November 2021
Since I had to give up driving in about July 2020, I seem to have drifted away from this forum so I guess you could say I’m a bit out of touch. This was brought home to me this week when, on a long overdue visit to the forum, I read that ORB no longer has his Sportage. When I was last in regular touch he was posting regular updates on his experience of the car which I read with interest as the Sportage had been a ‘possible’ for my next car when buying a new one was still a possibility.
So, quite simply, what happened? Did some disaster happen which meant the Sportage had to be moved on quickly? Was it involved in an accident? All seemed to be going so well with the Sportage it was a real surprise to read that a new car has supplanted the Kia. Read more
Thanks for your time I'd just like some advice on a situation I'm going through...sooo years ago I bought a car for my son. I paid for it, I paid the insurance tax and mot whilst he had it . Now he was fully insured at the time but I recently got a later claiming I was in a incident and how I need to pay basically 2 thousand pounds. Now I'm at a loss because I wasn't the registered keeper of the vehicle so I wouldn't expect anything to come back to me....following this I spoke to my son and he did say that he had letters about the incident and that he hadn't got around to dealing with it yet ....eventually I took the car off him and put it in my name I just couldn't trust him out there. But overall I don't understand why I'm being held liable when I wasn't the registered keeper at the time. Isit possible the dvla or police or whoever can find out that I used to pay the cars tax bills and then hold me liable bearing in mind that my son had already received letters stating he was the owner
... Read more
Who are DWF actually acting for; the third party, the third party’s insurer or (one of) your own? They should say. It is possible that your own insurer feels that they have paid out when they had no liability and is seeking reimbursement.
I want an incar frost protection can you get one? I know you can one from the outside Read more
During winter I keep a 1kg bag of silica on the dashboard when the car is parked. It does absorb water and keep the ‘screen more clear of condensation and consequent frost. Available online from that large river in South America.
Hi all - I've got a new car and I want to really look after it.
My prior car ended up with swirl marks, which I understand is from using a sponge or brush with grit/dirt already on it, and now I have something worth looking after I really want it to look great. I asked a bodywork repair man for his thoughts and I would really value any comments or additions you HJ experts have to his suggested car cleaning process:
- Use "two bucket method" when washing car exterior:
- One bucket of car wash soap (Maguires, Autoglym etc - something of quality that will really glide that costs about £8, not the £2 stuff). Once microfibre cloths have cleaned the car they only go back in this bucket.
- One bucket of clean water. No cloths used for cleaning should go in here, it is to stay free of stones and grit.
For external bodywork:
1) Pre wash, jet wash rinse.
2) Then soapy wash with brands mentioend above.
3) Then jet wash rinse again. Supermarket jet washes are fine, just don't use their brush.
4) Then apply a spray-on wax coat twice a year. Should only need one spray per panel, spread on panel with microfibre cloth and then allow to dry. Some brands can be applied while car is still wet which is ideal. Use this instead of a wax or polish as he thinks gives an even better finish and dirt should slide off.
Don't do this when it's hot and sunny as car will dry too quickly.
Once a microfibre cloth has been used for cleaning, it shouldn't touch the paintwork again even when washed. Fine for interior or glass cleaning.
For interior cleaning:
1) Vacuum everything first
2) Use upholstery cleaner on any stains.
3) Then wet one of those Flash white cleaning blocks and clean interior with that. His detailer friends use these and they get great results.
4) Then dry with a microfibre cloth. Read more
Really not a good idea to use a magic sponge anywhere on or in a car they do however clean upvc window frames a treat!
Hi all,
I posted on here recently, about used cars to buy for a small ish budget of £5K. The replies were helpful which is great, it did leave a few questions in my mind and they are purely economical and largely based on petrol vs diesel on ‘older’ cars, typically 2010-14 depending on what brand or model I’ll get. They are all family hatchbacks, and the following are in the running: Ford Focus, VW Golf, Seat Leon, Kia C’eed, Hyundai i30, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla. Obviously years and mileage vary plus specs available. I’ll focus on the Golf figures, as it’s been the leading candidate, but thinking about others now. I’m a new driver with limited car experience, so apologies if basic questions.
I should also add, I expect to drive at least 10000 miles a year, possibly up to 15,000. This is due to commuting 36 miles a day, between 3 and 5 days a week. That’s approx 9K at the top end, plus some personal miles. The commute is City briefly , A&B roads - no motorway miles. I doubt I will do much motorway driving generally, unless a weekend trip out.
I’ve been looking at running costs, which are very important to me, although driving it enjoyably is also important- I don’t want it to be underpowered.
Tax can vary between £0 and £170 between diesel and the petrol versions of the above. Whilst annoying to pay it is a known cost.
