Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

New government figures have revealed the areas in the UK with the highest number of road traffic casualties, with Kent, Surrey, and Birmingham topping the list. Despite a slight drop in total incidents in 2024, the number of people killed on British roads rose, prompting calls for urgent action.

Provisional estimates from the Department for Transport show that 128,375 people were injured in road traffic collisions last year, including 1,633 fatalities, a 1% increase from 2023. Worryingly, motorcyclist deaths rose by 9%, while pedestrian fatalities increased by 2%.

The figures clearly show that while overall collisions may be declining, the severity of incidents is not. Fatalities are rising among vulnerable groups like motorcyclists and pedestrians, and that should be a wake-up call for national and local policymakers.

Kent, Surrey and Birmingham have consistently high numbers of casualties, and this year’s data only reinforces the need for targeted interventions in these hotspots. These aren’t just numbers – each one represents a life impacted by road trauma.

Young drivers aged 17 to 29 remain significantly overrepresented in road casualties, while older drivers account for a disproportionate share of fatalities. Road safety campaigns must do more to address these specific demographics with education and technology.

We support tougher penalties for high-risk behaviours like drug driving and not wearing a seatbelt. But beyond punishment, we also need better infrastructure, improved driver training, and smarter in-car safety systems – especially for those just starting out behind the wheel.

According to the data, the top 10 local authorities with the most casualties were:

While the Department for Transport has committed to releasing a new Road Safety Strategy, experts stress the need for swift and bold action.

Map Reveals the UK's Worst Areas for Road Incidents

It might sound like a harmless squeak – but ignoring a high-pitched noise under your car’s bonnet could lead to hundreds of pounds in engine damage. Experts have warned that a squealing sound could signal a worn fan belt – and spraying it with WD-40 might do more harm than good.

The fan belt, also known as the auxiliary belt, is a key engine component responsible for powering everything from your alternator and cooling fan to power steering and air conditioning. Over time, the belt wears out or stretches, and one of the first signs is a telltale squeaking or chirping noise when you start the engine or accelerate.

A squeaking noise from under the bonnet is often the first sign your fan belt is wearing out or has lost tension. It’s a really common issue – but the wrong fix could end up costing you dearly.

Many drivers instinctively reach for WD-40 or other lubricants, assuming the belt just needs a bit of oil to quieten it down. But Bumper warns that this DIY quick-fix could create a far more expensive problem.

Fan belts are designed to run dry. If you spray any kind of lubricant on them, it can cause the belt to slip off the pulleys while the engine is running – and that can lead to engine overheating or damage to critical components.

In older cars, the solution may be as simple as tightening the belt with a socket wrench. However, most modern vehicles are fitted with automatic tensioners, meaning if the belt is squeaking, it's usually because it’s too worn or stretched to work properly – and should be replaced.

If your car uses an automatic tensioner and it’s still squeaking, don’t ignore it. Either the belt has had its day, or one of the components it drives – like the water pump or alternator – could be starting to fail.

The cost of replacing a worn fan belt typically ranges between £100 and £200, but if the belt snaps or slips off while driving, the cost to repair the damage could be much higher – especially if it leads to engine overheating or electrical failure.

The advice is simple: don’t ignore the squeak, and never spray oil on a fan belt.

If you hear a high-pitched squeal when starting your car or turning the wheel, it’s time to book it in – not reach for the WD-40. That sound might be annoying, but it’s your car’s way of telling you something’s wrong.

Drivers Warned Squeaking Noise Could Cost £100s – and WD-40 Might Make It Worse

Drivers are being urged to take better care of their engines – and it could be as simple as heading down the motorway now and then. Experts have warned that cautious, slow driving habits may actually be doing more harm than good, increasing the risk of engine damage caused by carbon build-up – often referred to by mechanics as “black death.”

Most motorists try to protect their cars by driving gently around town, but this can unintentionally lead to long-term problems. One of the biggest risks is the accumulation of carbon deposits, which clog internal components, reduce fuel efficiency, and can eventually lead to engine failure.

