RAY MASSEY: Is YOUR motor ready to roll out of lockdown?

Easing the lockdown means greater opportunity to drive. So it’s vital to ensure your vehicle is legal and roadworthy.

With ministers advising against public transport, driving in a self-contained car is sensible and safer, providing it’s well prepped. 

The AA had 40 per cent more breakdown calls — largely for flat batteries, so do check – when some measures were relaxed this week.

Until now, lockdown car use has been restricted to shopping for essentials, attending medical appointments, making short trips to exercise, assisting an elderly or vulnerable person, or getting to and from work where appropriate.

But since Wednesday those in England can now travel much farther afield for ‘unlimited outdoor exercise’ as well as make day trips to beaches or picnic in parks.

Government instructions say: ‘You can travel to outdoor open space irrespective of distance… Day trips to outdoor spaces, in private vehicles, are permitted’. 

Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland are still in lockdown so English motorists can be fined if they cross borders, and vice versa.

So how best to prepare?

Make sure your vehicle is properly taxed and insured. If it’s off the public highway and you declared so with a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), let the DVLA know it’s going back on the road before you drive.

MoT tests due from March 30 have been extended by six months, so you will be exempt, but tell your insurer.

Even without an MoT the car must be roadworthy, otherwise you could invalidate your insurance and risk fines, penalty points or even, in the event of serious accident, prison.

Highways England lists five key checks: at least 1.6 mm tyre tread depth, no cuts, bulges and wear; engine oil; water and screen wash; lights and fuel levels. It has advice videos at thinkgov.uk/campaign/vehicle-safety-checks/.

E-scooters get road trials

Ministers are fast-tracking trials to allow two-wheeled electric ‘e-scooters’ onto roads, as a cheap way to help get Britain back to work.

They look like children’s scooters, are capable of 30 mph and cost from £200 to £500. 

However, they are illegal on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, though this is widely flouted despite rising casualties and £300 fines. 

But personal injury lawyers warn they can be dangerous. TV presenter and YouTube influencer Emily Hartridge, 35, became the UK’s first e-scooter fatality in July last year after colliding with a lorry near her London home.

Solicitor Ben Pepper, at Bolt Burdon Kemp, says e-scooters should meet safety standards with mandatory insurance. 

He called for a minimum riding age, limits to where they can be ridden, and knowledge of the Highway Code, plus compulsory helmets. 

Toyota brings hybrid seven-seater SUV to UK

Fancy a fling with a Highlander? Toyota is bringing its seven-seater Highlander — its largest hybrid SUV — to the UK.

Its luggage area expands to a whopping 1,909 litres when the two rear seat rows are folded down. 

Powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine linked to two electric motors, it develops 241 bhp, will do about 42.8 mpg with CO2 emissions of 146 g/km and tow up to two tons. Expect prices from about £40,000 from next year.

• Plans to open car dealerships from June 1 will depend on coronavirus progress, though ‘click & collect’ outside showrooms is possible now.

A report by WhatCar? highlights ‘significant pent-up demand’ with nearly one in five of the car buying public looking to purchase after lockdown ends, and more than one in 20 aiming to do so in the next four weeks.

• Research by GoCompare has revealed 14 per cent of cars are overdue a service, with 17 per cent showing a dashboard warning light or service reminder. 

Some 29 per cent have delayed repairs, led by tyres (9 per cent), brakes (6 per cent) and windscreen and clutches (both 5 per cent). Among 18-24-year-olds the proportions roughly double.