Twitter Q&A with Erin Baker

We recently held a Twitter Q&A with Erin Baker, Auto Trader’s Editorial Director, Lamborghini advisory board member and all-round car super brain.
Here’s some of the most common questions you posted on Twitter.

Will the pandemic change how we travel, and could it make cars harder to buy or sell?

Hi Jessica; most of us will still need to travel but the virus has put a lot of people off public transport... 56pc of drivers who don't own a car are now thinking about buying one when lockdown lifts! Demand for cars may outstrip supply

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Most of us will still need to travel but the virus has put a lot of people off public transport.
Auto Trader’s recent survey found that 56% of drivers who don’t currently own a car are now thinking of buying one when lockdown lifts. They shouldn’t be harder to sell – if anything we may see demand outstrip supply in the short-term. We’d recommend that those looking to privately sell their car thoroughly clean and disinfect it before handing it over or allowing any test drives.

Hi Flora, smart q. No, I think we'll see the reverse: the pandemic has made people wary about public transport; 56pc of drivers who don't currently own a car are now thinking about buying one when this lifts. We've also seen more interest in motorbikes and scooters on the site.

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

How can I look after my car during lockdown?

Hi Sandra. Best solution is a trickle charger but not many people have those and you need a drive/garage. Once a week is fine, 30 mins is good - need to get the car nice and warm, especially it it's diesel, or something called the DPF will eventually clog, which is not so good.

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

We had quite a few questions on how best to look after your car during lockdown. We go into more detail in our article on keeping your car working and safe during lockdown but at a top level we’d recommend taking your car for a regular spin once a week to keep the engines, batteries, brakes and tyres in decent condition. If it’s a diesel, at least 30 minutes’ driving is recommended to get the engine warm and stop the filter blocking.
Ideally, line your car trip up with some essential travel – like going for a weekly shop.

Hi Jenna, yes. Critical factor (always, not just during lockdown), is not just to pop to the shops/work/school/doctors/station in it, because a diesel engine needs to get properly warm. One round trip of 20 miles a week, is better than five trips of four miles a week.

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Hi Anne, yes it's called a flat spot and you don't want them. But it'll be worse for your car if you start it, drive a metre and stop again. You need to take it for a little jaunt to ease pressure on tyres, brakes and engine. Once a week will do. 20-30 mins. Bob's your uncle

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Hey Charlotte, you might see some rust on the brake discs (the metal you see between the wheel spokes), and there's a small chance the handbrake can seize. Drive the car on your next essential trip and the first braking you do should scrub off the rust..good luck!

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Can I get a tax or insurance rebate while my car isn’t in use?

Hi Victoria, the good news is insurers are starting to offer partial refunds (shout out to @AdmiralUK for being 1st) on April and May premiums (based on lower mileage) but you'll need to ask. To save on car tax, you'll need to SORN the car with the DVLA and not drive it at all..

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Some insurers are offering partial refunds so it’s worth checking in with yours to see what their plan is.
As for tax, the only way to claim money back is to SORN the car with the DVLA. This’ll have to be done online as the DVLA aren’t currently dealing with paper applications. Just remember that you can’t drive the car once it’s been declared SORN. If you’ve any questions about what the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown means for you as a driver, check out our coronavirus FAQ page.

It wasn’t all coronavirus-related though, and plenty were picking Erin’s brain on the best cars on the used and new car markets.

What’s the best family car?

Hi Sam, I love a Mini, but there are some cheaper alternatives out there for that budget for your family, like a Ford Focus, Dacia Sandero, Hyundai i30, Vauxhall Corsa, Kia Rio. I'd go for reliability over style 👍

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

You can see our top picks for best family car here.
Erin recommended families should opt for reliability over style, and keep an eye on warranties and the cost of servicing when making their decision. • Ford Focus • Dacia Sanderi • Hyundai i30 • Vauxhall Corsa • Kia Rio

What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?

Well, it's the Lamborghini Aventador partly because it really is and partly coz I sit on their female advisory board so they'd shoot me if I said anything else! In orange, please.

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

As a former race licence holder, perhaps it’s unsurprising that Erin opted for the performance weapon that is the Lamborghini Aventador.

What’s the best family SUV?

Hi Nigel. Most SUVs score max NCAP safety rating these days. What splits them is whether they have 4WD, and aids like blind-spot warning, pedestrian alert etc on low trim levels. For good value plus good safety rating, I'd go Seat Tarraco. Pure safety? Volvo XC60 or XC90.

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

SUVs have been massively popular over the last few years. The added ground clearance gives a sense of safety on the road, and the choice means there’s a model for just about everyone – here are some of our top picks:
• Best SUVs 2020 • Best small SUVs • Best seven-seater SUVs

Others took a different view of where SUVs would be once we lift lockdown:

Personally I'm bored of SUVs so I hope we do see that - return to the humble estate would be nice - same space and handles better! Defo predict more electric searches - heading that way anyway and now we all appreciate the planet a little more...

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Similarly, a lot of people were asking about when the shift to electric would happen…

Hi Layla, the last new diesel will be sold in 2035 (or is it 2032 - the govt keeps changing its mind), so a few more years. In practice though, they're increasingly banned from city centres, so depending on where you live, they're already so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish.

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Hi Adeola, the big change happens in 2035, when sale of new petrol or diesel cars are banned. But lots of cities are starting to charge diesel drivers to enter. Best way to future-proof is to buy plug-in hybrid or pure electric next time round...

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

And what they should be looking for if they wanted to go electric…

Hi, Kent to Devon is on the limit of most ranges. I say stay in the comfort zone and go plug-in hybrid, so you can do most daily drives on electric (approx 30 miles) but long journeys with fuel back-up. My pick? BMW X5, Volvo XC40 or Kia Nero hybrids, depending on budget

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

Hi Rebecca. At the low end of budget you've got the likes of Renault Zoe, Vauxhall Corsa Electric and Nissan Leaf, then likes of Hyundai Kona, Mini E, BMW i3 and VW ID3. Then premium include Audi Etron, Tesla Model 3, S or X, and Jaguar IPace. I'd go Leaf, Mini E, Tesla3. 🙂

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

You can learn more about electric cars here, or check out our guides to electric car range, batteries and charging.
You can also learn more about Erin’s suggested models here: Lower budget: • Renault Zoe • Vauxhall Corsa Electric • Nissan Leaf • Hyundai Kona • Mini E • BMW i3 • Volkswagen ID3 Premium: • Audi e-Tron • Tesla Model 3 • Tesla Model S • Tesla Model X • Jaguar iPace

Can I take a car for a test drive during lockdown?

Hi Ellie, good question! The DVLA has now said customers can do solo test drives on trade plates but the problem is most dealers' insurance requires the dealer to sit as a passenger in car. Not many are offering it. Call and get one teed up though for when this lifts!

— AutoTrader (@AutoTrader_UK) May 6, 2020

If you’re in the market for buying a car, we encourage you to check our guide to buying and selling during the coronavirus outbreak.
As Erin says, the DVLA allow you take a solo test drive on trade plates provided the dealer’s insurance covers you — so this is something to check with dealers near you when lockdown lifts.