The Ultimate Guide to Car Insurance

The Ultimate Guide to Car InsuranceThere are lots of deciding factors to consider when you buy a new car - one of the most important being the co ...

MOT Test Changes

Everything you need to know about the MOT test changes You may have heard about some pretty major changes happening in the world of MO ...

How to Use - Carbase In-Store App

Our new In-Store App is the surprisingly easy way to buy your next car!Suppose you're browsing our showroom and want to know more about a car in ...

How to view - Status Bar Explained

As an RAC BuySure Dealer we prepare our cars to exacting standards. Our vehicle status bar lets you know the progress of each vehicle through t ...

How to Use - Carbase Expert Car Valuation

How to get the most accurate part exchange valuation with CarbaseHere at Carbase, we've always had a transparent and simple part ex ...

RMI Independent Garage Association

We're a member of the Idependent Garage AssociationWe are proud to be a member of the Retail Motor Industry Federation's Independent Garage Assoc ...

Our partnership with BEN

New charity partnership - BENGreat news! Carbase has joined forces with BEN, a fantastic charity focusing on supporting people in the automotive ...

When is a first service due on a new car

"You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" sang Joni Mitchell in her appropriately car-related song 'Big Yellow Taxi', and that's exactly how ...

Summer holiday driving - the European regulations you need to know

Taking your own car on holiday is a fantastic way to save money. Not only does it spare you the cost of hiring a car, you also can pack in as much ...

Four of the best cars for legroom

If you're looking for a car that can provide enough room for growing teenagers, or if you expect to be frequently ferrying around adults, you'll wa ...

Citroen DS3 - a colourful treat

The first car in Citroen's DS range was the Citroen DS3 and it really set the bar high. With the DS label evoking memories of Citroen classics from ...

Nissan Juke - Stepping out of the Qashqai shadow

While the Nissan Qashqai has been stealing all the headlines, it's important not to overlook the other cars that the Japanese manufacturer have bee ...

6 ways to keep your family car looking new

Buying a car can be one of the biggest investments you'll make, so it goes without saying that you'll want to keep your new purchase looking clean ...

Alfa Romeo Giulietta - a thing of beauty

It's been said before that you can't be a true petrol head until you've owned an Alfa, and with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta the Italian car giant are ...

Is the Tiguan heading for the top of the VW class?

The VW Tiguan is one of Volkswagen's most popular cars and is a solid choice for families looking to upgrade. There is a huge amount of choice in t ...

What are the safest family cars you should buy?

Safety first. It's an old adage but a valuable one, and never is it more relevant than when we're talking about the best cars for families. When yo ...

Top tips for boosting your credit score before buying a used car on finance

If you want to buy a used car on finance the application process will look at your credit score. Now, while it's not just the credit score that cou ...

Carbase Launch New UK Drone Delivery Service

If you live in the Bristol area you might spot our first ever drone delivery taking flight today! The Carbase drones are based on a heavily modifie ...

The A-Z of used car finance

As the largest used car supermarket in the South West, we secure millions of pounds' worth of car finance for our customers every year. However, if ...

What type of used car finance will suit your circumstances?

If you have a poor credit score, have an unreliable income or have been refused finance before, you might think that buying a used car on finance i ...

Guide to insuring your first car

Buying your first car can be a daunting process, but so can looking for car insurance. The amount of money you might be asked to pay can be stagger ...

Whats the best way to finance a used car?

Buying your first car is a big financial commitment. Apart from property purchase it may be the biggest financial commitment you have ever made, an ...

The top 10 used small cars for first-time buyers

You've passed your driving test, gained a new independence or decided to move away from a life of public transport. Yes, it's time to buy that firs ...

Best used diesel cars 2016

Diesel cars, while perhaps more expensive than their petrol-guzzling counterparts, have enjoyed a boost in popularity recently. Known for their eco ...

Carbase Motoring Photographer of the Year 2016 Winners

And so the curtain is drawn on another fantastic Motoring Photographer of the Year competition. This year has been the best yet and the bar has been ...

Why your car deserves an Owners Club free summer check

It's a popular myth that winter is the one and only time of year to get your car serviced, ensuring that it can cope with those extreme weather con ...

Know your Highway Code

Questions to ask when buying a used Audi

If you're looking for a premium marque, you can't go wrong with an Audi. With its unmistakable badge of interlocking rings, Audi is known for quality ...