Insurance is broadly similar, maybe slightly higher for diesels -repairs cost more?
What I struggle to quantify is MPG, petrol vs diesel. I’ve used the real world MPG figures on HJ, but how can I ascertain how dramatic the differences will be? Comparing a 122TSI Golf vs the 140TDI, implies 43 vs 55MPG, so about £300 a year more for petrol over diesel (current prices)
. I assume this is increased by current fuel prices. What I am asking is therefore, how noticeable can the difference be? Is it true that a diesel needs a long run to get to those ‘top’ end MPG figure anyway? Aside from my commute, if most journeys are local, will I see these figures around town?
I should also note the extra costs that are of concern below.
Whilst traditionally diesels have cost more,for used cars this doesn’t seem to ring true. I see more diesels available in this limited market. I assume depreciation may be a bit higher, too when I do get rid of it.
Are the servicing costs higher on a diesel car? What about consumable items I assume they are the same either way ? There is also the dreaded DPF/DMF/EGR issues, or are they overrated?
I should add, not in a ULEZ zone.
What I am therefore asking is; where does MPG rank in the overall costs of ownership? Is a diesel as economical as they sound for MPG?
If you were in my shoes, would you go petrol or diesel.
Thanks
.
Read more
However, when you look at prices another Skoda might be a better buy. Great deals on the Scala, a 1.5 TSi DSG might be better buy for us. Next car has to be an auto due to the Mrs arthritis getting worse....
Hello,
My house is on a relatively busy road and during the day, cars are parked either side of my driveway as well on the opposite side, adjoining the road (no houses opposite). These are mostly who work in the nearby offices. I struggle to get the car in/out when a car has been parked outside my house, close to the driveway. Even though there is plenty of space between my driveway and neighbors driveway, people just don't realise the inconvenience they cause by parking closer to either of the driveways, over the H bar. Letters to nearby offices, council etc etc has had no effect.... Read more
My mother had a parking issue at her home a number of years ago relating to an ignorant neighbour and his offspring who were simply incapable of either using their own driveway or parking considerately. I left an old cheap trade in sat outside her house to block said neighbour from parking over her driveway. This car was taxed, Mot’d and insured plus I still sold it for a profit.
Good to know this :-) Weighing up my options now..
Car is 6 months old and will now only charge to 23 miles, whereas 32+ miles for first 5 months. Car is due to go for a diagnostics check soon, but what potential problems could this throw up? Read more
There’s a post on HJ car reviews where an owner is getting 22 miles on battery power . Sounds like you’re doing well.
Having recently taken delivery of a new car I was surprised to see my old car (now six an a half years old) advertised for only £500 less than I paid for it three and a half years ago. I was even more surprised when I saw that they have now increased the price so it is £1000 over the price when I bought it! Read more
After reading some of the comments regarding complexity (and therefore cost to repair) of modern cars I had to make my own contribution.
I remember when electronic ignition first began to be fitted as standard, and then electronic fuel injection, Airbags, cruise control, ABS etc. The upshot being that a lot of older drivers saying that they would rather keep their Morris 1000 thank you.
I know what I would rather drive if I had to travel to say from Edinburgh to Truro, and that is something economical with lots of safety features (active and passive), comfortable (easy to drive, good driving position, pleasant environment) and reliable.
The motor industry has never stood still when it comes to innovation and producing what the public want, it's just the way it is. All that will happen in the end is that if you don't embrace progression you will be the equivalent of the Morris 1000 driver. And I wouldn't want to drive from Edinburgh to even Glasgow in that.
Would be a good idea that when they issue the driving licences they stagger them a little maybe to 3 years and 1 month and 3 years 2 months and if your lucky 3 years 3 months. this will head off the massive work load that they are going to face in 3 years time. But who cares!!! Read more
I have been waiting since 12/12/22 for my licence because I was 70 on the 24/01/22 and still not got it I have checked we’re you are up to and it says you are dealing with 13/12/21 so why have I not had mine
Hi All,
First post so forgive me if my questions come across as silly ??
I went to my local tyre bay today to get 2 new front tyres and a puncture repair on the rear.
The front tyres were wearing on the outside edges so I already knew I wanted the alignment checked and adjusted.
I was surprised that they checked and adjusted the wheel alignment before changing the tyres…
Is this common practice these days depending on the equipment they use? I thought that new tyres would alter the geometry of the wheels and then you’d adjust it correctly afterwards.
I did question this and the staff reassured me it is correct practice…
Any thoughts ? Read more
Regardless of the alignment issue the usual advice for any 4x4 equipped vehicle is to swap tyres around the axles at regular intervals to ensure even wear. The handbook will provide the actual details.
You then change all four tyres. By changing just two you may be setting up expensive problems with the transfer box....
Browse
.jpg)
