October 2008
According to the Telegraph, those signs which flash up your speed when you exceed the limit deter drivers only until they get used to them: see tinyurl.com/3en99v
It's a pity, because they are seem like a nice alternative to speed cameras, warning drivers to behave rather than punishing them after the fact. But the novelty-wearing-off effect reported by TRL in the Telegraph story confirms my experience with the two such devices installed in my area: they initially caused a slowdown, but now drivers have speeded up again.
I hope, though, that these devices are not scrapped, because they would still serve a useful purpose if combined with a camera. Someone still speeding after passing one of these warning signs would have no excuse when caught on camera. Read more
My daughter has a new shape 2003 1.0E micra that was running ok when parked but would not start a few days later. I have checked and there is fuel pressure up to the injectors, but it will start and run when primed with petrol then stop, also the throttle does not work-please bring back the good old cable! Anyone have any ideas? Thanks Eddie. Read more
I was just wondering what the situation is with regards the following:
My car was involved in a collision with a 3rd party where I was T boned square in the side and the damage extended to the every panel on the nearside being battered and bent including the wheels and structural damage to the A pillar, B pillar and door shut panel etc...
To be fair, the 3rd party admitted liability there and then and subsequently the 3rd party insurers have said that their client is liable and as a consequence they will pick up the entire costs etc. All sounds well and good!
Now, the vehicle was close to a write off, but as the car is only 3 months old and cost me £41K brand new from the dealer back in June the costs haven't escalated high enough to cause the vehicle to be considered a write off. So the opinion is to repair the car (new font wing, new door, new door shut panel, new rear wing, new rear bumper, straighten out the A and B pillar, straighten out the suspension, new wheels and tyres) etc...
My question is, what are my rights here?
Essentially until last week I had a very nice 3 month old new car with not a blemish on it.
In a few weeks time I am going to be presented with a 4 month old car that has been involved in a serious smash that has been repaired with new parts, straightened out on a jig and new metal (repair panels) welded into the A and B pillars and the door shut panel.
Surely, regardless of how good the repairs are the value of the car will now be depreciated somewhat more due to the accident and repairs, and I also know that the car is a crash repair job!?!
To put it another way, which car has the higher value? A 4 month old immaculate car that has not been involved in any collision, or a seemingly immaculate 4 month old car that has had structural repairs and every panel on its nearside replaced and painted etc?
Surely we would all plump for the original car and not the repaired one!
Given that the 3rd party has admitted liability am I not being disadvantaged by being handed back a accident repaired car? Surely I am entitled to be enjoying what I originally paid for... a car that has not been involved in a hideous shunt and half of the car repaired?
Your thoughts would be most welcomed.
Read more
This is proving more and more interesting...
1) I think that companies such as Accident Exchange are clearly displaying that Insurance Companies have not really got their stall sorted out. If there clearly was no need then the likes of Accident Exchange wouldn't exist. However, I think it is true to say that insurance companies tend to be very slow to react and as yet haven't worked out "deals" with suppliers (of say hire cars) in order to minimise costs for themselves and us all. It is on these occassions that I find insurance companies to be somewhat ignorant/arrogant knowing they can raise premiums in order to recover losses and leave everyone else to sort it out. Not what you would call service
2) I am talking with my insurer with regards the car that has been "loaned". Audi were very quick to recommend this and sort it out and equally say this was the best method, via AE and yet I remain concerned about the costs. I agree that all is not watertight with regards come back on me although the paperwork seems to state that if they do not recover all of the costs or partial costs from the 3rd party insurer then they have put an insurance policy in place that lets them recover the monies rather than from me. However, thinking about it some more there is no reason why the underwriters of this so called insurance couldn't try and subrogate the claim.
Again, from the "Telegraph": tinyurl.com/5ylrx3
Notice the words from Jim Fitzpatrick, apparently "Road Safey Minister":
(the consultation document) "will not be recommending a reduction from 80 to 50," he told The Times. "We are not convinced that dropping to 50 is the right answer.
"Drivers who are between 50 and 80mg are not the ones we are most worried about. It's the ones above 100.
"If you look at a comparison with other countries which have 50 rather than 80, our safety levels compare very favourably."
Crikey. Sense! Read more
Some countries have different levels of penalty for 50 & 80.
