There is nothing worse than something going  to pot with your car when you least expect it.

Which is why we should all pledge to check our cars regularly to avoid small challenges cropping up when you really don’t want them to.

Obviously you can’t prepare for everything but giving your car some TLC can make the world of difference. If you like me have neglected your car a little and feel guilty then here are some helpful checks which you should do every now and again to avoid something happening to your prized possession and avoid unwanted surprises.

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Have you ever been angry with other motorists and acted in a hasty fashion or have you become upset because of another road user?

If you answered yes you aren’t alone, as most of us at some point have felt like this while driving.

After a long debate in the office we came to the conclusion that there are a number of things motorists do which cause us to see red mist or feel threatened. Some are much more annoying than others. Many accidents each year could be avoided if we as a nation tried to stay calm whilst in the driving seat.

But what really ticks us off?

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A crime of style and offensive to the eyes. No we aren’t talking about Ke$ha‘s wardrobe, we’re talking about car modifications and accessories.

On your morning commute you get to see some strange and wonderful things especially if you are a motorist.

However many motorists’ accessories seem to fit into the annoying category rather than wonderful as we discovered on asking what the most annoying car accessories were!

Fortunately no one has any of these in the Central Contracts office but we have all seen them. Here are the worst car modifications ever. Don’t be offended if you have them just remove them and pretend you never spent the money on them in the first place.

Chavy body kits
In some cases body kits can look acceptable, but only if done correctly. They sometimes look good on the right car although when certain members of the public get hold of them and badly fit them to their vehicle they resemble a sack of potatoes.

If your son or daughter wants a body kit mention how much more it will cost in insurance and they may snap out of it. If you are contemplating a body kit yourself just think for a minute, you will most definitely make yourself look ridiculous, so just don’t bother in the first place unless that’s the look you’re going for….

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Today is a milestone for Central Contracts as it is our 15 year anniversary.

We thought that this might be an appropriate time to share our story, starting at the beginning to give you an idea of what Central Contracts is about.

Fifteen years ago today Mike Lloyd and Marc Hallsworth started Central Contracts with the aim of offering great car leasing deals to customers coupled with a professional and friendly service; they haven’t looked back since.

Previously working in banking and finance they also had a vast knowledge of the motor trade so they decided to shake things up and start their own business. The saying ‘things can only get better’ rang true for the budding business duo.

Central Contracts staff at the first offices at the Toll Gate!

Mike and Marc have spent the last 15 years building Central Contracts into one of the most well respected vehicle funding specialists in the marketplace today. The company philosophy is based around developing strong relationships with customers and offering a range of services that will exceed their expectations.

Central Contracts has access to a wide range of funders and enjoys the support of most of the major players in our industry, one of which Arval showed their support by commenting:

“Arval and Central Contracts have worked together since 2004. In this time, we have been continually impressed by their professionalism towards Arval as a partner and their commitment to high quality and innovative servicing of their customers.”

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Being able to learn to drive when you’re 17 is an exciting prospect. It’s just one of those milestone birthdays which you look forward to.

I couldn’t wait to learn to drive and I even passed first time, with only 3 minors before  my 18th birthday. This is all great for me but for today’s young motorists it seems that they have lost the drive to get behind the wheel, but why? read more…

Passed your driving test recently but at a loss as to what car to get because of insurance prices? Or are you just looking to change your car to something more purse friendly?

If this sounds familiar then this is the list you need to read. We’ve done the hard work for you.

Suzuki Alto 1.0 SZ2 

The 5th cheapest car to insure this year is the small Suzuki Alto. The Alto is the perfect car for city living as it is small enough to fit into the craziest of spaces. One of the many benefits of this model is that it has 5 doors allowing your passengers to get in easily without a fuss.

There’s more to the Alto than meets the eye as it is one of the cheapest cars on sale today and is exempt from car excess duty (road tax). A safe choice for those looking to save money on their motoring costs!

The downside? The Suzuki Alto doesn’t come with a huge amount of gadgets or bags of equipment. If you like to get the air conditioning going on your commute to work you should choose the SZ3 instead which comes with air-con to keep you nice and toasty!

Being savvy doesn’t always mean you have to shell out big bucks to get he perfect car. You may want to consider leasing the Suzuki Alto instead which usually works out much cheaper than purchasing the vehicle outright.

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It seems that 2013 is the year that Citroën wants to show off what they can do when it comes to style!

The car manufacturer has been around since the first World War and were the first car manufacturing company out side of the USA & UK.

The brand grew rapidly and in just 8 years it had became Europe’s largest car manufacturer and the fourth largest in the world! Get comfy, belt up and see if any of the 2013 Citroën’s appeal to you!

Citroën DS3 Cabrino

The Citroën DS3 Cabrino is an extension of the popular and cool DS3 but with a large sliding sun roof. It may not sound like much but it folds back in a mere 16 seconds.

This model may become even more popular than the DS3 hatchback as it will appeal to people who want all the benefits of a convertible but still want to keep as much room as possible. The Cabrino roof is also something which should be applauded.

The roof fabric also comes in three different colours for your to choose from.

Not only is the DS3 Cabrino an interesting take on bringing the outside in but it also offers 5 seats which is a rarity using in hatchbacks. Many hatch backs which have 5 seats are cramped but no, not the Cabrino!

All in all the Citroën DS3 is cool,cute and also offers great fuel econom, with a cool outer shell.

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The next 12 months is going to be big for the motor industry and for many manufacturers, so we thought we would kick off with what’s in-store for BMW in 2013.

After an impressive 2012 BMW are set to release some absolute corkers. There’s something for everyone! So without further a due we give to you the low down in BMW town!

The Mini Clubvan

The first of four releases for Mini this year comes in the form of the Mini Clubvan which has already hit showrooms. The Mini Clubvan would suit a small business or soul trader who needs a van but who still wants to travel in style. Who said practicality had to be ugly?

The drive is exactly the same as a Mini which is good news if you like firm handling. In a nutshell the interior back seats have been stripped for space and the windows have been replaced by steel to protect your goods.

The only challenge which you may face when using the Clubvan is using the rear door on busy roads because of the way that it opens. Regardless of this the Clubvan can hold up to 860 litres comfortably and will be excellent for any professional who wants the drive of car, but the space of a van.

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Supercars and cats, what a strange combination!

The internet is full of weird and wonderful things and Instagram is not exception! If you aren’t familiar with the social medial platform, Instagram is a highly addictive social network for sharing pictures. You can search for users using hashtags. Instagram is now owned by social media giant Facebook and has millions of users.

Up until recently we thought that it was  mainly pictures of  food, pugs and nail art until until we delved a little deeper into hashtags. After searching for cars we found a number of pictures which struck us as odd. Big cats and supercars!

Sound pretty normal right? Wrong, what more could you need other than a supercar oh actually we’ll use some lions as decorations!!  If you don’t believe us that these are real then search #arabkidsofinstagram!

Prepare to be amazed and baffled at how no one has been eaten yet or that the cars aren’t damaged. These images need no words.

Image from @usmaansharif

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Over the past few days pandemonium has erupted because of the freezing weather conditions and the snow .

The roads have been somewhat risky in most parts of the Midlands with many schools and businesses closed, as commuting and travelling has become a challenge.

It may not have crossed your mind but there are many people who rely on medical professionals to bring them daily medication and administer injections, which in these conditions may not be possible. However a group of volunteers from the 4×4 Response UK team sprung into action and have been driving nurses and other medial staff to their patients. read more…