Phil Hall
Senior Editor
Phil's been working in publishing and content creation for over twenty years now, but his path into the world of motoring journalism isn't as straightforward as some of the other bios you'll read here on Honest John.
Amassing an impressive collection of Matchbox, Majorette, Bburago diecast model cars, Phil had aspirations of becoming a car designer before realising that his drawing skills weren't up to the task. Picking up a film SLR (remember those?) he ended up studying photography at Nottingham Trent University, before walking away with a degree three years later.
Working for a local news agency, he saw his photography published in the likes of The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph. However, it was taking on the role of Technical Writer at Digital Photo magazine (published by Bauer Media) that saw him able to combine his passion for photography with the chance to inform and educate the reader.
He moved on to roles at What Digital Camera and Amateur Photographer (still the world's oldest weekly photography magazine, dating back to 1884), before taking on a senior position at Techradar.com where he honed his online and SEO skills.
It was at Techradar that he started to review cars as the brand expanded its reach, before he helped develop content for household brands including Canon Europe, John Lewis and Decathlon.
Phil joined Honest John in 2021 and in his position as Senior Editor he's responsible for numerous projects on the site, as well as managing the content on sister site heycar. Still a keen photographer, he always packs his trusty Nikon when away on a car launch.
What advice would you give to car buyers?
Take your time. Its easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying a new car and ending up with a car that's not right for you. Rather than getting sucked in by all the marketing that goes with a new car, think about how you'd use the car - would an estate be better suited to your needs than a family SUV? Do you need that dual-motor EV that'll embarrass a supercar away from the lights when a single motor version is fast enough and enjoys a better range?
And please go and test drive them - it amazes me that some people plonk down loads of cash on a car without trying a few to get a better understanding of what's out there.
What was your first car?
My first car was a first-generation Fiat Punto. Coming in middle-of-the-road SX trim, it was finished in what I'd call Burnt Bronze, but others would unkindly refer to as baby poo brown. I didn't care though, it was a cracking little car and for a brief period would hammer up and down the A14 daily between Ipswich and Cambridge when I got my first proper job. With the exception of the exhaust parting ways with the rest of the car one Saturday afternoon, it never let me down, but after a couple of years of loyal service it was replaced with a Mark IV VW Golf.
What cars do you currently own?
With a young family I thought it made sense to go and buy a Caterham 7. It might have been 'only' a Roadsport with a K-series engine, but it was bloody brilliant. Trouble was, it was only me who was using it - my girls were too small for the four-point harness and it just wasn't getting used as much as it should have. Bright idea number two was to trade it in for a Porsche 987 Cayman. This made slightly more sense but after a year of ownership, and with most of the miles covered seemingly going to and from a Porsche Specialist, it was time to part ways. I'm now the proud owner of a Volkswagen Up GTI. It might not be as glamorous as the Caterham or Porsche, but for me it ticks all of the boxes. It can be a frugal city car when it needs to be, ferrying children around to dance lessons, but then it can put a huge smile on face on the right B-road.
