Auto Uncovered

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

Adam Morris and John Cadogan take aim at the everyday habits that can quietly cost car owners thousands.

From misunderstanding service intervals and abusing dual-clutch transmissions, to mismatched tyres destroying an AWD system, riding the clutch, ignoring new noises and cheaping out on filters, they run through the mistakes that can turn small savings into expensive repairs. Plus, why buying a car around the two or three trips you make each year might be the wrong approach.

Then it's this week's listener question which comes from Grant, who asks: "with so many people complaining about how complicated modern cars are and how much technology they contain, what could be removed from a car without hurting its marketability?"

Finally, Adam tackles one of the industry’s most frustrating trends: paying extra to unlock equipment that’s already physically fitted to your car. A new Mercedes-AMG EV sparks the debate, alongside BMW’s previous heated-seat subscriptions and Tesla’s software-limited performance and range.

If you’ve already paid for the hardware, should a car company really be able to charge you again just to use it?

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 ep:

00:00 The Flying Tesla That Charges You to Land

00:13 Welcome to Auto Uncovered

01:06 Adam Has Bought a New Car

03:25 The Car Owner Mistakes That Cost You Money

04:15 Know When to Abandon Your Car-Buying Plan

06:41 Do You Really Need AWD?

08:08 The Service Schedule Mistake That Can Void Your Warranty

08:48 The Tyre Mistake That Can Destroy an AWD System

10:17 How You’re Killing Your Dual-Clutch Transmission

10:58 Stop Riding the Clutch

12:06 Why You Shouldn’t Turn the Wheel While Stationary

13:03 Never Ignore a New Noise From Your Car

14:05 Basic Checks Every Car Owner Should Know

15:02 Why Cheap Filters Are a False Economy

16:46 When Did You Last Change Your Cabin Filter?

18:01 Can You Trust Your Dealer to Actually Service Your Car?

18:24 Why Pop and Crackle Tunes Can Be Bad News

20:17 Why Your Hands Should Be at 9 and 3

24:04 Listener Questions

24:16 Do Modern Cars Have Too Much Technology?

26:15 Could a Simple, Low-Tech Car Actually Sell?

27:27 The Car Tech We’d Get Rid Of

30:03 The Pointless Features Cars Don’t Need

31:38 You’re Probably Adjusting Your Mirrors Wrong

32:22 Why Car Subscription Features Need to Stop

32:56 Mercedes-AMG’s Paywalled V8 Sound

34:15 BMW, Tesla and Features Locked by Software

35:00 The Flying Tesla Subscription Problem

35:12 Why Car Buyers Need to Say No

38:08 If You Buy the Car, Shouldn’t You Own All of It?

39:15 The Biggest AMG Subscription: Depreciation

40:23 Wrap-Up

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

Is Tesla’s flying Roadster vision a genuine glimpse of the future, or an elaborate distraction? Adam and John unpack the spectacle we saw a couple of weeks ago with Tesla’s latest Roadster claims; China’s EV makers could be creating a much bigger problem for the brand and Tesla might slowly be moving away from making conventional cars altogether.

Then, what exactly is going on with the new Nissan Navara? With a Triton-based Navara already on the market and a Dongfeng-based plug-in hybrid joining it, the boys question Nissan’s strategy, whether the Navara has lost its identity, and how the new PHEV will stack up against increasingly affordable Chinese utes.

Plus, which cars have suffered the worst bean-counter compromises? Touchscreens replace buttons, Subaru’s CVT gets a serve, while Hyundai N and Lexus get some love for apparently letting their engineers off the leash.

00:00 John falls in love with the Civic Type R

01:18 Tesla’s Roadster spectacle

02:21 Will anyone actually get a flying Tesla?

05:47 Has Tesla admitted defeat against China?

07:12 Is Tesla backing away from making cars?

08:57 Is Tesla massively overvalued?

12:15 Why the Roadster hype isn’t convincing us

13:43 The worst bean-counter decisions in cars

14:53 Why John hates Subaru CVTs

16:35 Touchscreens vs physical buttons

17:30 When carmakers actually let engineers have fun

18:03 Why Hyundai N gets it right

19:55 What is going on with the new Nissan Navara?

22:54 The Navara’s identity crisis

25:16 “It’s lying about being a Nissan Navara”

26:35 Did Nissan rush its plug-in hybrid strategy?

