February 2023
Does anyone now understand just what we are paying for electric and gas. Bills are going up 20% why? What has happened since last Nov/ Dec when bills were reasonable. Since then bills have gone through the roof and we have this Energy Price Guarantee with credits due to end but this EPG continuing throughout the year. Our electric consists of wind solar and about 40% of Gas which is variable when the wind and solar fall. The price of Gas has fallen considerably and is still falling. We are charged for electric on the price of gas with no credit given for the cheaper wind and solar. Even so our electric bill should be falling. The excuse that energy suppliers have to buy in advance only holds true for so long. Just how far ahead do they buy?
As regards the gas some reports are quoting 70% reductions in price. There no longer seems to be a shortage of gas? Something just not make a lot of sense to me and nobody seems to challenge Ofgem Read more
Just wondering what the pro and cons are owning a white colour car?
I was looking at a car, which is about 10 year old. Intend to own for many years...... ... Read more
I guess the point isn't whether your car is white and shows the dirt, but is it dirty even if it doesn't show as much as white? Salt etc still needs washed off! Family have a white seat mii and bonnet covered in black stone chips that you can see a mile away! Dirty as soon as you drive it!
Silver cars don't show swirls and scratches so much as you need to get very close to see them, even if not everyone's favorite. Easy to touch up chips. Grey good also. Navy, black (and any newer Mazda paintwork) show up any marks.
Hi. Has anyone had experience of trying to get a repair on a broken electronic handbrake switch?
Mine snapped off unexpectedly. The replacement switch costs around £55 but it appears to be on back order everywhere. My warranty is covering it but currently my car is off the road, as the MOT has just lapsed & I am using a hire car arranged via the warranty. There is no sign of a part being available anytime soon. The part is available on eBay but it won’t cut the mustard as a genuine part. How long should I let this run it’s course? Could the car be written off because of this? Has anyone else had this issue? Any recommendations? Thank you. Read more
Cost of fancy on/off switch.....£55 !!?? (loads for £25 on ebay etc) Cost of hire car for c. two months £2055???!!! Is motoring getting a bit like the aero industry where much money is made of replacement parts? Or are the manufacturers in cahoots with the hire car industry (the longer the hire car wheels turn, the better it is for them)?
Hi
I’m after recommendations for a small - medium car (no smaller than a cross/fiesta) but ideally more like focus / Astra size.
I have a budget up to £7500ish and would like something with apple car play and rear parking sensors. I’ve seen some astras on auto trader 2015/6 models with either 1.4 turbo or 1 litre turbos. I’m trying to keep mileage under 80k and the newer the better I guess too.
I need something that’s reliable and that wont cost me a fortune in repairs etc. grateful for any recommendations!
I’m hoping it’s possible !! Read more
l but not in best internal condition and I have to admit that does put me off at that price!
I was showing as an example.
Actually when we were looking I was surprised at the poor condition of many used car interiors even at main dealers! Fortunately we found a good one in that respect - the only issue was even though only just over three years old the battery was sulking a bit probably through lack of use after being traded in - just to be sure we insisted a new stop/start battery as part of the purchase....
I get my oil changed around 10k or so miles or 12 months. Last year it was £62 (March). I just got quoted £115 from same place I always use. Tried shopping around and nothing cheaper. How can an oil and filter change have doubled in less than 12 months? Read more
Buy electric, no more oil changes to do.
Driving along yesterday in gusty conditions, I heard a loud clunk on the roof of my car (Honda Civic 9th gen) as I passed a row of oak trees. Got home to discover the cover of the shark fin antenna was missing leaving the circuitry exposed. I returned to the scene of the crime and, despite a thorough inspection of the ditches and hedges on both sides, could not find the missing article. I can only suppose it was partly dislodged by the impact and blew off somewhere further along the road.
Called in to the local Honda dealership to enquire if a replacement cover was a possibility – no, the whole assembly has to be replaced requiring the headliner to be removed, and that would be £480, madam.
A quick trawl of owners’ forums reveals that this is not that uncommon, the wretched things can be broken off simply when washing the car and the only effective long term solution is to replace the whole antenna. The cover is attached by screws up through the base – the cover itself is just ordinary plastic and so becomes a bit fragile with age and exposure to the elements.... Read more
Isopon plastic padding, perhaps the fibre reinforced stuff. Or glazing putty
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It appears Mazda offers 6 years warranty in Ireland.
www.mazda.ie/reviews/mazda-news/articles/mazda-ext.../... Read more
I think in USA many brands offer 10 year warranty but limited to engine + transmission only.
But still a good thing. ...
Bought More Than Smart Wheels insurance for my son with cover starting Sunday. Today the driving score is coming up -10 but the black box will not be fitted until tomorrow.
Anyone know why the negative score already when the box has not been able to record any driving? Read more
Presumably, it sets to zero when install the box. Otherwise, you just put it in the bin and just have cheaper insurance.
Whilst perusing these this one cropped up, a 2017 low mileage example at a low price.
The MOT history is er interesting, what there is of it.... Read more
We exported our Saab back in 2010, but when I type the registration number into the "check MOT" site it simply says that the MOT has expired with a dire warning of the penalties for driving without a valid MOT. There's no mention of the fact that the registration number is not currently assigned to a vehicle because it's been exported.
It is literally of very little value, but try gumtree local, buyer collects, pays in cash £500 or offers, but that short mot would still be a barrier. so £250 as spares and repair? Read more
I'd put it on eBay with a £250 start. It's worth considering putting a new MOT on it. I certainly wouldn't be interested in a car with only a few weeks left.
Browse
OVO energy's Boost has undercharged thousands of prepayment meter holders up to £700due to an error going back to last September and wants the money from its most vulnerable customers Contrast Octopus who made a similar error has written the debt off.
The energy market just gets worse from smart meters that do not work to new increases in standing charges and no reductions in tariffs despite the fall in gas prices. We are continually told this is because the supplier buys ahead just how far is the million dollar question. Something really needs doing and fast to protect the consumer as the present system does not work. If and when the energy market starts to move I do not think the average consumer will have a clue what to do.