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• Mobile phones: It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving – leading to a £60 fine and 3 penalty points. Research has shown that you are 4 times more likely to have a crash whilst using a mobile phone at the wheel. Get a hands-free kit or wait until you have safely parked the car and switched off the engine before using the phone
• Satellite Navigation Systems: ‘Sat Navs’ have the potential to ease congestion, reduce fuel consumption and improve road safety. Be sure to listen to instructions rather than look at the screen and apply common sense at all times – don’t take instructions too literally if you think they are incorrect
• Eating and drinking: Consuming food and drink at the wheel doubles your risk of having a crash. Try to avoid this by planning breaks and stops along the way
• Tiredness: Driver fatigue accounts for around one fifth of accidents on major roads, and is responsible for around 300 deaths per year. Make sure you are in a fit state to drive, both mentally and physically. Ensure you take at least a 15 minute break every 2 hours and if you need a rest, stop in a safe place

There are also steps you can take to improve your awareness on the road and sharpen your motoring skills with Pass Plus or the Institute of Advanced Motoring which has the added bonus of lowering your insurance premiums. The Highway Code is also available online, a handy resource for brushing up your road knowledge.

An MOT is carried out on your vehicle to demonstrate that it meets the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law at the time of testing. However, the test doesn’t cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox and the certificate doesn’t mean the vehicle is roadworthy for the time the certificate is valid.

You will need the MOT certificate when renewing your road tax. For more information on MOT testing, visit DirectGov.

Regular servicing will also help keep your car in tip-top condition. Most manufacturers will recommend that the vehicle is serviced every year, but this can vary. Full details of the service requirements are normally detailed in the owner's manual supplied with the vehicle.

Many garages now offer a combined MOT and service facility, which could be a cheaper option, so make sure you shop around for deals, and for a good quality garage.

The AA has some tips for maintaining your vehicle:

• Tyres: Know the correct tyre pressures for your car, including the spare, and check them fortnightly
• Engine oil: Check the dipstick every fortnight and before any long journey. Have the oil and filter changed at recommended service intervals
• Water: Check the coolant level regularly and top up as necessary - but only do so when the engine is cold. Have the anti-freeze concentration checked before winter – it not only prevents the coolant from freezing but prevents the build up of corrosion within the cooling system, so it’s important all year round
• Wipers: Replace wiper blades once a year for best performance
• Screenwash: Check and top up regularly – it’s a legal requirement that the system works. Use a good screenwash additive all the time – water alone won’t clear oily road grime and can freeze quickly in winter
• Windscreen: Inspect regularly for stone damage and always replace or repair a cracked or chipped screen as soon as possible – any damage may affect vision or distract attention. Minor chips can grow and crack the glass but many can be repaired by a windscreen specialist
• Lights: Check all lights weekly – headlights, indicators, brake and fog lights. Clean lights regularly. In bad weather wipe them over with a damp cloth during driving breaks
• Power steering: Ensure the fluid reservoir is checked at every service and check it yourself once a month – top up only using the correct hydraulic fluid as advised in the car handbook
• Bodywork: Deal with damage to bodywork to prevent rust setting in. Many cars have extended bodywork warranty schemes, which may require annual inspection at the dealer
• Toolkit: Check the handbook for the basic toolkit of the car, which should contain at least a jack and wheel removal tools. Familiarise yourself with the jacking points used to lift the car safely. If locking wheel nuts are fitted, make sure that the toolkit includes the key or removal tool

• Since 2008, there has been an 11% increase in car-sharing. Average saving: £119 per year
• 46% motorists are cutting down on shorter journeys: 11% for environmental reasons. Average saving £100 per year
• 53% motorists are consciously choosing to walk rather than drive more often. Average saving: £79 per year
• 19% drivers have reduced the size of vehicle. Average saving: £366 per year
• 20% drivers have downsized the engine size of their car. Average saving: £318 per year

Although green cars are more expensive to purchase than conventional vehicles, owning a more environmentally friendly model has its financial rewards as well as the obvious green benefits. Vehicle tax is calculated according to the level of CO2 emitted from your car’s engine. The lower a car’s emissions, the lower the vehicle tax payable on it.

If you are considering purchasing a new car you can check the CO2 emissions and amount of vehicle tax payable online