28:18 Was Nissan Australia blindsided?

29:55 Is this all a bean-counter decision?

31:04 The big problem: price

32:07 Why every dual-cab ute is “a bit shit”

32:56 Could the plug-in hybrid Navara actually be good off-road?

34:10 Can Nissan find its way again?

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! [email protected]

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

This week John gets behind the wheel of the JAC Hunter PHEV, Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute. It's got huge (claimed) power, a luxury-feeling interior and a seriously competitive price. The fundamentals are impressive, but there are some frustrating calibration issues that stop it from being the complete package.

Then, listener David asks why buying a new car still feels so painful. In his words: 'why is it so shit'. Adam and John unpack what’s wrong with the traditional dealership experience and why the industry needs to rethink the way it treats customers.

Plus, Adam drives the Honda Super-ONE and reckons it might be the small EV that finally wins over petrolheads. That prompts a debate on whether small cars are more fun than supercars, what Japanese brands can do to fight back against the rise of Chinese manufacturers, and why personality, heritage and fun still matter.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome to Auto Uncovered

00:51 JAC Hunter PHEV: Huge power for the money

02:30 Would John still buy one?

03:50 Where Chinese car brands are falling short

06:14 The missing ingredient in the JAC Hunter

07:28 Why 360kW doesn’t always feel like 360kW

08:15 The little details JAC needs to fix

11:10 What the Hunter gets right

12:20 Should Toyota and Ford be worried?

13:18 How the JAC Hunter’s hybrid system works

15:49 Can an electrified ute really work off-road?

17:02 The argument for coil-sprung utes

17:47 Testing the Hunter with 500kg in the tray

20:35 Why hybrid engines can sound disconnected

24:37 Listener question: Why does buying a new car suck?

25:15 How dealerships could improve

26:35 The real problem with car dealerships

28:38 Adam’s terrible dealership experience

30:12 Why dealership culture needs to change

31:23 Honda Super One: The EV for petrolheads?

32:13 Why being electric makes it more fun

33:17 Why kei cars make so much sense

35:22 Honda might have a hit on its hands

36:18 Why small cars can be more fun than supercars

38:00 What Japanese car brands should be building

40:04 How Japan can fight back against China

41:00 The problem with massive Chinese car logos

43:45 Why heritage still matters

45:05 Honda proves people still want fun cars

45:55 Remember when Japanese cars were this exciting?

46:27 Wrapping up

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

Adam narrowly avoids buying a written-off Skoda after a last-minute history check uncovers $14,500 worth of previous damage, prompting a chat about pre-purchase inspections and the checks you should never skip when buying used.

Then John looks at the changing Australian car market and why he believes the growth of Chinese brands increasingly resembles “colonisation”, as established dealerships move away from legacy manufacturers and embrace new Chinese brands. Can traditional Japanese and European manufacturers compete on price (not really), performance and technology? Perhaps bringing back proper halo cars could help?

Finally, Adam explains why cars like the Ford Bronco and Renault 5 EV can't simply be shipped over and sold here, breaking down the compliance, training, parts, marketing and logistics costs involved in bringing a new model to Australia.

And what happens to Leapmotor if Stellantis pulls out of Australia?

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 ep:

00:00 Welcome to Auto Uncovered

01:46 Adam dodges a Skoda-shaped bullet

04:08 The used-car history check that changed everything

06:59 The checks you should do before buying a used car

12:58 Are Chinese brands “colonising” the Australian car industry?

15:40 Chinese brands take over established dealerships

20:23 Why dealers are turning away from legacy brands

22:10 Can traditional car brands compete with China?

30:39 Has China overtaken Japanese brands in Australia?

33:50 Do legacy brands need to bring back halo cars?

37:51 Will Leapmotor survive if Stellantis leaves Australia?

42:19 Why Australia matters to Chinese car brands

45:04 Why don’t we get the cool cars in Australia?

45:18 The hidden costs of bringing a new car to Australia

48:57 The problem facing Australia’s aftermarket industry

50:25 Wrapping up

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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! [email protected] 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! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

John Cadogan and Adam Morris analyse why some manual gearboxes feel magical while others feel terrible, with a detour into the wonderful world of Japanese tool engineering.

