August 2011
Just read a letter in HJ motoring section of the Daily Telegraph. It seems someone has just become aware of the proposed new legislation, which will be used to persecute and fleece ordinary motorists, whether guilty or not.
I refer, of course, to the Protection of Freedoms Bill. Section 2:Clause 56. Lobbied for, by that great altruistic organisation, the British Parking Association or BPA for short. I can think of some appropriate words to fit the acronym BPA. I have responded to that letter with my letter to HJ, in which I request some technical assistance to organise a campaign to oppose this vile piece of legislation. I have written to my MP, to Phillip Hammond Minister for Transport and many other people in government and urge all motorists to do likewise.... Read more
I bought a '07 audi from an Arnold Clark centre and did not notice that one door panel has been resprayed. When inspecting the car it was not noticeable - prob because of rain and white polish marks on all surfaces. Does anyone know where I stand with this bad situation? Do I have comeback with the dealer? Can I get it 'fixed'? Read more
I had a similar situation recently with an 8 month old Audi A4. When I inspected it everything was as-new. But when I saw the other side of the bumper in shade as opposed to bright sunlight there is clearly a poor match.
I hassled the sales manager at the dealer about this but ultimately all they came up with was that Audi corp signed off the minor smart repair prior to shipping the car out and thats that. As I'm a busy guy I didnt push it any further as the rest of the car is 101%, but they fobbed me of ....
As regular readers will know i purchased a Jaguar S-Type just over a month ago and im now a bit confused regarding its Road Tax rate (or VED charge, before any militant pedants or cyclists assault me). I was charged £460 for a 12 month disc and the disc on the car when i bought it had £435 written on it which was Band M's price for the previous year. However on the Government's website it states that vehicles emitting over 255g/km (which it does) but were registered between 2001-2006 will go into Band K at £260 presumably until the next budget.
My car was first registered in October 2004 on a 54 plate yet appears to be classed as in Band M. Am i being a total idiot and missing something or has there been some sort of Admin error on the car? It seems it was in Band M last year and surely if that was wrong the previous owner wouldve sorted it out? Ive had a look around the internet and i cant find particularly any other cases of this happening but if the DVLA can manage to lose 12 million drivers details i suppose anything is possible.... Read more
This is great news in many ways because it means the rest of us can now have a good BMW and it wont make us knobs :)
I've noticed that Ford nowadays will do its utmost to avoid accepting claims against the bodywork perforation warranty. (This is in contrast to the situation a few years ago where they tended to accept valid claims without quibbling). Even if the claim is clearly valid, they will flatly refuse to accept it, to the extent that people have to take them to the small claims court in order to receive compensation.
I suspect the current policy is because they were receiving too many claims - on some models e.g. Focus, the warranty has a duration of 12 years, which with hindsight was too generous as some Focuses tend to rust at the bottom of the doors and on the inside of the tailgate after eight years of so.... Read more
With mainstream manufacturers, named earlier in this thread, renaging on warranties or taking the stance "sorry but it's 1 day out of the warranty" is there any wonder more people are choosing Toyota?
I have a Toyota Avensis which has had a short block replacement under Toyota warranty for the oil consumption problem in July 2009. The car had done 42,405 miles at replacement. Serviced in Feb 2009. Serviced in Feb 2011 and then in July 2011 suffered a complete engine failure apparently due to the timing chain failure. The dealership are saying that this can happen at any time, the car has only done approx 60, 000 miles. Has anyone else had this problem? Read more
I'm after a cheap (that means older!) MPV and a Ulysse/Synergie/806 ticks the boxes.It won't be a main car as I've got a Skoda Fabia as family motor, Smart Fortwo as run around and Austin Healey Sprite for fun. Use will be as single person camper for overnight stops, dog carrier, tip trips, mobility buggy hauler etc - ie a workhorse ;)Like any older car I fully understand there can be problems but my biggest hate is rust / rot. So can anyone tell me if the Ulysse/Synergie/806 bodyshell lasts well or are there any areas that I should carefully examine ?Thanks. Paul H Read more
With the exception of A class Mercs from the turn of the century, I can't think of many modern cars that have a rust problem. Bodywork rust is unsightly but rarely terminal. There are more serious problems to worry about with older cars.
Evening all, ran out of diesel on Tuesday, we put 2 gallons in, noticed and repaid chafted filter outlet pipe, and cracked injectors. Drove okay 23 miles back home. 9 hours later it wont start at all. On checking, wasn't getting fuel to the filter. Blew through pipes, checked fuse and tank pump connections, was able to manually syphon fuel up to the filter. Still no joy in starting tho. Is there a relay or 2nd fuse to find ? anyone else had similar probs ? Regards. Read more
Sorry about all that, said it hadn't posted.
Hi, I am fitting a rear parking sensor kit to my focus over the weekend and wondered if anyone knows which colour wire is the reversing light feed? This would save me some time in identifying it and be much appreciated! Thanks in anticipation... Read more
Thanks for that I shall have a look tomorrow!
Thought i'd kick off part three of our journey around HJ member's travels searching for any car (or any type of vehicle) which has been new, unusual, surprising in any way. I'll kick this one off as this morning i was at a roundabout behind an old Oldsmobile Cutlass in red with a white roof. Must be one of very very very few in the UK surely. Read more
a Lancia Beta Montecarlo, old T suffix, near Marlborough (Wilts) yesterday. Metaalic blue and looked to be in decent condition.
Browse
I understand that this bill will get a reading in parliament later this month so there is little time for action.
I have signed the on-line petition, but think that an email to my MP would have more effect....