What car matches your EURO 2016 team's personality?

At Carbase we are all really excited about the UEFA European Championships and have our fingers crossed for England to end their 50 year trophy droug ...

10 rules for picking the best used estate car

Estate cars remain a popular choice for families, business owners and people with pets, as they offer a huge amount of room without compromising on ...

The ultimate guide to picking a convertible

What driver doesn't want to enjoy the wind through their hair when cruising down the motorway? Convertible cars are something many of us aspire to - ...

How to choose the perfect Audi

Just by knowing that you want an Audi means you're already ahead of most people looking to buy themselves a new used-car. We don't have to tell you h ...

Essential steps for buying a used Volkswagen

Reliable, sexy and value-retaining, Volkswagen has a good reputation, with cars which perform well in every class. From the tiny Up! to the 3.0 litre ...

The smart persons strategy for buying a used Vauxhall

Top Gear Magazine may have referred to Vauxhall as the 'perennial bridesmaid to Ford in the UK', but in the same breath, the car bible emphasised tha ...

Our Favourite Film Cars

With the BAFTA's recently announced and Oscar fever in the air, the Carbase offices came alive with debate this week with everyone asking the questi ...

The highs and lows of a motor romance

Love is in the air, everywhere you drive around - so long as you're driving around a car dealership. Everyone on the lot is getting behind the wheel ...

What is included in an Owners' Club free winter check

What's included in an Owners' Club free winter check?We might be able to bust out the warm coat and woolly hats and scarves, but what can your ca ...

Best cars for Christmas presents

Whether it's a new set of wheels for your partner, a starter-car for your teenage child, or the dream car your dad has always wanted - cars make exce ...

Did you Know

4 Easy Steps to Complete your Journey

Mustangs and RVs and Ford Thunderbirds

It must be the Fourth of July!What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by taking a good ol' fashioned road trip. The idea of being able t ...

Choosing the best set of used wheels for this summers festival season

These days there's a huge variety of annual summer festivals held throughout the UK, with something to suit all ages and musical tastes. You'll find ...

People carriers the good and the bad and the ugly

If you're looking for a benchmark for vehicles in the people carrier sector then look no further than the Renault Espace. The arrival of the model in ...

Cost effective alternatives to your dream car Part two

Some things are all about the brand. Take Kellogg's Corn Flakes; when you buy a supermarket's own brand, if you close your eyes and take a bite you c ...

Audi Convertibles vs BMW Convertibles

With the cold months (hopefully) gone for another year, many motorists are getting serious about investing in a convertible. The thrill of driving ...

Guide to buying a car on finance

We'd all love to head out today and drive home a new car, wouldn't we? To be spontaneous and impulsive, if just for a day, and treat ourselves to a ...

Whats changed at Carbase since the FCA regulations came into effect

It's all about the customersThe way that financial products are sold has recently changed. This may not seem important to you, but if you buy cars ...

Best estate cars in 2015

Tourings, clubmans, station wagons - call them what you will, they'll always be estate cars to us. It was around this time last year that we rounded ...

Driving home for Christmas How to make the journey less stressful

Long drives can be stressful at the best of times, let alone at Christmas. The roads are chock-a-block with people, it's usually either raining or sn ...

Ford Fiesta vs Vauxhall Corsa

The Ford Fiesta vs the Vauxhall Corsa: which comes out on top?When it comes to the most popular superminis on the market, the Ford Fiesta and Vau ...

5 great cars that have come back from the dead

Just when they thought it was safe to go back in the showroom, these cars rose from the grave to terrorise all who faced the already-difficult decis ...

Vauxhall Astra vs Ford Focus

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao; Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova; Vauxhall Astra vs Ford Focus?When the top two contenders of any industry ...

8 of the most hair raising drives

As it's fright month and Halloween is creeping up, let's go through some quick tips to help you get through a horror film:1. Always lock the doors ...

10 of the best electric vehicles

When it comes to cars, being green was always difficult for those who are passionate about the environment; you didn't want a car that impacted air q ...

You know you need to trade your car in when

Are you umming and ahing about whether or not it's time to trade your car in for a smoother and sleeker model? If you recognise any of our points be ...

People Carriers vs 4x4s vs Estates

"Making its way to the ring...weighing in at 3,600lbs...hailing from Martorell, Spain...rated by many as the best pound for pound people carrier ...

