December 2017
Having watched a few "UK Bad Drivers" videos recently, a lot of the accidents occur when a driver at a junction turns right across the path of a car (or bike) s/he hasn't seen in time. It is invariably the fault of the driver turning right, but it always seems to happen straight after the light has gone green. The brains of hassled, tired, under-stress drivers are wired "green for go", and this instinct seems to override the "watch out for oncoming cars" circuit. In other countries it is impossible to go through a green light and NOT have priority over other cars, so perhaps a rethink is needed. All sorts of simple solutions would serve to make right-turning drivers a little more alert - a flashing amber arrow; a flashing Give Way triangle sign; road layouts which force opposing right-turning drivers to pass on the driver's side; better road markings. Or maybe some radical adjustments to busy four way intersections so that only one lane can move at any time (This could be programmed for peak traffic periods).
Any thoughts? Read more
Cobblers!
My insurance is due this week, have renewed for a couple of quid less than last years quote which was itself reduced when negotiated. premium essex postcode kia venga 2, 1.4 petrol 2 drivers 1 of whom a Doctor 9 years+ max ncd £183.... Read more
I live in Borehamwood Herts, 73 years young, Ford Focus 1.8, 12 years old Hastings want £375, that comp with breakdown etc, its gone up from £323 last year for same cover, no accidents or claims, so yes I would agree that December is not a good month. Saga quote £342 & LV £378 for the same cover..
Earlier this year sometime in July I received a letter from an insurance company saying that there had been an incident involving my car saying I had hit a parked car in a private car park of their client and the driver was looking to claim compensation for damages.
I did not remember this incident occurring at all but contacted my insurance company straight away to help with what to do. Checked my car and found a very minor scruff on the front corner and honestly think that was there when we bought the car in March. Firmly believing that I hadnt done anything and this was all a simple mixup, I asked the insurance company to find out where I was that day (i have telematic insurance) and if they can find out more.
Further to investigation, CCTV footage was provided to my insurance company from the private car park and they said they were going to settle the matter as I could be seen on cctv parking into a spot, stopping and then reversing and then parking somewhere else in the car park. We received this information from our insurance company in September and were told that this would count as a claim and havent heard anything from our insurance since.
Tonight two police officers came to our residence to caution me!! They said that I had committed a driving offence as they had reviewed the CCTV footage they can see there was evidence of the other car being hit but i failed to leave details or tell the police. I do not remember this incidence at all or having collided with the car because if I had thought i did, i would have stopped and left details (honestly) so even if CCTV footage shows a collision i do not think i should be charged with an offence as I genuinely did not realise I had hit the other car. Like I said I dont remember hitting any car and the stopping to reverse was probably me thinking the space was too tight (i just passed my driving test in February)
We live in Glasgow Scotland and they said this claim will be given forward to the procurator fiscal and we should wait to see what they say..
The insurance is already so high and we’re really struggling financially at the moment so this really has knocked me tonight. Dont really know who to call or do so could really do with some advice/guidance. I know the CCTV footage is not really looking good if it does indeed show me stopping whilst parking, but I genuinely dont remember hitting someone. Last thing I need is prison sentence or huge fine or points which will mean I wont be able to afford driving next year Read more
Thanks guys, really do appreciate all the advice. Going to contact insurance company re possible legal cover and will try seeing the cctv footage as well of this incident in June!
Car type not really the issue here. Can anybody offer me a view on whether or not they think a comprehensive extended warranty, is as good as having roadside recovery such as RAC, AA, Greenflag, etc?
ASked the ? of the one recommended on here, but it was the sort of answer you might expect from anybody trying to sell you something and worried that anything negative might put you off. ... Read more
I extended the pan-european warranty through Honda on my Accord bought pre-reg in 2015, by two years and it includes europe wide breakdown, personal assistance, hire car hotel etc if necesary, just as the original 3 year warranty does.
Hi all,
I have a very small amount of surface corrosion starting on the inside lip of my rear wheel arch, just on the edge, where presumably the original paint wasn't so thick, or wasnt applied well.. At the moment its just surface and not visibe from standing outisde the car (you have to look inside the arch) , and doesn't appear to be coming through from the inside, so I just wanted to do some touching in and rust-killing and reproofing as its not a big enough are to warrant a bodyshop (and its an old but otherwise mint condition car)... Read more
As you say, the new product looks like a 'storage treatment' whch because it's water-based, is able to be sprayed in a very fine mist for good penetration and creeping ability. The water then evaporates to leave the active parts in place.
With regard to the original question, a quicker and easier method if the rust spot isn't visible is to rub the rust off with fine grit paper, make sure the area is dry (using a fan heater or hair dryer) then slather the area in Finnegan's Underseal. It's b***** horrible sticky stuff and best applied warm, but it simply does not get washed off by any amount of road spray and it stops rust re-occuring. This could save applying multiple coats of paint.
I've recently bought a used car that was owned by a smoker. The interior valet seems to have got rid of most of the smell. However, when running the heating there is a lot of cigarette smell coming through. This is without running the air con. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this? Would a change of the cabin filter help? The car was supposedly serviced by the deadlier pre-sale, but don't know how much i can trust that. Read more
Personally, I don't rate those "aircon bombs". Not least of all because they won't work on cars with the filter fitted after the fan unit (not the case with a Jazz)
Also, with fag smell I think you need a more 'intensive' application. try my method here:...
yes please Read more
Some owners of Kia/Hyundai have had cases where the sunroof just explodes.
And the warranty on it isn't 7 years, apparently its only 3 months.... Read more
Thanks for keeping us updated about things in the USA.
It's totally irrelevant since Hyundai/Kia models sold in the USA are built in the USA using 80% local content - and the models are often quite different anyway....
Hi all
Does anyone have any knowledge of the reliability of the petrol 2.0 TFSI 190 and the Merc C200 they can advise of? Am considering between the A5 Coupe (17 plate) and the C Coupe Premium Plus. ... Read more
Both attractive cars but VAG have a rather nasty reputation for issues with their automated manual gearboxes both 6 and 7 speed as they age so I’d opt for manual only with the 2.0 TSi A5 or Golf GTi.
The Merc is mechanically robust but servicing and parts costs can be ridiculously high and resale on any complex modern premium brand is very reliant on a full main dealer service record so be aware of the cost of maintenance as they age and don’t buy if you can’t afford or aren’t prepared to pay this.
Me personally from the three options you’ve listed and assuming an auto box is a definite requirement I’d have the Merc but if you can live with a manual I’d probably be in the Golf GTi which is an outstanding car. It can do everything anyone needs, it’s quick, decent on fuel, has plenty of space, rides well (for a hot hatch) if you avoid daft optional wheels and tyres, it’s fun and is always easy to sell on. The DSG box is however a big no no however with loads of cases of failure and a crippling cost to repair or replace. Dealers are aware of this and tend to bid below book on them to cover risks. If you must have one with a DSG then I’d offload before it’s out of warranty.
Help I'm mentally overloaded with trying to figure this out. How does the surveyor know definitely that the cause is penetrating damp and not another reason ? e.g sprayed the wall with water ! Read more
Thanks again, you're a star. Before long I might start to know what I'm talking about.
Browse
Seem like the local council guy is canadian - maybe they don't have roundabouts over there and he's scared of them....