Alex Robbins
@scrof.bsky.social
Freelance car journo. Telegraph Cars contributing editor & question answerer; CarGurus columnist; Overbore podcast co-host; UKCOTY juror; beard owner; questionable vehicle purchaser.
And because it doesn’t do solely to come on here to shamelessly self-promote, here’s another piece of news: I have bought rather a nice Volvo. So. That’s exciting.
November 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
And because it doesn’t do solely to come on here to shamelessly self-promote, here’s another piece of news: I have bought rather a nice Volvo. So. That’s exciting.
Hello. Me again. Just popping back on here to tell you that I’ve started a new car-buying service.
The idea is that if you’re not sure which car you want to buy, you can tell me exactly what you want and need from your next car, and then I’ll give you three great options for your budget. ⬇️
The idea is that if you’re not sure which car you want to buy, you can tell me exactly what you want and need from your next car, and then I’ll give you three great options for your budget. ⬇️
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Hello. Me again. Just popping back on here to tell you that I’ve started a new car-buying service.
The idea is that if you’re not sure which car you want to buy, you can tell me exactly what you want and need from your next car, and then I’ll give you three great options for your budget. ⬇️
The idea is that if you’re not sure which car you want to buy, you can tell me exactly what you want and need from your next car, and then I’ll give you three great options for your budget. ⬇️
Been using the Buzz for Buzzy stuff this weekend. Chairs coming soon to a podcast near you (in all their hideousness).
July 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Been using the Buzz for Buzzy stuff this weekend. Chairs coming soon to a podcast near you (in all their hideousness).
There’s an ASpture too…
July 16, 2025 at 9:17 AM
There’s an ASpture too…
There are good reasons why I’ll always take my cars to Rich for any kind of serious fabrication or rust repair work.
(Subtitle to these pics: Why You Shouldn’t Take A Punt On A Cheap Citroen D Special)
(Subtitle to these pics: Why You Shouldn’t Take A Punt On A Cheap Citroen D Special)
July 15, 2025 at 9:14 AM
There are good reasons why I’ll always take my cars to Rich for any kind of serious fabrication or rust repair work.
(Subtitle to these pics: Why You Shouldn’t Take A Punt On A Cheap Citroen D Special)
(Subtitle to these pics: Why You Shouldn’t Take A Punt On A Cheap Citroen D Special)
Only an idiot would go out and take pictures of his new black car at nighttime, right?
July 14, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Only an idiot would go out and take pictures of his new black car at nighttime, right?
Hey everybody, did you know the bonnet on an ID.Buzz is hinged at the bottom with a check strap at the top, so it opens like this? I didn’t, but TIL! 😃
July 11, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Hey everybody, did you know the bonnet on an ID.Buzz is hinged at the bottom with a check strap at the top, so it opens like this? I didn’t, but TIL! 😃
(And look, I know EVs aren’t everyone’s cuppa. Different strokes, and all. But I’d have wanted one of these regardless of its powertrain. I just think they look sensational - and I’m so excited that this is now our family car!)
July 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
(And look, I know EVs aren’t everyone’s cuppa. Different strokes, and all. But I’d have wanted one of these regardless of its powertrain. I just think they look sensational - and I’m so excited that this is now our family car!)
So enter Evie (the EV, geddit? Sorry.) - our new 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, finished in black with silvery bits. Looks like it’s spent it’s life in a car wash, so I may have to invest in a mop. But 23k miles, excellent battery SoH and - crucially - an extended warranty until 2030 sealed the deal.
July 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
So enter Evie (the EV, geddit? Sorry.) - our new 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, finished in black with silvery bits. Looks like it’s spent it’s life in a car wash, so I may have to invest in a mop. But 23k miles, excellent battery SoH and - crucially - an extended warranty until 2030 sealed the deal.
…because today our new car also joined the family. It’s a car I’ve wanted since I saw it revealed in concept form at Frankfurt motor show in 2019; I’m a sucker for that synthwave styling and when it turned out it made (some) financial sense to make the switch, I didn’t need any more of an excuse.
July 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
…because today our new car also joined the family. It’s a car I’ve wanted since I saw it revealed in concept form at Frankfurt motor show in 2019; I’m a sucker for that synthwave styling and when it turned out it made (some) financial sense to make the switch, I didn’t need any more of an excuse.
A big day in the Robbins household today. After four years and 43,000 miles in our possession, Svetlana the Superb has left us.
I have loved this car and I genuinely had a bit of a cry as we left it behind at the dealer. So many memories. But the news isn’t all sad…
I have loved this car and I genuinely had a bit of a cry as we left it behind at the dealer. So many memories. But the news isn’t all sad…
July 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
A big day in the Robbins household today. After four years and 43,000 miles in our possession, Svetlana the Superb has left us.
I have loved this car and I genuinely had a bit of a cry as we left it behind at the dealer. So many memories. But the news isn’t all sad…
I have loved this car and I genuinely had a bit of a cry as we left it behind at the dealer. So many memories. But the news isn’t all sad…
There really is nothing quite like a post-vehicle purchase MaccyD’s, is there?
