April 2019
Had a interesting discussion at the weekend ref number plates and the two plate changes in a year. There was a debate about what looks newer a 18 reg or 68reg , my 11 year old son said the 18 plate because its obviously 2018 but he thought the 68 could be later 2008 or later 2018 he was unsure!! My wife says she doesn’t get the September numbers so the 18 looks best to her. My 86 year old father said no idea its just numbers... I do understand the format it but its made me wonder how many other people don't? Anyone fancy asking a few different age people and them writing back?
Also does it make a difference when selling? Does one format hold value better or is it irrelevant?
Thanks Read more
Now all we need is to produce hydrogen on a vast scale in a green way that doesn't stifle all other means of energy production and swallow huge tracts of land.
Toyota's small scale hydrogen production facility for its forklifts on the factory took about a 1/4 of the space of an entire (average size) petrol station, just to prduce enough hydrogen for 3-6 forklifts for 1 day's use. Imagine trying to scale that up for millions of cars, vans and HGVs just in the UK alone... Read more
Thanks for your informative post, I was able to read it thanks to a writing service nurses essay writing, and in the meantime, I can read your wonderful post while they do my work for me!
Followed a very seriously smoky 5 series estate along the main road at 60mph then into oxford. Each time he accelerated ( even gently) it was awful. Mid grey colour I’d say but serous amounts of it. Stunk my car out . What is the likely cause of that on a relatively new car? Not my car so purely interested what is making it pollute our world. Read more
If this smoke is due to ‘regeneration’ how is this in any way environmentally friendly? Are the emission results for road tax purposes including a regeneration? Probably not! Therefore will we be having another VW Diesel type situation in the future once this becomes a noticeable problem in society? I drive a diesel so not being judgmental in any way.. Just a thought.....
Son in law has received a speeding notice from the 5th of jan. It arrived last week. I know there is a time limit for notification here but haven't a clue about a French one. Read more
We're not so lucky, driving is no longer fun or enjoyable, it's a constant battle to make progress and constant requirement to give undue attention to speed as king over all else (including safety) to avoid getting a fine and points. "Carefree" is one word no longer attributable to use of a car on the public highway.
It's a good few years since I drove in France, (or anywhere on the Continent), been doing so since the 1980's and as matters stand I'm not sure if I want to bother - not that I have a blatant disregard for speed limits, its I just don't want the bother of closely watching the speedo in case I stray by 1 or 2 km this way or that way.
A battery exploded when being used for jump starting a vehicle. connected correctly and allowed 10 minutes soak time- the system woke up and as key turned to engage starter the battery in the wheelbarrow exploded. bits of casing flew up to 20 m, acid trapped in wheel barrow. No casualties. It was a quantum maintenance free battery. Any comments? Read more
In this case I'd think the lack of venting might be a factor, though if the hydrogen ignites I suppose any lead-acid battery could explode.
Any lead-acid battery given a significant charge will generate gas (hydrogen) which will need to vent somehow. I would think it very unlikely that the vent could block solidly enough to explode the casing, so a spark-initiated explosion is the likely cause. That would be outside the battery itself, so the contents would not travel far, though the shock wave might well cause the damage....
I would be grateful for some advice please.
I drive an 18 year old Ford Puma. It is my only car and has a lot of sentimental value to me.
I was involved in a accident in October and the bonnet has been dented, the bumper has a crack and one of the lights has a crack.
I phoned my insurer and as soon as I mentioned the crash, they told me it was a write off (I thought that was strange without looking at the car). They sent me a link to send pictures and then wait for a price.
2 days later, I was offered £520, which I refused straight away. Another 2 days later, I received a call from an agent who offered £760. I still feel that is low for a car in excellent condition and only 100,000 on the clock. I asked about buying back the car and they said I could buy it for 10% but then said no, it's a Cat B. I told them there is no way the car is a Cat B and asked for someone to at least look at the car.
They phoned back the next day and said they refused to send someone to look at the car but will pay for the repair it it's under the car value. But they also told me I can't drive the car so how do I get quotes?
When I asked what happens if the repair cost is higher than £740, they said it will be written off as a CAT B. Surely if the car costs more to fix, that's a CAT C! They also gave me the option of cancelling the claim.
I complained and when they agreed on the price and CAT B, saying it would cost over £5000 to repair the vehicle.
Therefore, I complained to the Ombudsman for the following reasons:
1. The value of £760
2. The category is incorrect. The fact that the car can be fixed means it is NOT a cat B. I asked them to pay me the value they felt it was worth and allow me to buy back the car so I can fix it myself.
3. The accident occurred 1 week before my insurance was due to renew. When I asked about renewing, they told me the insurance would end due to the claim. I found out a few weeks later that they renewed the policy and I'm paying for a car I cannot use.
Nearly 4.5 later, the Ombudsman has rejected my complaint. They agreed on the value, dismissed my estimates due to not having a proper breakdown, agreed on the category and agreed that my car needs to be scrapped. They didn't even respond to question about the insurance being extended when they told me it wouldn't.
Is it worth me taking this to court? I know it seems petty but I feel I am not being treated fairly and would appreciate some advice. Read more
Clean one here if you have a spare £5K odd:
We have two car seats in the back of the older Yaris (forward facing ones), but have found the car seats do not extend very well to enable the children to buckle the car seats in.
I used to have seat belt extensions in my old car, but they don't fit the Yaris, however the main issue is trying to grab the seat belt which tucks itself far back to enable it to be pulled over.... Read more
Hi,
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With a car this age the best thing you can do is beg or borrow a knowledgeable person to view it for you. I’d sooner pay a local mechanic to look it over than have an AA or RAC inspection done. They will judge it as if it was a new car and lost every minor defect, most likely you’ll run a mile from a perfectly decent old car if you read their report.
I’ve had people pay out for such inspections on older cars before only to walk away from what was a very decent old car because the assessor had listed every tiny bit of wear or corrosion.
Plenty of information on the reliability of powershift and vag dsg auto boxes but hear little about Kia dual clutch reliability
Does this mean no news is good news Are they reliable does anyone know Read more
The DCT boxes are also used in the Kia/Hyundai hybrids - but as above, they've only been around since 2017.
Have a Kia Niro - bulk of mileage on (Spanish) motorways at legal speeds - in 18 months averaging 58+ mpg (local travel about 65 mpg). Rarely get in traffic - until yesterday, with the approach to Madrid, where it crept along on battery power OK
This more recent film features a character who has committed a crime for which the USA police are trying to track him down. He changes his disguise on several occasions so as to avoid them, including on one occasion being dressed as an airline pilot surrounded by hostesses. Eventually he is caught and ends-up working for the police because he is so good at recognising fake dollar notes. Read more
Think I was more lucky as I have watched both the films you mentioned.
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In some cantons of Switzerland, number plates are fixed to the car with a locking mechanism and can be switched between the owner's cars since, logically, the insured owner can only drive one car at a time.
Conversely, in Greece the police actually remove number plates of cars parked illegally or with unpaid fines accrued and the owner has to get to the police station and pay up. Obviously, driving without number plates is instant jail time!