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Rob Hull - Motoring Editor

Rob Hull has been Motoring Editor across MailOnline and ThisisMoney since 2021 having joined as Motoring Reporter in September 2015. He's been writing about the automotive sector for 20 years. He previously worked at consumer group Which? as a Senior Researcher overseeing vehicle testing, development of the WLTP test cycle for European partners and project lead for the Which? Car Survey - the UK's largest poll of car drivers. Before that, he covered two wheels as a news and sport reporter at Motorcycle News from 2005 to 2010. Rob specialises in all things that impact motorists in Britain.

Coverage: Cars Electric Cars

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM ROB HULL

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How much do you love your car? Poll reveals the most satisfying brands to own with 90k drivers having their say

10/08/24 06:00

Here's a countdown of the top 10 most satisfying brands to own based on feedback from 90,000 UK drivers. And we'll reveal the full order from 1 to 32 of mainstream brands to see how yours ranks in the eyes of Britain's motorists....read

One-of-a-kind yellow Ford Escort RS Cosworth could sell for a new auction record well over £100k
09/08/24 10:40
The one-of-a-kind 1995 Escort RS Cosworth stands apart from the 7,144 others produced by Ford due to its distinctive Zinc Yellow paint.
I'm a used car appraiser and these warning lights can cost you £500 when you trade-in a vehicle - so is it cheaper to fix it first?
09/08/24 06:00
A professional vehicle appraiser explains how much a dealer will reduce their trade-in price offer based on a car having any of these three warning lights on.
- 112 comments
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Two years after landmark Highway Code rule was introduced to protect pedestrians and cyclists, two in five drivers are ignoring it
08/08/24 11:01
A poll of almost 10,000 UK motorists revealed that 42% either don't know the rule exists or had heard about it but thought it was untrue.
Britain will have a shortfall of 3,000 qualified electric car mechanics by 2031
07/08/24 02:14
A major skills gap is being predicted for a workforce of mechanics trained to service and maintain the nation's EVs - with some parts of the country already undersupplied.
- 219 comments
- 5 shares
More Britons report fellow motorists for driving illegally by sending dash cam videos to police
06/08/24 03:30
Some 135,000 video clips have been sent to the police portal in five years - and in seven in ten have resulted in punishment for perpetrators.
Petrol should have been 5p-a-litre cheaper in July and diesel 8p less expensive, says RAC - here's why
06/08/24 09:05
Fuel prices remained 'stubbornly static' in July as retailers charged inflated figures for both petrol and diesel despite wholesale prices justifying cuts at forecourts.
- 54 comments
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New car sales continue to rise but likelihood of achieving electric vehicle targets looks bleak
05/08/24 01:48
In July, electric cars made up 18.5% of all sales. To meet EV sales targets set out in the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, this share needs to rise to 22% by the close of 2024.
- 333 comments
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Ageing cars to blame for recent rise in vehicle breakdowns, Green Flag says
03/08/24 05:00
Analysis of Government data shows that the average age of registered cars in Britain has increased by 42% in the last 20 years.
- 209 comments
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This is how you should adapt your driving when a thunderstorm hits
01/08/24 08:54
The AA warned 'extreme caution is advised' as roads could become 'hazardous' due to flooding as storms are predicted across large parts on the country this week.
- 44 comments
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I want an EV charging point installed at my home, but which is best? Highest rated devices revealed
31/07/24 11:01
If you're considering switching to an EV, the most lucrative decision you can make is to install a homecharger to benefit from substantial cost savings.
- 511 comments
- 55 shares
Supercar bunker for the mega rich: Step inside new high-security vehicle storage facility near Gatwick
30/07/24 11:01
The site, which can hold almost 600 cars at a time, is fully kitted out with the most advanced storage tech and a team of heavies to keep it locked down at all times.
The tactic used by criminals to steal financed cars from Britain - with many ending up in Romania and Bulgaria
30/07/24 09:29
The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service says it has prevented the theft of - or returned - 320 stolen financed motors since 2021.
- 54 comments
- 33 shares
Meeting of mundane motors: 1982 Toyota Hilux crowned best car at Festival of the Unexceptional
30/07/24 05:00
The Festival of the Unexceptional is a unique motoring event designed to celebrate long-forgotten everyday family cars many of us would have owned during the 1970s to 1990s.