From there it gets serious with a look at the oil filter recall affecting popular utes and SUVs; saving a few dollars on servicing components can become a very expensive mistake.

Then it's a listener question: Ven asks about bull bars and pedestrian safety regulations.

Finally Adam and John have one of their most lively debates about whether Tesla has been quietly building brand loyalty with younger generations through tech, games, and EV culture, and whether today's kids might one day treat early Teslas the same way previous generations idolised classic Japanese performance cars. For Boomers it was the Mustang, for Gen X Impreza's and Skyline's: for Gen Z will it be the Model S?

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 ep:

00:00 – Intro

01:30 – Why some manual transmissions feel incredible and others don't

04:50 – Japanese tools, engineering finesse, and surprisingly satisfying screwdrivers

11:15 – Major oil filter recall: what owners of D-Max, MU-X and BT-50s need to know

16:45 – Why cheap servicing can become very expensive

23:30 – Listener question: How are bull bars still legal if pedestrian safety rules are so strict?

28:00 – Bull bars, roadside safety, and the regulatory contradictions

32:20 – Has Tesla been quietly indoctrinating the next generation of car buyers?

37:00 – Will today's Teslas become tomorrow's collectibles?

45:45 – Final thoughts and listener call-out

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

John Cadogan and Adam Morris dive headfirst into the debate surrounding the incoming Chery Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid ute, tackling claims about DPF issues, diesel hybrid technology, and why internet "experts" might be underestimating modern engineering.

Also, are today's tech-heavy cars really less reliable than older vehicles? They analyse turbochargers and hybrid systems to plastic engine components and manufacturer cost-cutting.

Plus, what are the ultimate "forever cars": the vehicles they'd happily drive for the next 30 to 40 years? Ford Falcons and Lexus V8s to Audi TTs, Toyota Crowns and classic Volvos, what cars stand the test of time?

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 ep:

00:00 – Intro and the Volkswagen EA888 water pump joke

00:40 – Chery's new diesel PHEV ute and DPF concerns

04:00 – Why diesel hybrids may be better at DPF regeneration than traditional diesels

11:00 – The growing divide between internet opinion and engineering reality

16:00 – Listener question from 'Rugby' (real name TBC): Do turbos, hybrids and modern drivetrains reduce longevity?

19:00 – Reliability, bean counters and why some parts fail prematurely

23:00 – What makes a true "forever car"?

24:00 – Ford Mustang GT and Bullitt editions

26:00 – Lexus LC500 and Lexus F models

28:00 – Audi TT RS and the last great manual five-cylinder Audi

29:00 – Toyota Crown: the overlooked luxury bargain

31:00 – Toyota Hilux, Surf and 4Runner future classics

32:00 – Volvo 240: the indestructible Swede

33:00 – John's unexpected dream garage picks

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

John Cadogan and Adam Morris debate whether technology is making cars worse. From giant touchscreens and subscription-locked features to in-car advertising and increasingly complex electronics, the pair debatewhether we've already passed "peak car."

Listener Tim asks a question about the risks of buying first-generation vehicles, and John and Adam discuss reliability, development cycles, and why some new models are safer bets than others.

Should buyers treat all Chinese brands the same? Adam and John discuss why established players like GWM deserve to be judged differently to newer arrivals, and how global engineering teams are blurring traditional notions of where cars really come from.

Plus, there's a growing trend of questionable automotive surveys and media reports, creating headlines that say a lot but don't tell the whole story.

In this episode:

00:00 – Intro

00:57 – Have Cars Become Too Techy?

02:18 – Paying Extra for What You Already Own

10:40 – Why Modern Cars Break So Easily

15:00 – Never Buy the First Model?

18:20 – The Truth About Chinese Cars

22:30 – How Survey Statistics Mislead You

34:10 – Are We Being Sold a Lie?

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

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

There's a common transmission mistake costing drivers thousands. This week Adam and John go deep on it, as well as exploring why small EVs struggle to gain traction despite making more practical sense. Why are EVs all so big, expensive and heavy?

Plus, why a full dealer service history isn't always the gold standard it's made out to be. There's discussion about warranty myths, dealership upselling, servicing horror stories, and how consumer law protects motorists regardless of where they have their vehicle serviced. You don't need to get your car serviced at the dealer - a local mechanic will save you thousands.

