When you choose to lease a car, you are provided with a package of services – but that package varies enormously, so you need to tread carefully. Don’t just select the cheap deal, because invariably the lease company will re-charge you for scratches and dents, broken parts, damaged tyres – even huge admin costs for processing speeding or parking fines.

It’s vital that you are aware of what you are actually getting for your ‘cheap’ headline rate. Tyre restrictions, end of contract charges and refurbishment costs can suddenly make your great deal not seem quite so clever. The huge advantage of a lease is pretty much being able to budget your costs for a few years ahead – so make sure you pick the right provider, find out exactly what the deal is, and don’t get stung!

You may find what seems to be a cheaper contract hire offer on the Internet – but is it really a better deal? Have you heard of the company and do you know that they are reliable? Will you be faced with unwarranted end of contract damage charges so that they can recover what they lost on the low rental?

In a recent issue of Business Carmagazine, the former boss of Lex Vehicle Leasing, Jon Walden, pointed out that ‘If all you want is a low price, don’t be surprised if you get poor service.’ He added that a dependable supplier is one who has the opportunity to earn a profit.

After all, you need to have confidence as a customer that you are dealing with a reliable and secure company. It’s important to remember that the cheapest quote is not always the cheapest lease in real terms.

Check whether the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), engine number, number plate and colour match the V5 reg document. Arrange an HPI check to look into the car’s history. Don’t forget to check its service history and mileage too, for instance is there receipts to go with the stamps. You also need to check for wear and tear. Have a good look at tyre wear; do the seatbelts work properly; check for accident damage, do the panels look original. Always look under the bonnet and open the boot, is there any sign of welds or replacement fittings.

When you test drive, are the brakes effective? Is the steering heavy? You also need to do some engine, clutch and gear tests.

Of course, if you’re not sure what to look for, ask us. Every used car we find is safety and HPI checked for free before sale.

To boost confidence, you can arrange refresher motorway lessons with a qualified instructor. In the meantime here are a few tips to make driving on them more pleasant.

Being aware of hazards is half the battle. Key advice is to stay in the left lane, unless you need to overtake slower traffic. Equally, always keep a good distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Motorway driving is all about anticipation. So ease off the accelerator if you spot brake lights ahead. Remember to use your mirrors all the time, so you are aware of lane traffic behind you.

Tailgating is one of the most dangerous aspects of bad driving and one that concerns a lot of nervous Motorway drivers. The golden rule is to maintain at least a two second gap between your car and the vehicle in front.

If a car is driving aggressively close, don’t be tempted to brake sharply, or even touch the pedal to show the brake light without slowing down, as this could cause an accident behind you or antagonise the tailgater. Speeding up is also not a good option as you are likely to decrease the gap in front and the offending driver will merely speed up with you.

The solution is to slow down gently in order to provide yourself with extra braking time. If you can, allow the car to overtake you by slowing down on a straight or pulling in if necessary.

This should reduce your stress level and ensure that the dangerous driver is safely out of your way.

Breaking down is another worry and can be an ordeal at any time, but when your car starts to die on you in the middle of a motorway, it can be a frightening experience.

The important thing is not to panic – just move to the inside lane and try to exit at the next service station or junction. If you aren’t going to make it, pull onto the hard shoulder as close to the verge as possible and preferably near to an emergency phone.

Get yourself and all passengers out of the vehicle via the door on the verge-side and keep away from the road. Don’t be tempted to carry out repairs yourself – it’s too dangerous.

If you don’t have a mobile – or your battery has died – walk to the nearest emergency telephone (they’re based roughly every mile), which connects directly to the police and gives them your location. Then all you have to do is return to your vehicle, keeping up the bank if possible, and be patient. Rescue is at hand!

Follow these tips and you’ll get to your destination safely – and save petrol costs. Always a bonus…!

It’s easy, isn’t it? You are in your own garden and the conversation and wine is flowing. Of course we’re not driving, we’re at home, but what about in the morning? We are all very careful these days not to drink-drive, but how many of us think about whether we are still over the limit the next morning?

You might imagine that you would have to drink a huge amount for this to happen, but that just isn’t the case.

If you have, say, four pints of beer or three glasses of wine the night before, they could still be there in the morning. Just remember that the later you start drinking and the earlier you start driving the day after, the greater the risk. You may feel fit to drive and in control, but the breathalyser could tell another story.

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If you are concerned as a quick test just get a 20p coin and insert into the main tyre groove. If the outer rim of the coin is covered the tyre’s likely to be legal but if you can see the coins rim get your tyres checked out immediately.

Most Garages offer free safety checks and everyone can get hold of a 20p coin for a quick check so please -you have no excuse to be caught out, always be safe rather than sorry!