West Way Newsletter - Spring 2022

The short answer is yes, you probably should.

With 1 in 3 drivers stating that they did not know how to prepare their car for the winter, it’s important to understand that winter weather conditions can have a huge impact on your vehicle and it’s mechanics.

So, how can winter condition effect my car?

Your battery may not be able to perform to its full potential as it is less able to deliver currents of electricity in colder conditions. This is especially important to know for drivers of electric vehicles.

The colder weather is also able to change fluids in your car that are vital to ensure it runs smoothly. For example, engine oil can become thicker, making it harder to lubricate your engine and could cause future engine problems. Other fluids that could be effected include brake fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze and windscreen washer.

Even though gritting the roads is highly important to avoid high rates of accidents – did you know it can cause corrosion on your car? The salt that is distributed can become trapped on your car by your wheels, under carriage and the side of your car.

Icy windscreens can also cause potential damage to your wiper blades. The rubber can be torn and become more worn.

Cars often need time to warm up in the winter. Although modern cars don’t need as much time to warm up as they did 30 years ago, they still need time to adjust. It’s advisable that you should be driving at a slower speed for a couple of minutes before you break into a 60-70 MPH drive to ensure your engine is warmed up and prepared for the journey.

Your fuel won’t freeze, but your fuel pipes can become icy because of water moisture. This will cause fuel pick up to clog up. The best way to avoid this is to ensure your tank is at least half way full.

So, it’s better to be safe than sorry and for extra peace of mind, we are offering a free 12 months of RAC roadside assistance to anyone who has our £39 Spring Check - which you can book here

Our eVision system creates complete transparency and peace of mind by providing you with an easy and simple to follow video. The eVision health check highlights any areas of concern for your vehicle which allows you to make a more informed decision about whether or not to approve any work that we recommend. So, it is all under your control.

What do our spring health checks include?

Recent weather conditions in the UK have gripped the UK; halting transport and events, and generally causing chaos across the country. Certain parts of the country faced damage to their houses, and even their cars – but we have the solution.

Within the first 5 days of the Nissan ARIYA being open for pre-orders, West Way received HUNDREDS of enquiries and 14 models had already been pre-ordered.

Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director, Nissan Motors (GB) Ltd. commented; “This cutting-edge EV represents the confidence and dare-to-do ambition of the Nissan brand.”

Humberstone continued; “We’re taking over a decade of experience in leading the market with electric vehicles, and ensuring our customer-focused expertise and network capability delivers a model that’s as rewarding to own as it is to drive. We know that UK customers are going to be seriously impressed with the new standards Ariya will bring to the segment in 2022.”

The ARIYA was also voted as the ‘Most Anticipated Electric Car of 2022’  by DrivingElectric readers – truly proving that this EV is something to look out for. You can find out more about the Nissan ARIYA here.

new or used?
It's entirely up to you if you want a new or used car as your first. This decision can be very dependent on your financial situation and the budget you're looking to spend on your car. However, we believe a used car is much more ideal for new drivers. Used cars are typically cheaper than buying new. You can find a variety of price ranges within the used car market depending on several factors such as age, mileage and condition of the car.

Used cars are also more widely available than new, especially with the ongoing microchip shortage.

How much should I spend on my first car?
Well, again, it's entirely up to you how much you want to spend on a car. Buying and running a car is very costly - no matter what you go for. We suggest evaluating what your needs are and allowing that to reflect on the price you should pay. 

For cars that will be doing longer journeys regularly, you need something that has a larger engine, which can be bought for £15,000 and under - or alternatively around £250 a month. If you are just looking for something that will get you from A to B, a smaller car would be ideal, costing around £8,000 and under - or, again, alternatively around £100 a month. 

Hatchback, saloon, or SUV?
The hatchback is typically what new drivers go for. They are often small in size, much more efficient to run and much more affordable in general. A hatchback has five seats PLUS a boot that is big enough for your shopping, so we can see why this is ideal for most first time drivers. However, If you are looking for a family car, you best bet will probably be an SUV or an Estate, as these are much bigger.

What cars are cheapest to insure?
Typically, insurance will be cheaper on hatchbacks that have small engines - again, another reason why this is ideal for new drivers. Our tip is to enter a cars registration into a car insurance comparison site BEFORE you buy the vehicle, to ensure you can afford it. Factors  that also effect your insurance costs include; where you live, where you keep your car and your annual mileage. 

Petrol, diesel or electric?
Petrol is often the most popular choice. Petrol vehicles are often lighter, less prone to issues are much quieter than diesel engines.
If you are more likely to use your car for long journeys, diesels will be a much more efficient choice. However, you aren't designed for lots of short trips, they will quickly wear out if this is what you are doing with a diesel car.
Electric cars can be more expensive than petrol or diesel cars, and take up much more time to 'refuel'. However, if you have a drive way of your own and drive 150 miles or less a day, electric could be the fuel type for you. 

West Way's Choice
All being said, we know what the perfect car is for any first time driver; a used Nissan Micra.
Not only do you get all the benefits of Nissan Intelligent Choice, but there are affordable options to buy and also run and insure. 
Why not browse our selection of used Micra's and see if we have the one for you?