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 Intro

01:06 The transmission mistake costing drivers thousands

02:27 Why sitting on the clutch wears out your engine

03:31 The world's worst gearbox?

05:13 The dual-clutch transmission epidemic

07:29 Why drivers are unknowingly destroying DCTs

08:35 "Filled for life" transmission myths

10:52 Have dual-clutch gearboxes become pointless?

12:42 Manual mode vs automatic mode

14:45 Why are EVs so big and heavy?

16:19 The obsession with EV range

17:39 Why carmakers prefer big EVs

19:04 What's the smallest EV you can buy?

21:32 Dealer servicing vs independent mechanics

22:10 The Mitsubishi Alice Springs warranty problem

24:24 Servicing horror stories from dealerships

27:09 The oil-change scam

28:09 The spark plug shortcut

29:15 Dealership upselling tactics

31:20 John's battery warranty battle

34:08 The "Cirque du Soleil" of ripping offcustomers

35:39 Genuine parts markups exposed

38:19 Why independent mechanics can save you money

40:19 Do you need dealer servicing to keep your warranty?

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

John and Adam take aim at the latest ANCAP rule changes and ask a simple question: are safety ratings becoming more confusing than helpful? There's a growing gap between real-world driving safety and bureaucratic targets, so what can be done?

This week's listener question wonders what the future might have held for Holden and Ford had local manufacturing survived; Adam would have liked to see Holden HSV as a premium brand in the vein of Lexus.

Plus, do dealer cars still need pre-purchase inspections? And John reveals his latest purchase: a manual Ford Falcon ute that sparks a passionate discussion about why older cars might be making a comeback. Is it better (and more fun) to buy an old car with a lot of ks, and just upgrade it to the latest tech? Is that a trend we're seeing more of now?

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 ep:

00:00 – Intro and ANCAP's latest "escape hammer" requirement

02:20 – Why ANCAP's changing safety ratings are causing confusion

08:20 – ADAS systems: safety feature or daily annoyance?

15:45 – Are we focusing on technology instead of better driver training?

20:23 – What would Holden and Ford look like today if local manufacturing survived?

24:36 – Do dealer cars still need a pre-purchase inspection?

29:26 – John's new project car: a manual BF Falcon ute

32:30 – Why younger drivers are embracing older, analogue cars

38:00 – Are modern cars losing the connection drivers really want?

40:40 – How much does it cost to modernise an older vehicle?

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

Is Stellantis quietly pulling out of Australia? With Fiat officially exiting the local market, Adam and John examine what it means for owners, whether Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Peugeot and Maserati could be next, and why Maserati's latest AI-generated advertising campaign has them genuinely worried about the future of the brand.

They also debate which Stellantis vehicles are actually worth owning, from the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio to the iconic Jeep Wrangler.

Plus, Ferrari are back with their first "manual" V12 in over ten years - how excited should we be? And John is fooled by an AI-generated band.

Finally, listener Alan asks how driver licensing should be reimagined from the ground up, prompting a passionate discussion on driver training, road safety and courtesy behind the wheel. To wrap things up, John delivers an unexpectedly entertaining deep dive into one of the handiest tools you can keep in your garage or roadside kit.

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.

Skip ahead:00:00 Intro

01:10 Fiat Exits Australia

03:25 Stellantis Brands Under Pressure

06:25 Maserati’s AI Ad Disaster

09:00 AI Music Is Getting Too Good

12:00 Would We Buy Any Stellantis Car?

16:30 The Jeep Debate Gets Heated

21:20 Ferrari’s New “Manual” Transmission

23:05 Why EVs Need More Engagement

25:35 How We’d Fix Driver Training

34:25 Adam Fondles John's Nuts

36:10 BMW Brake Job Nightmare

37:30 The Pliers Wrench Explained

43:00 Why This Tool Is Brilliant

48:10 Road Trip Tools You Actually Need

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

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

Are new cars really getting more expensive? Using inflation-adjusted pricing, John and Adam compare modern cars against those 90s and early-2000s classics like the Hyundai Getz and Honda Prelude and come to a surprising conclusion.

Chery's game-changing plug-in hybrid ute is looking the goods, but how does it stack up specs-wise? What's the future of Chinese manufacturers in Australia? And is an old Falcon ute actually a smarter buy than a brand-new Hilux for a tradie?

