reached a record 199.18p per litre, while petrol stood at 174.13p.
That puts the cost of filling a typical 55-litre family car at almost £110 for diesel and £96 for petrol, adding further pressure to household motoring costs.
Shopping around can make a noticeable difference, while keeping your car properly maintained can also support fuel efficiency.
For more ways to cut consumption, read our seven tips for better fuel economy.
2. Jeremy Clarkson puts his Grand Tour cars up for sale
Fans of The Grand Tour have the chance to own a piece of motoring TV history, with Jeremy Clarkson putting three cars from his personal collection up for auction.
They include the Lancia Montecarlo he drove in the show's final episode, an Alfa Romeo GTV6 from a Scottish road trip and the huge Lincoln Continental featured in Lochdown. All three will be auctioned without reserve at the NEC Classic Motor Show in November.
3. The Jensen Interceptor is back – with 960bhp
One of Britain's most famous motoring names is making a comeback. The Jensen Interceptor, originally built between 1966 and 1976, has been reimagined for the modern era.
The first version is an extreme 960bhp V8 track-focused car, with more luxurious road-going GT and GTR versions set to follow. It may be very different from the original, but the return of the Interceptor name should provide plenty of interest for British classic-car fans.
4. Nissan gives Sunderland a £170m boost
There was positive news for British car manufacturing as Nissan announced a £170 million investment to produce its Kicks e-POWER hybrid in Sunderland.
The compact crossover will be built alongside other Nissan models at the plant, with the investment supporting UK manufacturing and its wider supply chain.
5. Used electric-car depreciation shows signs of easing
After several years of sharp falls in used electric-car values, there are signs that the rate of depreciation may be slowing.
Recent analysis by CarGurus UK suggests values are recovering, with models such as the Skoda Enyaq increasing in price by as much as 10% compared with last year. Demand is growing too: SMMT figures show that used battery-electric car transactions rose by 67% during the second quarter of 2026.
Greater choice and increasingly competitive used prices could be helping more motorists consider making the switch to electric.
6. Autumn could make Britain’s pothole problem worse
An exceptionally hot summer may have caused further damage to Britain’s already fragile roads.
The RAC reports that intense heat and ultraviolet radiation can age the bitumen used to bind road surfaces together. This makes the surface harder and more brittle, causing cracks to appear as it cools. Autumn rain can then enter those cracks, helping to turn them into more serious road defects.
To protect your car this Autumn, take extra care on unfamiliar roads, leave more space to see hazards ahead and avoid swerving sharply around potholes.
MotorEasy Alloy Wheel Insurance can help cover eligible pothole damage, with up to four claims per policy year and no excess to pay.
7. High-mileage EVs deliver a reliability surprise
There was more encouraging news for motorists considering a used electric car, with new research suggesting high-mileage EVs can perform well as they get older.
Analysis of 47.4 million MOT tests found that among cars aged three to eight years with 90,000–120,000 miles, 16.5% of EVs failed their MOT compared with 22.1% of equivalent petrol cars.
There is an important caveat: an MOT doesn't assess battery health or remaining capacity, so these still need checking when buying a used EV.
8. Private parking charges reach a record high
Private parking operators made an estimated 16.9 million requests for vehicle keeper details from the DVLA during 2025/26, up 17% on the previous year. These requests are generally made to issue parking charges, with their potential combined value estimated at £4.6 million a day.
nlike penalties issued by councils or the police, these are charges issued by private companies when a motorist is alleged to have breached a car park’s terms and conditions.
To avoid an unwanted charge, check the signs carefully, confirm how long you can park and make sure your registration is entered correctly. Keep your receipt or app confirmation and consider setting a reminder before your parking time expires.
9. New cameras expose ‘ghost’ number plates
So-called “ghost” number plates also made headlines. These illegally modified plates are designed to make vehicles harder for conventional ANPR cameras to identify, potentially helping drivers evade enforcement.
New AI-powered camera technology is now being trialled to detect them, with one camera near the Dartford Crossing reportedly identifying more than 1,000 suspected ghost plates in a single day. Drivers displaying an illegal number plate can face a fine of up to £1,000.
Helping you stay up to date…
That’s our pick of the latest motoring stories. For help keeping on top of your own car, your MotorEasy Digital Garage brings important vehicle information together in one place.
It can keep track of dates including your next service and MOT, store key vehicle documents, show your MotorEasy policy information and give you access to exclusive partner offers.
