December 2012

Blackghia

Hi all, I've got a V reg Focus Ghia that I purchased with steel wheels, can anyone tell me if the stud length is different to those with alloy wheels? Read more

Collos25

Normally longer with alloy wheels as they are made of thicker metal.

peteratsrinagar

I have just purchased a 9 year old Rover. It is in immaculate condition. Not a sign of rust anywhere. I live high on the clifftops in Cornwall and think that undersealing the car is a good idea. How do I proceed and expected cost of? Read more

madf

What's better at preventing corrosion on old metal, old engine oil, or nothing?

tinyurl.com/cjes9tk OK for storage....

LJJS

When using bigger tyres and wheels than original (i.e 17" rather than 16"), does one use the same tyre pressure as for the 16"? Read more

colly

have replaced shoes cyclinders and hubs but still getting reading above 30% my reading 40% on near side and 3% on off side what do i do next to bring the break balance below 30% Read more

1litregolfeater

Great advice from Chris, also examine the wear self-adjusting ratchet assembly.

waffler

2 litre deisel,07 52k. After about 200 yds fromcold i get a hot chemical smell in the car. Open windows gets rid of it. Only happens when car has stood at least 4 hours. Garage has looked for leaks etc,exhaust checked. Any ideas please? Read more

Collos25

I think if it was the pollen filter it would smell all the time the only thing I can think off is the AC unit as it once happened to me I had it decontaminated and it cured the problem.

royl

My Civic handbook shows the engine performance in PS and Kw. I am familiar with the use of BHP (Brake Horse Power) and kW but what is PS.

royl Read more

skidpan

Very similar I think, check it on Google.

One of our cars is quoted as 115 ps and 113.5 bhp...

barney100

the reversing lights and the led lights on the boot have stopped working. the bulbs for the reversing seem ok but the leds are out. the ignition comes on when I open the boot!...any suggestions most welcome. Read more

elekie&a/c doctor

Check the wiring where it runs up the boot lid hinges,or through the rubber tube if it is a cabrio model.

Bobbin Threadbare

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20739778

Reading on the BBC just now; a Swedish man has painted a portrait of himself and photographed it for use as his driving licence pic. The Swedish authorities were happy with it. ... Read more

Engineer Andy

Getting a few passport photos done at his local store must've been a quicker and cheaper option, but I can't take away the very good likeness...

Reminds me of the guy who forgot his passport but was sent a scan to his iPhone, which amazingly they (I think it might've even been the normally strict US authorities) accepted it!...

joiscey

hi i have a fiesta which has the engine management light on and eac fail flashing on the dash. i have had a diagnostics test done which showed up the accelorator pedal needing replaced which i have done and it hasnt made any difference. help please Read more

elekie&a/c doctor

Classic mis-diagnosis for this fault.These models have lots of issues with electronic throttle bodies,wiring connections and engine control unit software updates.Take it to a techie that has experience of these problems.Even a poor battery can cause problems on these.hth

tony g

I'm ringing round looking round for renewal quotes for car trader insurance .

My present insurer who used to trade as MMA have declined to quote for my BD postcode .Its not difficult to imagine that they're loosing money in many inner city post codes ,probably because of the high incidence of fraudulent claims for whiplash ,fraud ,uninsured drivers etc .How to prevent people from behaving like that I dont know .

However the real point of my post is to comment on the amount of commission earned by insurance brokers .Ive been quoted £1250 for the same insurance company by two different insurance brokers . When I said I would be checking with my existing broker before placing the business .One of the brokers brought the price down to £970 . That suggests they are earning gross profits of 30% .A good margin for the service they provide ?. Possibly it's one of the reasons why insurance is so expensive ? Read more

dacouch

The commission a normal broker would earn on a motor trade premium is normally between 7.5% and 12.5% of the pre Insurance Tax Price plus any fee they add. The majority of MT policies would pay 10%.

The branded brokers eg MTS etc who have a scheme with an Insurer which they place large amounts of business could well pitch their commission at between 15% and 25%. Their deal with the Insurer will be linked to perforamce of the account eg it providing a defined profit after claims payments to the Insurer, they may also receive bonus payments if the account performs to certain targets which like any other business can mean a in the run up to the end of the finanicial period for the scheme they can discount above their income from the policy in order to hit bonus targets....