August 2019
My vehicle is registered in the UK (Northern Ireland). I recently spent two weeks in the Republic of Ireland and the engine became damaged beyond repair. It will not get back on the road without a new engine, and it is not financially sensible to do so. The car is 400 miles away from my home, so it would be expensive to get it towed back simply for the purpose of scrapping it.
I have spoken to a garage in Cork who will have the car scrapped on my behalf.... Read more
Thinking of buying an Audi A4 Allroad, manual, 2.0 tdi. 2012. I do approx 15000 miles pa, with a 20m each way commute. ( mostly motorway with a short section urban roads) .Dont actually need 4x4, but do prefer it. Any thoughts re engine choice etc. My other thought is either a Kia Sportage 2.0, or an X1 X Drive. Thoughts most appreciated. Read more
These are great cars but there are a couple of things you should be aware of. 2012 is smack in the middle of VAG's emissions cheating and the car has most likely had the software update, the update has a significantly detrimental effect on the cars reliability and durability. Hugely expensive repairs to EGR valve, DPF and fuel system are very common. It's relatively easy and not too expensive to have the original software reinstalled and its perfectly legal as well but will only be done by an independent car tuner
You can check if the car has had the emissions update by entering the VIN on Audi's web site, search for "emissions update".
Looking at these ridiculous charges from April 2017 and I have one question. Can you get a 2017 car (over £40k new) on a 17 plate registered on the 31/03/2017? This would if possible make the car emitting 120 co2 only £30, instead of £450 a year to tax? Read more
I can understand car tax being an issue if you're on a very low budget. But can someone explain why a few hundred a year difference is so important if you can afford the thousands need to buy a 2017 car?
Possibly because there are more and more people only considering just the monthly payments involved and that would include car tax which at the higher levels would be over £40 month. With PCP etc many are buying cars that back in the day they couldn't afford - the trouble is the full cost inc GMFV goes against your name on a credit reference....
I would rather have a pot of tea so the question is irrelevant. Read more
Was driving up the road this morning and saw a lady crossing the road from my right just ahead of me, (she was in the road, but still theoretically on the opposite side, approaching the centre, I was going slowly as had just come round a corner, so stopped easily and waved to continue.
Oik in his Mercedes 500 SL cabriolet behind came around the corner a bit quicker than me gave a good blast on the horn and threw his hands up and gesticulated at me.... Read more
When I'm in pedestrian mode waiting to cross the road I to will ignore any drivers invitation to cross the road, the best thing the driver can do is not stop, just carry on driving - I'll decide when it's safe for me to cross.
What if there is a constant stream of moving traffic at rush hour, you ignore invitations and there is no crossing near by?
I have just bought a 207 1.4 vti, it had failed its mot on emissions,
- Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))
- Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))
- Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))
- Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))
- Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))
- Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))
- Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))
When I bought it I could hear that the timing chain was in need of replacing, so I have ordered a new one, but Will the timing chain be affecting the emission or will I need to replace the cat or sensors?... Read more
Possibly yes. The engine needs to be in good running order with the valve timing spot on . Looks like you have a major oil leak also. If you are doing the chain, make sure you have the correct setting/locking tools. No timing marks on these .
Not sure if I've been had by my dealer buying a 1 month old Touran 1.6 SE Family?
I collected it today from a Volvo dealer one month old with 800 miles on the clock, one previous owner. ... Read more
“Car was registered to an individual at a private address in Essex. Looked on street view and its a flat in a residential street.
Had 800 moles on the clock when I got it.”
Entirely possible that someone did buy it then simply didn’t like it or they fell ill. I bought a two month old Honda Accord in a private sale for £8500 in 2003 when the new owner suddenly died, the list price was over £15k and dealers were flogging pre reg examples at £12,495. My dad had to part exchange his new Volvo 240 GLT for a 440 turbo after a couple of months because my mother hated it. I wouldn’t worry as long as there’s no faults or poor paint repairs that excluded it being sold as an approved used VW.
After the most recent service/inspection on our Jazz, the chap in reception dealing with me said to be aware that the front tyres were down to 3mm. I'd rather not go through winter with tyres that low, so emailed Motability to query their policy on tyres, and also, should they not be prepared to replace tham now, would there be a problem with my purchasing tyres and having them fitted myself.
Got a reply today and the Motability policy is to have the tyres replaced at 2mm, not great, given the amount of data available which shows just how much poorer a tyre grips the road (particularly wet roads), but it is a charity after all. The kicker though, and i am utterly baffled by this, if i was to replace the tyres on the Jazz, i would henceforth be responsible for the tyres on ALL subsequent Motability cars my wife gets!.... Read more
I remember dad putting the fronts on the back and running them until they went flat back in the 60's on our Mini van, (but he always paid extra for seat belts)!
When was the minimum tread depth law introduced?
Hi All
My wife recently bought a Nissan Micra (2004) as a run around car just to use for city driving.. The Battery of the car is not the greatest, as we noticed after not driving it for 5-6 days, it needed a jump start.... Read more
Perhaps get yoursellf a battery charger.
There were some cheap ones in Liddl when I was last in the UK, but I already have one in Taiwan, so I didn't buy one....
Hello everyone,,
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
DO NOT CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK
The OP has repeated the exact same message as before with the link inserted....
Browse
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That's what I did when mine died in France. No trouble at all, and even got the road tax back.