If you’re constantly driving at low speeds – especially for short journeys – your engine never gets hot enough to burn off carbon deposits. Over time, this can lead to a build-up inside your valves, pistons and exhaust system.

Known as “black death” because of its thick, dark appearance, the deposits are a by-product of unburnt fuel and poor engine circulation. Left unchecked, they can harden and cause serious damage.

In the worst-case scenario, carbon build-up can cause your engine to seize – and replacing that could cost thousands.

Thankfully, there’s a simple solution – and it doesn’t cost a penny.

Modern engines are designed to be run at higher speeds from time to time. Taking your car for a steady drive on the motorway helps heat the engine fully and allows fuel to clean and lubricate components.

Petrol, when forced through the system at higher pressure, can act as a natural solvent – cleaning valves and piston rings as it goes.

Another warning sign to look out for is white foam or froth under the oil cap, which could indicate water condensation in the engine oil, often caused by short trips where the engine doesn’t heat up properly.

If you take your oil cap off and notice a milky substance, that’s usually a sign your engine isn’t getting hot enough to burn off moisture. It’s not necessarily a serious fault, but it can lead to long-term problems if ignored.

Again, a regular long-distance drive at a steady speed can resolve the issue. When you drive at motorway speed for 45 minutes to an hour, the heat generated by the engine is enough to evaporate condensation and prevent that build-up. Keeping up with maintenance and using preventative measures like these can keep your vehicle in a better condition for longer, and hopefully save your bank balance from taking a big hit too.

Mechanics Warn Drivers to Beat Engine ‘Black Death’ with This Simple Habit

Bumper has successfully completed its Series B extension round, raising an additional £8 million in equity funding. This marks the second extension to its Series B round, bringing the total investment to £20 million.

The round attracted the continued support from leading automotive and mobility investors, including Autotech Ventures, Suzuki Global Ventures, Porsche Ventures, JLR’s InMotion Ventures and Shell Ventures.

The completion of this latest funding round coincides with Bumper marking its tenth anniversary with a refreshed corporate brand identity and the launch of an all-new website with greater functionality for both dealer partners and car owners.

Bumper will use the new funding to launch the Bumper Pro platform and AutoBI services across the UK and Europe and support strategic hiring to scale the company’s operations.

Bumper Pro enables automotive retailers to use Bumper’s direct payment solutions to reduce card transaction fees and automate back-office workflows. AutoBI, a business acquired by Bumper last year, provides real-time business intelligence tools for car retailers and OEMs.

James Jackson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bumper, said: “This investment is a strong vote of confidence from existing investors in our ambitious growth trajectory, long-term vision and our amazing team.

“We are now operationally profitable and on track to surpass £1 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2025, representing a tripling of our GMV year-on-year. This momentum is driven by our expanding suite of services that deliver quantifiable value to automotive retailers and OEMs.

“Ten years ago, Bumper launched as a provider of interest-free repair financing for car owners. Today, it has evolved into a comprehensive digital payments and software as a service (SaaS) platform for the automotive retailing sector, with products designed to streamline dealer operations, reduce costs and enhance customer experiences.”

Tony Rimas, Venture Partner of Autotech Ventures, said: “We first invested in Bumper in 2021, attracted by its industry-leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) product and penetration in the UK dealer sector. Since then, we have been impressed by its remarkable revenue growth in the UK and across Europe, its expanded portfolio of payment solutions and the team’s ability to execute on its ambitious plans.

“We’re delighted to support the next phase of Bumper’s growth and are particularly excited by the opportunities presented by its acquisition of AutoBI and Cocoon Payments and the rollout of the game-changing Bumper Pro platform.” 

Kaihei Takagi, Director of Suzuki Global Ventures said: "We are very excited to continue supporting Bumper’s growth, following our initial investment, in this Series B extension. As a result of Bumper’s proactive M&A growth strategy, we have been able to engage in broader strategic discussions beyond just Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), including areas of potential collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation. 

