Hi,
I have a Fiat Punto 55s [1997] which i have been driving for about 6 months, about 2 months ago i started getting a problem pulling off first thing in the morning. I have no problem starting the car only moving. When i pull off the car moves but it feels as there is no power, its holding back, then after a few seconds (or longer lately) it will pick back up, power comes back and im gone as foot at this point is flat on the floor.

It seems to make no difference if i rev harder or softer or if i depress the clutch or anything like that. Its been suggested that i try starting the car with the accelorator depressed or the clutch depressed, neither of these make any difference.

When i have been driving long enough for the engine to warm up its fine then when i do restart the car, although lately even when hot its been missing slightly.

Any ideas what the cause is?? By the way im not very technical with cars.

Thanks in advance. Read more

Did anyone get caught up in the traffic jam on the southbound lanes of the Caterham bypass at about 11-30am this morning as a result of a nasty car accident with a lorry.

When we were all ushered past the scene there was a BMW on its roof in the outside lane and it was in a pretty awful state - very upsetting and I was wondering about the state of the occupant/s?

Oh dear!! Read more

I feel the need for a rant about this wretched vehicle. 3 and a half years old, two owners from new, full honda service history (with all bills) and only 36'000 miles.
In the last 5 months of my ownership (bought from Honda dealership and honda approved) i have had to replace the drivers seat base, a rear speaker, part of the rear window heating element fell off (cf techical matters). Now as of this week the CMP sensor (VTEC control) has become faulty a rattle has started within the engine, which Honda suspects is due to a streached timing chain. The result of this is that the engine requires a new timing chain and guides. There is also an irritating rattle from the rear C piller when the weather gets cold which I have to try and convince my dealership really exists.
GARGH horrid useless vehicle. I wonder if i could ask the dealership to swap it for something equivalant that won't need constant attention. Read more

I'm after a quick bit of advice on an insurance claim.

I won't go into details over the accident but basically I was hit by another car at the rear whilst turning right. My insurance company (a reputable one) seem to feel it is almost certainly a no argument case and have recommended I go for a "fully funded" claim via their partners Albany directly against the other drivers insurers.

From what I can gather this means I will not have to pay the excess. I also assume that although I will obviously have the accident recorded the claim won't go on record as me having claimed on my own insurance?

Has anyone made a claim using this method and how did they find it compared to making the claim directly (which elephant are happy for me to do if I wish)?

The car concerned is a year old V70 D5 SE and I think it is quite possible it will be a write off or certainly a large bill so the claim may be substancial.

Thanks. Read more

In today's Telegraph.

I see that one I know personally, a supermarket car park in Carmarthen, gets top marks in the rogue shopping trolley category.
The reason is they have built the car park on a slight slope. The technology does not yet exist to fit parking brakes to trolleys, so they slowly drift across the car park when left unattended.

(Am I allowed to name and shame? Or should I say "a leading supermarket chain" in "a dreary west Wales town"? Don't really see the harm but removed the name anyway as it also adds no value... smokie, BR Moderator)
Read more