I payed out for paint protection on my new car. At the time the salesman told me it would prevent damage from bird muck, and that in the unusual circumstance where I did get paint damage then the company would pay out to have it rectified.

Now, only a few months later I have actually got paint damage from bird muck - left the car at at the airport and return it had bird muck on it. I washed it off, only to find the paint underneath has cracked.

I got in touch with the protection company, who today sent me a letter explaining that the only way I could get paint damage was if I didn't wash the muck off within 24 hours.....and their contract says they only pay out if you wash it off within 24 hours. Obviously, I'm paraphrasing, but that's pretty much what they said.

So, a few points come to mind here:
1. This 'guarantee' seems totally worthless. The chance of ever being able to claim on it seem approximately 0%. As this is the basis under which it is sold, it seems highly suspect and possibly fraudulant to me.
2. I never saw sight of any conditions, and nobody ever told me I had to wash bird muck off within 24 hours. Had I been told I would have been unlikely to have bought the protection. Basically this condition means you aren't covered if you go on holiday - what use is that?
3. As the only time I've ever had bird muck damage to my paint in the last 20 years of driving has been on the only car I've had with paint protection, I seriously doubt that this stuff does anything whatsoever to protect the paint!

I think the Small Claims Court is likely to sort this one out - there's no way they can wriggle out on the basis of a clause in a contract I never saw.....has anyone else had any experience of getting money out of these characters?

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Hello one and All,

Having heard how 'Petrol Fuel System Cleaner' Part number deleted cleans your fuel system, i decided to put half a bottle (as instructed) in a full tank of unleaded petrol. I drove the car and all was ok, then after about 40 miles it started to splutter and missfire a bit ... i put this down to lots of ... crud flowing through the pipes. I expect that after a while it would clear and i'd notice a slight increase in power.

Well, instead of what i expect the car then continued to splutter and misfire and then the Engine warning light started to flash. It continued to splutter and cough on acceleration and it now drives like a 50bhp car as apposed to it's original 160bhp (or there abouts).

Arghhhhhhhh .... the fuel cleaner has killed my car !!!!

What do i do ? Run out the petrol in the tank and fill up with clean fuel ? or do i replaced the fuel filter ? Replace the injectors ? Take it to Audi, tell them what i've done ... then sit there while they laugh ... "Not supposed to put that in this type of car mr!!"

Please help !!!

{Brand of fuel cleaner removed, as you're making an accusation that it has damaged your car - DD}

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Hi,

I am going to look at a Rover 825 Coupe with my father in law tonight.
I am not mechanically minded at all.
The car in question is a Rover 825 Coupe Sterling Auto
1997 P reg.
102000 miles
Full leathers,wood,air con etc (I think sterling is the top of range)

What are the pros and cons of this model in the rear world?
Any pointers I should look out for?
Having never driven an auto what should I look out for?

The asking price is £1500. The car has got MOT while november and is currently out of tax. It has a full rover history and is described as immaculate. Is the asking price reasonable?

Thanks In Advance

Mike Read more