“We look forward to deepening these strategic conversations and supporting Bumper’s continued expansion across Europe, Japan and other regions."

Bumper raises £8 million in Series B extension to accelerate expansion and product rollout

China has been a dominating force in manufacturing for decades, with many of the products we buy and use daily being made there. But, until recently, the same could not be said for cars; despite there being numerous Chinese car brands, they never really made much headway in any markets outside of Asia. 

However, with over 10% of new cars sold in the UK in 2025 being made in China, that is changing. Here is a rundown of some of the most notable brands, with some information about their current models. 

 has a long and varied history in the UK, first founded in the 1920s, they were famous for their open-top sports cars like the MG A and MG TF. The brand was owned by numerous companies throughout its life, but was finally bought by the current owner, SAIC, in 2011.

A full-scale re-launch, geared heavily towards cost-effective electric and hybrid cars, started in 2019. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, with very successful models such as the MG5, MG HS and MG ZS.

SAIC, the owner of the MG Europe brand, is the biggest producer of cars in China, and has dozens of factories making both SAIC and MG-branded cars, for inside and outside of China, respectively. 

 was originally a battery manufacturer formed in 1995; they diversified into cars in the early 2000s. Their models are well known for their quirky design and names, notable mentions being the Seal, Sealion and Dolphin. 

Global sales in 2022 hit 1.8 million, making them a significant player internationally. Priced slightly higher than the likes of MG, and with a focus on luxurious interiors, they are targeting the higher end of this new market.

, was founded in 1997, but did not enter the UK market until 2024, with the Omoda 5 launch in March of that year. The brand is offering mid-level vehicles that offer a good amount of tech and luxury, but aren’t as expensive as some more luxury brands. 

Chery is the fourth largest vehicle manufacturer in China, and as such has many facilities across the country, its vehicle selection in the UK is currently limited to three models, the Omoda 5, the E5 and the Omoda 9. 

 came to the UK market ahead of most other Chinese brands, with their diesel powered Steed pickup truck in 2012. The Steed didn’t sell in great numbers, but the new ORA brand has. 

Their flagship vehicle being the ORA 3 (originally named the Funky Cat) which is a small, quirky city car, powered by a 170bhp electric motor. With prices starting at just under £25,000, it offers good value compared to the competition. 

GWM is also busy bringing another brand to the UK; HAVAL, which will specialise in SUVs and Crossovers. Their first car; the Jolion Pro. They have also teased what looks like a pickup truck too.

As seems to be common with all the brands discussed here, 

is another offshoot from a larger company, with the aim of targeting a different market. The parent company, Geely, is one of the larger car makers in China, and actually owns a few well-known “European” brands such as Polestar, Volvo and Lotus.

Zeekr is primarily focussed on the luxury market, with three cars in their current lineup, the most notable, the 001, is bucking the trend slightly by offering a shooting brake style 5 door, reminiscent of a larger Porsche Panamera.

The AWD performance model has over 500hp, putting it squarely in the high-end performance EV category. Other models include the angular Zeekr X (expected late 2025) and the 7X to come sometime after that. 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

What are the top Chinese car brands?

When the temperature starts to climb in the summer, your car feels it too. Engines overheat. Air cons give up. And let’s not even talk about accidentally touching the metal on your seatbelt. 

Whether you're commuting or road-tripping, driving in a UK heatwave takes a bit of prep. Here are 5 tips to make your drive a little bit easier when the temps start rising. 

Driving in a heatwave can quickly go from uncomfortable to unbearable, unless you know how to keep your car (and yourself) cool.

Parking in the right spot can make a massive difference in a heatwave. Look for shade wherever you can find it: under trees, beside tall buildings – it might even be worth paying to park in a multi-storey car park. Even partial shade keeps your cabin temperature down and protects the interior from UV damage. 

