May 2019
Hi,
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About time, as long as the sign are kept up-to-date: quite often the matrix signs aren't. Read more
They already are aren't they? .. When the Lane signs show a Red circled 40MPH for instance, one some M Ways you will be flashed and receive the fine in the post.
Any reason why they couldn't do the same for ICE vehicles? Or is it because very few would pass? Read more
Would this increase EV car prices on new or used vehicles.
Aren't they supposed to know to be able to pass their driving test?
((faceplam)) Read more
Who is the hunky silver fox in the photo? I'd gladly book him for a full MOT and service.
I'm looking forward to the launch of the electric Skoda Citigo / Seat Mii / VW Up (upgraded model) at the end of the year because outright practicality isn't important in my next car, and spending at least £30K on an electric car to replace my current ICE model isn't very financially sensible, all things considered.
But I fear that some of the reported stats for those cars will end up being exaggerated - e.g. a list price of £15,000, warm hatch performance, a range of approaching 300 miles - no doubt the performance / range stats will relate to a top of the range model available for silly money with the £15k price tag being reserved for something much less impressive.
It's also a shame Hyundai aren't doing something electric with the i10, despite them showing off an electric version of the original model in 2009.
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Hybrid ?
My partner has always took his car to the same garage for years. My partner was ill so this time I took the car to a different garage nearer to where we live. The car failed its mot on the sub frame and was told this was a dangerous defect and not to drive it. They discovered that the car subframe had been filled with fibre glass. In 2016 we were told that the subframe had a hole in and that they would weld & plate this and we paid for the repair to be carried out. He then passed an mot on this vehicle a further 3 times. What I want to know is this the correct way to repair a subframe and if not what can we do about this? Read more
A metal plate with a continuous weld is perfectly ok for repair and an mot. A fibre glass repair is dangerous and unacceptable for this . However, you need to be careful, as some subframes are filled with a fibre glass or similar material for sound insulation/ vibration purposes
Actually, it sounds like its the MOT tester that needs to be careful. Maybe this one wasn't.
IF the original repair was a weld, failed, and exposed underlying glass sound deadening, you probably don't have any comeback on the original repairer after that long. I doubt pro MOT welds are usually rustproofed much, if at all, and wont be guaranteed for long....
Continuing saga of the Insignia!
1.8l petrol 2010... Read more
Yes, the coolant is sludgy again even after a change of the oil cooler - the oil cooler had been leaking on the seal to the engine so it was presumed that this had failed internally.
As the sludge had returned and was / is more than might be expected as residual from the first flush the garage suggested the HG has gone. I would hope the replacement cooler is not faulty, but I could incur more re expense if found to be OK rather than covered by the warranty
Cleaned the Caterham yesterday and found a 6mm chip on the screen. Its not in the MOT fail area but its only about 12mm from the edge of the screen thus is certain to spread and is probably not repairable. Autoglass are coming tomorrow to look but I expect it to be a no vote. Glass excess is £0 so why not waste their time.
Last time I had a screen in a Caterham was 1990 which was simple to sort. Caterham sent new screen, I fitted it (I built the car so no problem there) and insurance paid (less excess).... Read more
If I’ve read correctly, your current screen is heated, but to save money on the insurance excess you would rather have one without the heater? Surely the £50 difference between the heated one supplied by the insurance company and the non heated type if you sort yourself, is not a big enough difference to miss out on the heater. Or am I missing something?
You are correct. But its not a money saving exercise, its a simple fact that since I have not fitted the hood since 2007 I have not needed to use the screen heater. That and the fact that when you use it there is no way its as good as one fitted to a Ford.
Another consideration is the visibility of the heater wires on a misty morning, very distracting....
My partner has always took his car to the same garage for years. My partner was ill so this time I took the car to a different garage nearer to where we live. The car failed its mot on the sub frame and was told this was a dangerous defect and not to drive it. They discovered that the car subframe had been filled with fibre glass. In 2016 we were told that the subframe had a hole in and that they would weld & plate this and we paid for the repair to be carried out. He then passed an mot on this vehicle a further 3 times. What I want to know is this the correct way to repair a subframe and if not what can we do about this? Read more
Thanks for the links that is most helpful. I'm just glad we took the car for an mot somewhere else or we may have never found out. Plus the subframe could have gave way and could have caused a very serious accident.
Squashed in the back of a 159 Sporrtwagon is not my idea of "making the most of a fantasy venture". What are the chances of reaching the destination? Read more
It's the way spam mangles language that gets under my skin as much as anything else.
How do you "make the voyage vital"? What is the "cutting edge of official vehicles"? Why does anyone want a taxi that will "drop at the other state" (especially in the UK)?...
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The rust pictured doesn't give great concern because the suspension and subframe are heavy gauge, the rust on the spare wheel well is easily treated, it would be other parts such as inner sills that i'd be looking more carefully at.
Whilst the car looks nice so the top side has been attended, from the MOT history i get the impression the undersides have been neglected and maintenance hasn't been great, though that is fixable, i don't think this is a bad car by any means, just no one with any mechanical knowledge/interest has owned it so it's like 95% of all cars out there, washed polished and driven, servicing being a dull necessity so bare minimum rules apply....