We have a 1.6 auto Golf which I suspect may have a problem developing with 3rd gear. Under normal acceleration through the gears, 3rd behaves a bit like a manual-box with a slipping clutch. As I accelerate in 3rd, the revs rise smoothly with increasing road speed, but then the revs drop by 200 to 300rpm, before rising smoothly again. There is then a large drop in revs as it changes into 4th. The car has done 57,000 miles. Would anyone know whether this is anything to worry about? I've only recently noticed this behaviour and it doesn't seem to do it all the time.

The gearbox oil has never been changed and the VW dealer told me it doesn't need changing as they're filled for life. This doesn't sit easily with me because I believe in frequent oil changes. There is no gearbox dipstick so I can't see whether the oil is a healthy colour, and the Haynes manual which shows a gearbox filler tube doesn't correlate with the car. I've searched in vain for level plugs, filler tubes and such like. Any advice will be much appreciated. Read more

My girlfriends Clio was parked at the side of the road on Monday, when an elderly gentleman who was driving unfortunately had a heart attack before crashing into her vehicle - causing a lot of damage.
Sadly he died as a result of the heart attack. The police are dealing with his insurance, and she should get his details tomorrow, so she can pass his details on.

As the vehicle was in a dangerous position (it ended up on the pathway and was immobile) it had to be taken away.

She has been given a courtesy car for 14 days as she has fully comp insurance. The insurance have offered her a very good price for the car(1200), which she accepted. As she is under 25 and in her first year of insurance her excess is 450.

Generally how long will it take for her to get the excess back as there is no question as to who is liable for the accident? She could borrow the 450 of someone, however she would not want to do that if it is likely to take months to get the excess back.

What can she do to ensure she gets this excess back ASAP as we wish to replace the car for an equivalent one - and when you are talking about small cars sub £1500 - 450 makes a lot of difference. Can her legal aid with the insurance make a difference?

Paul Read more

When collecting your new car from a dealer, what would be the acceptable odometer reading? 2, 5, 10 miles? When would it become unacceptable?

Read about a case today with 180 miles on the clock which sounds wholly unsatisfactory to me. Read more

Unfortunately, a few months ago, my young Niece was caught by a Red Traffic Light Camera going through a red light. Apparently the time of the photograph is six seconds after the lights turned to Red. She is 20 years old.

I myself just expected nothing to happen, if, hopefully, the camera didn't have any film left, or she would receive the usual NIP with the offer of a fixed penalty 3 points plus a 3 point licence endorsement.

No such luck, unfortunately!

She has been trying to pay it as a fixed penalty offence, without any success, and now it transpires that the Police aren't prepared to offer the fixed penalty system for this offence and wish it to be taken further, presumably to court.

Can they do this, and, if so, do they have to give their reasons why?

Whilst in no way am I defensive of her actions (she only just missed hitting another emerging vehicle, so I understand) she was, at the time, driving to an Essex hospital to visit her beloved Grandfather, who she had been informed shortly before had been admitted with a very serious chest infection, which he subsequently died from shortly after this offence was committed.

I have to have some sympathy for her. I think she has suffered enough already.

Also, she is a recently qualified driver who, so I understand, can only take 3 points on her licence because at 6 points, as opposed to 12 points, they will take her licence away.

I have already suggested that she seek appropriate legal advice, but I just thought I would post this query on the BR to see what thoughts and ideas members had on this situation. I really wish we could put the clock back, but we can't.

If it does go to court do you think she would be better off mentioning to them about her Grandfathers situation or would she do better to keep quiet? There is, of course, always the chance that she could futher incriminate herself, e.g. admitting to driving without due care, or worse.

Does anyone else have experience of a similar camera situation, and could they possibly tell me what was the outcome?

Many thanks in advance.

Galaxy

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I have been unsucessful in my attempts to find out whether the fitting of a reversing aid to my 2003 Honda Accord will affect my insurance premiums. All I can find out from TESCO insurance is that they will definately need to be informed if I fit this as it is regarded as a modification. Has anyone had any experience of this? It would seem to be self evident that the fitting of a safety aid would, if anything, decrease your premiums but nothing would surprise me. Just to confuse things, Tesco, for instance, have Insurance groups from 1 to 100 rather than the more conventional 1 to 20.

Kent. Read more