September 2020
Saturday's paper announced that on four shortish stretches of M'way the limit would be reduced semi-permanently from 70 to 60, to reduce local pollution. That started me wondering how great the effect would be. I know this has been done before for various reasons.
Making various simplifying assumptions: that the same traffic continues to use those roads obeying the limits (as they do now :-) ) probably in the same top gear - would mean the motors would each perform the same no. of revs, generating a similar quantity of exhaust, but over about 15% longer time. The only obvious change will be a drop in wind and rolling resistance, reducing the power needed. Are those the only factors which come into play ? Read more
Hi the front nearside window is stuck down and the rear nearside window wants to work, but only moves a fraction of an inch up and down. This window is up. Can anyone help.
Thanks. Andy Penniall Read more
Some good Youtube videos about tracking issues on electric windows & some specifically looking at Nissans.
Hello all
I’m after a bit of insurance advice.
I hired a motorhome for a little family holiday. Unfortunately I had a slight accident in that I lightly scraped a parked car while attempting to park the motorhome.
Small scrape damage was left on my hire motorhome and the parked unattended car. I left my details on the windscreen of the parked car.
The motorhome was hired from a small firm that doubles up as a garage vehicle repair company. I paid a £750 deposit when I hired the vehicle. I informed the proprietor and motorhome owners ASAP. They wanted to try and repair both the motorhome and parked car themselves being motor mechanics and to presumably avoid going through their own insurers. They asked me to give their details
to the 3rd party parked car owners when they contacted me which they did the next day. The 3rd party then dealt with the hire firm and not me. I had no further contact with them. I returned the motorhome at the end of the little break and didn’t get my £750 back.
I’m not sure what the outcome is in that if the repair of both vehicles went through insurance or the motorhome / garage company repaired both vehicles.
My question is, do I need to inform my own personal insurance company?
Many thanks in advance for an advice.
Kind regards, Danny. Read more
Just rechecked my policy and under Obligations this appears to be a "catchall" paragraph
"You must tell us of any changes relating to your policy as soon as possible. - Changes include: reg. number, modifications, address, occupation, employment, claims."
I took my car for an MOT to Halfords Autocentre on Tuesday 2 September 2020. Car failed and it had a dangerous defect. I was told that it would be illegal to drive my car as it was now registered on the computer and if I got stopped by the Police this would be illegal. He said he couldn’t stop me from taking the car but pressed the point that it was illegal. I was shocked and totally taken off guard. I’d never heard of a dangerous defect note on an MOT and so felt I had to get the work done at that garage. I thought I had no option. He said he could do it the next day and I needed my car for work so I agreed.
The work was carried out on 03/09/2020. He said it needed new pads and disks on the rear, a brake calliper, window wipers and a stabiliser link but said that he would not charge me for the link.
I spoke to the centre and he went through the costs. It came to £497! I was shocked at the cost and asked for NHS discount which brought it down to £447.81. He said I could pay in instalments with pay assist so 4 payments altogether which I had to accept because I could not afford such a bill. He said again he would not charge for the drop link.
I picked up my car and when he was handing me the paperwork after I had done the pay assist payment, he said the brake pads are “guaranteed for life and that’s why they’re more expensive “. I asked what this actually meant and he said that when they get worn, they would replace them free of charge. I was not given a choice if I wanted pads for life - I should have been asked about this. I would of preferred a less inflated price without the guarantee.
Overall I feel the putting a dangerous defect on a brake pad is over the top. This was on the right rear brake pad at 1.5 mm. I had 3 other brake pads that were not at a dangerous level. I didn’t have any problem with the car braking. I was in shock and thought I had no choice but to get the work done at the centre. There was no suggestion that I could just get the brake pad changed for example so I could leave and go elsewhere.
I found the cost of the parts really expensive. I went online and called 2 car part companies: Fast Parts and Euro Car Parts. The cost of each part was far cheaper with either of these companies. For example a brake calliper £70.80 as opposed to £180 - £109 difference!! Brake disks between £25 and £50 as opposed to £108! The car parts are extortionate. The costs I found through the car part companies came to £143.78 and £239.45. Halfords Autocentre is charging between £159-£250 more. I understand there will be labour charges but I still feel overcharged and I feel like I’ve been ripped off because I am a woman and have an older car. I felt pressurised into having the work done at Halfords when I should have been advised on replacing just the part that had caused the dangerous defect note.
I called the centre and spoke to the manager on 10/09/2020. He said that they never claim to be the cheapest and stands by his MOT tester. He asked me to go to the centre to discuss it further. I hope to go but have not been able to due to work and home commitments. I also find that environment quite intimidating. I cannot afford this bill. I cannot understand how they can treat honest hard working customers in this way.
I would like some advice on how dangerous defects are applied, not receiving any choice for me or decent advice? Any thoughts on what I can do about the inflated costs of the car parts? Why they chose to put even more expensive car parts on without giving me an option on taking a lifetime guarantee?
Sorry if a bit long winded!
Many thanks
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Before I was aware of the rules on this site about naming and shaming, I put a post here about a fairly similar episode I suffered at a branch of that chain when it was under different ownership, more than 10 years ago. I am most disappointed to infer from the OP's story that things don't seem to have improved - I had hoped the takeover by a well-known name might have improved things, but no way was I ever going back to find out...
Hello
I have the above car, 2 questions please.... Read more
If the advice is a diagonal swap you don't fit directional tyres,
Hi all
Is anyone currently renting out their garage to someone, or renting one from somebody else?... Read more
If you are dealing, in any respect, with a person that you do not know, asking for proof of address should not offend anyone who is honestly operating. And, especially if selling them a car (slightly off subject, I know, but very pertinent) Always ask for proof of address- it will save you much heartache. I speak with personal professional experience. If it offends....run away!
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Ever seen a car while on holiday that you don’t get back home that you’d just like to own? There are some weird and wonderful offerings around the globe especially in poorer nations where cost constraints force some weird compromises and combinations. Here’s a few I rate. Anyone got others that tickle your fancy?
Two door Orion, Ford or VW badge and often with a detuned VW 1800 GTi motor. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Verona
I think Honda miss a trick by not importing this wee belter. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S660
A tough but cheap go anywhere off-reader for less than most city cars. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lada_Niva
The car to survive the apocalypse. www.toyota.com.au/landcruiser-70
This would do wonders for VW’s rather staid image in the UK. drivetribe.com/p/vw-saveiro-2020-its-a-little-pick...A
Affordable fun for young drivers. Only 63bhp but it looks mad. www.autoevolution.com/news/2015-suzuki-alto-turbo-...l
I think Dacia miss out of a lot of sales by not offering the Dokker MPV, Van and pickup in the UK. These things are hugely popular as taxis across Europe and many local authorities use the commercials in big numbers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dacia_Dokker
Indian built Renault Kwid is apparently on its way to some European nations at the equivalent of under £4,000 but with a 0 star Ncap it’s unlikely it’ll make it to the UK without a major redesign and a no doubt doubled price tag. www.renault.co.in/cars/renault-kwid.html Read more
I take it that your sainted aunt has found a suitable vehicle for her rather fickle needs! Now you have time on your hands. Some very interesting vehicles here. In the current climate small is definitely beautiful.
Cheers Concrete...
I know that the subject of breakdown recovery/insurance is a regular topic in the Back Room and I am approaching renewal time. Rather than just renew with my present insurer I decided to look for quotes and received one that covered my requirements at a very competitive rate from Emergency Assist Ltd, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. I am not familiar with the company and I wonder if any backroomers have had dealings with them. As we all know the value of insurance cover only becomes evident when a claim is made. Read more
One thing that may have been overlooked is whether you are a dog owner.
If so worth checking whether the recovery will include the dog in the cab or in the car on the flat bed....
I have just noticed that my driving licence photocard had expired in May 2020 so I have filled in the online forms and paid for the renewal which I understand is supposed to arrive within 2 weeks.
... Read more
My photocard licence arrived today, 6 days after ordering it online.
Thinking of getting one of these since I’m having trouble getting the pulley of my alternator, and I don’t have a vice.
sleeves you were referring to is their way of saying tubular sockets according to advert reversible as my last post mentioned hth
Perhaps the most noticeable effect will be more rolling roadblocks, because drivers will take much longer to pass HGVs at a legal speed ?