No shade around? Make your own! A reflective windscreen cover can knock several degrees off your car’s internal temperature. You can also throw a towel across your steering wheel to stop it from heating up too much.

Open all the doors (or at least the front windows) and let that trapped heat escape for a minute or two. You’ll be surprised by how much cooler it feels straight away. This also gives your air con a better head start. Instead of working overtime, it can kick into action fast and more efficiently, keeping you cooler and allowing for better fuel efficiency when driving in a heatwave.

Once it starts to cool, close the window and switch the A/C to ‘Recirculation Mode’. This stops hot outside air from coming in and focuses and cools the air faster, taking less effort from the A/C and saving you fuel. This is especially important if you’re stuck in traffic or on a long drive. 

 If your car has a ‘max A/C’ button, use it to blast cool air through your car quickly. Once comfortable, dial it back to normal to stay comfortable without overworking the system. 

Are your car seats made of leather, vinyl or a dark fabric? These can absorb and trap heat especially well. And once they’re hot, they stay hot – not great if you’re driving in a heatwave. 

That’s where a cooling seat cover comes in. These handy add-ons reflect heat, improve airflow, and make your seats feel instantly cooler to the touch. Some even plug in and use fans to circulate air around your back and legs. No matter if you have a high-tech ventilated cushion or just a simple breathable mesh cover, they’re a simple, affordable way to make driving in a heatwave much more bearable.

5. Keep your fuel tank at least half full 

No one likes seeing the low fuel light, but it’s even more of an issue when driving in a heatwave. When the tank’s nearly empty, the heat can make your fuel evaporate faster, creating vapour and adding pressure on your fuel system. On top of that, your fuel pump needs to stay cool, which it does by sitting in the fuel itself. Less fuel means less cooling, which can make the pump overheat and wear out quicker. 

Before you go anywhere, give your car a few simple checks to save you from getting stuck later:

These small checks only take a few minutes but can make a big difference when driving in a heatwave, helping you keep cool and stopping small issues from turning into expensive problems.

Don’t let the heat catch you out with Bumper repair finance

If you’ve been driving in a heatwave and it’s taken a toll on your car, Bumper is here to help with simple 

. Whether it’s a blown tyre, failing air con, or unexpected engine trouble, split the repair cost into easy monthly instalments with 0% interest. Most applications are approved in minutes with a soft credit check, and you can apply online or directly with over 5,000 trusted partner garages.

There’s no exact number for when it gets too hot to drive, but when your cabin starts reaching 30°C, that’s when it can get dangerous. Keep a thermometer in your car or check the dashboard reading. If it feels too hot to function, it probably is.

What weather conditions should you not drive in?

If the outside looks like any of the following, it might be best to stay indoors: 

You can get heatstroke when driving. And it can happen faster than you think. Long journeys without proper ventilation or staying hydrated can push your body past its limit. Look out for early warning signs like: 

Top 5 tips for driving in a heatwave

If your car’s air conditioning has started to smell damp, musty, or even burnt, it could be more than just an unpleasant whiff; it might be the early sign of a serious problem. Failing to act quickly could result in a much bigger bill later down the road.

While many drivers assume a bad smell is harmless, the reality is quite different. One of the most common causes of a foul smell from your air conditioning is the build-up of mould or bacteria inside the system. This tends to happen when the system hasn’t been used for a while or hasn’t been serviced properly.

Moisture inside the unit – particularly around the evaporator coil – creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Once that bacteria takes hold, every time you switch the air conditioning on, it circulates musty air through the cabin.

More concerning, however, is the presence of a burning or electrical smell, which may point to something more dangerous. That kind of odour can suggest overheating components or wiring faults. These are far more serious and shouldn’t be ignored – it’s definitely time to book in with a qualified mechanic.

If the smell is mild and not accompanied by any other warning signs, drivers can sometimes tackle it themselves. Cleaning the drain pan and evaporator coil may help reduce odours, especially if it’s simply stale air. But if the smell sticks around or worsens, don’t try to mask it – get a professional opinion before more damage is done.

