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Aston Martin and AMG confirm partnership on new V8 engine

Aston Martin and AMG working on new V8 engines The collaboration deal between Aston Martin and AMG has moved to another level with the announcement that the two companies are working on a new V8 engine for Aston Martin. Aston Martin and AMG signed a letter of intent in July to kick off their technical partnership, and the news the companies are working together on a new V8 engine – which will probably first be seen in a new V8 Vantage – is the first fruits of the deal. A statement from AML and AMG said they are planning to expand their agreement to work on sharing electronic components and will “investigate additional areas of operation”.

Cluttered-up cars failing MOT test

CLUTTERED-UP cars are causing thousands of drivers to fail the MOT test. Some vehicles are not passing the test as the screenwash is not topped up, the survey by Whatcar.com found. Test centres are also failing vehicles as they have stickers on the windscreen that block the driver's view, while some drivers even turn up for a test sporting no number plates.

All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives

Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models. As a result, retailers such as the large Penske Automotive Group reported that despite an overall decline in sales in the first three months of 2009, improving used-car sales kept them in the black.