- 60 comments
- 39 shares
Rare Ford Escort RS Cosworth once loaned to Jeremy Clarkson for six months is heading to auction - it could break the bank
29/07/24 05:24
The car is notable for being the one Ford loaned to Jeremy Clarkson in 1993. But that's not the main reason for why it's going to cause a bidding frenzy on Saturday 24 August...
Third of drivers say they're better than their car's sat-nav and cruise control
29/07/24 11:38
In a poll of 2,000 drivers, the statistics revealed a surprising number of motorists are reluctant to use their car's modern tech because they think they can do a better job.
Hundreds of MG4 owners say their £27k EVs have flawed safety tech putting them at risk - what is the Chinese brand doing about it?
28/07/24 08:53
Owners of MG4 electric cars have been contacting This is Money in droves detailing the dangerous scenarios they've been put in by their Chinese EVs due to a flawed safety feature.
Ten cars turning 40 this year - but does reaching the milestone make them bona fide classics?
27/07/24 02:00
Does reaching 40 years of age guarantee that a car earns 'classic' status? Here's 10 examples of motors that arrived in 1984 - you can decide if they're deserving or not.
Drivers ripped off £1.6bn a year by fuel retailers pocketing 'significantly' higher margins
26/07/24 08:18
Increases in fuel margins cost drivers more than £1.6billion in 2023 alone, with supermarkets' fuel margins now roughly double what they were in 2019, the CMA added.
- 493 comments
- 6 shares
Car production down 7.6% as UK manufacturers update lines to build EVs
25/07/24 03:32
The decline is 'in-line with expectations' due to car makers updating their assembly lines to produce electrified vehicles, says industry body the SMMT.
- 88 comments
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Drink-drive deaths reach highest level since 2009, Government figures show
25/07/24 12:21
An estimated 300 people were killed in crashes involving at least one driver over the legal alcohol limit in 2022. The last time deaths were so high was the 380 recorded 13 years earlier.
- 59 comments
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Twenty-year-old gold Lamborghini Diablo with 500 miles on the clock is set to fetch a huge price at auction
25/07/24 12:14
Just 42 examples of this ultra-rare Diablo variant were produced, with the auction house in charge of finding its new owner saying it 'takes desirability to the next level'.
Seven in ten electric vehicles will be stung with the additional £410-a-year 'luxury car' premium tax when VED exemption ends next year
25/07/24 11:00
Tax exemptions ending on 1 April 2025 will 'create further cost barriers for drivers looking to transition to EVs,' says Auto Express.
- 653 comments
- 440 shares
Renault offers DIVORCE money back pledge on new electric Scenic family car - but there's a catch
24/07/24 11:01
The French car maker is introducing 'Relationship Breakdown Cover' for its new family EV to guarantee a refund to couples who divorce or dissolve a civil partnership after taking delivery.
- 25 comments
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More than 350 vehicles are stolen every day as Britain's car crimewave shows no sign of slowing, official figures reveal
24/07/24 02:53
Some 129,159 vehicles were pinched between April 2023 and March 2024, compared to 130,119 for same period in 2022-23, ONS data shows.
Government unaware of the 'truly dire state' of potholed local roads, spending watchdog says
23/07/24 02:37
Road safety groups have said the report is 'damning indictment of the state of UK local roads and their upkeep'.
Renault boss says 'we're not on the right trajectory to achieve 100% electric cars by 2035' as Porsche waters down its EV ambitions
23/07/24 09:35
Luca De Meo, boss of Renault, has warned customers aren't ready to switch to EVs and called for 'more flexibility' in the 2035 deadline. Porsche has also watered down its own EV ambitions.
Record number of drivers are being caught and fined for ignoring smart motorway rules
22/07/24 11:01
The shocking number of people flouting the rules is the latest in a string of concerns over smart motorways.
The 10 inanimate objects drivers most commonly hit in single vehicle crashes
22/07/24 05:00
While you might think kerbed wheels are the most common misjudgements made by motorists, there's one other type of item drivers accidentally steer into more often.
- 117 comments
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What is ghost charging and how are half of EV owners using it to get priority?
