Ownership

The real cost of owning a car in Australia. Servicing, insurance, resale, running costs, and the ownership decisions that actually affect your wallet over years of driving.

Ownership

Is It P-Plate Legal? The 2026 Answer for Popular Cars, State by State

A folding metal roof makes a Mazda MX-5 legal for a P-plater in New South Wales. Buy the soft-top instead and it's banned. Same engine, same 135kW, same showroom....

Ownership

Double Demerits This Long Weekend: Every State’s Rules for 2026

Double demerits are a New South Wales invention that half the country thinks applies to them. It doesn't. Cross the Murray into Victoria this...

Ownership

Car Aircon Regas Cost in Australia: Why a Newer Car Costs Double

Car aircon regas cost in Australia explained: R134a vs R1234yf prices, leak tests, compressor costs and why the cheap special costs more.

Ownership

Spark Plug Gap: Do You Really Need to Gap New Plugs?

Four plugs in the box, already gapped, and a forum thread insisting you check every one before it goes near the head. NGK Australia's...

Ownership

Wheel Alignment Cost Australia: What You Pay in 2026

A wheel alignment in Australia is advertised anywhere from $79 to $140, and the shops quoting the two ends of that range will tell...

Finance

Luxury Car Tax Threshold Australia: What You Actually Pay

Ask most people what the luxury car tax threshold is and you will get a number somewhere near ninety grand. For almost every performance...

Ownership

The Safest First Cars for a P-Plater, According to Real Crash Data

Walk through any Australian high school car park and you will see the same four cars: a Yaris, a Swift, a Mazda2, maybe a...

Ownership

Timing Belt vs Chain: The Question Sellers Hope You Skip

Ford has spent real engineering money taking a rubber belt out of Australia's best-selling vehicle and putting a chain back in.The 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel...

Ownership