Auto Uncovered

Got any questions? Ask away! questions@autouncovered.com.au

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDriven

Are new cars actually better? There's still life left in this debate, so Adam and John are going to keep having it.They dig into the growing amount of tech packed into modern cars, from glitchy screens and cameras to expensive sensors, powered tailgates and useless features most people simply don’t need. All that complexity can mean bigger repair bills and reliability headaches.

Depreciation makes buying new hard to justify, so is a five or ten-year-old car actually the smarter choice? Plus, a look at whether motoring media’s obsession with new cars is being driven by the industry itself. Just ignore the ads and the salesman!
Then, listener Ian asks what actually defines a luxury car these days? Adam and John debate the difference between genuine luxury and brand prestige, whether the traditional German badges are still worth paying a premium for, and how cheaper alternatives are challenging the old idea of a luxury car.
Finally, the conversation turns serious as they discuss the tragic death of Constable Mia Lay, the circumstances surrounding the crash and the bigger questions it raises about high-speed police driving, risk, training and whether current policies need to change.

Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

In this episode:
0:00 Intro
1:24 Why are we buying new cars?
3:40 Are older cars actually better?
4:13 Why modern cars are less reliable
6:22 The rising cost of car repairs
8:25 How much car tech is actually useful?
11:13 The problem with unnecessary features
13:02 Upgrading old cars vs new cars
14:38 Are car reviewers biased towards new cars?
17:46 What actually makes a luxury car?
22:28 Are traditional luxury brands losing their appeal?
24:12 The death of Constable Mia Lay
26:00 Questions over police driving speeds
28:37 Do police driving policies need to change?
32:12 Questions for NSW Police leadership
35:10 What needs to change?

Got any questions? Ask away! questions@autouncovered.com.au
John and Adam pull apart ABC Four Corners' BYD hacking exposé, arguing that every modern car collects your data and can be hacked through its CAN bus, no matter where it's built. They break down the TV tricks used to steer viewers, what the story should have covered instead, and answer a listener question on whether legacy brands can fight back against China, and why halo cars might be their best shot.
Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC
Check out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDriven
Skip ahead:
00:00 - Intro01:04 - Four Corners' BYD exposé03:50 - Every car is spying09:50 - CAN bus hacking13:21 - China as a trading partner15:39 - On bullshit17:45 - Inside China20:09 - Current affairs tricks25:07 - What they should've covered27:02 - Can legacy brands compete?33:04 - Halo cars and heritage36:52 - Wrap up
Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

Got any questions? Ask away! questions@autouncovered.com.auAdam needs to trade in his beloved Fiesta ST for something more practical, and in the process uncovers a gold mine of enthusiast cars now sitting between $20,000 and $30,000 used, from hot hatches and rear-drive sedans to V8 SUVs and future classics. A listener asks what makes car brands keep their die-hard fans, and John and Adam finish with simple ways to cut your motoring costs, why buying an EV to save on fuel doesn't add up, and why petrol is still almost free when you look at what it does for you.Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenSkip ahead:00:00 - Intro00:47 - Replacing the Fiesta ST01:47 - The $20-30K gold mine03:11 - SUVs and hot hatches08:43 - Rear-drive sedans and coupes13:22 - Peak car17:11 - Adam's shortlist17:55 - What keeps enthusiasts loyal24:03 - Cutting motoring costs31:01 - EVs and depreciation33:20 - The real value of fuel39:12 - Wrap upJoin auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

Got any questions? Ask away! questions@autouncovered.com.au

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDriven

Adam Morris (ReDriven) and John Cadogan (Auto Expert) kick off with a chat about Ford’s new Bronco Basecamp: will buyers care that it’s built in China but marketed as something else? What are the tools every driver should keep in their car? The guys discuss it and John shows off his oversized wrench.

From there, Adam shares some alarming insurance stories involving modified vehicles, denied claims and drivers discovering they weren’t covered when they thought they were. It’s a timely reminder to check exactly what your policy covers before you need to make a claim.

They also debate a proposal that could see all drivers pay a road user charge, while also keeping fuel excise in place as a separate "pollution tax". It would effectively mean many motorists are paying twice. Is it fair for people who can't easily switch to an EV? Are governments sending mixed messages by encouraging EV adoption while looking for new ways to tax drivers?

Finally, a listener asks the question: are any modern cars built to last, or are the days of keeping a car for 20 years coming to an end?

In this episode:

00:00 Intro & What’s Coming Up

03:01 Ford Bronco BaseCamp: Will Buyers Care It’s Made in China?

06:58 Essential Car Toolkit: What Should Every Driver Carry?

12:29 Insurance Horror Stories: Why Claims Are Being Rejected

25:31 Tesla FSD Insurance Discounts Explained

30:21 Are "Forever Cars" Dead? Which Cars Will Survive 20+ Years?

38:04 EV Road User Tax Debate: Should Everyone Pay?

42:34 Why Cheap Used Hybrids Make More Sense Than New EVs

47:44 The Case for Smaller Cars in Australia

52:52 Send Us Your Questions

Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

Got any questions? Ask away! questions@autouncovered.com.au

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDriven

Adam and John tackle claims that Chinese EVs are spying on drivers. The real privacy concern isn't China, but the amount of data every modern car manufacturer collects, stores and monetises. If you're worried about someone collecting your data you should probably delete Facebook.

A Mozilla report found that all major car brands failed basic privacy standards. Find the report here: https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/blog/privacy-nightmare-on-wheels-every-car-brand-reviewed-by-mozilla-including-ford-volkswagen-and-toyota-flunks-privacy-test/

Should consumers be more worried about big tech and car companies than foreign governments? Zuckerberg or Xi - who would you rather gets your data?

The conversation then shifts to automotive regulations, as ADAS frustrations, outdated road laws and safety rules that haven't kept pace with modern vehicle technology boil over.

Finally Adam and John review several major new vehicle announcements, including Ford's Bronco Base Camp, the new Nissan Patrol and Mitsubishi Pajero, debating whether these products can revive struggling brands and why enthusiast criticism often misses what mainstream buyers actually want.

Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.

In this episode:

00:00 Chinese EV Spyware? Separating Fact From Conspiracy
01:15 "Your Car Is Spying On You" Claims Explained
02:22 The CCP, Data Harvesting & Internet Myths
04:05 Why Social Media Knows More Than Your Car
05:17 The Privacy Nightmare Inside Modern Cars
06:35 Can Car Companies Sell Your Data?
08:22 Why Journalists Should Care About Vehicle Data Collection
10:55 Is Technology Ruining Modern Cars?
12:04 The Real Threat: Carmakers Monetising Drivers
15:13 The Car Laws & Regulations That Need An Overhaul
17:28 Is ANCAP Finally Fixing ADAS?
18:03 Why Modern Cars Are Harder To Escape In Emergencies
19:54 Tesla Door Handles & Safety Risks
21:29 Ford Bronco Base Camp: Brilliant Idea Or Fake Bronco?
23:38 Why Most Buyers Don't Need A "Real" Off-Roader
24:05 Keyboard Warriors vs Real Car Buyers
26:22 What Will The Bronco Base Camp Cost?
27:50 Why Ford Might Have Got This One Right
29:03 New Mitsubishi Pajero Pricing Revealed
29:46 Can The Pajero Save Mitsubishi?
31:58 New Nissan Patrol Pricing & First Impressions
32:32 The V6 Patrol's Secret GT-R Connection
35:15 Why Nissan & Mitsubishi Are Fighting For Survival