November 2005
Appreciate any help on this.
Just realised that my road tax is out of date by 21 days,got a shock when I saw the end of last month on the tax disc today evening.
Trouble is I have to travel 3 hours leaving tomorrow morning for a business meeting.
Appreciate the advice of all of you in the know.
Is there any way to pay it online,couldnt find any link to it.Phoned the DVLA but they have closed for today.
Would it be ok setting off tomorrow and then paying the road tax tommorow evening, ie any risk of being caught on the way??
Any advise appreciated! Read more
Real Story: BBC ONE on Monday 21 November at 1930 GMT.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/real_story/4446970....m
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/real_story/4454684....m Read more
An Uncle of mine (a truckdriver) suffered quite badly with sleep apnea, but as far as I am aware never fell asleep at the wheel. Eventually surgery on his throat cured it (and stopped him snoring), but his HGV licence was taken away when he failed his over 50s medical.
Dear all,
As a regular user of the Catthorpe Interchange (M6/A14/M1 junction), I would welcome some advice as to how I should use the junction as to me, it is very unclear.
Travelling from the M6 Southbound to get to the A14, there is a signpost 1 mile from the junction saying the access to the A14 and M1 North is from the left-hand lane. This is re-emphasised 1/2 a mile from the junction, plus the roadmarkings to the inside lane become short-dashed. This inside lane regularly queues from between the 1/2 mile and the mile marker. At the point that this lane leaves the motorway it immediately becomes two lanes. Some drivers cut in to the outside of these two lanes from what was the middle lane of the M6 at the point the sliproad leaves. This is clearly quicker as you avoid the queue, although there are no markings to say that this is a permitted action and in some situations, this looks to be dangerous and has the potential for a nasty accident. The two lanes then go down to a roundabout where you can go straight on to the A14 or left to the M1. The A14 is signposted in both lanes. The road then narrows to one lane under the M1 and back to two immediately afterwards.
My way of driving this is to get into the inside lane as soon as I can either when I can see a queue ahead or after the mile marker. However I reckon that this probably is 10-15 mins slower than cutting in! Most people seem to do the same although many cut in at the slip road. I then stay in the inside (as I find it generally quicker) until I go under the M1 and then to the outside to avoid the lorries going on the A14.
I would welcome any views of other people who drive this junction, particularly those that don't follow the signs and go into the inside lane prior to the junction. Also, who would you speak to if you wanted to get things improved?
Many thanks,
Nick Read more
Hands up - guilty
I use the Catthorpe regularly a14-M6 in the morning and m6-a14 in the evening.
Evening. I use the middle name and find a gap anywhere after the 1/2 mile marker (where the thick dotted line starts) there is always one just in front of a lorry.
Morning - sat nav has found me the back roads from a14 to cathorpe itself just past the junction and on the m6 slip up ramp itself
--
RF - currently 1 Renault short of a family
My 5 year old / 85,000 mile Toledo TDi suffered an engine mount failure, with no advance indication that this was about occur. The car has been serviced from new at a Seat Service centre at recommended service intervals.
As there is damage to the block it will necessitate a new short engine at best and therefore high repair cost.
I contacted SEAT Customer Care centre, UK, but after limited investigation (not even a call to the garage as far as I can tell) they have washed their hands of it, saying that the failure is down to normal 'wear and tear', and,as vehicle is out of warranty, all repair costs are my responsibility.
I'm contesting this, on the basis that this is not a component expected to fail in the lifelife of the vehicle, but I'd welcome any comments on the specific failure, or approaching this type of claim in general.
Thanks Read more
As this question has now been repeated over to discussion, I'll lock this one to avoid repetition of answers. Replies to the other thread please; which can be found here:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=36578
Looking for a car for my daughter and test drove one at week-end. Dealer happy to let me take it out on my own, which I like as it gives you more 'space'. Dealer didn't put the usual trade plates on and car had tax disc. However when I got back I noticed the tax had expired.
If I had been stopped by Mr Plod - driving an untaxed car, would I have been liable as I suppose the onus was on me to check this, or would the dealer be liable.
It's ok now as I didn't get pulled up but I'd be interested to hear opinions or actual legal position on this. Read more
Was not surprised to find the local Mazda dealer, asked for drivers licence, before Mrs V could test drive, prior to purchasing Mx5.
However, the need to sign a form agreeing to a £600 excess, should she have a bump, whilst doing so, was a bit off putting. But at least everyone knew where they stood.
funnily enough, though, when I had a test drive in the Pug dealership (same group) they didn't even ask my name!!
I took the car back, though - undamaged.
VB
On the basis that backroomers get everywhere, does anyone have experience of driving in Slovakia and the Czech Republic?
I've been offered a free trip but on the condition that I help with the driving. I'm quite embarrassed to admit that I've never driven outside of the UK and I'm not sure if this would be the best of places to start.
Any suggestions/advice?
Read more
Ok thanks for all that (SjB in particular), I'm now excited as opposed to scared! I think my biggest concern was that the roads and drivers would be closer to the Poland of BBDave's descriptions than anything I'm familiar with.
I'll let you know how it goes!
I posted a query in general and got no response, so trying here.
At what point does it become worth putting winter tyres on ? with the weather predictions I am giving serious consideration to winter rubber.
what if any, is the difference between a winter tyre and a M+S tyre ?
I've looked at the ADAC test results but I would expect germany to get much more snow than we do, so are they applicable ?
where is a good source for winter tyres (Ripon/york/teesside area)?
thanks
Mark Read more
jc - do you now realise how wrong you are
I am trying to fit mud flaps front and rear to our Peugeot 206SW but notice that the wheel arch linings now create a flush surface blending into the wings. The flaps in Halfords are designed for the old flange type fitting with clamps.
I have seen 'branded' flaps fitted; do you have to drill holes these days or do I need to go to Peugeot dealer? Any help appreciated.
Mark
Read more
Everything you needed to know about using veg oil in your car.
www.dieselveg.com Read more
Hi,
I have a 95/N Corsa with the 1.2i 8V engine (code C12NZ?) which is in need of a new cambelt after the old one failed on Saturday evening. Is this engine a non-interference design or is that just wishful thinking on my part?
Not sure when the belt was last changed, rubber looks in good condition (apart from the break obviously) so I guess the water pump could have seized causing the belt to go. Just need to know whether I am likely to be looking at new valves, followers etc. rather than a "simple" belt job.
Thanks in advance,
Alex Read more
Yes, I agree with oldman here - it's a very quick and easy job to check the followers, and if necessary, put new ones in.
The only time I've had to lift the head off one of the engines was when there had been a non-standard cam installed which had followers without the deliberate weak point which protects the valves.
Number_Cruncher
Browse
Just back after an exhausting 420 odd mile run from Harwich to Telford and back to Great Yarmouth, through the M6 toll, without any problems.
And the new tax disk has arrived the next day after ordering online from the DVLA.Thats service for you!
Probably speeding tickets are also delivered with the same haste!!