So: the Government proposes to levy a charge on motorists according to mileage driven. Maybe I'm thick, but isn't there a highly profitable system already in existence to do this? I thought it was called fuel tax.
Oz (as was) Read more

I would be interested if anyone has come across this before.

Friend of mine who does a lot of scramble bike reading recently swapped his 2 year old VW Alahambra with trailer for Nissan 4x4 pick up to allow him to access some of the more inaccessible places he and the bikes go rather than scrape the sump, get towed out of a mess etc. in the VW.

So one phone call to insurance company later "sorry sir this is a commercial vehicle we don't insure them".

He was paying about £400 fully comp for the VW , he's rang around a few companies who state the same - "commercial vehicle sir" and are saying approx double that amount. The car was bought brand new from an import company but its value is less than the Alahambra. Its main use will be SD& P and to and from a permanent place of work. With of course weekend trips to muddy places.

Anybody heard of this before? and recognising that the farming fraternity use this type of vehicle a lot anybody know where he could find sensible insurance ?

Appreciate the help. Read more

1995 VW Passat CL estate.

Anyone got any recommendations on towbars for the above car?

I think I remember seeing a fancy one that has a removeable ball.

What should I pay for supply and fitting?

Thank you Read more

I have an L reg Laguns 2.0 RXE in very nice condition for age of car but suffers engine cut out. The car starts and runs very well but will cut out completly without spluttering or warning. After being stationary for less than a minute the engine will start immediately and then cut out again a couple of hundred yards up the road. due to age and mileage 147K it does not justify spending a fortune and would be a shame to send it to the scrap yard due to its overall condition.
Apart from the usual niggly renault problems it is an excellent drive. Does anyone know the answer to this annoying and frustrating problem ? The on board nag tells me there is a fuel injection problem and to contact you know who.

Note DIS Cap, Rotor Arm, Oil Seal and HT Leads replaced. Read more

I'm having probs with my Fiesta! It's a Fiesta 1.8 Diesel H Reg - recently MOT'd.

It has real trouble starting (hot or cold). Sometimes it will fire first time, sometimes second or more. Every now and again it won't start unless you push it a little. (Yesterday I only had to push it two feet and it started).

The car turns over very strongly, the battery is charged up fine (we had a problem with the alternator belt a while ago and it was completely recharged after that incident!) The starter motor still sounds strong (although it isn't happy at all this starting lark!)

I took it to our local garage and they couldn't find a problem. They changed the fuel filter anyway and checked for air leaks in the fuel pipes by replacing them with clear pipes, but found nothing.

They suggested I take it to a diesel specialist (who I rang and they said "it could be a number of things" and "we don't have any bookings available for two weeks") Not exactly helpful. I live in the middle of nowhere and it is my only transport.

What can I do? I'm at the end of my tether - I'm skint (paying out for the garage to look at it and not fix the problem doesn't help) and I don't want to take it elsewhere in case I get ripped off. I'd like to know the options/potential problems before I get hoodwinked. Maybe a little knowledge will keep the bills down!

Can anyone recommend a garage in the Leicestershire area which is reliable and reasonable for this sort of thing?
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