Advice

A Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check is an invaluable way to make sure there are no nasties waiting for you after you have bought a second-hand car.Many used car buyers may remember the old state-based REVS check, which is now national and has been renamed PPSR. They both perform the same service.The PPSR is a national online register managed by the federal government and allows individuals to check if an asset - such as a car, boat or trailer - has any debts against it.This means if the previous owner has an outstanding secured loan on the vehicle you’ve just purchased, it can be repossessed if they stop meeting repayments.It can also protect buyers from buying an uninsurable vehicle. You can check to see if a car has been written off or stolen.You can perform the PPSR check for as little as $2 via the official government website, or $7 via an assisted phone call. You can pay with a credit or debit card.There are some providers that will do it for free on your behalf.A PPSR check won’t tell you how much is still owing on the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle or its ownership history, odometer reading or if there are any outstanding fines applied to the vehicle.If you decide to do a PPSR check, it is best to do it the day before or the day of purchase to get the most up-to-date information.The most sure fire way to do a PPSR check is visit the federal government - https://www.ppsr.gov.au/ - and follow the simple steps. It costs just $2 and you will have the results instantly on screen, with the certificate emailed to you within 10 minutes.Other third party websites such as Budget Direct Insurance will do the check on your behalf for free, but will collect your personal information in the process.All you need is the vehicle’s VIN or chassis number. A VIN number is a unique 17-digit code used to identify a car. The licence plate number will not work.The most likely spot to find a vehicle's VIN number is the bottom corner of the windscreen, and it is viewable from the outside of the car. If it isn’t there then it is likely in the driver’s side door jam near where the door latches when closed.You’ll also need a credit or debit card to pay for the transaction.The certificate issued will have a subhead that rears PPSR Registration Details. Under this it may say: “There is no security interest or other registration kind registered on the PPSR against the serial number in the search criteria details.”This means there is no current debt security associated with the vehicle. The word current is important, as this may change and it is why it is best to do the check the day of purchase.If there are details of the PPSR registration, then there is money owed on the vehicle and it could be repossessed if it isn’t paid off. As mentioned before, it won’t tell you how much is still owed on the vehicle.Underneath that there is another subhead - Additional Motor Vehicle Details - NEVDIS (National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System).This is where you will see if the vehicle has been written off or stolen. If it says not recorded under those sections then there is no current record of the vehicle being written-off or stolen.Some companies may charge up to $40 for the service as they will include additional information. According to the PPSR website these companies will use the “Powered by PPSR” logo to show that specific data was obtained from the official government website. They may also provide the certificate.

This could be the future of car multimedia.Officially launched in May this year, Apple CarPlay Ultra is the next generation of Apple CarPlay, a smartphone mirroring platform that’s enjoyed by millions of iPhone users every day.Yep, Android owners, this review isn’t for you – unless you’re considering making the switch to Apple’s iOS mobile software.It’s the Apple CarPlay many have come to know and love, but it takes control of all of your vehicle’s screens, as opposed to just its central display.It also assumes control of (nearly) all of your vehicle’s functions, including its climate, camera and radio controls, plus all other general settings.Point being, it’s a complete Apple takeover, which is good news if you’re a fan of its ecosystem.And let’s face it, many car brands’ default multimedia systems are underwhelming for a multitude of reasons, including bad user interfaces and limited functionality.Apple CarPlay and even its Android Auto competitor don’t suffer from those issues as they are literal mirrors of the user-friendly and highly capable smartphones that we love to use every day.Most users will say their primary reason for preferencing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto over their vehicle’s default multimedia system is access to their favourite satellite navigation platform, be it Apple Maps, Google Maps or a third party.Several car brands have either launched or are in the process of rolling out new default multimedia systems based on Android Automotive, which is a car-specific derivative of Android Auto with Google Maps and Google Play built in.Much like Apple CarPlay Ultra, Android Automotive takes over all of a vehicle’s screens and functions – and sometimes even still offers Apple CarPlay support – but it differs by being the default multimedia system.Apple CarPlay Ultra sets itself apart as it can be wirelessly streamed on demand to any vehicle that supports it.Apple CarPlay Ultra’s first problem is availability. The first model to support it was the highly attainable Aston Martin DBX707 large SUV. It’s priced from a lazy $462,500, plus on-road costs, for reference. And yes, I am being sarcastic.You would’ve thought that car brands beyond Aston Martin would’ve jumped at the opportunity to offer the latest smartphone mirroring platform, but they haven’t for several reasons.Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, Renault, Rivian and Lincoln have either cancelled or said they have no plans to support Apple CarPlay Ultra, with some saying they are not impressed with its first version due to the level of control it gives to Apple.General Motors’ Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC brands are also unlikely to support Apple CarPlay Ultra in its new electric vehicles due to its controversial decision to not even support regular Apple CarPlay.That said, Hyundai, Kia, Porsche and Genesis, as well as Aston Martin, remain committed to adding support for Apple CarPlay Ultra in the 12 months from its launch, meaning they should start to release their versions by May 2026.Nissan, Honda, Land Rover, Jaguar, Infiniti and Acura also announced plans for Apple CarPlay Ultra support when it was previewed at Apple’s WWDC 2022 event, but it remains to be seen if they’ve changed like so many others have.Another sticking point for car brands is the implementation of Apple’s user interface and experience, which differs greatly from their own.However, Apple is open to working with car brands to put their own design spin on their version of Apple CarPlay Ultra, with Aston Martin being the first example.To work out what this actually means, I got the keys to a MY25 Aston Martin DBX707 to give it a red-hot go.First thing’s first, getting Apple CarPlay Ultra set up is a very similar process to that of regular Apple CarPlay, but you have to wait a little bit longer.Once you’re in, the central display has a very familiar look to it, but the home screen features three new apps: Climate, Radio and Vehicle.As mentioned, the Climate and Radio apps do exactly what you think they will and well.But it’s the Vehicle app that is the most interesting, as in the case of the DBX707, it features everything from Individual drive mode customisation to clock settings.That said, while the DBX707’s delightful Bowers & Wilkins sound system has its own setting menu, if you click on it, it will ironically boot you out to an inset version of the default multimedia system to make your adjustments. The same goes for its ambient lighting.Presumably this happens because Apple and the car brand (Aston Martin in this instance) haven’t configured some of these more bespoke settings.And for that reason Apple CarPlay Ultra doesn’t quite live up to the hype for me. Don’t get me wrong, it is very, very exciting for a tech nerd like myself, but it’s also very clearly a first version.When it inevitably becomes all encompassing with a future iOS update, it will be a true game changer due to its ease of use, particularly as drivers move from one car to another.But wait, there’s more! Apple CarPlay Ultra also takes control of the DBX707’s digital instrument cluster and it’s really where Aston Martin gets to flex its design muscle in conjunction with Apple.Different themes for the driver display are available, with the ‘traditional’ one featuring a speedometer and tachometer, which are split by an even more customisable section. It features either maps, current media, adaptive cruise control, the trip computer, tyre pressures or more.The colours and layouts are at the discretion of the car brand, with Aston Martin using its signature hues (think green) in the DBX707.The British marque also goes a step further with the aforementioned tachometer, which features very subtle ‘Handbuilt in Great Britain’ lettering in the top right corner.Another interesting thing about the Apple CarPlay Ultra experience is that every time you turn your vehicle’s ignition on, it automatically activates – but it takes a decent amount of time to do so, during which you get to experience the default multimedia system.It’s still very early days for Apple CarPlay Ultra, but the early signs are very promising. It offers iPhone users an interface that they’re familiar with and an experience that they’ll likely love.But Apple CarPlay Ultra’s success will mainly be dictated by the support of car brands, which need to play ball to roll it out. Also, it’s got a few more vehicle settings that it needs to fully integrate.But there’s no doubt that Apple CarPlay Ultra’s potential is very high.

It’s a horrible feeling - you turn the key on your car and nothing happens. The most common cause of a car failing to start is a flat battery and the easiest way to get it going is, typically, to find a friend who can give you a jump start. But what happens if you have a dead battery and no other car to help you jump start or any jumper cables?

