My Renault Megane 2001 1.6 Fidgi Auto will often fail to start. On turning the key it behaves exactly as if I am trying to start it in gear, even though it is in PARK, namely, nothing happens. I then switch off and try again hoping that the system will reboot to allow the car to start. I am allowing the full startup sequence of coloured lights to go through its routine and settle down before turning the key again .This often works within three attempts, but yesterday I was stranded for about ten minutes with many reboot attempts before it thankfully started. Naturally I'm worried that it will refuse to start permanently.
I would be glad to know if this is a common fault and of any suggestons about how it may be overcome.


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Drove my wife's Micra this morning for the first time in a few weeks.

I think the brake pedal feels soft and has too much travel.

Any thoughts before I let the dealer loose on it?

Thanks. Read more

Have you ever made let 'ethics' influence a car-buying decision ? (and I'm not really thinking about an obvious one, like buying British-built ). I'm asking this because when I saw the Chinese 'bodyguards' to the olympic flame, it made me think I wouldn't buy a Honda Jazz/Fit made in China. This reminded me of a old Coronation Street episode where Ken Barlow bought a VW Beetle and Albert Tatlock wouldn't get in it because it was 'Jerry' built. Read more

I have an SLK 280 purchased new Nov 2006 that has a defective COMAND system screen. In the event that MB will not repair under warranty (£3,000 quoted!) does anyone know of a specialist who can repair COMAND systems.

The only problem is the screen itself - everything else works perfectly
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Hello all. Im in need of some help.

Basically, my sister had a small accident when reversing off our driveway in July 2007. She was reversing off our driveway and at the same time a woman was reversing up our street on the wrong side of the road. They both didn't see each other and the rear corner of both cars made contact. My sister stupidly didn't come inside to tell anyone and didn't take any pictures, just took insurance details and the woman drove off. My sisters wheels were still on the footpath and just the back end was 'hanging' over the road. So you can tell how far on the wrong side of the road this woman was reversing.
My sisters insurance company Privilege have been dealing with this appallingly. Its taken them nearly a year to get anywhere at all. Privilege said it offered a 50/50 claim as both cars were reversing, the womans insurance company rejected this offer and refused to take any blame. Now we have had a letter from Privilege saying:

" Please note that the other side have rejected our offer of settlement on a 50/50 basis.

Unfortunately, given that their insured was on the main road and you were coming off your driveway, we would not have a strong enough case to justify pursuing this matter further through the courts.

I regret to advise you that will not be able to effect a recovery for you in this instance and propose to close your file.

I will however leave it open for 14 days for any further comments you may wish to add."

So basically the other side refuse and Privilege chicken out and give in.
The other woman had to provide drawings of the event. She put my sisters car in the middle of the road and her reversing out of the street on the correct side of the road. How convenient, shame its a blatant lie.
I have done a quick sketch to explain the incident a little better.
img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Revis/Accidentdraw...g

Where the 3 cars are parked she claimed it was a 'turning circle' that was full. Its a parking space to fit 3 cars, stupid woman. She claimed she could not do a turn in the road and had to reverse out. I'm sorry but she was in a small fiesta. A Frontera can turn round in the road even if those spaces are full. You'd have to be driving a long car to not be able to turn around in our street.

So we're stuck. Privilege want to close our file. She is lieing through her teeth but we don't have any pictures to prove our side. The damage is going to cost about £700 to fix. My sister's car is an R reg Rover 416 that we bought cheap off a family member for £600. This car has been dealer serviced since new upto 75k miles and now its on 91k and its in great condition.
To top it all off, the womans son comes down our street all the time in his fancy BMW that must have bought for him (he looks about 17). He flies down the street, picks up his girlfriend, then reverses out of the street as fast as he can on the wrong side of the road just like she did. ARGHHH Can you see why this is annoying me so much.

Is there anything at all we can do? Would the Financial Ombudsman be able to help? Has anyone used or known of people using a company like INSCO and are they worth trying?
Any helpful tips or guidance would be much appreciated.

Redrevis Read more