Those bleedin fans Rob, oh how they used to cool the cab on a hot summer's day in a Metrorider! Aaaarghhhhh!

Someone pass me the emergency hammer, I'll retrofit some air con.

PP

The garage wasn't a Vx dealer (Mazda actually) however I have been using them for several years with a shabby assorment of different vehicles. The mechaninc who did the work is a mate and while I got no favours pricewise I am happy that they wouldn't rip me off.

They were asked to fix the oil leak and you are quite right that it is their responsibility.The car is going backon 7 August for the job to be finished. I have just been scouring t'internet to see if I can give them a steer in the right direction.

Thanks to you guys, I think I can certainly give them a few leads so cheers and if you are ever on the Isle of Man, give me a shout for the pint I surely owe!

The car is an M reg and has done 74000 miles. Other than the oil leak it is just fine!

Well it's nice to see someone is honest.

Depending on what type of repair you want; if you want a nice job that no one will notice, then go to a pro.

If you just want to stop rust etc, then touch it up yourself.

I sold a car once that I had touched up quite a lot and it was noticeable. When the chap saw the car I immediately pointed out these areas and justified it by saying that the car didn't justify the huge expense as it was only worth £800, but I didn't want to leave the areas as the car would have only deteriorated. He seemed happy with that and bought it.

Just out of interest, a similar thing happened to me. I pulled into a supermarket car parking space and scraped the bumber of a Metro. I immeiately began writing out a note with my phone number on and was leaving it on the windscreen when the owner showed up. The owner was absolutely amazed that I took the trouble. He had my phone number but never contacted me. I guess he felt that the graze on his bumper wasn't worth the trouble, his car wa also quite old.


****Signature? - Ideas on a postcard please anyone!****

Hugo

well, David, it is interesting what you say that about the 5 year interval recommendation. Out here in Jordan I run a 1996 1.2 Clio [1] with a tiddly mileage of 18,000 miles. The service book says the timing belt should be changed at 75,000 miles with absolutely no mention made of a time interval. In fact, no time intervals are quoted at all for any service job.

I quizzed the main dealer about the timing belt interval with respect to the very low milage of the car. They assured me that there was no urgency to change it and helpfully suggested that I could have it changed when it reaches perhaps 50% of the recommendation i.e. at 37,500 miles. I replied that, at this rate, the car would then be 14 years old. "Don't worry, Sir, it will be fine".

We are going to be selling the car in 9 months time. Should I get the belt changed at modest cost and inconvenience with the additional risk them messing it up or just carry on???

CMark
[1] Type: B57N, Engine: E5F Carb.