A case involving a Nissan Micra has highlighted the dangers that UK holidaymakers could face when hiring vehicles abroad.
Research by the AA into 60 car hire outlets across 12 Mediterranean resorts has indicated that motorists may end up driving away in what was called a "scary" vehicle.
Among the dodgy cars given out was a Micra on the island of Santorini in Greece, with the vehicle having badly-damaged front tyres, while there was a nut missing from one of the rear wheels.
Overall, some cars were found to be hired out with empty fuel tanks, others had no seatbelts in the rear and one had a handbrake that failed to work.
The study looked into countries including Croatia, Italy and Spain, while Malta was found as having half of its cars up for hire in a poor condition.
An AA spokesman said: "Overall the quality of cars was not too bad, but where they were bad they were really bad.
"Holidaymakers, particularly at peak season when rental desks are hectic, are too often vulnerable to the potential for hire firms to accidentally or deliberately overcharge."
Among the accessories that a motorist could opt for when buying a new Nissan Micra are a sports rear bumper, chrome exhaust finisher and a roof spoiler.
Motorists are to get a glimpse of what may occur if they drive in an unsafe manner thanks to a car that was initially a Nissan Micra, reports the MK News.
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service are to use a vehicle called ‘Crash 1′ at fetes, open days and road safety displays to raise awareness of the potential consequences of unsafe driving.
The vehicle has been turned into a demonstration car, which now has no glass, fuel tank or mechanical parts, while it also has a detachable roof to show how motorists are removed when trapped inside a vehicle.
Keith Wheeler, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s road safety manager, told the publication: "For many years we have used scrap cars when we give these demonstrations.
"While there is still a place for the traditional demonstration, this enables us to give informative demonstrations in a number of venues where it is not practicable to work with a real car."
According to Nissan, the latest Micra may appeal to motorists as it features "user-friendly controls, an ultra-reliable engine and useful, intuitive technology".
Motorists interested in scrapping their used cars for a Nissan Micra under the new government scheme could be set to make the greatest percentage saving, it has been stated.
Although all motorists who scrap in their ten-year-old vehicles under the scheme will be given £2,000 towards a new vehicle, Parkers has argued that this is "worthless" on larger cars.
The company reveals that buyers of more expensive vehicles may only be saving around four per cent on the car’s list price, meaning that motorists should consider haggling for further cost cuts.
However, it is revealed that motorists could save as much as 20 per cent off the cost of the list value of a smaller car, with even greater savings potentially available if motorists shop around.
Motorists finding a new car that is priced around £5,000 could save 40 per cent through the £2,000 discount being taken off.
Parkers highlights that in certain places a Nissan Micra can be bought for £6,000, meaning buyers will be saving a third off the list price.
Meanwhile, Nissan recently announced that it would extend the scheme for eight-year-old vehicles being scrapped in favour of a British-built car from the Nissan fleet.
Motorists considering whether to purchase a Nissan Micra may get the push that they need in the direction of the vehicle thanks to the introduction of some new buyer benefits.
Nissan has moved to reassure customers concerned about possibly losing their job in the coming months by introducing a ‘Just in Case’ package.
This package ensures that Nissan will cover the cost of any customer finance repayments on a Micra for a year if the customer is unfortunate enough to lose their job within the first 12 months of the financial agreement.
Meanwhile, Micra fans are also able to take advantage of a money-saving deal on entry-level petrol models and diesel offerings.
Those opting to buy the Nissan Micra 1.5 dCi 86 will benefit from being able to complete 61 miles per gallon of fuel, while seeing over £1,000 knocked off the asking price.
BBC television show Top Gear stated in its review of the Micra that it is "an excellent little car" and the materials used are "all impressively upmarket".
A group of motorists looking to raise money for charity by driving a Nissan Micra to Mongolia are still hoping to receive extra support.
Norwich Evening News 24 has reported that Vicky Holt, Gary Myerscough and Ashley Wilson are still looking to raise some of the £1,000 needed to enter the race.
In the hope of boosting their charity funds, the trio have organised a masquerade ball, with the money raised on the night going to charity and the ticket money covering expenses.
The rules of the race are that each team must have a 1.0-litre car that is no more than ten years old.
They are now on the hunt for equipment to help ensure that their X-reg Micra makes it to the end of the race.
