Download lowdown: The monthly test bench for in-car apps, CAR+ November 2015

Published: 11 November 2015

► The month’s best motoring apps
► Rated and slated by CAR magazine
► Phone apps for iOS and Android 

Quotemehappy.com

£Free/Apple/Android

What is it? Logs accident details for insurance claims
How it works: Pinpoints your location, gives a step-by-step guide to logging details and damage in words and pics, suggests quick links to contacts
Cool feature: You don’t have to be insured with Quotemehappy.com, but it helps
Usability: Good app scuppered by repeated freezes at ‘name this claim’ stage on iPhone, with no clear way to report the glitch
Rating: 3/10

Bla Bla Car

£Free/Apple/Android

What is it? Car-sharing app
How it works: Input your route and either offer seats in your car, or book a passenger ride, paying in advance
Cool feature: Driver profiles show experience; previous passengers comment on the drive; get driver’s phone number on booking
Usability: Best for city dwellers but well thought out; be sure to lock down pick-up and drop-off
Rating: 7/10

Shell Motorist

£Free/Apple/Android

What is it? Pay-for-fuel app
How it works: Register, get PayPal account, scan QR code at pump (from inside your car; be warned not all pumps have said code), fill car, job done
Cool feature: Get receipts and loyalty points, all via the app
Usability: Struggled at three fuel stations, failing to load or telling us to pay inside. Nice idea but reliant on connectivity
Rating: 3/10

Motorway Walks & Breaks

£Free/Apple/Android

What is it? 30-45-minute dog-friendly walks within five miles of m-way junctions
How it works: Choose your motorway, see the recommended walks. Free version pared back, but for £2 the list is hugely expanded
Cool feature: Check out pics of the walk
Usability: Easy functionality, clear directions and sat-nav inputs, detailed descriptions. Rating: 6/10

By Ben Barry

Contributing editor, sideways merchant

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