21/07/24 07:29
Half of electric car drivers admit to 'ghost charging' - a dirty tactic used to get priority parking at supermarkets, restaurants and shopping centres.
- 733 comments
- 47 shares
Five classic car names making a comeback - is it a good idea to relaunch former legends? We ask the experts
20/07/24 06:00
At least five former car names will be making a return in the coming months, including icons such as the Ford Capri and Renault 5. But is it a fool proof tactic by brands?
Ford shelves plans to go all-electric from 2030 as EV boss says deadline was 'too ambitious'
19/07/24 12:53
In an interview with Autocar, Marin Gjaja, the boss at Ford Model E, said 'uncertainty' around EV demand and legislation has forced it to shelve the target of 2030.
Dacia's budget-friendly Sandero tops Europe's sales chart - as Tesla's best-seller of 2023 plunges down the order
19/07/24 09:40
Starting from £13,795, Sandero is officially Britain's cheapest new model. However, it failed to break into the list of top 10 more popular cars in the UK in the first six months.
Fiat boss says it is reintroducing a petrol-engined 500 city car because older drivers don't want EVs
16/07/24 04:33
Olivier Francois said the new petrol 500 Ibrida would be coming in early 2026 due to a 'slower than anticipated uptake of EVs across Europe' in an interview with Autocar.
Electric car breakdowns from running out of battery hit record low, says AA
16/07/24 02:44
Just 1.4% of the EV callouts in June were due to the car's batteries having no charge, the AA said. This is almost at the same level as petrol and diesel drivers running out of fuel.
The sweet spot when EVs become better value than petrol cars revealed
16/07/24 02:00
Would you be more open to EV ownership if we told you that there's a particular sweet spot for when one becomes better value than a petrol carl?
Revealed: The 10-second danger window when humans take back control of self-driving cars
13/07/24 06:00
Researchers observing a new study found that 'vehicular control during the ten seconds immediately after resuming manual driving was generally poor in the case of all participants'.
Lexus slashes EV prices by as much as £7k to stimulate sales
11/07/24 12:52
With today's EV market being propped up by huge fleet demand , the manufacturer has slashed its prices to increase appeal for private buyers.
Ford Capri is back but not as you know it! Ford's cult classic name controversially returns for a new £42k electric SUV
10/07/24 12:28
Ford has taken the daring decision to relaunch the iconic nameplates after 40 years. But not all fans will be happy to see it used for a £40k+ electric SUV baring little resemblance to the original.
New Renault cars will score your driving out of 100 and deduct marks for these mistakes
09/07/24 07:07
Marks are docked if any of the vehicle's suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems kick in during the journey, including new Intelligent Speed Assistance limiter technology.
Honda relaunches much loved sports car after 25 years: New hybrid to go on sale in 2025
08/07/24 03:03
The original Honda coupe name launched in Europe back in 1979. The last example to carry the name - the fifth generation car - went out of production in 2001 and it hasn't been used since.
Fifth of drivers unwittingly breaking the law by using a phone at certain times during journeys
08/07/24 08:20
Some 19% of motorists polled said they do handle their devices at specific times when on a journey, which could be out of ignorance rather than flagrantly breaking the law.
- 416 comments
- 43 shares
One-off bronze Ford Escort RS2000 built for Henry Ford II could be yours for a five-figure price
07/07/24 06:00
Having fallen off the radar for 20 years before being snapped up by a collector, it is now predicted to sell for a staggering sum when the hammer drops at a UK auction on 24 August.
- 372 comments
- 103 shares
Which car makers WILL put automatic speed limiters in UK models this month? Each brand explains how to turn them off
06/07/24 06:00
We contacted the 32 top-selling brands to find out if UK models will be equipped with Intelligent Speed Assistance - and how drivers can turn it off.
Chinese electric car makers stung with huge new EU tariffs
05/07/24 09:02
An eight-month probe into the Chinese EV sector found makers benefit from substantial government subsidies to keep prices low and gain an unfair stronghold on the market.
New cars fitted with automatic speed limiters from this week - can drivers turn them off?
02/07/24 09:32
As of 7 July 2024, new vehicles will need to have Intelligent Speed Assistance systems fitted as standard as part of an EU safety regulation mandate.
