We are sure you are concerned about the current crisis throughout the globe which is why we feels it’s important to keep you up to date with what is happening, how we are responding and the steps we are taking to keep you and our colleagues safe.

On Monday 23^rd March, the Prime Minister announced new social distancing measures which will have a profound impact on our lives over the next few weeks, and potentially longer.

Following the announcement, the Government published a list of retailers that are considered essential. That list includes Garage services and Bicycle shops.

We’d like to update you on how we are addressing the ‘essential’ status of the garage, and, importantly, set out the steps we are taking to provide our services in the safest way possible.

How can La Autos keep Britain moving in a time of crisis?

We understand that there are people throughout the UK who urgently need their cars in this time of crisis. Nurses need to get to the hospital, Volunteers need to get to the pharmacy and parents need to get to supermarkets, among a great many other key and crucial people who rely on their car.

How are we keeping customers and colleagues safe?

It goes without saying that we are taking care to ensure that vulnerable colleagues who should not be working at the present time are able to stay at home.

To keep our colleagues and customers safe, we will be offering a “contact free drop off and collection”.

What does this involve?

When you bring your car to the garage, you do not need to come into the office. Simply sound your horn, leave the keys in the ignition and we will come out and collect your car.

Before you arrive to pick your car up, we will sanitise the key of the car, door handle, gear lever, indicators switch and anything else that may have been touched. We will also always be wearing gloves.

We have made these changed in order to protect our loyal customers and staff

We look forward to it being business as usual in the (hopefully) not too distant future, but until then please bear with these changes and help us to abide by government guidelines by following our newly implemented rules.

So, you spend months learning to drive and finally pass your test. Next comes choosing a car. With so many options out there, it can be a very overwhelming decision!

When deciding on your first car, you’ll need to consider how affordable the car itself is as well as how affordable it is to maintain. Here are the most popular and most suitable cars for first-time drivers.

Toyota Aygo

The Toyota Aygo has good fuel economy, reasonable insurance and minimal road tax. Used prices start at around £3k +. The design is modern, stylish and if you are buying it new, it has plenty of options in terms of personalisation. This 1.0-litre is a compact car, ideal for first time drivers, especially those who will be driving around busy areas.

Hyundai i10

With the Hyundai i10, you can choose between a 1.0 litre or a 1.2, meaning it’s cheap to tax and insure. In fact, it sits in insurance group one! With used price from £2.5k +, this car is a great option for those looking for an even more affordable option. It even (only just) sits 5 people!

Volkswagen Up

The Volkswagen Up can be found used for £1k + and is in insurance group one, meaning its both cheap to buy and cheap to keep on the road. It’s easy to park with its tiny turning circle, making it ideal for city driving.

Vauxhall Adam

For those with a slightly higher budget of £5k +, the Vauxhall Adam is another eye-catching alternative. However, when buying it used, it can often be hard to find a design you actually like, since it is so customisable. It’s not as cheap as other cars to run either, however if you like the design this could be the option for you.