September 2012
I need to buy an MPV big enough to seat 2 large teenagers and a car seat. The only cars we have found that fit the bill, and that we even vaguely like, are the S-MAX, Galaxy and the Renalut Grand Scenic.
The options are:... Read more
Parking where I live is at a bit of a premium - there is space on the street for those who live here but there are a few people on neighbouring streets either have far too many cars for the house or don't fancy parking on a busy road so always park on my street, meaning sometimes there isn't a free space available.
I live in the end of the terrace and there is a passageway down the side. This technically belongs to the houses of the street that back on to it (at right angles), in small slabs so no one house owns much of it. We all have a right of access across this as it is the only way to the back of our houses.... Read more
We learnt the hard way, never ever buy a house with shared access! At our last house we were the last house and owned the drive which 4 neighbours had access across. Apart from one, they were all g##ts and continually blocked us in regardless of how many times we asked them nicely to keep the access clear. The police won't want to help as its a civil matter but the best thing to do is check the deeds and land registry to see who owns what.
Hi all,
we recently bought a 2nd hand motorhome from a dealer. We were told there were no significant faults with it other than what you'd expect for a 10-year old vehicle. When questioned about damp we were told there was nothing to worry about, all motorhomes have a bit of damp here and there.... Read more
No, it was a different manufacturer. Sorry I can't be more specific at this stage!
been asked to change a clutch on a meriva, any perculiarities i need to know about? or is it pretty much straight forward Read more
Depends on the engine of course, I don't know what engines these had. If it's a 1.0 or a 1.2 should be fairly easy.
It'll be a hydraulic clutch with the slave cylinder inside the bell housing. Designed for maximum extraction of cash, and other substances, rather than easy maintenance....
My 2009 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI has 92,000 miles. I have just had the DPF replaced by Ford.
I'm wondering are any products suitable for adding to the fuel tank to increase the life span of the new DPF ?
I've seen the cleaner additives but I'm unsure if they're any good ?
Cheers Read more
A few miles from where I live there was a small independant tyre/exhaust retailer that set up in the 80's. Still do the tyres/exhausts in the original "shed" but they now claim to be the largest manufacturer of aftermarket cats and dpf's in Europe in a large out of town unit.
I have happily leased a motability car now for quite some time, I am on my 3rd car and fairly soon I will have to decide do I choose another New car or do I hand back the keys and go back to buying my own 2nd hand cars...I have tried to weigh up the odds, The cost of running a old 2nd/3rd hand car as apposed to renting a new car, I love the new car thing but things have deffinatly changed with motability, They have greatly reduced the amount of suitable cars with respect to how much I can afford for an advanced payment for the car that meets my needs, I need an AUTOMATIC, I also need a car that is very easy to get in and out and also with plenty of leg room, Unfortunatly I cannot afford the very expencive A/P For anything 100% suitable, So I would have to accept a car that would be uncomfortable for me to get in & out to keep within my budget...
I have asked motability about there grants for help with A/P and In all honesty it was pretty obvious from the point of asking that it was going to be unlikely.. I think the answer that followed (please be aware it can take several months to apply and even then it can often be unlikely that we can help you with a grant) Kind of put me off from applying... ... Read more
Morning lee,
...
My 9 month old Grand C-Max suffered a windscreen chip today, which shows signs of cracking, so it may well need a new windscreen
I'm going to call out my insurer's approved windscreen repairer tomorrow, but the car has a heated windscreen and wiper sensors, which makes a replacement more complex.... Read more
A friend of mine is a windscreen specialist. He loves repairs, says the repair is 100% profit after buying the kit and takes only a short time. Insurance companies have driven down margins on replacements to such a degree its less profitable than repairing when the time element is considered.
He has done 4 repairs for me over the years all 100% funded by various insurance companies. Only one has failed which was simply sorted with a new screen for my excess ££'s....
My husband was stopped by police in march2012 for no insurance well he had insurance then they said he didnt have valid licence it had been revoked. He got some points and we sent his paper licence back to DVLA to change address and put points on october 2011 didnt chase it silly us!! aparently they revoked it but didnt tell us when we went into dvla they simply said fill a d? thing and we will issue a photo licence (he had paper one) they had our new address on the system so must have had old licence there. They claim to have written to us because you cannot change details on paper licence have to have new photo licence . He is now being taken to court for no licence the policeman has also stated on court form that insurance said they would cover him for that journey Rubbish I spoke to insurance who state they told police twice his insurance was valid as he was legally entitled to hold a licence ie not disqualified. He has been driving for 40 years.Dvla say perhaps we wrote to old address why? they had the new one Interestingly new licence arrived in 3 working days . He is now concerned over huge fine and more points for something he new nothing about do you think he should go to court Help Read more
Because its the old paper licence apparently if anything changes you have to have new photocard licence with paper licence now green his paper licence was pink and different format
I'm currently looking to start a business aiming to overcome the problems people face when getting car services, MOTs and repairs.
Below are some questions to guide the discussion - if anyone could spare their thoughts on the topics I'd really appreciate it! ... Read more
Well done Avant. I was just going to say to Skidpan that you had edited the link out of the post, and he had it in his. You beat me to it. ;-)
We want to buy an MPV and have whittled the choice down to these two. Criteria was that it must have 3 full size seats in the 2nd row, have a big boot but not be a mahoosive bus. And so we're kind of torn.
I love the sliding doors, the small footprint and the cheap insurance on the Berlingo. Van looks aren't an issue, but the everything is an extra spec is - I want the full complement of airbags please. ... Read more
Quick update. After a bit of searching around and a few test drives I've bought an 09 Grand Picasso VTR Plus 1.6 HDI with the EGS box - ex Motability car with 17k on the clock and 2 services under its belt. According to What Car I've paid £700 below dealer price and the car looked in great condition (as you'd hope for one with low mileage on it). My dad's had Motability cars for years so I know that they're pretty rigorous with maintenance and checks before they're handed back, so hopefully it'll do the job. Will know more when I pick it up tomorrow....
Renaults built between 2000 and 2004 were the ones that earned the poor reputation for the company. A Scenic this new will be as good as any mainstream car.
It was the early 1.9 engine type F9Q that had the reputation of blowing its turbo until changes were made in June 2003....