Plus, a listener question about why Ford and Holden failed to adapt to changing market demands, and some delightfully impractical automotive project-car fantasies.

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.

Skip ahead:

00:00 – Intro

01:13 – Are modern cars really overpriced?

01:42 – Chery’s wild new hybrid ute explained

03:55 – When 300kW was supercar territory

05:00 – Why Chinese car makers are moving faster than everyone else

08:31 – Comparing the Chery to Ranger, Hilux and RAM

10:07 – Is the Kia Tasman already in trouble?

14:08 – BYD Shark 6, TRD Hilux nostalgia and performance utes

19:39 – Why Ford and Holden failed to adapt

25:25 – The downfall of Australian car manufacturing

26:51 – Are new cars actually cheaper than ever?

30:43 – Cost of living vs car affordability

33:27 – Can a $20K Falcon ute feel modern?

39:22 – Why old Aussie utes still make sense

41:46 – Dream project cars: Falcon one-tonners & FBI-spec Statesmans

43:04 – Outro

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

John and Adam take aim at the media’s obsession with “hoon culture” after a Sydney news story turned a few loud exhausts into a full-blown public safety crisis. Is car culture unfairly demonised?

Listener John then writes in to ask why manufacturers inflate registrations and what really happens to warranty coverage on demo vehicles.

Plus, EV depreciation horror stories, luxury car branding, and why some manufacturers are desperately trying to stay relevant.

And John reveals the one thing every car enthusiast, road-tripper, cyclist and DIY mechanic should be carrying in their vehicle, and it’s probably not what you think. It's something that never gets talked about but it could literally save your life.

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.

Jump ahead:

00:00 Intro & Mercedes EV depreciation shock

00:45 Welcome to Auto Uncovered

01:20 Hoon culture: media beat-up or real problem?

01:44 The Sydney news story that sparked the debate

02:54 Noise vs danger — what actually counts as hooning

04:29 Video games, social media and blaming car enthusiasts

05:18 The real dangerous drivers nobody talks about

07:18 Defects, modified cars and policing priorities

08:47 When hoons ruin car culture for everyone else

09:12 Barangaroo, supercars and wealthy residents

10:24 Why car culture gets treated differently

13:16 How TV news manufactures outrage

14:30 Is the news an inversion of reality?

16:09 The positive side of car culture nobody reports

18:37 Why traditional news is dying

20:28 Authenticity, podcasts and modern media

23:55 Listener question: Why do car makers fudge sales figures?

24:36 The pressure from head office to hit targets

26:18 Demo cars, warehouse stock and sales manipulation

28:10 When does the warranty actually start?

29:27 Mercedes EQC depreciation disaster

31:13 Who buys a $150k EV that loses $100k?

32:54 Why Mercedes fans deserve better

35:24 What's in your everyday carry?

38:42 Toolkits, preparedness and fixing problems

40:17 The first aid gear everyone should carry

41:17 Tourniquets explained

43:07 Modular bandages and trauma kits

45:18 Why roadside first aid matters more than vehicle mods

48:17 Should first aid training be part of getting a licence?

50:06 The most important tool in your car

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

We answer all your burning questions in this special Q&A episode. Keep them coming.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

02:00 – Is premium fuel a waste of money?

04:10 – Why Subaru never made a proper ute

09:40 – What actually makes a good driver (excellent question)

12:20 – How to start a car YouTube channel

19:00 – Getting paid by car brands (the truth)

21:30 – Are modern cars getting worse?

30:50 – Why Aussie roads destroy cars

34:30 – John’s origin story

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! [email protected]

John and Adam discuss hypercars built with parts you’d find in everyday Volkswagens to a shocking breakdown of how “car sales” are really reported. You'll be surprised by how much of the industry runs on smoke, mirrors, and clever accounting.

And your questions answered: what to do about the looming EV battery waste problem and why modern utes are still rocking drum brakes.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

Skip ahead:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 – Are hypercars just parts-bin specials?

02:40 – The slow death of automotive “prestige”

16:00 – The leaked sales data bombshell

18:00 – The truth about demo cars (and fake sales)

22:30 – Why brands inflate their numbers

31:30 – The psychology of car buying & status

35:20 – Listener question: EV battery recycling

47:40 – Listener question: Why utes still have drum brakes

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! [email protected]

We take on AI-generated car reviewers (allegedly) and ask the question no one really wants to answer: can you even trust what you’re watching anymore?