Nissan has developed the e-Power system to deliver a responsive drive with quiet, smooth acceleration - just like any normal EV car. But this is no conventional EV system. This is a hybrid system with all the added benefits of an electric vehicle.

During its 15 years on the market, Nissan Qashqai has created its own niche as a compact crossover with stellar family-friendly credentials. With the new Nissan e-Power drivetrain, the Nissan Qashqai takes another step forward ahead of it's competitors.

What is e-Power?

Nissan has developed the e-Power system to deliver a responsive drive with quiet, smooth acceleration – just like any normal electric car. This hybrid system provides all the added benefits of an electric vehicle, without the charging time. The key element about the e-Power is the petrol engine is not connected to the wheels. The only job of the petrol engine is to charge the battery. The battery then powers the electric motor to move the wheels.

The e-Power delivers:

• Massive torque almost instantly on acceleration, juke like an electric vehicle
• Quiet operation when driving, just like an electric vehicle
• Fuel efficiency that’s compared to leading hybrid vehicles

How does the Nissan Qashqai e-Power powertrain work?

The New Qashqai e-Power’s drivetrain is made up of three key components:

• a highly efficient petrol engine (1.5-litre, 157PS)
• a lithium-ion high-performance battery
• a 140 kW electric motor

The petrol engine provides the energy to charge the battery. The lithium-ion battery then drives the electric motor. This means the e-Power Qashqai will have the benefits of an electric vehicle, such as instant acceleration, but the convenience of a conventional petrol engine which can be fuelled in a couple of minutes. The engine then keeps the battery topped-up, so there’s no lengthy wait at the services to re-charge the battery – even on long journeys.

In addition, this e-Powered Qashqai features the e-Pedal, the highly effective one-pedal format which makes driving simpler and super energy-efficient. In fact, it’s so efficient, the 157PS petrol engine ultimately produces 190PS of combined power from the electric motor, so you can enjoy quick, smooth acceleration and plenty of speed when it's time to overtake.

Following the recent budget announcement, a new super-tax deduction was announced which can be applied to Businesses investing in new vans and trucks should the vehicle qualify under the criteria. The relief is valid when investing in qualifying machinery for two years from 1^st April 2021.

West Way’s dedicated Corporate department which includes a specialist Fleet and Business team are on hand to talk you through the new incentive and to provide experience and support about maximising your fleet’s potential.

(all information taken from gov.uk website)

Find out more about our new LCV range here

The electrifying 100% electric Nissan LEAF is getting a new sharp design with advanced technology. 

2022 is a very exciting year for Nissan with a range of new models arriving at our forecourts and some of our most popular models receiving a fresh new design - we’re delighted to announce that one of the UK’s best-selling electric vehicles will see a new glow with a new sharp design and advanced technology.

The Nissan LEAF was first unveiled back in 2010 and has since won prestigious awards like:

• Carbuyer 'Best Used Family Electric Car' Award 2022
• Green Car Vision Award
• 2011 European Car of the Year
• 2011 World Car of the Year
• 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan

This year will be the release of the 3^rd generation LEAF, with some impressive features we are excited to show you.

The new LEAF also offers a range of infotainment features within the onboard NissanConnect system, featuring Android and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

Remote operations of features such as climate control are also available through the NissanConnect app, while customers can link their LEAF to their Amazon Alexa smart home device for added convenience.

Buying your next car online has just become quicker and easier than ever. West Way have made it possible for you to buy your next car online in 4 simple steps.

• Browse

Browse over 1,000 new and used cars on our website. With the ability to refine your search and chat with our friendly team, it wont take long until you’ve found the perfect match.

• Part-Exchange/Finance

Once you’ve found your next car, you can easily choose and adjust your finance options and even complete your finance application online. We will also give you an instant, competitive valuation for your part-exchange.

• Buy Online or Reserve for £99

You’ll have the option to either complete your purchase online or secure your chosen vehicle for a fully-refundable reservation fee of £99. We will then be in touch to arrange a convenient time for you to view and test drive the car.

• Click & Collect/Home Delivery

You can choose whether you want to pick your new car up from your nearest dealership or have it delivered straight to your front door.

It really is as simple as that. The West Way team will be in touch throughout the whole process to assist you and keep you fully informed. When browsing our stock, you’ll have the ability to make a shortlist of your favourite cars, arrange a part-exchange valuation and create a personalised finance quotation whether you’re on a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

But most importantly, you can buy online with complete confident.

Your £99 reservation fee is fully-refundable so if you do change your mind, you’ll never be out of pocket and every car backed by Nissan Intelligent Choice comes with:

• 2 Years Free Servicing when purchased with Nissan Finance
• £275 Deposit Contribution with 10.9% APR Representative
• Minimum 1 Year Warranty
• 1 Year’s Roadside Assistance
• 100-point Vehicle Check
• HPI, Mileage & History Checks
• Free MOT Insurance
• Free Driveaway Insurance
• 30 Day/1,000 Mile Exchange Promise

So put your feet up and explore all of our new and used cars from the comfort and convenience of your own home.