Does anyone know where to find a useful index or analysis of used car prices by brand or market sector which shows the current state of the used car market?
The media are reporting falling sales, but where can I find out what effect this is having on prices?
Thanks! Read more
"Learner drivers could be spared the ordeal of having to convince a driving examiner of their ability to reverse round a corner or parallel park, under plans being considered by the Tories. Performing a three-point turn could also disappear from the test under the proposals."
(from "The Daily Telegraph")
Good idea? Silly one? Won't make any difference? Read more
What these manoeuvres do are demonstrate car control. Any chimp can trundle along through town in third gear hanging on to the steering wheel with nothing to do. All of us have experienced the screaming engines and burning clutches of other people attempting to park their cars in our towns and cities, all allegedly having passed the same test. The parallel park in the test has a very wide margin of error, it's not into a tight parking bay, and if someone is unable to do that after instruction and practise, they simply do not deserve to be in charge of a powerful, potentially dangerous, lump of metal.
LSUK operates subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind
are closed after it was thought to have been saved.
Euro Car parts were thought to be buying it as a going concern but staff had a closed door when they came to work.
LSUK had depots all over the UK, a Sheffield HQ & 680 employees. Read more
I would advise anyone thinking of new car purchase from a main dealer type outfit to be very circumspect in manner & timing of payment. I've been lookibg to buy a new m/cycle just recently, but I'm seriously thinking about what sort of solvency the putative dealer has or will have on an ongoing basis - worst sort of situation would be ordering then waiting X weeks, only to find company has developing cash-flow or loan re-financing problems. Be warned Br'ers.
My friend bought a car around a month ago and is still waiting for the history documents. The second hand car was bought at a so called reputable dealer but the customer service has been extremely poor.
On the first occasion the history document and manual were promised to be sent once they were updated (due to a couple of minor jobs that needed doing before my friend would purchase the car). A couple of weeks later and nothing. After enquiring again the info had been changed on the database and would be sent out. Again nothing. So once again my friend contacted the dealer and it looks like he has fobbed off again. I cant understand why he cant print a copy of the details there and then and hand them over if they are on the database.
Does this history exist? Is he just plain incompetent at his job? How important would it be to have this info?
Anyone any suggestions other than to keep badgering the guy for the paperwork? Read more
I gave you some ideas in the first reply to your post. What make is the car? Is it still under any maker or dealer warranty ie less than 3 years old? Is the dealer who sold it an agent for that make of car? If your friend has the V5 they could contact the former owner and ask some questions. It could be that the documentation was not given to the dealer by the seller.
Can anyone recomend a good alloy wheel repair service for my Alloy Wheels ???
Must be local, in West Midlands
LC Read more
I used Laptab in Birmingham - just off Spaghetti Junction. The stripped, filled, painted and laquered my 15" wheels for a tad over £100. I got all four done so they all matched.
You pay more if they have to remove tyres and refit them for you.
I think Laptab is mentioned on this website in the FAQ bit too.
Hi
i have an astra 1.7 dti 02 plate. The car has done 124k miles and has no service history with it. Its an ex company car so i beleive the car has been serviced (im trying to get hold of the history)
When accelorating the car makes a sligth squeeling noise (soudns a bit like a fanbelt noise)
Could this be the cambelt? Do they make this noise when they are about to pop?
The belt was due to be changed at 100k miles or ten years. Also does anyone know where the belt is positioned on these cars.
Thanks in advance
David Read more
Have proof of it having been changed or change it is the only sensible advice!
Yes, in hindsight you're right.
Hopefully there *might* be some other tell tale signs that is has been changed; rounded off bolt heads, fittings shinier than others, etc. But if in any doubt, then as per what's been suggested. This won't however necessarily guarantee the squeal will be silenced. You really need to get someone competent to have a listen and give their opinion.
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It seems to me to be common sense that a vehicle travelling at 20mph less than the average (at say 50 mph), is as dangerous (and more disruptive) in a flow of traffic as one doing 20mph over the average. It's the differential from the average that is dangerous, NOT the speed. Hence a minimum speed limit should be just as important as a maximum one, and in some more enlightened parts of the world you will find them.
The slogan 'Speed Kills' is just that, a slogan.