5 luxurious commuter cars that will make you ditch public transport

Picture the scene: your alarm for work goes off a little late and you think you might miss your train. You end up sprinting to the station with your ...

A quick guide to buying a used Vauxhall

The old adage that a new car depreciates in value by 20 per cent just by driving it off the lot might be a little extreme, but in all honesty it will ...

Can the Honda Civic deliver on its individual looks

The hatchback class is one of the most popular genres in the motor industry and arguably the dullest. The line-up of ageing and uninspiring models i ...

Is the charm of the C3 enough to swing favour

The supermini class is a segment that has changed immensely over recent years with the rise of smaller and cheaper city cars. That has pushed superm ...

Top 10 best summer driving tunes

10. Beach Boys - Fun Fun FunFor summer music, one has to look no further than those deities of the genre; The Beach Boys. Those who do will find ...

Top five classic movie cars

You go to the movies to see the Hollywood stars or British thesps in their pomp, but sometimes you can leave thinking about the cars they drive more ...

4 Budget cars that won't break the bank

Whether you're looking to combat rising fuel prices by downsizing or just want to upgrade to something a little more modern, value for money should b ...

Best small cars 2014

Small cars are proving hugely popular for people across the whole of Britain, not just those in cities where space is a premium. By offering quirky ...

The Audi A5 Convertible Reviewed

 The Audi A5 Convertible is striking for a wide variety of reasons, and not all of them relate to the smooth and flowing curves of the body. The ra ...

The Volkswagen Touran Reviewed

 The Volkswagen Touran is not a people carrier or MPV for motorists that are looking for complete and unrivalled luxury - it is a vehicle that provi ...

Best used convertibles 2014

Convertibles are great fun to drive and certainly look the part, but aren't always the most practical. After all, those thinking of buying a new Pors ...

Best estate cars 2014

It's almost a rite of passage that individuals - often in their mid-30s - begrudgingly part ways with their sporty little convertible and instead sec ...

Cost effective alternatives to your dream car

Ferrari 485, Bentley Continental, Rolls Royce Ghost: there are some cars which many of us openly salivate over. They turn heads, they attract attenti ...

What are Brits most annoying driving habits

 Driving can be a great experience, with the freedom and exhilaration of the open road illustrating just why around three-quarters of the UK populat ...

Quick guide to buying a used Audi

While BMW and Mercedes have long been considered the biggest players in the executive motoring world, the cars made by fellow German firm Audi are n ...

What is my car worth

Choosing from the MINI range is now a sizeable decision

There used to be just one MINI to pick back in the good old days and it remains an icon to this day. The original MINI made driving affordable, styl ...

Mazda 6 sneaks up on the competition

When you think mainstream family saloons your mind is instantly driven to Ford, VW and Vauxhall being your only viable options. It's a fair assessme ...

Insignia signals Vauxhall renaissance in the saloon market

The family saloon market is a competitive one with all the mainstream brands slugging it out for the class lead, but most fall at the heels of the e ...

Audi A5 is the shining light of driving satisfaction

Audi is a car maker that knows exactly what it does best and sticks to it; namely style, refinement and technology. When you sit in an Audi you know ...

Renault Clios character continues to charm buyers

Renault has a distinguished motoring heritage and the small Clio has played a large role in its success. The French car maker has always focused a p ...

Volkswagen Passat is the thinking mans family saloon

Family saloon cars are split into two distinct segments; which are the premium priced end and the more reasonable options. Unsurprisingly, Volkswa ...

Volkswagen Golf clubs rivals into submission

If a cat has nine lives then it should live in fear for its cliché as the VW Golf has now gone through seven reincarnations and is still going as st ...

Audi TT is finely tuned to your needs

You are guaranteed two things when you buy an Audi: a good looking car and great quality throughout.  The TT model has been a real benchmark for the ...

Audi A3 sizes up and defeats rivals

Traditionally, quality cars have always been dominated by the larger and pricier end of the car maker's model ranges. The fine finishes found on for ...

BMW 5 series is the backbone of the manufacturer's success

The motoring industry has gone through many changes over recent years with improved models challenging the standards. BMW has followed these trends ...

Mercedes Benz C Class

The C Class is the ultimate boys' toy and is as popular as ever. It has all the latest gadgets and gizmos that, if successful, you will probably see ...

The Audi A1 is a great car in a small package

When it comes to small, cost-effective cars, Audi has never been in the forefront of our minds. Until now, that is. The Audi A1 has taken the superm ...