It's not often you get a nice surprise while driving your car, but many Vauxhall drivers had just that when they discovered a quirky design feature hidden in plain sight.

Famous for iconic British staples like the Corsa and Astra, Vauxhall produced its first model in 1903. For the last 120 years, the manufacturer has been delighting drivers with mass-market models and high-performance vehicles.

Now, motorists are discovering an unusual design choice hidden in all models since 2004: A shark. Yes, that's right, Vauxhall hides a small shark somewhere in all their cars. 

The location of the shark depends on the model, leaving some drivers on a desperate hunt for the little plastic fish. Posting on X, one commented: "Ha! I didn't know this. But I love it". Another said: "Can't post mine as it's too obvious where it is. I've called him Spike".

The quirky design tradition started when a designer of Vauxhall's sister brand 'Opel' was sketching the glovebox panel for the new Corsa. When opened, the box needed extra support from external plastic 'ribs'.

Whilst he was in the middle of the design, his son walked past and asked, "Why don't you draw a shark"? With that, a legendary design tradition was born.

Have you found the shark hidden inside your Vauxhall yet?

The quirky design feature hidden inside all Vauxhall models

The quirky design feature hidden inside all Vauxhall cars

The cost of filling up a typical 55-litre family car has now hit £94, the RAC has reported.

Per litre, petrol now stands at 170.54p, and diesel has risen to 192.86p, the highest since summer 2022, a few months after the start of the Ukraine War. Prices are likely to continue rising with the cost of oil now trading at over $100 per barrel.

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said: "Since the start of this month, the cost of filling a family car has already risen by almost £5, to £94 for petrol and £106 for diesel. So the pressure on the Chancellor to act to support households, so many of whom are dependent on the car, is building."

Fuel duty is also set to increase to 57.95p next year, as the Government plans to unwind the 2022 5p discount. The planned increase is expected in two stages: a 3p increase in January 2027 and a 2p increase in March.

However, some reports suggest this could be delayed given the already-high prices at the pump. The Chancellor will confirm the final rates in the October 2026 budget.

Cost to fill up a family car hits £94

Breakdowns related to the Body Control Module (BCM) have doubled to over 36,000 per year, the AA has reported.

The onboard computer is responsible for the electronic vehicle systems, including lights, windows, wipers, alarms, and central locking. A fault in the BCM can affect multiple systems, often with no warning.

BCM faults are increasingly becoming more common, with the issue now entering the top five reasons for callouts.

Faults in the BCM can be caused by driver error, faulty entry key chips, physical damage, a computer glitch, or poor repair work. AA mobile mechanic Joe Morbin called out incorrectly connecting jump leads as a leading cause of BCM failures. 

Incorrectly connecting jump lead clamps to the wrong battery terminal will cause the current to flow in the wrong direction, potentially destroying the diodes and protection circuits inside the BCM.

Morbin also said a single BCM fault can affect several systems at once, which can be confusing for drivers trying to describe the problem. 

Body Control Modules breakdowns double since 2020

Body Control Module breakdowns double since 2020

The Independent Garage Association plans to call on the Government to increase the MOT fee to at least £95.

The IGA said the current fee is unsustainable, with garages not only facing inflation but also cost pressures relating to labour, rent, equipment, fuel, energy, compliance, administration and staff training.

Garage owners said that without an increase to the fee, garages would struggle to cope with the increasing cost burden, with a recent survey of IGA members showing strong support for the increase. The survey also revealed that a growing number are already reducing MOT capacity due to the increasing cost pressures.

Stuart James, Chief Executive of the Independent Garage Association,

It is a fact that the current MOT fee has remained static for 16 years. We are being advised by garage owners that without a significant increase to the MOT fee, they cannot continue to sustain this ever-increasing cost burden. 

"As the representative body for the independent garage sector, the IGA will continue to challenge the Government to deliver an acceptable resolution to this issue before it causes a level of consumer detriment."

