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Update
18.05.20: Our workshops are now open for appointment only. We are able
to offer Servicing, repairs and MOTs in a safe manor.
Find out more.
Update 25.06.20: While it is recommended to keep Hand Sanitiser with you, you should not keep these in unoccupied vehicles as this poses a fire risk in warm temperatures. Find out more.
The past fortnight has seen unprecedented changes to our way of life, including our driving habits. As of 23rd March, we have been instructed to stay at home and only travel if essential, in order to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
At Johnsons Cars, all of our dealerships have closed in response to the government’s lockdown rules, but we are here to answer any of your questions about driving during the lockdown. So, without further ado, here are the answers to common queries about what the lockdown means for refuelling, breakdowns, punctures, MOT tests, and more.
Please note that if you are self-isolating, please follow the NHS advice of staying at home for the recommended time – do not leave the house.
Q. What is ‘essential travel’?
A. Under government guidelines, people should stay at home and avoid unessential travel. The only reasons people should leave their homes include:
Full guidance on staying at home can be found here.
Q. Can I still fill up?
A. Under the new lockdown rules, petrol stations are among the ‘essential’ businesses permitted to stay open. However, please note that you should only be travelling when essential – as outlined above! If you do need to fill up, we would recommend trying to go when it’s quiet, and using technology rather than human contact where possible – i.e. self-service pumps. Wear disposable gloves when handling the pump/electric plug and payment terminals and keep some hand sanitiser in your car for afterwards.
You might have seen rumours on social media that coronavirus is being passed between people via petrol pumps. Public Health England has dispelled this rumour, saying that touching petrol pumps presents no more of a risk of spreading coronavirus than any other surface. They have, however, emphasised the need for gloves and washing hands after touching the pumps.
Q. What if my car breaks down?
A. With less people commuting and schools closing, the roads should, in theory, be quieter than usual, but unfortunately breakdown services will still be required.
Two of the UK’s biggest breakdown companies, the AA and RAC, have set out to reassure motorists by affirming their positions. The AA website says: “We've taken steps to make sure we're ready if you need us”. Due to the pressures on the phone lines, they suggest informing them of a problem online or via their app, where you can report a breakdown and track the recovery vehicle. The RAC has also made it clear that: ”We're here for you 24/7” – more information can be found on their website.
We recommend looking at your breakdown company’s website to see their policy and whether they have any preferred methods of contact at the moment – and also download their apps if recommended.
All of our car manufacturers offer roadside assistance and depending on when you bought your car you may already be covered.
| Fiat and Abarth | 0330 100 3127 |
| Alfa Romeo | 0330 100 3127 |
| Ford | 0203 564 4444 |
| Honda | 0800 521 728 |
| Hyundai | 0800 980 2733 |
| Jeep | 0330 100 3127 |
| Lexus | 0800 246 866 |
| Mazda | 0800 015 0367 |
| SEAT | 0800 262 622 |
| SKODA | 0800 526 625 |
| Toyota | 0800 246 824 or 01737 500 021 |
| Volkswagen | 0800 777 192 |
| Volvo | 0800 777 116 or if using a mobile 0208 603 9416 |
Q. What do I do if my MOT expires during lockdown?
A. The government has announced that vehicle owners in Britain will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing from 30th March. These emergency measures apply to cars, motorcycles and vans and are to help drivers to continue essential travel. Commercial and public service vehicles, such as buses, will be granted a three-month exemption. The full information is in our latest news article.
The government is keen to stress that this exemption is providing that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition – see the next question for more information!
Q. What if my car needs urgent work/a repair?
A. Garages and service centres have been deemed by the government as ‘essential’, and are therefore open to offer vital repair services. If you need urgent repair work, for example, to repair a puncture, to help you carry out essential travel, contact your nearest garage. Please note, you can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition!
Q. Is there ‘light’ vehicle maintenance I can do myself?
A. Yes, there is! In fact, keep your eye on our social media channels over the next few weeks, as we will be walking you though how to carry out the following tasks at home:
You can find our social media channels here:
Q. My driving test has been cancelled – what do I do?
A. Theory tests have now been suspended for a month, while practical tests have been stopped for three months. More information and further updates are available on the gov.uk website. However, if your work is critical to the COVID-19 response or you work in a critical sector, you can still get an emergency test during this suspension period – information can be found here.
No bookings are currently being taken for driving tests and, when they do recommence, priority will be given to those who had theirs cancelled. Remember that if your theory test expires before that, you'll need to do another one.
Please note: The information above is correct at the time of writing (25 March). The situation is ever-changing – if in doubt, please refer to the gov.uk website.
Whatever your question or feedback we are here to help. So please feel free to contact us.
Immerse yourself even deeper. Visit our social channels.
Johnsons Cars Limited is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (their registration number is 313486) and which is permitted to advise on and arrange general insurance contracts as an intermediary.
Johnsons Cars Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (our registration number is 688450. Permitted activities include acting as a credit broker not a lender.
As an FCA regulated credit broker we can introduce you to a selected group of lenders / brokers (see below) who may be able to help you finance your purchase. This group of lenders / brokers provides us with a range of products which may be suitable for your purchase. We will explain the key features of those products to you.
Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited, Evolution Funding Limited, Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Honda Finance Europe PLC, CA Auto Finance UK Ltd, Suzuki Financial Services Limited, Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited, Hyundai Capital UK Limited, Stellantis Financial Services Uk Limited, Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC, FCE Bank Plc,
We are a credit broker and not a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders and their finance products, we act as their agent for this introduction. We are not an independent financial advisor; we will provide details of products available. We may advise you on the products, subject to your personal circumstances, though you are not obliged to take our advice or recommendation.
We do not charge you a fee for our services. we will typically receive commission from whichever lender we introduce you to (either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow).
Unless we consider it to be inappropriate given your personal circumstances, for certain vehicles e.g. New, our approach is to introduce you to the lender who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account interest rates, residual valuations (where applicable) and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, or the vehicle is not one that we would normally place with them we will introduce you to other lenders on our panel. The lender we introduce you to and available rates will depend upon a number of factors including: the vehicle, your personal circumstances and the likelihood of a lender to accept an application based on information provided.
Lenders typically pay a commission to us for introducing you to them, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow. Different lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions; some lenders may also provide preferential rates to us for the funding of our vehicle stock and also provide financial support for our training and marketing. But any such amounts they and other lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender concerned. If you would like to know the amount of any remuneration we have received from the finance provider, please ask us.
All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over, Guarantees may be required. View our full finance disclosure.