July 8, 2025 at 1:52 PM
There really is nothing quite like a post-vehicle purchase MaccyD’s, is there?
Look, I know motoring journalists are really bad for posting smug pics of jammy stuff we get up to, and I’m sorry. But come on. You’d want to tell people about a day like this one, wouldn’t you?
June 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Look, I know motoring journalists are really bad for posting smug pics of jammy stuff we get up to, and I’m sorry. But come on. You’d want to tell people about a day like this one, wouldn’t you?
In Spain, where it’s hotter than it is at home somehow, to drive old Audis around. Spent two hours in this. Vague column shift, slow steering, sticky throttle and an occasional fondness for dying rather than idling made roundabouts a challenge. Emerged a sweat-drenched heap. Isn’t it pretty, though?
June 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
In Spain, where it’s hotter than it is at home somehow, to drive old Audis around. Spent two hours in this. Vague column shift, slow steering, sticky throttle and an occasional fondness for dying rather than idling made roundabouts a challenge. Emerged a sweat-drenched heap. Isn’t it pretty, though?
“It’s like a Duster, but bigger. I was thinking we could call it the Dustigger?”
“Great idea, Steve - but I’ve got a better one…”
“Great idea, Steve - but I’ve got a better one…”
June 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM
“It’s like a Duster, but bigger. I was thinking we could call it the Dustigger?”
“Great idea, Steve - but I’ve got a better one…”
“Great idea, Steve - but I’ve got a better one…”
I could be wrong, but I can’t think of many other magazine covers on which you’d find these four cars.
@denialvibes.bsky.social - this looks ace. Looking forward to diving into it with glee as though it were a pool filled with modified car flavoured milkshake.
Buy yours at copaceticmagazine.co.uk
@denialvibes.bsky.social - this looks ace. Looking forward to diving into it with glee as though it were a pool filled with modified car flavoured milkshake.
Buy yours at copaceticmagazine.co.uk
June 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I could be wrong, but I can’t think of many other magazine covers on which you’d find these four cars.
@denialvibes.bsky.social - this looks ace. Looking forward to diving into it with glee as though it were a pool filled with modified car flavoured milkshake.
Buy yours at copaceticmagazine.co.uk
@denialvibes.bsky.social - this looks ace. Looking forward to diving into it with glee as though it were a pool filled with modified car flavoured milkshake.
Buy yours at copaceticmagazine.co.uk
This week I’ve had the immeasurable pleasure of having Skoda’s Superb ‘Sleeper Edition’ in to muck around with. 470bhp, AP brakes, KW coilovers, top-spec Laurin & Klement trim, and Royal Green over Cognac. What a deliciously barmy device. I loved it.
June 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
This week I’ve had the immeasurable pleasure of having Skoda’s Superb ‘Sleeper Edition’ in to muck around with. 470bhp, AP brakes, KW coilovers, top-spec Laurin & Klement trim, and Royal Green over Cognac. What a deliciously barmy device. I loved it.
The milk selection in our house this morning is Out Of Touch.
June 8, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The milk selection in our house this morning is Out Of Touch.
On test this week. Handsome bugger, and a big old smoothie on the motorway, but the diesel engine and electric motor are surprisingly vocal, which spoils it somewhat. I do love a big, cruise-y estate, though. With a creamy V6 diesel it’d be a joy.
June 5, 2025 at 10:19 AM
On test this week. Handsome bugger, and a big old smoothie on the motorway, but the diesel engine and electric motor are surprisingly vocal, which spoils it somewhat. I do love a big, cruise-y estate, though. With a creamy V6 diesel it’d be a joy.
Well here’s a thing. I bought this exact Kia Picanto for my wife six years ago. She then learned to drive in it, and kept it as her first car for a year and a half. Current owner is keeping it running for her daughter, who adores it. It has continued to be endlessly reliable. Lovely to see it again.
June 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Well here’s a thing. I bought this exact Kia Picanto for my wife six years ago. She then learned to drive in it, and kept it as her first car for a year and a half. Current owner is keeping it running for her daughter, who adores it. It has continued to be endlessly reliable. Lovely to see it again.
I know nobody really cares about pics people have taken from a plane, but this sunset on the way into LHR tonight was really rather lovely.
(Photographed from a Canberra.)
(Photographed from a Canberra.)
June 3, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I know nobody really cares about pics people have taken from a plane, but this sunset on the way into LHR tonight was really rather lovely.
(Photographed from a Canberra.)
(Photographed from a Canberra.)
Today’s hotel room is boxy, roomy, and there are many almost identical versions of it. Doesn’t have an XUD in it though. Boo.
June 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Today’s hotel room is boxy, roomy, and there are many almost identical versions of it. Doesn’t have an XUD in it though. Boo.
It’s a proper UK-registered car with valid MOT and tax!
May 31, 2025 at 7:22 AM
It’s a proper UK-registered car with valid MOT and tax!
Camping again tonight. Note the attitude of the tree. It’s a bit breezy up in the loft apartment.
May 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Camping again tonight. Note the attitude of the tree. It’s a bit breezy up in the loft apartment.