There is no legal minimum fee for an MOT test in the UK. Garages can legally charge anything from zero to a maximum limit set by the government. The maximum fee for a car is currently £54.85. Tests for motorcycles cost up to £29.65, and vans (up to 3,500kg) cost up to £58.60. The fee has remained unchanged since 2010.

The IGA plans to state its case for the increased fee in upcoming Government talks.

Independent Garage Association pushes for MOT fee increase

IGA Pushes for MOT fee to increase to £95

Automatic braking, keyless entry and voice assistants. With so many high-tech features, our cars are starting to feel a bit like robots. What once felt like something from a sci-fi film now comes as standard on lots of new models.

Some would say driverless cars are the next milestone in the automotive-tech revolution. But we say, why not go one step further? With robots.

And what would these robots look like? Let's find out.

What would it look like if big car brands made robots?

What would it look like if car manufacturers made robots?

With hosepipe bans in place across large parts of the country this summer, many drivers have likely ditched the bucket and sponge for an alternative method.

However, experts have now warned that washing cars in this particular way could be wrecking them. The advice has also sparked a major safety concern.

Drivers using automatic car washes could be at risk of damaging their tyres, with harsh wheel cleaners and stiff brushes adding further friction to rubber already dried out by a long summer of hot weather.

The metal tracks and conveyor belts used in the automatic washes pose a risk by scratching against the sidewalls, with each visit stripping a little more of the tyre's protection.

Drivers are urged to be careful when checking their tyres for damage this summer, as products often designed to make a tyre look healthy can sometimes mask small cracks, which can be an early warning sign of the rubber deteriorating. 

Even minor sidewall damage can increase the risk of a puncture or blowout, which could leave drivers stranded and in need of roadside assistance. Small stones and debris, often kicked up into the tyres during an automatic wash, can cause a slow puncture that may go unnoticed for some time.

Automatic car washes may seem like a convenient fix to a car covered in dust from a hot and dry summer, but with average tyre replacement costs ranging from £45 to £250, drivers could face a large repair bill if tyres go unchecked.

To check, road users should gently run their hand over the surface of their tyres after using an automatic car wash to check for signs their tyre is starting to lose protection. A dry, brittle or unusually rough surface could indicate damage and drivers should consider seeking advice from a qualified mechanic.

This summer car washing method could be wrecking your vehicle

Washing your car like this could damage your vehicle

It takes less than a second. You pull up, park, and swing your car door open without a second thought. But if there's a motorcyclist or cyclist passing at that exact moment, that split-second habit could end in a serious accident and a fine.

This is the dangerous habit known as "car dooring."

Car dooring happens when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist or motorcyclist, without checking first. It might seem like a minor lapse in concentration, but the consequences can be severe.

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in slow-moving or stationary traffic, where they're legally permitted to filter between lanes. That means a door swinging open unexpectedly from a parked or queuing car can catch them with almost no time to react.

Under Regulation 105 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, it is an offence to open a car door and cause injury or danger to another person. Breaking this rule can land you with a fine up to £1,000.

It isn't just the driver who needs to be careful. If a passenger opens a door and causes a collision, the rider can still make a claim against the driver's insurance, since the person in charge of the vehicle can be held liable for their passengers' actions. 

This isn't a rare, one-off hazard either. A survey from 

 found 28% of motorcyclists have experienced a parked car door being opened suddenly in their path.

The good news is that avoiding this mistake requires just a small change in habit. Instead of opening your car door with the hand nearest to it, use your opposite hand. This forces your body to twist, which turns your head and shoulders towards the wing mirror and blind spot, exactly where an approaching cyclist or motorcyclist would be. It's a tiny adjustment, but it means you're much more likely to spot something before it's too late.

It's a small habit that could protect a motorcyclist's life and save you from a fine, penalty points, or worse.

Everyday driving mistake that could cost you thousands

Come with us on a car-themed pub crawl, as we recreate your favourite drinking spots in the style of some of the world's top brands. From British icons to Scandinavian cool, we’ve imagined what pubs would look like if some of the world’s biggest manufacturers swapped the showroom for the bar. The only question left to answer is: how much do they charge for a pint?

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer