I found this old video, made with the old traditional type voiceover of BMC goes testing foot on the floor on the autobahn to find out if their engine bearings will last 20,000 miles!

Note the horrible handling and the lack of rear axle damping!... Read more

I don't think HJ mentioned this recent update on the site, or I missed it.

www.parkers.co.uk/car-news/2019/renault-warranty/... Read more

The screen washers suddenly stopped working, front and rears. filed the fluid up but no joy.

You can here the pump running but only an occasional squirt of screen wash.... Read more

I bought a retro fit CD player advertised as plug and play via a USB, the device would not work in the car, tried every USB on desktop, laptop smart TV none would recognise it.

Within the same day I informed the company obtained return label and posted it back for a refund, the unit price was £109.95, the E-Bay dealer has deducted £55.95 for return postage and re packaging costs.... Read more

Due to a career change I’m handing back my current company diesel Mazda 6 tourer in Feb and need a replacement. The new firm don’t offer a company car, only an allowance, in this case £400 per month, (pre tax) with business mileage reimbursed at a rate I think being 12p per mile for the business use. The question is what’s the best way of financing the new car, used? Pre reg? Leased? and what should the replacement be? I could spend up to £17-18k but hopefully less and would need to change the car once it was 6 years old due to company rules.

On a daily basis there will be short city journeys ferrying kids to nursery interspersed with at least weekly longer journeys from South Wales to London and surrounding areas (trains not really an option) and some more local client visits. Estimated annual mileage probably 15-16k.

Family situation is that I have two young children aged 2 and 5 and all their gear and family down in Somerset and Devon meaning regular car fulls, bikes etc. Visiting them.

The Mazda was ok for size but proved very unreliable needing two new turbos, a replacement engine and had various electrical and sensor faults luckily all covered under warranty so past experience rules out another Mazda.

So far I’m considering Seat Ateca/ VW Tiguan I would have considered the Kodiak but think it’s probably too big for my needs and the Superb which is too big a car generally. Also considered Honda Civic, (previous shape estate) Kia Sportage and CRV. So as well as being suitable for family life it also need to be reliable as if purchased any issues will hit me in the pocket unless under warranty. In terms of economy realistically it needs to be capable of achieving an overall 45-50 mpg otherwise I will personally be hit in the pocket regarding any business mileage which would not be good.

Keep servicing and maintenance costs reasonable also being key. Tough set of criteria? Not sure, but I’m certainly struggling and could do with some help.

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