Britain's second best-selling EV has a 'potentially dangerous' issue, warns Which?
01/07/24 06:59
Which? says it identified the problem during controlled and repeated tests that it carries out on over 100 different cars each year.
Hyundai Inster will be its smallest EV yet with an affordable price tag and clever party trick in its cabin
28/06/24 06:01
One of the biggest complaints about electric vehicles is their inflated price tags. But the Hyundai Inster is one of a recent bunch of 'affordable' small electric cars coming to market.
- 126 comments
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The speed cameras that can catch drivers using a phone: Convictions soar 90% with hi-tech roadside devices now capable of snaring offenders
28/06/24 06:01
There are at least 18 different types of speed camera being used across Britain. Three of these are can also detect other offences such as handling a phone. Find out how they work.
- 245 comments
- 165 shares
Capri to make its comeback in days: Ford teases the return of its iconic nameplate - but it will be reborn as an electric SUV
27/06/24 03:03
The US brand is relaunching the famous nameplate for its new electric sporty EV as it adds to its growing arsenal of battery-powered cars coming to showrooms featuring its classic names.
I'm an ex police interceptor and these are my six best tips to protect your car from motor thieves
27/06/24 06:00
Ben Pearson, a former police interceptor, says: 'You don't need to make your car the hardest car to steal in the world - just the hardest one to steal on your street.'
Volkswagen invests £4bn in US electric vehicle maker Rivian to access its software technology
26/06/24 11:41
The investment will provide a financial lifeline to Rivian and give VW access to the start-up's more advanced software.
Vauxhall owner threatens to pull plug on UK production amid row over EV sales targets
25/06/24 09:00
Vauxhall-owner Stellantis, one of the world's top car makers, has threatened to close its plants in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire (pictured) and Luton.
What is BYD? How Chinese brand is winning at Euro 2024 with searches of its cars soaring - are its EVs any good?
25/06/24 03:50
There are still some big questions that remain for British motorists about this relatively little-known brand. Here, we answer some of them.
How Volvo became cool - five ways it ditched its bland reputation
25/06/24 06:00
Volvo has ditched its long-time reputation for making boring, practical, box-shaped motors and is now considered one of the most desirable marques.
The Volvo estate is back: Drivers force U-turn on axe in Britain
23/06/24 09:34
The company, synonymous with Swedish practicality, had blamed poor sales for the move and said it would focus instead on selling SUVs and electric cars.
Medical conditions most likely to cost drivers their licence - almost 650k have been revoked on health grounds in a decade
18/06/24 08:16
We reveal the ten most common conditions that have led to drivers having their licences rescinded as the DVLA deems them no longer fit to be behind the wheel.
- 299 comments
- 65 shares
Can you save on finance on a used car?
17/06/24 10:48
Finance deals are one of the most popular ways of buying used cars, but it pays to compare prices rather than just taking what the dealer offers.
- comments
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Are you giving away your personal data in your old car by mistake? What to watch out for
17/06/24 08:29
With the majority of modern models fitted with infotainment systems that can link to an owner's smartphone, many drivers forget to wipe this info before they sell it on.
- 116 comments
- 65 shares
London boroughs should 'reallocate a quarter of car parking spaces' to help tackle climate change, charity says
14/06/24 10:09
Climate charity Possible called cars 'inefficient uses of space' and said it wants to see London councils provide 'more equitable streets' by reducing parking space allocation.
Drivers predicted to fork out £2.1bn in parking and traffic fines this year
14/06/24 06:00
This is based on the number of requests already made to the DVLA by private and public authorities to gain vehicle owners' details.
- 71 comments
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Tesla Model Y officially the world's best-selling new car in 2023: The SUV becomes first EV to top the global charts
13/06/24 11:30
The SUV from Elon Musk's American electric vehicle brand topped the global sales charts with 1.22m examples bought by customers worldwide in 2023.
Say hello to the world's fastest EV: Stunning £2.5m electric hypercar clocked at 272.61mph
12/06/24 02:49
The Aspark Owl, a battery-powered hypercar, has just set a new record for the highest speed clocked by an EV you can legally drive on the road.
