The m-i-l needs a car in a hurry. Her current car is old, leggy and has now developed a gearbox fault (pops out of 5th). She had thought of going the trade-in route but I've persuaded her to let me source something from BCA Blackbushe. It seems to make sense for her to let her current car go through the auction the same time she picks up whatever I buy for her on the day.

I've bought a number of times at Blackbushe but not sold. Anyone tried auctioning at the scrap end of the market? Is it going to cost more than dropping off at the scrappy? This appears to be the least hassle option - far less than private sale, ebay etc. Any input welcome.

trevorh Read more

A week last Sunday, I agreed the purchase of a Leon TDI, dutch import from Motorpoint in Burnley.
It was there in the showroom already but unregistered. I paid my £500 deposit and was told that the registration process would only take a few days and I "should" be able to pick it up Friday. The salesman would phone me to confirm.

Friday afternoon came and I'd heard nothing so I phoned him.

The Certificate of Conformity still hadn't arrived from head office (Derby?) so they couldn't register it. He'd chase it up and phone me back later that day.
He didn't phone back.

Saturday I phoned him twice, left messages on his voicemail to phone me back. He didn't.

Sunday I managed to phone him. When I mentioned that I'd left messages and he never phoned back.. he just laughed. He said that the CoC might arrive Monday morning and to phone him about 11 to check.

Today, Monday, I phoned at 12:30. He says he's been "too busy to check yet" and to phone him back in 10 mins. I told him no, he must phone ME back in 10 mins. He agreed.

At time of typing.. it is 13:00. No phonecall.

I am getting more and more wound up! Is this justifiable.. or am I just being too pushy? Read more

We have a problem with my wifes car which to date local garages have been unabke to identify.
The car is an N reg Escort 5 door 1.4 LX which has covered 38000 miles from new & is mainly used for short journeys of 3 miles or less at a time, not the best way to run an engine.
When occasionally used on longer trips once the vehicle has done 12-15 miles it developes an irregular stutter. This has been happening over the last eighteen months, however during the recent spell of hot weather the engine has been stuttering as described above when run from cold.
Also occasionally the engine will rev at between 2500-3500 when the vehicle is at rest without the pedal depressed & sometimes cuts-out with the pedal at rest when approaching roundabouts. The vehicle has been taken to four garages & the plugs, leads & electronic coil unit have been replaced but the problem continues & the garages are unable to help.
It has been suggested that engine sludge is the problem but lubricant does not help.
Can anyone help.
Read more

There was recently an interesting thread on the different speed limits that apply to Light Commercial Vehicles as opposed to vans that were originally born as cars and simply lost some windows along the way. (www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=23988&...f for those who are interested)

We'll be trucking on down to the Alps on Boxing Day in the L200 and I was wondering if similar limits will apply "en France".

I'm particularly aware that my usual approach to driving down to the Alps (find fastest French driver and follow at a 1/2 mile distance) is not likely to work this year as (a) The truck won't do those sort of speeds and (b) les flics are getting rather hot under the collar at Jean Etrangeres* sticking two fingers up, Agincourt style, at the speed limits.

Can anyone advise on the speed limits applicable to a pick-up woth a GVW of 2800KG when on the Autoroutes please?

Ta!

ND

(*Johnny Foreigner) Read more

I've extracted this from an old thread, about which I forgotten until something prompted me this morning. The habit seems to be getting worse.

RJ: "My current puzzle is why so many drivers don't think it worth indicating when they cross the centre line to pass parked cars, cyclists, etc. It would be more than a little mutually beneficial to know in advance that oncoming traffic needs to share the carriageway on which you're driving."

Teabelly: "I deliberately don't indicate when doing such a manoeuvre with parked vehicles as can confuse other road users. They think you are about to turn right rather than going round parked cars. When faced with other cars doing the same and they start to move over I make sure I am as far left as practicable so they fit in. You don't have to use an indicator to make your intentions clear when passing parked cars as moving out to the crown of the road in good time gives that message better than an indicator and is less confusing, particularly if there is someone waiting to turn out into the road in a nearby junction. They could think that indicator meant the person was turning off not just passing parked cars and pull out in front of them. If I have to stop then I'll stick on my indicator or some numpty will barge passed as they have not realised I am waiting for a gap to go round the parked car in front.

Indicating when passing a cyclist depends on the width of the road, whether there are junctions and whether there is oncoming traffic and to some extent whether I remember!"
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I'm surprised by Teabelly's response, but perhaps others may agree with it. I still think that crossing into the oncoming carriageway is, in effect, overtaking, and it is quite clear that we should always signal when overtaking, which is one of the most dangerous of all road manoeuvres. I think oncoming drivers won't expect you to turn right unless you are clearly slowing down. And, when all is said and done, isn't defaulting to signalling a sensible habit? I am reminded of a recent report on this board of someone who signalled only when he thought someone else was watching him -- duh? Read more