BBC 5 LIVE INVESTIGATES OUTSTANDING FINANCE ON USED CARS

BBC 5 Live Investigates has reported that unwitting used car buyers are being chased for large sums of money, owed on loans taken out by previous owners. Leading vehicle information expert HPI has warned consumers to be vigilant on the risks of finance fraud and get protection with the HPI Check. The report suggested that car owners raising finance with logbook loans secured on their vehicles are selling the vehicles before settling their accounts, which is leaving buyers at risk of losing their cash - and the car.

Mazda 2 and Mazda Hakaze

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 08 March 2007 09:15 Lighter and smaller - now there's a change Mazda drew in the Geneva crowds with two key show cars – its sprightly new Mazda 2 supermini and the radical Hakaze crossover concept. In a world that’s piling on the pounds, the Mazda 2 bucks the trend – it’s smaller in all directions and weighs a full 100kg less than the outgoing model. The result is better emissions and economy, tidier handling and punchier performance, according to the spec sheet.

The 500-hp club

Petrol heads, continue to rejoice: Car manufacturers have not ignored your cries for high-powered cars and trucks. Despite tightening emissions regulations and rising fuel costs, automakers are building an increasing number of vehicles putting out at least 500 horses. Based on our research, there are over 80 cars sold in the United States that deliver these burnout-inducing numbers (not including tuners such as Mosler or Callaway).