As you will recall, my MiL had a car accident the other week. It caused damage to her car (written off) the other car at the house (the infamous Fiesta 1.25) and both her and the neighbours houses as well!

The situation was as follows - as far as I understand it.

Reversed car out of drive one evening after car had been stood for over 24 hours. Car was Hyundai Trajet 2.7V6 auto. When put into Drive, car did not move. After a few attempts to get it to go, she called the motoring organisation. The patrol that came, confirmed that was a problem and asked her to open the bonnet. He then asked her to put the car into Drive. She did and then got out of the car and he did some fiddling under the bonnet and the car started moving forwards as the parking brake (foot pedal type) was not on.

The insurance claim is now all on MiL's cover for two cars and two damaged houses. Premiums likely to shoot up.

AS far as I can tell, the patrol knew MiL was out of the car and did not tell her to make sure the brake was on. Clearly there was a fault with the car, but doubt if Hyundai will accept a claim for consequential loss.

We have written to motoring organisation for a copy of their internal report on the incident but they are so far refusing to release it. Does anyone have any ideas where we go from here. We do have a lawyer in place, but not sure he can do anything at present and MiL has no money to be fighting the motoring organisation without a conditional fee arrangement.

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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive? Read more

I read very recently that Audi America recalled some 50,000 A6 Quattro models (1998-2000)for faulty fuel sending units.

Sulphur deposits on the fuel sending units (3) gave false readings such that empty fuel tanks gave the impression that there was fuel in the car. This was common to quattro models due to the way the fuel tank is mounted.

My Audi A6 2.8 quattro 1999 auto has a somewhat of a jumpy fuel guage, such that one moment it will read e.g 1/2 tank, will go to just above 1/4 and then rise once the engine has warmed up. I know that the car is quite thirsty (24 mpg avg)but sometimes the movement from one drive to another is too much!

I would like to know if this a common problem among other quattro owners and if there are any fuel additive products that may remove such Sulphur deposit build up on the sending units?

Is this common only to A6 or do A4,A3,A8 quattro owners experience a similar thing? Read more

Hi

I'm after a good, cheap (sub-£50) metric socket set that comes in a box, though a rachet isn't required.

Halfords would be a good choice as I've heard good things about them on here, though they don't so any sets without imperial sockets which is just as waste as we've already got some and probably won't use the ones we've got! I've had my eye on Draper www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=15026 though I can't be sure of the quality without seeing them close up instead of on screen.

I'd appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Thanks



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Mike Farrow Read more

Someone who works with SWMBO, has recently passed his test, is about 19, has TPFT cover with no uninsured loss recovery, has been involved in a non - fault accident.

A bus hit a car behind him, shunted that into him, then he was shunted into another car in front. His car is a write off.

I don't believe that Police were in attendance.

What is the best route for him to take to ensure he is compensated in full for his loss and suffers no hit on his NCD?

OK I know what should happen in a perfect world, ie for him not to be out of pocket, but without uninsured loss recovery, it's going to be difficult, and I'm concerned that he'll get hammered when he can't afford it.

How can he best protect himself?

Can anyone recommend any good firms of solicitors specialisingin this area in the West Devon area who will act on a no win no fee basis?

I am concious that there are protocols but when you pitch an insurance company against a 19 year old with no car, these can often be ignored.

Any good advice would be much appreciated - Thanks

Hugo Read more

We have just bought an old barn for conversion on the Herefordshire border with Wales. It is on a long hill with gradient reaching 1 in 4 so I don't think using my '94 Omega auto saloon as a vehicle for transporting building materials is a good idea.
I would like suggestions for [cheap £1-2k] alternatives. I am currently considering a transit as the most likely, followed by a 4x4 or other tow car + trailer. A 4x4 would help in getting up/ down the steep hill in poor weather but is likely to be more expensive to buy and run than a transit or other car.

All comments or suggestions welcome please!

A rough estimate on trade in value for the Omega would be very nice too! It's a Nov '94 2.0 litre petrol auto, 115k miles, a fist full of service history and all MOT certificates. VGC inside and out.

Many thanks! Read more