Will Dron
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wdron.bsky.social
Will Dron
@wdron.bsky.social
Digital Driving Editor at The Times & Sunday Times, posting only online and in front of the paywall. Killed my Twxtter because of Elon, and feel conflicted about it. But here seems good.
Encountered this car sales scam yourself? It seems that many people have.

I put an advert for my car on Autotrader and within minutes relieved a call from a buyer who wanted to see it ASAP. He had just one request...

www.thetimes.com/article/ae0f...
Scammers targeted me when I sold my car — luckily I saw the signs
Will Dron put his car up for sale online and received a call from an interested buyer within minutes . . . but soon alarm bells were ringing
www.thetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 AM
"Harris switched to National Highways in 2016 after nearly 20 years in the water industry, including top roles at Thames Water, the heavily indebted utility, between 2006 and 2013."

He could take on Jaguar next, maybe?
www.thetimes.com/article/a601...
Motorway chief quits after boardroom row over faulty speed cameras
Ex-Thames Water executive Nick Harris, head of National Highways since 2021, was effectively forced to quit after losing the confidence of the board
www.thetimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Did you know you can customise the sections list on The Times & Sunday Times app? Scroll to the right and tap on the + symbol. You can then put the sections in any order you want... with Driving being at the top, of course.
January 29, 2026 at 10:07 AM
My wife works at the coolest place, where they make costumes for film and TV. And they just launched a new website. Check out the cool stuff they've done. www.fbfx.co.uk
FBFX | Special FX Costume | 3D Scanning | London
FBFX is the UK's leading supplier of Special Effects Costume to the film and entertainment industry.
www.fbfx.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 8:41 PM
And most importantly, the prices of these things aren't wild. 🤪
January 26, 2026 at 11:54 AM
When was the last time you saw a really great TV advert? The early 2000s were a highlight, and for me the Honda Cog ad is a contender for greatest of all time. Some good ones after, for sure, but recently it all seems a bit... meh. youtu.be/w4XiaP-WhNw?...
Honda The Cog HD
YouTube video by Hutchings Motor Group
youtu.be
January 22, 2026 at 9:10 PM
January 21, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Pair of new Continental boots going on the Abarth at Kwik Fit. Offside was losing pressure v slowly so this was absolutely necessary, but otherwise not too worn so the rears can wait a little longer. Always good to get new rubber, though.
January 21, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Also, future bills could be... costly. I'll be putting aside a little more money each month!
January 20, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Finally been going through my 520d's history and, wow... in 2025 the owner spent over two grand on it. I bought it in Jan for £6500. Nothing about the timing chain in the entire file but new air bags for the suspension in 2021, and new compressor for them last year. Amazed.
January 20, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Correct. My mistake. 🤦‍♂️
January 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Surprising airbox design on the new Red Bull. www.the-race.com/formula-1/ra...
January 20, 2026 at 3:20 PM
...not too bad (obviously, or I'd have spotted it before purchase 🙈). Needs new front pads but I knew that already and got some money knocked off. Getting a full service at the same time. Still worried about the timing chain, and the self-levelling rear suspension may be another time bomb. 😬
January 16, 2026 at 4:14 PM
...happened to the donor car. 🫣). I've also gone to work on the chromed bits and used Autglym trim and bumper care on the outer seals. Plus leather cleaner and balm on the seats. Generally delighted with it but driver armrest is tatty and I've noticed scuffs on the o/s front wing - annoying but...
January 16, 2026 at 4:14 PM
I don't normally talk to my cars but on the way back from the dealer I did promise my 520d that I'd look after it properly if it didn't sh*t itself. So far so good and today I replaced a door seal that seemed to have been nibbled by a dog. Perfect replacement from ebay (don't want to think what...
January 16, 2026 at 4:14 PM
I like the fact that that's the most unlikely part of that film.
January 13, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Jumanji 3: Scraping the barrel
January 13, 2026 at 10:35 AM
When I go through my box of cables and connectors I do wonder why I keep some of them. Scart leads, for example. But one day I'll need one, for sure.
a man with glasses and a plaid shirt says the day will come .
ALT: a man with glasses and a plaid shirt says the day will come .
media.tenor.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:03 AM
LPG still exists in places but it was not a majority seller at any point, which diesel was, so there are many more diesel vehicles on the road. It will become rarer but I'd expect it to still be widely available on forecourts for at least a decade to come.
January 13, 2026 at 9:24 AM
The timeline is mad, Nick.

And I've seen much wider discrepancies with the reg data from the SMMT (which is an industry body, true, but isn't concerned so much with what fuels the vehicles).
January 13, 2026 at 9:09 AM
It's an incredible bit of PR, it really is. Full credit to them for convincing newsrooms that this is possible.
January 13, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Having said that, I have been saying for 15 years that petrol and diesel pumps will become more scarce as EVs take off. But gone within four or five years? 🤣
January 13, 2026 at 8:35 AM
The word "may" doing a lot of work here. I'd go as far to say this is nonsense and reminds us that New Automotive is not a reliable witness. It's an EV lobby group, which is fine but to be noted. I had to stop using their registration figures a while ago. www.thetimes.com/article/2879...
Diesel may vanish from forecourts within four years
Demand is falling so quickly that some filling stations in London may stop selling the fuel by 2030, using the space for electric vehicle charging points
www.thetimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Ooh, lovely. It must have been the next 330d Touring (G21) I drove to Switzerland and back, as it was the year the Geneva show was cancelled last minute, but would it have been the same engine? B57? What a power unit that is, and on an incredible chassis.
January 11, 2026 at 10:39 PM