For the last few years I have lived in Dubai, returning only rarely to the UK. Recently I decided to partially retire and also treat myself to a car I had lusted over for some while ? a Lexus GS450h SE-L. I decided to buy ?nearly new? and spent quite a while waiting for the spec I wanted to show up on the Lexus GB website. Eventually an 06 car of suitable spec became available and I negotiated with the dealer (name not given here for reasons which will become obvious later) seeking confirmation of things like had the car had any previous accident damage etc. I was given positive assurances, by email, to all my questions. I agreed to purchase the vehicle and for it to be delivered when I next returned to the UK.

On delivery the car was quite dirty, and inside was literally filthy with many areas of damage to the upholstery etc. I later also found that the delivery mileage quoted on the sales docket was 500 less than showed on the odometer. After 50 miles the gearbox failed, and my local Lexus dealer (superb service ? not the one I bought the car from) fitted a replacement box under warranty. While the car was on the ramp they noted and drew my attention to some irregularities and advised that I have the car inspected by the RAC. I did this and the RAC report identified that the vehicle had been in a significant front end shunt, and had been poorly repaired. Overall the report was very critical recommending, among many quite significant items, that a full steering and geometry check be carried out and suggested that it was potentially unsafe to drive.

I contacted Trading Standards local to the dealer and, would you believe, then found that because I was in Dubai at the time that I opened the emails assuring me that the vehicle was in good condition with no previous accident history that the UK ?Sale of Goods Act? did not apply and that the dealer could not be prosecuted due to lack of evidence ? because the emails to me were inadmissible evidence !

Eventually, and with legal assistance, I recovered the purchase price of the car from the dealer but was left out of pocket to the tune of over £1000 for legal fees and RAC inspection costs etc. In UK law costs incurred by a buyer because of misdescription by a seller are normally recoverable, and I tried to recover these costs from the dealer but was unsuccessful, being advised to sue him if I wanted reimbursement. My lawyer advised against this, again because of the inadmissible emails.

Obviously I wrote to Lexus GB about this, drawing their attention to the illegal practices being used in their name in order to sell rogue cars. I also telephoned their Customer Relations Department and when I explained what had happened the woman I was speaking to said ?What do you expect us to do about it ?? and explained that my purchase was from the dealer and that Lexus GB distanced themselves from the transaction. I subsequently had a written response from Lexus GB which reiterated the dealer opinion that I had been ?treated fairly? ? notwithstanding that I had sourced a car through the Lexus GB website, had purchased a Lexus Approved Used car from an approved Lexus Dealership and was now over £1000 out of pocket. The letter concluded with ?I am conscious that this reply does not engender goodwill ..? Too true !

Footnote: I eventually bought exactly the car I wanted (a nice shiny red 07 Lexus GS450h SE-L) from my very good and trustworthy local dealer and am 100% pleased. I agree with the HJ observation about this car: Highly recommended !
Read more

Normally I would have been dismissive of this, but the recent talk of Clios reminded me again of the issue they have with the secondary catch. I think this might have failed on the Daewoo.

Opening the bonnet, you used to have to click over the catch under the bonnet to get it to open. However I have noticed that the last few times I've opened it, you just open it from the inside and lift straight up. Something's clearly not right there, and it's a bit unnerving especially as these cars have thin windscreens and heavy bonnets.........

When the bonnet is shut, it's shut -- so the primary catch is fine. However, SWMBO drives this car and I'm concerned that there is a potential safety problem here.

Any advice gratefully received as always. Read more

tinyurl.com/637ktc

According to the local paper in Swansea workers from the Ford plan in Bridgend have contacted them saying that 700 staff are going to be put on extended break. The company denies this in the article.

Apparently the plant builds 4.0 and 3.2 litre engines for Jaguar / Land Rover. Anyhow, it is all in the above linked article.

Read more

Help! While driving home today, on two seperate occasions my car's engine stopped while I was driving. The battery lights came on as though I had turned the key in the ignition without starting the engine. The 1st time I was going about 30km/hr, and the second time I had just started to drive in 2nd gear after a light turned green. Both times I was able to start the engine again. Any ideas what's going on? Thanks Read more

On the subject of motoring journalism, has anyone had the pleasure of reading anything from the late L.J.K. Setright? I came to like his unique style whist reading his 2002 book 'Drive On: A Social History of the Motor Car'.

He displays a depth of engineering knowledge and challenges the reader to think in a way that no modern motoring writer gets close to. His intelligence radiates through his beautifully crafted prose and provides a genuine source of intellectual stimulation.

I found it a refreshing break from the usual tedious ramblings of Clarkson & co, whose current chat show called 'Top Gear' is an affront to anybody with half an interest in motoring.

In all fairness, it was probably JC who got me interested in cars to begin with, when I was an 8 year old lad. That's probably what he's best suited to, attracting the younger audience. I just wish Top Gear would go back to its roots as a motoring show instead of the vulgar, tedious, sad, laddish entertainment show that it has become.

Read more