Mark Nichol
Northern correspondent at large
Mark did loads of boring jobs before deciding that writing about cars might be cool. So he had a third crack at university, this time to study journalism. If you’re assuming this means he now has three degrees, you’d be very wrong.
Like a broken thermostat, he has no degrees. The first two university attempts were disastrous, for various reasons. The journalism degree actually went quite well, though. So well, in fact, that Mark was offered a job during a third-year work placement at Auto Express. 18 years later, he’s yet to finish his dissertation but he’s still making content about cars.
That’s "content" because after an award-winning stint in automotive PR that ultimately resulted in Mark being walked out of the building and told never to return, he joined us here at Honest John. We wanted someone to take over our video content back in 2015. And a failed Press Officer from Newcastle seemed like the perfect candidate. Mark gave it a go. The rest is history.
After leaving Honest John in 2020, Mark went to leasing broker and football National League sponsor Vanarama, where he became head of car content and the main video presenter. Vanarama was purchased by Auto Trader in 2023, so Mark moved there to work as Senior Producer for its YouTube and Editorial teams.
But now Mark’s back contributing for us again. You’ll also find him on YouTube if you look up CarGeordie.
He’s on the UK Car of the Year judging panel, along with our David.
What advice would you give to car buyers?
Before you take on a big payment for a a shiny new car that looks amazing at the dealership, imagine still paying the same amount for it three years down the line. With kerbed wheels and scratched trim and a slightly musky smell. Still want to spend that much? And pay for an AA inspection if you’re buying used. Not cheap, but totally worth it if you prevents you being stuck with a minger.
What was your first car?
I started learning in my mum’s Fiat Cinquecento, but the pedals were so close together that I kept hitting the brakes and the accelerator at the same time. So we changed it for a Punto. I loved that thing… just me, a gold Fiat, the Judgement Night soundtrack on cassette and absolute freedom to go to Gateshead High Street any time I wanted. The first car that was my own was a red Rover 25. It had a K-Series engine in it. If you know, you know. Sadly, it met an early end when an ambulance smashed into it. I nearly died, but it was worth it because I ended up with… a Nissan Primera. Actually it wasn’t worth it.
What cars do you currently own?
I’ve just sold my Porsche Macan GTS and replaced it with a car that has a carbon fibre chassis, suicide doors, is rear-engined and rear wheel drive.
That’s right. BMW i3. No regrets.
