September 2010
Dear Backroomers,
My partner and are are looking to buy an Approved Used Focus from a franchised dealer. We are new to this type of buying having only ever bought cheap £1-2k cars before but I am however determined to get good value for money. My partner is wanting the extra piece of mind that buying from a franchised dealer gives and we fully realise we will pay a premium for that. I am not one for haggling for the sake of it or comfortable with the whole Dominic Littlewood technique and I would only ever offer a price that may be well lower than sticker, but still a fair one. A number of cars we are interested in aren't actually located at our local franchise but can be delivered. With this in mind i really don't want go down to the dealership when the car isn't there and have to go through the whole haggling process. ... Read more
When I blip to unlock my four door Golf, the rear near side door will not unlock , (it does open and close manually) my dealer tells me that it will cost around £220.00 to repair. I am reasonably mechanical...is it a job for an amateur !! and can anyone tell me what parts I will need, or in fact any tricks to do the job. Also I am about to do an oil change, is their an alternative to 'specific oil only for my diesel Golf' '... 'only avaialble from the Main dealer' !! Thank you in advance tdilew Read more
I bought a can OBD 11 meter reader on E-bay for Volvo and it has the same16 pin but the dealers must have put a plastic security piece in as now I can't get the pin in to get a correct communication any one now how to help here.What can I do ? As quickfit took a reading last week but when it came back from the dealers they said only their readers work on it.Help required please any suggestions? Read more
a year 2000 diesel volvo will most likley not be EOBD complient as diesels didn't become EOBD complient till 2003/4 so using an EOBD code reader will not work. Only petrols became complient arond 2000
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Does anybody know a place in Birmingham that does Nissan key fobs (with the programmed security chip in)? Rock Autos (in Alum Rock) wanted £45, they were only £30 last time. Read more
I saw car in Gillingham, Kent, private seller. He looks like 18( i think). I checked the registration form and it is showing that the car address is from the South Yorkshire. He told me that it is his friends car. I immediately done HPI check and it is showing that the no record of stolen or write off. I checked the Registration form and dealer / trader form missing from V5C. I asked him to change in his name and sell to me. But he is telling he want to sell the car as a single owner from new.
1. Can i buy car from him, he is not a trader but he is claiming that he can signin the V5C as a registered owner.
2. Can i do buying with 18 years guy?
3. Any problem in future that original owner claims that his car is stolen(becoz he didnt signin in V5C)? Read more
I second AS.
Daughter's boy-friend asked me to prep (replace broken door mirror, rear wiper, remove layer of bird poo and similar thickness of crud from inside) and sell his car. I got him to register it at my address first. At least that gave the buyer some confidence....
I saw car in Gillingham, Kent, private seller. He looks like 18( i think). I checked the registration form and it is showing that the car is from the South Yorkshire. He told me that it is his friends car. I immediately done HPI check and it is showing that the no record of stolen or write off. I checked the Registration form and dealer / trader form missing from V5C. I asked him to change in his name and sell to me. But he is telling he want to sell the car as a single owner from new.
1. Can i buy car from him, he is not a trader but he is claiming that he can signin the V5C as a registered owner.
2. Can i do buying with 18 years guy?
3. Any problem in future that original owner claims that his car is stolen(becoz he didnt signin in V5C)? Read more
I think even part-time traders have to be registered with the local councils now - is there a way to do a quick check on who's selling is registered - before or while you're looking round a car - on internet-capable smartphone maybe?
I saw car in Gillingham, Kent, private seller. He looks like 18( i think). I checked the registration form and it is showing that the car is from the South Yorkshire. He told me that it is his friends car. I immediately done HPI check and it is showing that the no record of stolen or write off. I checked the Registration form and dealer / trader form missing from V5C. I asked him to change in his name and sell to me. But he is telling he want to sell the car as a single owner from new. 1. Can i buy car from him, he is not a trader but he is claiming that he can signin the V5C as a registered owner. 2. Can i do buying with 18 years guy? 3. Any problem in future that original owner claims that his car is stolen(becoz he didnt signin in V5C)? Read more
Loads of potential problems with this Samuel - I have emailed you with a response.
Over the last few days I have noticed that after switching off the engine, there is a continuing noise like a fan running in the engine compartment, accompanied by a funny smell, and i can feel air (cool) blowing out of the front grill. This goes on for a good couple of minutes. I have only had the car about 6 weeks, and it's just started doing it the last few days.
I've read some posts that suggest this might be the DPF regenerating. This has however happened for the last 3 or 4 consecutive days, at both ends of my journey to/from work (abut 17 miles, mostly motorway)... Read more
When it comes to KIA's new Sportage and its autoboxes (6-speed), they only say they've got new Lambda II for the diesel and Theta II for the petrol. But hey, do they manufacture them all by themselves or use a proper manufacturer like JATCO or Aisin ? Read more
Check out the technical specifications for the Sorrento and the Sportage on the Kia website and you'll find the ratios for the gears, in the automatic boxes, are identical. A pretty strong indicator it's the same gearbox.
My car has 70000 miles on the clock, full VW service History and I have continued the VW warrantee each year . I am the second owner.
Condition good but it will need a new cambelt next year, and full service . It is due now for lubrication service and also air con service. The cellulose is peeling in places on the paint finish. It will also need new tyres next year.Warranty for next year £350... Read more
It's down to you, if the car has historically been reliable, I would take a chance and not bother with the VW warranty. The money saved would pay for the servicing, and take it to a local independant garage. A shot of clearcoat on the paint won't be expensive. You will not lose much money now on the car running it a few years more. The dealer will always have good deals in the future. If your missus is happy with the car keep it. These cars will run to a big mileage well beyond 125000, just keep it well serviced (outwith main dealer-too expensive for labour charges). If you want to give it a treat get it a valet.
