I purchased a 1996 Vauxhall Omega 2.5CDX Petrol in January. The car was brought for a good price as it had an oil leak from the engine and needed new brake discs, pads etc. I had I checked over by a local car trader who told me it was sound, but would also need the plug leads replaced.
With this information I left the car to a mechanic, and entrusted him with the work. He seemed unsure how to do the work, as it involved removing the timing belt on the engine.
To cut a long story short, which involved at least 40 phonecalls to him, and at least 8 temporary cover notes (costing 15pounds each) I finally took the car back. He had more or less given up on my job, and I had to spend a very miserable Saturday replacing various pulleys etc which he had left in a box in the boot.
The car barely ran at that stage and in desparation it was was entrusted to a Vauxhall Dealer, who after 650pounds of work, having replaced several
sensors, decided to carry out a compression test. They concluded valve damage and a almost total loss of compression across one bank of the engine.
Showing 100k they told me the engine now was scrap and not worth repairing, or at least not at their Garage rates. They told me the mechanic I had gone to had done the damage.

How do I stand legally with this.
I have contacted my solicitor who tells me that it is free in the small claims court to take such a case, but was not too helpful about what exactly I should claim for.
I contacted the mechanic, and he seemed willing at the start to help, though once he heard from me that a second hand replacement engineis needed which costs about 1000pounds excluding fitting he changed his mind. I am once again resorting to withholding my number in an effort to talk to him, (as I had done many times over the past few months when he had promised to have the car ready, and never took a spanner near it.
Help would be GREATLY appreciated Read more

My idle valve seems to have had a nevous breakdown!

Having fitted a second hand one, followed by a new one my engine still surges like there's a ghost in the car with its foot on the throttle. When it's not surging the revs drop so low the engine cuts out (scary when negotiation a turn!). Periodically rather than surging or cutting out the revs can go sky high as though the throttle cable is stuck, the only way to bring it back down is to engage the clutch.

Neither a local mechanic or a mobile tuner have been able to help.
Has anyone out there had similar problems or have any solutions? Read more

HJ advised the Mercedes driver

"Try to get it for about £13,000. You can then charge your company 40p per mile up to 10,000 miles and 20p per mile thereafter - total £7,000, tax free."

He can't demand that amount from the company. For example my company pays a fixed allowance for a car plus 12p per mile for fuel etc.

He can however claim tax relief for these amounts, If he is a 40% tax payer this is still a considerable amount.

If he receives, for example 12p per mile tax free then he can still claim remaining tax relief for 28p to 10,000 and 8p for the remainder.

I had to go on self assessment to gain the benefit of the tax relief quickly, otherwise you need to wait at least until the end of the tax year to get the entitlement. Read more

The SITUATION:

Cross roads with the minor road running North ? South, major road East ? West.

On the minor road usually several cars queuing on both sides. Some cars want to turn right onto major road e.g. those heading North going East, those heading South go West.

Others simply want to cross over the main road e.g. continue heading South or North.

The PROBLEM

Some think that if they are just crossing the main road they have priority over those wanting to turn right. Some turning right disagree ? they believe that by joining the main road they have priority.

Where both want to turn right across each other, often both think they have priority.

I appreciate that the sensible solution is to take it in turns in a ?after you Claude? manner ? but life unfortunately is not like that. One timid driver can be stuck for several minutes while all those coming in the opposite direction did their thing. Like the lady I was behind tonight!!!!

The QUESTION

Who has priority?

Stevie
PS
Asked my boss - who uses the same route. His view was that in the morning those heading North have priority, in the evening those heading South. Guess if he lives South or North of our workplace. Read more

My Golf is a diesel. First registered 1 Jan 1990. It has the 1.6 'Umvelt' engine [i.e. not enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding] and has a micro turbo to clean the burn .... says the handbook [turbo certainly doesn't deliver any ooomph].

It also has a catalyser. But the exhaust is now blowing, at the joint with the cat. Garage man says "Can't weld a cat". So do I need the cat? I seem to recall a thread which said that cars older than a certain date did not require them - but my serach of old threads didn't turn it up.

Anone know the definitive answer, please? Read more