Ms Holt told the publication: "Anything could go wrong but as long as we don’t burn out the clutch or the breaks and pick our route wisely I hope we’ll be ok.
"When we get to Kazakhstan though it’s all sand and pot holes though so we’ll see."
The trip is expected to last a month and begins on July 18th.
A used Nissan Micra has turned heads in Chard after being converted to resemble a cow, the Chard and Ilminster News reports.
The car was revamped by owner Adam Gummer, who only spent £30 and two hours adding new features such as black cow prints, eyelashes above the front lights and a new sound for the horn, which makes a ‘moo’ sound.
Mr Gummer’s daughter, 17-year-old Rebekkah, told the publication that the vehicle underwent the changes to "make people laugh".
She added: "You forget you’re driving a cow until you notice people laughing. Then I turn the moo-er on and they laugh more."
The car has been named Daisy the Fresian Moocra, with a Facebook appreciation group proving successful, as 45 members joined in the first week.
Mr Gummer is now planning to give the Micra a new revamp to make it resemble a zebra.
A past review of a Nissan Micra Hatchback from What Car? highlighted that the vehicle already "looks distinctive" and is "well made".
Nissan Micra owners who fancy carrying out running repairs to their vehicle will be able to do so more easily thanks to a newly-available manual.
Haynes has just published one of its famous guides for the Nissan Micra hatchback and it promises to include sections on weekly checks, routine maintenance and servicing plus more involved repairs to the engine, brakes, suspension and electrical system.
Those looking to replace a worn wiper blade, check their tyre pressures or conduct a clutch replacement can now get back-up advice from the Haynes manual.
Easily distinguished by its ‘bug eye’ headlights, the third generation Nissan Micra was sold in the UK from 2003 to September 2007.
During this period, sales figures exceeded 150,000, which means this modern, well-designed ‘supermini’ is plentiful on used car garage forecourts.
As is the case with all Haynes manuals, the new manual was written and illustrated after a complete strip-down and re-assembly of the car was completed by the book’s authors.
Haynes hardback manuals retail at £18.99.
Changes to the "elegant" Micra hatchback have served to further improve the vehicle’s reputation as a value for money car, Nissan has said.
The carmaker said the new version of the Micra features added extras on the equipment list as well as a new grade structure and style changes.
In addition to this, Nissan said the pocket "street racer" Micra 160 SR accelerates to 62 mph in under ten seconds and features stiffer suspension and group six car insurance.
The manufacturer said this vehicle is "handy about town as it is chuckable through corners".
Financing and servicing deals form part of a range of special offers currently available from Nissan, with the deals expiring at the end of March.
On its website, Nissan describes the Micra as a "stylish urban car" that features "friendly" technology such as Bluetooth connectivity, speed limit warning system and rear parking sensors.
The Nissan Micra will undergo a number of cosmetic changes in 2008 due to a makeover announced by the company.
Styling, equipment and grade structure will all be updated, the company stating that they will offer customers further value for money.
A cleaner, fresher look has been given to the model, while the front headlights have a less profound profile and the bumper has been changed.
The model will look even more different to old Micras if drivers choose the new faded denim colour added to the vehicle’s palette.
"One of the best known small cars in the market today, the Nissan Micra, is undergoing a revamp for 2008," said the company.
Nissan Motors is a Japanese automotive manufacturer founded by Kenjiro Den, Rokuro Aoyama and Meitaro Takeuchi in 1932.
The company’s headquarters can be found in Chuo-ku in Tokyo, Japan.
Nissan is hoping to bring some charity cheer to breast cancer sufferers with the unveiling of some special edition CHIC models.
A limited run of 500 vehicles will be produced, 220 of which will be Micra CHICs with a unique Waterfall Green body paint colour. They are modelled on the Sport and are powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine.
The remaining cars will be Micra C+C CHICs, available in either silver metallic or Nero black, also based on the Sport but with the more powerful 1.6-litre engine. There will be one exclusive Waterfall Green version available to the winner of Nissan test drive draw.
The C+C version is, however, cheaper than its Sport version at £13,250, while the standard CHIC starts at £10,495.
Both models come with air-conditioning and 16-inch graphite coloured alloy wheels as standard.
The charity connection comes with the fact £200 from the sale of each car will be donated to the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign.
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