Our local council (Slough) have started erecting large numbers of meal posts at the edges of the pavements. These look like solid posts embedded in concrete. My concern is that if I have to swerve to avoid a cyclist, or some other road user who has lost control, and I hit one of these things, the resulting injuries could be severe, unlike if my car had simply mounted the pavement. Note that the pavements are usually empty of pedestrians.

Does anyone know the purpose of these 'bollards' or whatever they are? Read more

OK, I saw the auction report the other day of the MGTF for under £6K and it's left me wondering whether an MGTF would actually be a good buy at the moment or not.

I'm sorely tempted with one, because I've always wanted one, NOT because the company has folded and I think I can get a bargain.

Unfortunately I don't really want to buy one if I think it's value is going to continue to plummet. I'd be interested to hear any informed opinions on what might happen to the used values of these cars, as the only way that I can afford to get one really is if I know it isn't going to depreciate too steeply as I would probably need to change it for a sensible car in a year or two.

I've kept a close eye on their values for a good few months now and it seems that if I bought a 51 or 02 reg they seem to be holding their values very well, but I'm not sure how this will be affected by the collapse of MG?

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My RAC cover came up for renewal, so I thought I'd look around for other quotes. At the NU site, you have to fill in a lenghty form (for the marketing boys, I guess), and even though I wanted 'personal' cover, it still asks for type and age of car, and annual mileage.

For my '99 Shuttle up to 35K miles/year, it came back with £90 ish.

So I kept everything the same, but changed the vehicle to a Mazda 323, and that came back with £64ish.

Ah, smaller engine I thought, so I tried a Daewoo Matiz, £75.

Maybe there's a reliability factor built in, so i tried a Freelander 1.8 head gasket special, and that came back with £74.

Then I went overboard with a Landcruiser Amazon, and that was around £80.

So can anyone explain the possible logic behind the various figures? Read more

6 month old E320 CDI love it in all respects except when the brake pedal is pumped 3 or 4 times the hydraulic pump kicks in and is noisy. Had it checked by MB and they tell me its within acceptable parameters! Any one else had a similar problem?



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\" Keep doing the same old thing, youll get the same old thing, try something different today!\" Read more

My motor insurance renewal date is just before my Road Tax expires which means that I have to chase up my insurance company to get a Certificate of Motor Insurance to pay the Road Tax. It has set me thinking that life would be easier if I could pay both together.

I am personally not too bothered if the car behind me doesn?t have a valid Road Tax ? it rates around the same as not paying a Television Licence. After all, reducing the amount paid to the Inland Revenue £160 isn?t terribly difficult for a competent accountant. The DVLA take a different view. They know exactly which cars are on the road, which cars have a valid Statutory Off Road Notice and can pounce on those whose Road Tax is overdue by 14 days, and seize the offending car if payment is not made.

However, I am extremely worried about the number of cars on the roads without valid insurance for third party damage. The fine for driving without valid insurance is pitiful. In many cases considerably less than the cost of an annual insurance premium and the chance of being caught is fairly small. The consequences of being hit by an uninsured driver, are quite significant as there is no-one to cover the cost of any damage caused. Unsurprisingly, uninsured drivers are more likely to cause accidents than those who are insured.

I am also concerned that there are cars on the road who have defective tyres, brakes and who have no valid MOT test. The implications for road safety are obvious and far greater than committing the sin of exceeding 79 mph on an empty motorway.

I think the time has come to merge all three together. I think that should display a combined certificate of insurance, road tax and MOT in place of the existing road tax disc. The insurance companies should be responsible for collecting Road Tax, along their insurance premium (and 2.5% insurance premium tax). At the time of renewal, the insurance company should inspect the MOT testing stations database and satisfy themselves that the vehicle they are insuring is roadworthy ? which would seem to be in their interest from an actuarial point of view. Most road users who pay by direct debit would have their Insurance/Road Tax automatically renewed without the need to fill out forms or queue at the Post Office. Those who wish to shop around for a competitive quote would be able to do so in the usual way.

This would ensure that all vehicles on the road have a valid motor insurance and MOT. Any vehicle that does not have its insurance renewed on expiry would be automatically notified to the DVLA who could use their existing powers to remove it from the highways.

What do other Backroomers think? As far as I can see, the only losers from this arrangement are the Post Office, who are set to lose out with web-based Road Tax renewals anyway.
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