They break down how fake “experts” are flooding YouTube, why the algorithm loves it, and what it means for real creators.

Plus a brutally honest look at modern car design, from the Cybertruck to Ferrari’s EV, and why it feels like manufacturers are building cars for attention, not drivers.

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

00:00 - Intro

02:10 – The rise of AI car reviewers (The “Grayson” example)

04:00 – How to spot fake AI presenters

06:20 – Why AI content is flooding YouTube

08:00 – The algorithm problem (and why your parents are watching it)

09:00 – AI replacing real creators (and voices)

12:00 – Will audiences turn on AI content?

15:00 – How to tell if a channel is fake

20:00 – Should AI presenters just be animated?

21:30 – What the hell is going on with car design?

22:00 – Jaguar’s wild rebrand explained

24:10 – Ferrari’s EV strategy (and why it looks like that)

24:30 – Kia Tasman: what went wrong

25:00 – Mercedes & BMW losing their design identity

27:00 – Why ugly cars actually work (the Balenciaga effect)36:00 – Why all SUVs look the same

37:00 – The French might be the only ones getting design right

48:00 – Listener question: Did Australia ever make a world-class car?

49:00 – F6 Typhoon, HSV legends & Aussie engineering peak

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! [email protected]

John and Adam tackle car modifications. When does a tasteful upgrade tip over into ruining a perfectly good car?

They make the case that driver training beats almost any mod, dismantle the "pretender" mentality behind chasing big horsepower and pro-grade gear, and break down why a parked car is the easiest crash to avoid.

Plus a frank look at airbag deployment realities, the proper way to hold a steering wheel, and a no-holds-barred case against dealer servicing.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC /

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

Skip ahead:

0:00 - Intro

0:25 - The philosophy of modifying cars

4:50 - Can you actually exploit the car?

8:00 - Why driver training beats mods

11:00 - Stance cars and ruined classics

13:50 - Big horsepower is for pretenders

20:20 - The easiest crash to avoid

23:00 - Why your airbag didn't deploy

27:00 - Holding the wheel properly

36:30 - Toying with aggressive drivers

43:50 - Teaching a 16-year-old to drive

45:30 - The last great combustion engine

48:20 - Dealer servicing vs independents

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! [email protected]

John and Adam ask whether EVs have a sex appeal problem or just a price problem, why the charging infrastructure for mass adoption may never arrive, and why an old Lexus hybrid might be the greenest car you can buy.

Plus, the dirty secret behind the recycling triangle, why modern car tech is always outdated, and one cracking helicopter story.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

Skip ahead:

00:00 - Intro

00:27 - EV sex appeal

02:04 - The charger problem

07:51 - EV-swapping a Polo

14:23 - Built by engineers

16:28 - The recycling con

22:20 - The greenest car

25:23 - Outdated car tech

30:57 - Buttons vs screens

36:02 - Excavators and helicopters

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! [email protected]

John and Adam get into Adam's charmed run of car-guy bucket-list days, from a cars and coffee morning in Sydney to four days competing in Targa Classico and capping it off at the Australian F1 Grand Prix.

They cover the brutal R1-powered Mini and the sublime Renault 5 Turbo rally car, what elite performance really demands across motorsport and music, the unbeatable passion of Summernats, why AI slop is driving a hunger for real-world experiences, and BMW's tone-deaf decision to make the next M3 all-electric.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

Check out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenS

kip ahead:00:00 - Intro

01:34 - Adam's bucket-list week05:05 - The car event community

07:09 - Targa Classico and the rally cars

11:45 - Why race cars suck on the road

12:47 - How Targa timing works

29:39 - Summernats passion

33:33 - F1 vs grassroots motorsport

35:51 - Elite performers

43:20 - AI slop vs real experiences

47:46 - BMW's electric M3

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! [email protected]

John and Adam unpack why the Volvo S60/V60 Polestar feels nothing like the Ford Mondeo underneath it, then get into the physics of why black cars aren't really hotter, why European cars cook in the Australian heat, and how the Ioniq 5 N stacks up against the EV6 GT.