Neglecting early warning signs can prove costly. Something as simple as mould can eventually damage components if left untreated. What could have been a low-cost clean-up might turn into a complete system replacement.

Often, what stops people from acting fast is the cost. We know that unexpected car repairs can cause financial strain, which is why we offer interest-free monthly payment plans. It means drivers can get their cars sorted straight away without putting it off due to cost.

The message is clear: if your air conditioning smells off, don’t ignore it. It might just need a clean – or it might be something much more serious. Either way, you’ll save money and stress by sorting it sooner rather than later.

Why Your Car’s Air Conditioning Smells – and How to Fix It!

Many people buy electric cars primarily for the cost saving, the thought being that not having to buy expensive petrol or diesel will save them thousands over the course of a year. But with recent tax changes, and away-from-home charging rising in price, what really is the cost of running a Tesla Model 3?

Road tax, or to use its proper name, Vehicle Excise Duty, is a tax on using motor vehicles on a public road. The rate to be paid depends on a few factors, including the age of the vehicle and its environmental impact. There is also a different rate for the first year a car is on the road.

Another thing to consider is the “luxury vehicle tax”, which is an extra charge on cars with a list price of over £40,000, and is an extra £425 for the first 5 years.

Thanks to its zero-emissions drivetrain, the first year VED on a new Model 3 is £10.

As all Model 3’s were first registered after March 2017 (the Model 3 was first available in the UK in 2019) 

According to the Tesla website, the base spec Model 3 comes in at just under the £40,000 limit; however, almost all cars will have been ordered with one of the many optional extras, putting it above the limit.

The Model 3, therefore, will almost always incur the 

Insurance is calculated by risk, both the risk of your car being stolen and the risk of you having an accident. All cars are sorted into an 

 when put on sale, and this gives a pretty good indicator of what the insurance costs will be. 

The base spec, short-range and 2WD Model 3s are insurance group 38; however, the long-range, or performance models are typically in group 50, which is the highest and most expensive group.

Because insurance varies so much from person to person, with location playing a massive factor too, it’s best to get some indicative insurance quotes that are tailored to you, but be prepared to pay relatively high premiums.

This is the area where you would expect an electric vehicle to do very well, but it is heavily influenced by the places you charge, and your home electricity tariff.

*assuming an electricity rate of 34p / kWh, and charging to 100%

**assuming a 67p / kW rate, charging to 80%

The above figures show it is much cheaper to charge at home, but this isn’t very useful without knowing how many miles you get per charge. Especially in the case of the supercharger stations, where most people only charge to 80% (as charging from 80-100% takes a very long time).

This data is taken from real-world figures of owners, and will depend heavily on the style of driving, the conditions and the health of the battery.

You may remember a few years ago, Tesla offered free supercharging; some people think this applies to all Tesla cars, unfortunately, that's not the case. 

Free supercharging only came on selected models, and only when it was selected as an option from the dealership. It was never available on Model 3’s, only the Model S and X.

However, as Tesla offers the chance to “sell” the supercharging perk back to them when you’re changing cars, not many cars are left with this perk.

One of the biggest advantages of an electric car is its simplicity. They have very few moving parts, so unlike petrol or diesel cars, they don’t have engine oil, air filters, oil filters or fuel filters to change. 

Even brake pads rarely need changing, thanks to the regenerative braking doing most of the stopping. This massively cuts down on servicing costs.

The two things you do need to remember, even with an electric car, are the tyres and the brake fluid. Tyres should be changed 

 - usually when they get below 3mm tread depth. 

Depending on your driving style, EVs tend to be heavier on tyre wear as they typically have more weight and power than a typical petrol or diesel car. 

Tesla Model 3 Running Costs UK

Find all the latest industry news and handiest car repair and service tips on the Bumper Blog. Want to get the Bumper view on something? Let us know and we’ll drop a blog post on it as soon as we can.