So you’ve turned 18, you’ve got your learner’s licence, and you’ve decided it’s time to take the big test so that you can get yourself out onto the open road. While it’s an exciting time becoming a legal driver, the whole process can seem a little daunting. From booking your test to finding the right instructor, there are a number of steps you have to complete and forms you have to submit to get the process rolling, and it can all get quite confusing.

South African motorists are locked in a seemingly constant battle with the high cost of fuel. The price of petrol has already climbed by 49 cents per litre in May and 82 cents per litre again in June. Forecasts now show we may be on track for another possible rise in July, while some even predict that it could cost R20 per litre to fill up our tanks by the end of 2019 if the rand continues its weak streak against the dollar.

One of the biggest concerns you may have in the aftermath of a car accident, is figuring how to seek compensation to fix or replace your car. A car accident can be a devastating and scary incident but it’s important to handle yourself correctly to achieve a positive outcome. Once you’ve assessed your own injuries, notified the police, and exchanged information with the other driver, you can get started determining the damages to your car and get the claims process started.

Many car owners choose to put their own stamp on their new set of wheels. Some may go to extreme lengths to make their car stand out on the road as seen in the popular television show Pimp My Ride, while others may make a few tweaks here and there. They may add modifications to enhance the performance of the car or simply to do cosmetic upgrades. Even used-car shoppers will likely come across a car with custom parts installed.

Vehicle crimes such as hijacking affect South Africans a lot more than we are aware of. Not only is it about losing a vehicle and going through a traumatic experience, but there are also huge financial implications.

In the aftermath of a car accident, one of the first things that Car Insurance companies do before processing a claim, is pinpointing who is partially or fully to blame. The company usually takes into account the police report describing circumstances that led to the accident and the actions of the drivers involved to conclude who is responsible for damages.

More than 50 million vehicles are recalled worldwide every year due to safety-related defects or problems. In South Africa, Ford made headlines this year after issuing a safety alert for its 1.6-litre engine Kuga models, some of which caught fire as a result of engine overheating conditions. Ford also withdrew its entry-level Figo and Ikon models mid-2017 because it has found these vehicles’ power steering high pressure hose poses a burn hazard.

Many people who enter the market for their first car can be overwhelmed by the countless financing options available. While almost every car buyer can apply for a vehicle loan, not everyone has the same credit history. In light of the ongoing economic troubles across the country, car buyers are finding it more difficult to secure funding for a brand-new car. Blacklisted or under-debt-review consumers are especially drawing the short straw when it comes to loan approval.

When you're in the market to purchase a vehicle, you can expect that there will be consumer protection plans attached to cover the vehicle against certain risks. The two most common plans are Car Insurance and a Motor Warranty.

May 2017 saw a fuel price hike of 49 cents per litre for 93 and 95 petrol, and a 30 cents per litre hike for diesel after a weakened Rand following President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet reshuffle. While analysts predict a possible decrease in fuel prices in June, the average South African motorist has to foot the bill until then.

BusinessTech reports that Nissan is collaborating with the uYilo e-Mobility programme to put on trial a system that enables electricity reserves in the LEAF's battery to be distributed to homes where it can be used for cooking and lighting. The experiment was implemented to help uYilo – a manufacturer of electric mobility technology – develop their charging technology in South Africa.

New vehicle sales in South Africa have increased by 3.7% from January 2016 to January 2017, a welcome improvement from the previous year of sales that saw an 11.4% drop from 2015 to 2016. With an increase in sales, and a seemingly spiked interest in new vehicles from the South African consumer, Hippo.co.za decided to take a look at the top 10 most searched for car brands in South Africa, according to the Google’s keyword planner search results.