Like running with scissors, swimming after eating and sitting too close to the television - using your mobile phone at a petrol station is just one of those things you’ve always been told not to do.But why? What is the scientific reason for it?  What are the petrol station rules and regulations in Australia? And is it really that dangerous or just an urban myth? In this article we’ll answer all those questions so you’ll know what rules to follow and why.The simple reason is the fear of a spark from the phone igniting petrol vapours and creating a fire or explosion. Static electricity, which can be generated from a phone or other sources, can create a spark too and is therefore another concern.However, these are considered incredibly unlikely by most experts. But in an age of workplace safety importance, petrol station operators are unwilling to take any risks - hence the blanket ban.Service station operators are happy for you to use your phone while in your car or in the store, but it is against the rules to use it in the forecourt around the petrol bowsers.Although, be mindful if you sit in your car at a petrol bowser checking emails or social media, you might cause a traffic jam at busy times, so be mindful of other drivers.There are other risks beyond simply starting a fire. Using a phone while filling petrol into your car is simply a distracted state to be in while undertaking a potentially hazardous task. While modern petrol pumps automatically cut off when they detect the tank is full, the risk of a fuel spill remains.There’s also the simple fact that smartphones have made us dumb pedestrians and having your head buried into your phone in an area where cars are moving in and out on a regular basis is not a safe choice. It’s understandable that service stations don’t want potential pedestrian accidents on a regular basis.The concerns over mobile phones starting fires appears to be largely a myth, with very few credible reports of a spark from a phone igniting petrol vapour. The origins of this urban legend appear to go back decades, with famous Australian scientist, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki writing a piece in 2006 revealing the cause.‘Dr Karl’ claims the initial concerns are largely centred on false claims in a hoax email, which just happened to get help from an unlikely source.“This email has been traced back to a hoax email that landed in the inbox of a Shell employee in Jamaica,” Dr Karl wrote in 2006. “He rebroadcast it, but with the Shell Company signature now on the email - and this accidental non-approved signature gave the hoax more credibility.”The TV show Mythbusters tried to recreate the effect of a mobile phone igniting vapours but couldn’t.So, it seems the concerns are largely unfounded in historical events, but service station operators have chosen to take extra precaution just in case.Mobile phone petrol station law across Australia is a grey area. Legally speaking it’s not against the law to use your phone but the majority of petrol stations have rules against it. So, if you want to use the service station, you need to follow the rules of the business, thus using a phone is practically banned across the country.Short answer - don’t. Filling up your car should only take a couple of minutes, so best to leave your phone in your pocket, bag or inside the car while you pump your petrol or diesel.

A: The best way to wear a seatbelt while pregnant is to have the lap belt under your pregnancy bump, ensuring it is low and snug across your hips, and that the shoulder belt sits between your breasts and to the side of your bump, not across it.By maintaining the correct seatbelt position and checking it often during your trip.A recent study by Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) that involved 1491 pregnant participants showed that despite 99.1 per cent saying they always wore their seatbelts while driving, only 41.4 per cent were wearing their seatbelts in the correct position!The lap belt should sit under your pregnancy bump, across your hips and upper thighs, not your stomach. It should be snug but not tight.The shoulder belt should go between your breasts and off to the side of your belly, resting across your chest and shoulder - not your neck or arm. Check your states relevant rules on whether a sash guide is allowed.Never place the lap belt over your belly, and never tuck the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.This positioning ensures you get the protection you need in a collision without risking injury to your unborn baby.Pregnancy seat belt Australia - Imaged sourced from MUARC website.Ah, pregnancy. One of the most glorious and beautiful periods of a woman’s life. It can also be filled with doubt, confusion and unease as you navigate the sheer onslaught of information available. The dos and don’ts, what to buy, what supplements to take, the cravings and the pee breaks during the night which make you feel like an 80-year-old man with a prostate issue.As your pregnancy progresses, your growing bump can make standard seatbelt placement feel tight, awkward or even painful. The pressure of the lap belt near your belly (and bladder) may cause discomfort and the shoulder belt near your bump or tender breasts might also cause anxiety, especially in the third trimester.Understanding how to wear a seatbelt when pregnant is essential for protecting yourself (and your baby) in a crash and staying comfortable behind the wheel. Transport NSW says that ‘the main cause of foetal deaths in car crashes is the death of the mother’. So, it’s crucial to buckle up.Image by jcomp on FreepikYes. In Australia, wearing a seatbelt is compulsory for all drivers and passengers, including during pregnancy. Failing to wear one can result in fines and demerit points. More importantly, it significantly increases the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.Seatbelt safety pregnancy – always buckle up! Image by