Tom Webster
Contributor
Tom started writing about vehicles with four wheels in 2008 after realising that he wasn’t cut out for a career in sales.
Unlike many of his compatriots he didn’t grow up tinkering with an old classic car and isn’t too sure which end of a spanner is the right one to brandish. His love of cars instead manifested itself through many trips to Thruxton as a child in the 1990s and by poring over the data pages in magazines like What Car? and the Parkers price guide.
It was perhaps little surprise that, when he started writing about cars professionally, his first job was at a trade magazine for company car drivers, BusinessCar. A stint at an editorial agency followed, where he wrote for a diverse selection of automotive websites including Fifth Gear and Autoblog UK. A four-year stint in proper consumer journalism at What Car? followed where, among other things, he presented a huge number of videos and popped up as a motoring expert on TV shows such as Watchdog and Don’t Get Done, Get Dom.
In 2016 he went freelance and the world of vans came beckoning (more lovely numbers and stats to pore over) and, although he still covers cars, he now spends more time in Transits than he does in family hatchbacks. As well as Parkers he has also contributed to the likes of Company Van Today, Auto Trader, Auto Retail Network, Haynes, The Express, Carwow, Heycar and Honest John.
Tom’s advice for Parkers readers:
- If you have something specific you need to get into a car – a child seat, a bike, a dog cage – take it along to the test drive
- Know your rights – distance selling/click and collect means that there is a mandated cooling off period when you can return a car with no questions asked
- Push for a van with the most safety kit you can get. Vans, especially ones that have been on sale for a while, can lag a long way behind cars on this front
Tom is expert in:
- Cutting out the technical jargon
- Hunting out a good deal
- Consumer advice
Latest from this author
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Nissan Interstar large van
New Nissan Interstar large van – everything we know so far about new big electric van
16 May 2024
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Ineos Grenadier Commercial
The Ineos Grenadier has finally become a proper van and complies with all the requirements to qualify for VAT exemption
02 May 2024
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Best medium vans 2024
Top list of the best medium vans in the UK, as ranked and rated by the van experts at Parkers - covering work, family and lifestyle
02 May 2024
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How do you drive a heavy electric van?
There are several large electric vans on the way with batteries that take their gross weights over 3.5-tonnes, but how do drivers who passed since 1997 get behind the wheel?
01 May 2024
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Mobilize Bento
The Renault Group is launching a rival to the Citroen Ami, under the Mobilize brand, with the small urban Bento set to arrive in 2025
26 Apr 2024
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MAN TGE 2024 update
The MAN TGE large van gets some nifty upgrades as part of its 2024 facelift and update. More tech and safety kit are among the highlights
25 Apr 2024
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Maxus eDeliver 5
The Maxus eDeliver 5 is the latest model to join the brand's range, slotting in between the small and medium classes
24 Apr 2024
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New Renault Master large van
The all-new Renault Master is on its way in 2024 and here is what we know about the next version of the large French van
24 Apr 2024
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CV Show 2024
Everything you need to know about the 2024 CV Show including all the headlines, where and when it was and how to get tickets for 2025.
23 Apr 2024
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Vauxhall Movano hydrogen
The Vauxhall Movano will be the second van in the brand’s range to get a hydrogen version in the UK, with the model launching in late 2025
11 Apr 2024
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Kia electric van plans
Kia electric vans have a launch date, with UK sales set to start in early 2026, and a second arriving a year later
09 Apr 2024
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Volkswagen Transporter
Everything we know about the all-new Volkswagen Transporter that is set to be a close relation to its best-selling Ford rival
04 Apr 2024