March 2007
My Alfa is coming up to 3 years old next month, and I received the tax renewal stuff in the post today. The car was first registered on the 19th April 04. The letter from the tax people says I can renew the tax disc any time after the 15th March. Does this mean I'd need to get my MOT early, or, because it will still have a month to go will it be ok MOT wise? (The reason I want it taxing close to the 15th is that there is a budget on 21st so will no doubt see a tax rise!). Thanks in advance. Read more
I see the Gov is setting a good example in meeting targets with regard to Carbon emissions:-
Department of Transport (figures refer to the Government Department, not to UK)
"A 10% target reduction of CO2 emissions from road transport in 2005/06 compared to baseline was not met, with DfT reporting a 40% increase.
Carbon emissions from energy use increased by a significant margin of 50.2% since 2002/03, and therefore DfT is not on track to meet the target for a reduction of absolute carbon by 12.5% by 2010/11 relative to the baseline year.
Not on target for increasing energy efficiency of estate buildings by 15% by the deadline, achieving a decrease in efficiency of 29%."
DefRA
"Not on track to meet the target of a reduction of absolute carbon by 12.5% by 2010/11 relative to the baseline. Carbon emissions increased by 10.2% between 1999/00 ? 2005/06"
Department for Communities and Local Government:-
Increased absolute carbon emissions from energy use by 8.7% since 1999/00.
Reduced overall energy efficiency by 6.9% between 1999/00 ? 2005/06.
And so it goes on
Source
www.sd-commission.org.uk/
See also
www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news....0
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6424115.stm
environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,...l
politics.guardian.co.uk/green/comment/0,,2026724,0...l
The solution is obviously to tax us motorists a lot more - especially those gas guzzling 4x4s. I have to say that the more those hypocrites in Gov lecture me about my carbon emissions, the more attractive a 4x4 becomes if only to put 2 fingers up to them.
--
Phil Read more
"it does make me want to develop a car that runs on heating oil"
I think most diesels will, but you will fall foul of Customs & Excise if you try. They have to catch you first, of course...
The president of the European Commission was forced to defend himself yesterday against allegations of hypocrisy for owning a gas-guzzling 4x4 vehicle while Brussels steps up its campaign against vehicles which pollute the atmosphere.
José Manuel Barroso insisted that fighting climate change was about 'collective action'
José Manuel Barroso, who owns a Volkswagen Touareg, said: "I have never spoken of myself as an example to anybody - today's moralistic approach is not mine."
The president's German-built 4x4 emits high levels of CO2, running at up to 356 grams per kilometre, well above a 130 g limit Brussels is seeking to impose on the car industry by 2012.
tinyurl.com/ynm36y
Read more
José Manuel Barroso, who owns a Volkswagen Touareg, said: "I have never spoken of myself as an example to anybody - today's moralistic approach is not mine."
I suppose that the best anyone can say for him is that he persuasively makes the case for some form of legal compulsion. It's the old problem: we get deluged with draconian new laws to prevent a recalcitrant minority from engaging in the sort of behaviour which anyone with a brain on the head can see is anti-social. :(
My BMW (e36 engine)is very difficult to start. This is an intermittant problem. I have tried changing the plugs and coil pack but to no avail. The tank has plenty of fuel and the battery is well charged. Sometimes it will start on the first turn but often it may take five or ten minutes of constant turning on and off before it fires up. Once going, the engine runs very well with no noises or misfiring. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Read more
It is probably better to direct this question to one of the better BMW forums such as :-
www.bmwland.co.uk
hi, how should one interpret the phrase " one careful lady owner" when deciding what car to buy , i had a neighbour (female) who topped up the brake fluid resevoir with tap water once, any one experienced anything similar? Read more
one careful lady owner
And her 17yr son / daughter who only drove it on Saturday nights around the City & Ring Road
How many miles does the average brand new car do before things start going wrong? Am thinking of a japanese hatchback (Yaris or something similar). Cheers guys Read more
Focus TDDi LX 2002 - 1st (and only) fault at 60,000 miles - an irritating chirp from under the bonnet traced to a dry bearing on the auxiliary belt tensioner.
Megane 1.5 dCi 106 Dynamique 2005 - 1st fault at 3000 miles (traction control warning light flashing) and 2nd at 7000 miles (failed clutch switch for starting system). I handed the car back at 10k when I changed jobs, so can't comment beyond that.
I noticed a rather strange thing with my Suzuki Carry. I had it serviced at 8800 miles last November.
Prior to the service, I was getting a reliable 45mpg. Immediately after the service I couldnt get anymore than 38mpg.
Now, 5 months later, Im getting 42 mpg and its rises each month.
Why on earth would having a service make the van thirstier?
Before the service, I was getting 340 miles from a tank, but afterwards, i couldnt manage 280. Just puzzled me! Read more
Maybe they have over-tightened the rear brakes. As the brake shoes wear down, they are binding less and the mpg gets back to normal.
Hello
We have a 2000 Peugeot 206 and have recently (6 weeks ago) had a new exhaust fitted. Is it normal for it to sound a little 'loud' still from the rear end? it doesnt sound like it has a hole or anything - not sure if its because it is new and the silencer isnt bed in yet.
Thanks
RG Read more
Had a Stainless system fitted 2yrs ago, when i went to pick car up, i thought they hadn't touched it! - till i saw the twin pipes pokjing out the back, a couple of days after i got it home, i decided it was still far too loud for our quiet little town, as old ladies would faint as you passed them, so stuffed a load of coarse wire-wool up its tail pipes with a stick, worked wonders! - try it!.
billy
Between junction 16 (Swindon) and Jct 15 (Marlborough) on a bridge over the motorway. One camera per lane - cameras on tripods.
Are these for catching people with tax and/or MOT or something else? Read more
Its the ANPR team at work. Somewhere after the cameras you there would have been a couple of marked vehicles ready for the days catch. Another favoured location is on the bridge about 2 miles east of J18 (Bath), especially thursday nights for some reason. Catch vehicles are usually parked up on the hidden layby some 5 miles further on.
Dear All,
the tappets on my Pug 206 (2001) are clogged and the gist on here seems to be that this is due to faulty parts on this particular model. The car is 6 years old with full Peugeot Service History, my extended warranty company are completely adamant they will not repair it under warranty, where do i stand with having the parts repaired by Peugeot, or at least them making some contribution to the cost as its acknowledged that the problem is with the part.
Has anyone had any dealings with Peugeot themselves? Has anyone had this job done on their Peugeot?
Many Thanks
Hibster Read more
after many conversations with the warranty people they finally sent an engineer down to look at the problem and he approved the work. Took the advice above and got the timing belt replaced as well whilst its in bits.
Many thanks for all the advice, cant help but think that Peugeot's seem to be more trouble than they are worth!!
Browse
Just remember that if you do get tax without needing an MOT, you still need to get the MOT when it falls due. If it's the first ever MOT it is very easy to forget, as you are not actually renewing it, and they don't send reminders that the three years is up.