senivpetro on FreepikProducts marketed as pregnancy seat belt adjusters or pregnancy seatbelt adapters sit in a murky area. Technically they can be legal if they do not alter the function of the seatbelt itself, and what that means is they must not affect the seatbelt’s ability to restrain you in a crash.According to the Australian Design Rules (ADR), aftermarket devices must not compromise seatbelt safety. Some maternity belt accessories are fine if they simply guide the seatbelt into a better position (such as low across the hips), but others may not be compliant. While there are no significant differences in laws between Australian states, always check your local road authority if you're unsure.It’s also best to choose a product that has been crash-tested and clearly states it meets Australian standards.To be frank, it would be wise to approach pregnancy belts and adjustors with a degree of caution. Currently, there is only one Australian product on the market which has had any sort of crash-testing applied to it and which has been designed to comply with our ADRs and that’s the Tummy Shield (found here). However, at $899 a pop, it poses a significant investment for the average family.Sit upright and adjust the seat to keep your back straight and ensure the belt stays in the correct position.Take breaks on long drives - stop every hour or two to stretch and improve circulation.Listen to your body. If you're experiencing discomfort, cramping, or dizziness while driving or riding, it's time to pull over and reassess.Vector from PublicDomainVectors.orgThere’s no set time to stop driving, but many women find that in the third trimester, especially after 36 weeks, driving becomes uncomfortable or tiring. If you’re struggling to reach the pedals, experiencing frequent Braxton Hicks, or just feeling off, consider letting someone else take the wheel.Always talk to your doctor or midwife if you’re unsure.For more information about seatbelt safety in pregnancy, visit your local road safety authority. Or talk to your healthcare provider.If you're interested in purchasing a pregnancy seat belt adjuster, look for products from reputable Australian retailers that mention compliance with local safety standards. Brands that focus on maternity belts or pregnancy driving safety often have detailed guidance on usage and safety.

One of the nicest things about buying a brand new car is that it should (on balance) be just about as good as it will ever be. And if there’s something amiss, then there’s the factory warranty to fall back on. But a second hand car? Not so much.Buying a used car requires a smarter, more analytical approach if you’re to avoid buying a dud. And a large part of that approach is knowing how to inspect a used car. Conducting a meaningful pre-purchase inspection sounds simple, but there’s a bit to it. There are two main ways to go about this, too.The less-hassle way is to engage the services of a company that specialises in the pre-purchase inspection, or a mechanic that you trust, to inspect the car in question and give you an idea of what’s wrong with it and how much it might cost to put right.A professional will know exactly what to look for when inspecting a car. This can cost anything up to several hundred dollars depending on where the car is, the mechanic’s hourly rate and how deep a dive you specify for the inspection.The final question of how much for a mechanic to inspect a used car should be factored into the total cost of the transaction at the outset, along with transfer and registration fees and stamp duty.The second method is to save a little money in the first instance and perform the inspection yourself. But get it wrong and those dollars you saved at first might disappear - and then some – if you miss something important. But if you know what you’re looking for, have the basics covered and can tackle the process logically and patiently, then performing your own pre-purchase inspection is definitely doable.To be honest, there’s probably a whole book to be written on this subject, but the basics of this process haven’t really changed over the decades apart from new technology requiring a few new skills.So where do you start on your pre-purchase check of any second-hand car, and what are the hard and fast rules? Just knowing what to check for is a great start. And that starts with the service books.The contents of these should tell you lots about how the car has been cared for and maintained. Missing service books (they should be in the glove box) is a warning sign as this suggests the owner doesn’t take much notice of routine maintenance. Not a good sign.You should also find receipts for any work on the car or new parts that have been fitted. Even a new set of tyres should be evident in the paperwork, so take the time to read it all rather than just flick through it in the driveway.Even before you meet the seller, you should be starting your inspection of the car. How the car looks in the driveway as you pull up to the seller’s house. Does the car sit nice and level side to side? Is it all one colour? Is it parked in a driveway or on the street? Does it look neglected in any way? Is it filthy dirty and full of junk inside? Would you be seen dead in it? All these things can tell you a lot about what you might expect as you dig deeper.And all this is dependent on rule number one of car inspections: Never look at a car in the dark, under artificial light or in the rain.Without good natural light you won’t see the minor variations in paint colour that suggest previous body repairs. Or the little scratches and dings that turn a nice car into an ordinary one. Even a wet car can hide paint or panel damage that you won’t see until it’s dried off in your driveway. If the seller has hosed the car off before you arrive, ask why.Beyond that, the body inspection needs to focus on damage, repairs and paint quality, as well as making sure there’s no rust or missing bits and