They also cover Chery's diesel plug-in hybrid ute that's leaving Toyota behind, GWM Cannon value against the Hilux and Ranger, and Subaru's problem with 'designed-by-committee' models.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

Check out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDrivenSkip ahead:

00:00 - Intro

01:24 - Volvo Polestar, the Ford connection

07:57 - The physics of black cars and plastics

17:51 - EV6 GT vs Ioniq 5 N and Tesla Model Y

26:24 - Chery diesel plug-in hybrid ute and GWM Cannon value vs Hilux/Ranger

39:18 - Adam's massage story

50:35 - Subaru's design-by-committee problem

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! [email protected]

We dive into grassroots motorsport and why every car enthusiast should give it a go, before breaking down the real statistics behind road safety and why the rhetoric from regulators doesn't stack up.

We get into whether Chinese luxury brands can crack the prestige market and what Tesla's brand slide means for the EV space.

We wrap up on why the Kia Tasman launch was a masterclass in how not to bring a ute to market.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

00:00 - Intro

01:18 - Honda Accord vs European luxury cars

01:58 - Targa Classic rally event & dream car lineup

04:22 - Grassroots motorsport, track driving & racecraft

09:04 - Elite performers & the limits of talent

15:50 - Road safety, dangerous drivers & over-reliance on safety tech

24:44 - Road toll statistics & the real risk on Australian roads

31:25 - Getting older, MX-5s & Chinese luxury brands vs European heritage

36:47 - Tesla, Elon Musk & the aspirational brand problem

44:13 - Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata & Korean brands taking on Europeans

47:08 - Kia Tasman disaster & Chinese utes threatening Ranger and Hilux

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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! [email protected]

We make the case that small city EVs could be the unlikely saviour for car enthusiasts, running through the best used options on the market from the BMW i3 to the BYD Dolphin and Nissan Note Nismo.

We also take car makers to task for marketing EVs on range and efficiency when they should be selling fun, and look at why the enthusiast aftermarket needs to get serious about electric.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

00:00 - Intro

00:57 - Quality vs cheap car modifications

09:40 - Small city EVs as the saviour for car enthusiasts

11:05 - Used EV market: BMW i3, BYD Dolphin, Nissan Note Nismo & more

15:22 - Why EV manufacturers need to market fun, not just range

17:10 - The risks of modifying EVs & battery safety

19:00 - How car makers should support the enthusiast aftermarket

21:20 - The future of Hyundai N & affordable performance cars

24:10 - EVs, rooftop solar & the real CO2 numbers

26:29 - The next generation of buyers & why fun should sell EVs

29:03 - Building the perfect BMW i3 on a budget

35:11 - A call to manufacturers: make spicier small EVs

36:42 - GWM's Australian engineering team & Rob Tribbiani

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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! [email protected]

We dig into the numbers behind the collapse of Japanese car brands in Australia, with China up 46,000 units in a shrinking market and Nissan, Mitsubishi and Suzuki all posting double-digit sales declines.

We run through the Honda models Australia is missing out on and make the case for the Ridgeline as a lifestyle ute. We wrap up by explaining why the used Ford Focus ST might be the best-value performance car on the market right now.

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

00:00 - Intro

00:58 - Honda's failures in Australia

06:11 - Why Japanese brands are in trouble

08:54 - China's rise & Japan's decline by the numbers

14:33 - Chery's surge & the bean counter problem

15:38 - What Nissan should bring here

21:11 - Toyota's Prius missed opportunity

23:27 - Suzuki's identity crisis

27:55 - Honda's marketing failure

31:39 - Honda models Australia is missing out on

37:24 - The case for the Honda Ridgeline

41:00 - What Honda should do next

44:01 - Navara vs Triton & the badge engineering problem

47:16 - Amarok, X-Class & the Mercedes exec disaster

49:42 - The Mazda 6 wagon in a dead segment

51:05 - Ford Focus ST: most slept-on performance car

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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! [email protected] you ever wondered about the dirty car servicing tactics that cost you money? Or the current state of EV depreciation in Australia? We unpack all that and much more in this episode of the Auto Uncovered Podcast.Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDriven---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! [email protected]

Despite its best efforts, ANCAP, along with plenty of safety measures imposed on drivers, has failed to make our roads safer. In this episode, we discuss why that is.Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDriven---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.

Much is being said about the current state of fuel supply in Australia, but is it as dramatic as we are being led to believe? In this episode, we cut through all of the noise to see what's really going on.

Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]

Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJC

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

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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.