Cheap Chinese EVs set to be slapped with import tariffs of almost 50% by the EU
12/06/24 01:09
The decision now risks triggering a trade war with China if the issue cannot be resolved in the coming days.
Car touchscreens have become so complicated that more drivers now rely on voice controls
12/06/24 12:30
Vehicle safety bodies have already told car makers to ditch distracting touchscreen systems and reintroduce button controls to avoid being penalised in crash test ratings.
Drivers 'waste £112m a year' by making a mistake with cars that takes minutes to rectify
12/06/24 05:00
It is estimated that 57% of motorists on UK roads are currently making this error, which is also costing them over £100 a year in wasted fuel use.
- 131 comments
- 26 shares
Jaguar Land Rover to pump more than £1million into proactive policing to tackle UK car theft epidemic
11/06/24 11:01
JLR is investing yet more millions of pounds to tackle car crime, especially organised criminal gangs who have been using British ports to ship stolen motors out of the UK.
Car safety scandal rips through Japan's auto sector: Brands including Toyota and Mazda admit filing false crash data - are UK models affected?
11/06/24 06:00
Five major auto makers are at the heart of an ongoing probe by government authorities after all admitted filing false safety reports to gain vehicle certification.
Car hire costs this summer down 43% as rental firms restore supply of vehicles
08/06/24 11:01
A study of car rental costs worldwide found that a week's car hire this summer is 27% cheaper than in 2023 and 42% less than 2022. See which holiday destinations have fallen in price most.
- 31 comments
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Blooming nightmare: Road signs and speed limits are often obscured by overgrown trees and bushes
06/06/24 11:01
Some 53% of motorists say they are regularly unable to read road signage because it is being obscured by overgrown trees and bushes.
- 146 comments
- 51 shares
Car makers leading the way in the EV race and the manufacturers falling behind - see where your brand ranks
06/06/24 06:00
The International Council on Clean Transportation has released a ranking of the world's biggest auto makers by EV strategy. Find out which brands are leading the charge.
Three quarters have 'serious concerns' about second-hand EVs - as battery worries rank highest
05/06/24 11:01
This hesitancy to own a used EVs could already be hitting second-hand motor retailers who are taking on increased stock of battery cars that a limited number of customers want to buy.
- 856 comments
- 53 shares
Car makers warn heavily discounted EV prices to stimulate demand are 'unsustainable' as private sales fall again in May
05/06/24 02:37
The Government has remained steadfast on its position to not help encourage EV sales with fresh purchase and charging incentives.
- 176 comments
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Electric cars need to have a 'battery passport' from 2027 to show carbon footprint and one brand already has them
05/06/24 12:15
Every new EV sold in Europe from 2027 will require a battery passport to prove the origins of the raw material and how much of the content is recycled.
The most expensive supermarket drivers should avoid when they fill up - and it used to sell the cheapest fuel
05/06/24 08:22
The supermarket retailer, which has for years 'prided itself' as being the cheapest to fill up, was charging 2.1p more for petrol than its big four rivals last month.
- 211 comments
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Lack of cheap used EVs slowing down Britain's move to electric cars, Auto Trader warns
04/06/24 10:24
Motorists wanting to switch to an EV aren't just facing steep prices for new cars, they're also being priced out in the used market, a report says.
More than a fifth of driving tests are now for automatics - are they easier to pass?
03/06/24 02:59
Is it a wise decision to ditch learning to change gear? While it might appear easier to pass in an automatic, the figures tell a very different story indeed.
- 263 comments
- 16 shares
Three Japanese car makers ready to turn their backs on EV revolution
30/05/24 11:00
All three manufacturers have been reluctant to join the battery car arms race currently in motion in China and Europe.
- comments
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Pensioners being priced off the road thanks to rising car insurance costs - but could make big savings with this simple renewal trick
30/05/24 10:48
Pensioners who face a choice between staying on the road or giving up driving thanks to rising insurance costs are being urged to renew in the 'sweet spot' to slash the cost of cover.
- 180 comments
- 86 shares
Japanese car makers join forces to develop small internal combustion engines in latest major EV shun
29/05/24 03:32
All three manufacturers have been reluctant to join the battery car arms race currently in motion in China and Europe.

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