pieces. Be extra wary of a car sporting fresh, shiny paint rather than the original paint it came with. That new paint could be hiding absolutely anything including poor repairs and rust that will pop out from under the paint in six months’ time to ruin your day. A low-powered magnet (like the ones real estate agents issue for your fridge) can be useful as a tool to make sure there’s no plastic filer under the paint (the magnet won’t stick to plastic as well as it clings to the metal around such a repair).Take a long, hard look down each side of the car, too. Do the panels and trim strips line up? Is the reflection in the paint uniform and not rippled (suggesting bent or badly repaired panels). And is the paint the car’s original colour? Nothing says repaired bodywork like a custom or one-off colour.Let’s move to the mechanical stuff. A look under the bonnet will tell you more than you might think. As well as checking for oil leaks, you can also pull out the dipstick and check the oil level.A car that’s low on oil is probably a neglected one, but there’s more to be learned here. How clean is the oil? It should be a nice, light brown colour. But if it’s black and thick, it either hasn’t been changed in a long time, or the inside of the engine is dirty (another sign of neglect).Of course, this only applies to petrol engined cars; diesels, even when they’re brand new, will turn their fresh engine oil black in seconds. Even so, the level should be correct.While you’re in there, check for oil leaks, loose belts, depleted power-steering fluid and – provided the engine is cold – the level and colour of the coolant.There are exceptions, but if the contents of the radiator is clear, it could be tap water which is more neglect. Most coolant is either green or red and that’s what you want to see. Check the condition of the radiator hoses, too. They should not be showing cracks or have gone hard (with age).Now take a good look at the rest of the car. The tyres should have plenty of tread left and you should also try to check things like the thickness of brake pad material remaining. This can be difficult to do within the confines of a driveway, as can checking things like the condition of the exhaust system and whether the shock absorbers are leaking or not.If it’s not possible to get under the car with a torch to check this stuff, you might have to rely on the other crucial part of any inspection; the test drive.Any used car test drive checklist begins with starting the engine and having a good look and listen without actually going anywhere. Ideally, you’ll start the car with a dead cold engine, and if the seller has already started the car before you arrived, you need to ask why.If possible, organise to come back the next day and start the engine from cold. That’s because a cold start can tell you lots about the engine.Just about any car made in the last 40 years will be fitted with electronic fuel-injection which, if all is well, should allow the car to start immediately and without hesitation, and the engine should settle into a smooth idle pretty much straight away. If it doesn’t, something’s wrong.The cold start is also when you should listen for anything like loose belts or knocks and rattles from the engine and whether there’s any smoke from the tailpipe (there shouldn’t be any).If the owner agrees, you should do the driving on the test drive. An experienced owner will often be able to 'drive around' problems the car may have and you won’t spot them. So doing your own driving is key. Don’t be afraid to let the seller come with you; they may be able to add details about the car as you go.What you’re listening, looking and feeling for is anything the car does wrong. Does it pull up in a straight line when you apply the brakes? If not, why not? Is the acceleration smooth and the engine quiet under load? Does the suspension feel nice and tight or does the car rattle and clang over even small bumps?Don’t forget the detail stuff, either. Make sure all the electrical gear works properly, and don’t forget the cruise-control. The air-conditioning is worth a test, too, to make sure it blows cold and that there are no horrible smells inside the cabin when you turn the air conditioning on.Oh, and make sure there are no warning lights lit up on the dashboard. Even if the seller insists it’s nothing major, a check-engine light on the dashboard automatically means the car is unroadworthy.There are no hard and fast rules on how to test drive a car, but abusing it mechanically is not part of the process. Drive it as you would normally, but don’t forget to give it a burst – where it’s safe to do so – of full throttle to make sure it pulls cleanly and smoothly. Juddering steering or brakes mean big repair bills down the road, and if it doesn’t feel 'right' it probably isn’t.In the old days, there was a used car inspection check list of things you needed to take with you to inspect a any second hand car. Now, it’s pretty much all contained within your mobile phone.You can use the phone’s torch to check out any dark corners of the engine bay, the camera to record details for later, including the VIN and any other information including the registration number and even the licence details of the seller.But don’t ignore this stuff, as a proper pre-purchase check of the car’s legal and ownership status is a must to avoid buying a stolen car, a car that still part-owned by a finance company or even a car that has been repaired after a bad crash.Of course, we’ve kind of focused here on buying a car privately, but, really, the exact same rules apply if you’re buying a used car from a licensed used car dealer.The difference is that, depending on the car, its mileage and age, a dealer (in most parts of Australia) has to provide a warranty which takes a bit of the pressure off you. That said the question of what do you need to test drive a car at a dealership and get it right, remains the same as any other car.

