May 2019

Driving while banned

Kate Panesar on 4 May 2019

My partner insures a corsa that is registered to his mates girlfriend so him and his mate can use it to drive back and fore to work. My partner drives it as his mate is banned from driving but we’ve found out that on the weekends his mate is driving the car! I just wanted to check if it is the registered keeper who will get in trouble for letting him drive it and not the person who has insured the car ? It doesn’t seem fair because my partner has just insured himself to drive it so they can use it for work but has no right to stop his mate from using it at the weekends because it isn’t his car.

Any help greatly appreciated as I am a little concerned.

Thanks guys! Read more

RT on 24 June 2019

Your partner should not be insuring the vehicle end of story. He is not the owner so has no financial so therefore no insurance interest in the vehicle. He would have been asked if he owns the vehicle at the time if quoting. Insurance will have been declined if he said he is not the owner. Source - ex insurance underwriter

Agree with basic advice - barge poles come to mind..

Less certain that insurance industry would never insure a vehicle where proposer was not owner. The fact would have to be properly declared and may influence premium, it may also be against policy of some big names in car insurance to offer such cover. Not an absolute bar though. ...

Question BMW X5 2012 - Service required message

Richie_green on 3 May 2019

My car has had its service today and all messages have been cleared. However, on the idrive centre console, there is a message stating Service Required. Can I clear this or does it need to go back to the garage? Read more

Richie_green on 3 May 2019

Yeah I did and everything is green and all looks good. Looks like could be trip back tomorrow to the garage

Forum Audi A3 Sportback/Mercedes A Class - Used Car Buying Advice

SRW142 on 3 May 2019

Hi All

I am about to purchase my first used car after having a company car for a few years. In a nutshell I am between an Audi A3/Mercedes A Class, they are both 2/3 years old with approx 20k mileage around the 18.5/19k mark

I am intending to purchase cash with top up from personal loan (apr 3.2%) as dealers offering approx 9%. Audi are incentivising HP with 2 years warranty and servicing, Mercedes are not offering any incentive for HP. Both cars are used approved with the usual 1 year warranty. I expect to do very high mileage approx 30k p/a

My question is; is the extra APR and therefore interest worth the extra year warranty at Audi compared to buying cash? It would probably cost me an extra 2k over the term of the HP (3 year) compared to the bank loan but unsure if this is worth the security.

Ideally I prefer the loan being separate to the car, but with being new to purchasing a car the extra year warranty and service is attractive

Any advice appreciated! I understand the dealers contact to extend warranty towards the end of year 1 anyway

Many thanks in advance!! Read more

SRW142 on 4 May 2019

Thanks - you may be right, I can’t seem to find a 2L Diesel auto for a similar price though.

I would expect so, I hadn’t considered taking a PCP and settling early. Would I expect a big fee to settle early on PCPs?

Thanks

Question Toyotal Avensis Tourer 2011 - Thread gone on hole for roof bars nuts

davebhoy on 3 May 2019

Hi

Please excuse my ignorance when it comes to terminology.

I was trying to put the roof bars on my Toyota Avensis Estate this afternoon but look when I tightened the nut that attaches the bars to the car the the nut ruined the thread on the hole. The nut just sits in the hole now and isn't screwed in at all, I can lift it out.

I think I need a new nut which isn't a problem as Thule do replacement parts, but the hole that I would screw the nut into isn't secure at all.

Is it possible to get a spare part for the plate (if thats the right word) that the nuts screws into?

Dos anyone know what that plate is called, or where I might find one?

Thanks very much for any help Read more

edlithgow on 25 April 2022

Thanks mate. I just did this and it worked! You just saved my summer

He means Wrangler-Rover, not me

Question Astra j sri 1-4t - abs light

gt1977 on 3 May 2019

Hi all. Esp and abs light came on yesterday thus putting car into limp mode. Engine management light came on for a bit periodically aswell. Fuel gauge was showing empty then back up to where it should be every five mins or so. Garage diagnosis was right hand front wheel sensor. Only code that was picked up. Is this normal behaviour just for a abs sensor?? Concerns it may be ecu related. Thanks? Read more

elekie&a/c doctor on 3 May 2019

Modern cars use a lot of info generated from the abs system. A faulty sensor would certainly bring on the warning lights. It could also be a wiring problem or a faulty wheel bearing or ecu issue.

Comment Honest John's Motoring Agony Column 04-05-2019 Part 1

R40 on 3 May 2019

re:ACC, these systems work perfectly when designed and built well. The VW system was done on the cheap and so is very poor, the BMW system in the i3 uses a camera and so fails whenever the sun is out!

Lexus first fitted ACC to its cars more than 15 years ago, and the system still works perfectly on 15 year old Lexus cars. There is a reason that German cars don’t show the same reliability....... Read more

HandCart on 14 May 2019

But on a go-kart or F1 car, the left foot is permanently over the brake pedal, mainly due to space restrictions and the pedal being completely on the other side of the steering column.

LFB is fine when manoeuvring in tight spaces, or perhaps in rat-race Bangkok traffic, but during general driving in an ordinary car, the left foot is likely to be resting somewhere further away from the brake pedal than the right foot is....

Comment Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 04-05-2019 Part 2

glidermania on 3 May 2019

LOL. I saved £7,000 on a Vauxhall which I now discover has not interior boot light. I wouldnt have bought it if Id known this. Are some people serious? Read more

madf on 6 May 2019

I'm worried that someone who did not notice the lack of a light, which is obviously a major feature to them, is actually driving at all?

I am picky and when buying a new car ALWAYS check everything works. When we bought our new Peugeot 106 in 1993 (our once and only new car), the boot light bulb had gone. Dealer replaced it there and then before I accepted car......

Question Ford Fiesta 2000 W 1.25 Zetec 16v - Won't start

Roland T on 2 May 2019

I kept my old Fiesta to use a donor after declaring SORN 13 months ago. During this time, I have started it occasionally to move it to get better access to swap parts, or just to keep things moving.

Just recently, it will turn over normally but shows no inclination to fire. The battery is good and is charged regularly. I have noticed that on turning the key to the second position, the fuel pump does not run to pressurise as it usually did and think this is probably significant (fuel pump fuse is OK).... Read more

Roland T on 3 May 2019

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Inertia switch is still down and I'm pretty sure I can hear the relay clicking, will double check that but pump failure seems likely. ...

Forum tips on buying a used car

cm2019 on 2 May 2019

I am looking to buy second hand car.

If we buy from a private owner, what should we do before the transfer of funds?... Read more

Gibbo_Wirral on 3 May 2019

What bargaining power do we have in terms of negotiating down the price?...

Forum MG ZS 2017 - .. Dent repair

oldroverboy. on 2 May 2019

Some kind soul left a shopping trolley parked into the back of the car.. tailgate.....dent and paint broken,

I won't name the company, but Mr dents at home came and pursed his lips and sucked and said,, ooooh that,ll be £300, GOTTA PAINT THE WHOLE PANEL........ Read more

Avant on 6 May 2019

"I am sure the tax man will be there shortly then.

Why? small businesses with low turnover can not (don't have to?) charge vat under a certain turnover."...