March 2024

Warning

It is frustrating that modern cars don't have built-in phone holders. I do have a built-in navigation system, but prefer to use the one on my phone. The windscreen is a far way away and these Amazon phone holders seem to use both suction and glue. Making reposition harder.

I have seen the vent phone holder, but I am worried it will break the vents. I don't want to go over a bump and it makes the vent break? Or are my fears unfounded?... Read more

Engineer Andy

I have one that has a clamp that grips the vent slat. Works well..

I too use one of those, works very well www.amazon.co.uk/APPS2Car-Universal-Rotatable-Hand...6...

Adampr

I know at least one of you knows a bit about these....

I am about to change jobs and will be going from a 60 mile motorway commute down the M5 to an office, to a 15 mile commute through country lanes over the Mendip hills and into the (quite flood-y) Somerset.levels. I will be based on a former farm with unmade roads. ... Read more

badbusdriver

I am not sure how well a genuine Kei (i.e 660cc) truck would respond to having 350kg dumped on the back.

As it happens, the payload of a kei truck is 350kg!. But, you need to be aware that this hasn't much to do with GVW minus kerb weight, it is simply the figure decided upon (for whatever reason) as the maximum payload to fit into the taxation class of kei truck or van (in much the same way 64bhp has been decided the maximum allowable power). A Bedford Rascal dropside pickup has a payload of around 500kg, a (UK market) Suzuki Carry and my own Piaggio Porter is around 650kg. In fact for mainland European markets there were two GVW versions of the "standard" (as opposed to the Maxi with twin rear wheels) Porter, 1.5t and 1.7t, with the payload of the latter being as much as 850kg. so there will be no problem with 350kg. ...

Stu Bee

Afternoon,

I have recently encountered a problem whereby I can not select 1st gear or reverse. On inspection, it appears that a small, plastic part has died a horrible death:... Read more

elekie&a/c doctor

Looks like the part in the picture is just a vibration damper on the shift cable , it doesn’t actually make any difference to the selector mechanism. Perhaps one of the cables is broken off.

K21000

Just recently started hearing a strange brief whining sound when turning the engine off. Can anyone help please?

drive.google.com/file/d/1-45MwY0W7F5vsInt0e29NMmwO...k Read more

elekie&a/c doctor

Rough or coa- rse .

Quartrenien

Pic of the invoice here (as well as description of what work has to be done): ibb.co/HCYvqLg
Pic of the damage here: ibb.co/VjH10m4

It’s for the rear bumper of a Nissan Micra 2006.

Looks like it needs replacing and painting, and apparently there’s something wrong with the boot lock that the bumper damaged has caused?

The price of the bumper being £99 is something that sounds reasonable.

But the £700 labour and total of £950 including VAT doesn’t feel right?

Any thoughts? Read more

Leif

Clutch, cam belt, ECU. And it could fail an MOT due to rust, or countless smaller items that add up to a lot of money. My Ford KA was beyond economic repair after 10 years due to rust.

Orb>>

I was in Chelmsford today for lunch at Writtle, popped in to the Dealers to get screenwash.

Two things.... Read more

Bilboman

I see the much-ridiculed Austin Allegro "Quartic" steering wheel has made a comeback! shorturl.at/ajTXY

Orb>>

Code MOTREADY15 Read more

Falkirk Bairn

Backlog keeps growing since 2019

NI - All MoTs are done at Government run centres... Read more

Terry W

Makes an MOT very expensive - return fare £3-400 + waste a couple of days + probably overnight hotel.

If you know there is a waiting list simply book three months ahead of need.