Q: Do more countries drive on the left or right? A: It’s a significant advantage for right-hand-side countries, with approximately 65 per cent of the world driving on that side of the road. This includes some of the biggest countries and those with some of the biggest car industries - namely the USA, China, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Mexico.

Jeep does two things well: it makes some great off-roaders (e.g. the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon) … and it hides a stack of Easter eggs (subtle design features, not chocolate) in its vehicles.

Much like one of those tricky mathematical equations that always comes up with the same result, or Pi, no matter which numbers you enter, all personalised number plates somehow dissolve and dissemble into the same sentiment: 'LKATME'.The fact so many people are so willing to spend money on allegedly funny license plates that they will sell their vehicles separately to their hilarious number plates is an enduring mystery.And yet, for a great many people putting 'MYWRX' on their Subaru WRX, which is clearly, their WRX, somehow increases the value, to them personally, of the ownership experience.There are, of course funny number plates in Australia, and indeed the world is full of funny number plate ideas. Where can you find funny custom plate ideas? Right here, of course, or splattered all over the internet.And what justifies the description of funny custom number plates is very much a personal thing.'D3FEKT' is a weird clever number plate, because it reminds us that some of these funny personalised plates feel like they are crying out for police attention, along with 'BOOKME'.On the other hand 'OVAWRK' is a simple, effective creative number plate idea, particularly on an adventure vehicle, like the large SUV that was seen carrying this plate in Queensland.Someone just wants to get away from it all, and thought it would be worth investing in a funny custom number plate to tell other people.Funny personalised plates obviously amuse a lot of people, however, with special Facebook pages set up to recognise their comic genius, including Stupid Australian Number Plates, which has more than 46,000 followers. One particular favourite from that site is “I (heart emoji) Self”, which is simply a more colourful way of saying w****r.I also enjoyed 'FAH Q' on a classic Ferrari, 'NOB' on a Bentley and 'SEXSUS' on a Lexus. Just wow.There are, of course, general or mainstream funny number plates for sale, all over the internet, but then there are many more specific examples as well.Funny Tesla number plates, for one, take a particular approach, in line with Tesla values and tropes, like 'BYBYGAS' (clearly an American example), 'CHARGEME', which could be a cry for help, 'CO2FREE' and 'IMGRNRU'.'POWERUP' is another funny Tesla number plate that’s quite appropriate on a Tesla Model 3 Performance or similarly wild example.I do also like the 'look at me, I’m saving the world' vibes of 'R3VOLT', which is at least a bit clever.The winner for funny private number plates, however, goes to the self-aware Tesla owner in WA who went with 'TOSLA'.Another rich vein of specific private number plates is funny 4WD number plates, which include simple offerings like 'MUDDY1' and '4WDRIV', along with my favourite, 'BAABAA' on a black Jeep.Remarkably, this love of funny customer number plates is not uniquely Australian, or even western.For example, there are plenty of funny Punjabi number plates out there, some of which might not make a lot of sense if you don’t get the context.Many Punjabi number plates incorporate words or phrases from Punjabi culture, like 'Jatt' (which is a term for a Punjabi man) or 'Dhillon' (which is a common Punjabi surname). Punjabi plates also quite often use numbers to stand in for letters, so for instance '12' might take the place of the latter 'R'. Watch out for examples like 'JATTMOOD' and 'FRESHYDILLON'.You might be wondering how much does a custom number plate cost?The answer varies greatly depending on where you live, and if you’ve ever been to Queensland, where personalised number plates seem colossally common, you’re not be surprised to learn that personalised plates are cheaper there than in some states, at a costs of $165.In South Australia, personalised plates have a one-off fee of $212.In Victoria, prices for your personal plate start from $395, which is a lot more than Queensland.In Tasmania, a custom number plate will set you back from $299. Western Australia is another place that loves a personalised plate, at least partly thanks to the fact that you can get from from just $104.60.In NSW, you see customised number plates a lot less often, because getting one will cost you as much as $499. Ouch.And in the ACT, you can be paying even more for variations of a personalised number plate, with non-standard plates ranging from $573.30 to $797.40.So, very few LKATMEs in Canberra, then, clearly.

You hear the term all the time, but what is a muscle car? To be honest, there’s no hard and fast definition. Just as a coupe can be either a two-door or four-door car depending on your point of view, different enthusiasts will describe the muscle car concept differently, and there’s a range of debatable points on offer.