Suzuki Gsxr 1000 Windshield Puig 2072f on 2040-parts.com

Third of motorists admit to driving with no MOT

A third of motorists have driven a car knowing the MOT had expired, risking fines of up to £1,000 and invalidating their insurance in the process. That’s according to a survey conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which found that of 1,000 UK motorists, 67% had driven without an MOT for up to a week, 24% for a month, 7% for six months and – shockingly – 2% for more than six months. Now we’d give the 67% who admitted driving without an MOT for a week the benefit of the doubt – it’s easy to forget the test is due.

Chancellor to ‘freeze fuel duty’ until 2015?

The chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, has announced that fuel duty will be frozen until 2015 – if the savings can be found to pay for it. The announcement came during a speech at the Conservative party conference, in which George Osborne said: “Provided we can find the savings to pay for it, I want to freeze fuel duty for the rest of this parliament.” The 2p-a-litre rise planned by the Labour government for September 2014 would be cancelled, continuing a freeze that has lasted two-and-a-half years already. But this is conditional on the treasury finding the funds to cover it.

Next BMW 7-series previewed in Vision Future Luxury concept

BMW has previewed key exterior styling elements, contemporary interior design touches, lightweight carbon fiber construction and innovative lighting systems to be incorporated on next year's sixth-generation 7-series with the unveiling of an arresting new concept car that goes under the name Vision Future Luxury. Revealed at the Beijing auto show, the big new sedan is described as a showcase for future BMW models. But while initial speculation suggested the Vision Future Luxury pointed at a possible 9-series flagship model to be installed at the top of the German car maker's lineup, BMW officials have confirmed the new concept was created more specifically as a pointer to the next 7-series, which is planned to head into North American showrooms late next year.