1988-95 Geo Tracker/suzuki Instrument Cluster on 2040-parts.com

56% of drivers 'underestimated car expense'

MORE THAN half of people who have bought a second-hand car in the last two years have found it more expensive to run than they expected, according to a Government-backed body. Some 56% of motorists said that total cost, including maintenance, repairs, insurance and fuel had turned out to be higher than anticipated and one in five drivers (20%) have resorted to going into debt just to keep their vehicle on the road, the Money Advice Service (MAS) found. One in four (26%) of the 3,000 people surveyed who have bought a second-hand car since 2012 now has regrets about their purchase, with many of them saying they had not worked out whether it was really affordable or that the purchase price was too much in the first place.

Donate to help earthquake victims in Japan

With Japan stricken by natural disasters, AutoWeek encourages its readers to donate to the Red Cross. Tens of thousands of people are feared missing or dead, and the country is grappling with the aftermath of earthquakes, a tsunami and a potential nuclear catastrophe. To donate, please click here: www.redcross.org

2013 Toyota Auris: Price from £14,495

The new Toyota Auris is heading for a debut at Paris 2012 and Toyota has now revealed prie and specification ahead of its reval. Starting point will be £14,495 and there will be four trim grades - Active, Icon, Sport and Excel – as well as two petrol engines – 1.33 Dual VVT-i and 1.6 litre Valvematic – a single 1.4 litre D-4D diesel and a hybrid, with the diesel and petrols getting a six-speed manual ‘box and Toyota’s Multidrive S CVT an option on the 1.6 petrol. The Auris hybrid gets the E-CVT automatic.