August 2024
At the beginning of July I had the battery changed on my Fiat 500 (with Halfords Autocentre). Since then my bluetooth, phone connection(s) and start/stop have all stopped working and my mileage won't stop flashing.
On Google's recommendation I disconnected the battery, left for 10/20 mins, and reconnected. Nothing! So, I took it back to the autocentre that changed the battery - they were stumped as to what the issue was and advised that perhaps it was a different issue that coincidentally occurred at the same time I had the battery changed. Not so sure, I took the car to a different Halfords Autocentre for a second opinion - they tried allsorts but the problems still remained. They advised I contacted Fiat. On contacting Fiat, I was told it wasn't coincidental that this has happened but it is in fact very odd. However, understandably, they need to look at the car to be able to figure out the issue. It's going to cost me £72 for the privilege though! That is before any work is done. ... Read more
I bought a car in Somerset from a trader, ive had it for 4 months and the engine light just stayed on after buying it so returned the car to the trader he then reset it, but the engine light came on again, took it to a garage they checked it over some issues with sensors, so then engine light went off ok , but a couple of days later back on, then the car stopped whilst driving it, had to try ignition, came back on, but that was concerning, so took it to garage again, they drive it round and did the same thing, but this time did not start up at all. The timing chain has gone, so the engines had it. I believe i am covered for 6 months from purchase to have a full refund? Read more
I will do,thank you, its seriously had it, will cost more than cars worth to repair it, but will do that, or a full refund.
When checking the condition of cars prior to purchase, I always investigate MOT history. Advisories are always interesting.
Just seen a VW Tiguan that passed its MOT with an advisory of 2 nails in rear tyre -2023 and one nail in rear tyre for its 2024 test( pass).
Now then-surely that should have been an instant fail? Read more
"Tyres over ten years old at the time of the test must be failed if they are on any front-steered axle".
Expect to see bottom protecting MoT testers adding "Tyres getting old" to the list together with:...
Hi all,
Wonder if anyone on this forum has had any dealings with carautionbuyingservice.co.uk's Mr Simon Frikking?... Read more
The website is operated by Car Auction Buying Services Limited, whose only Director is Simon Firkins.
Established in 2001, it has called up share capital of £1.00 according to it's second year accounts, the latest available, registered at Companies House. How much are you going to give it to buy a car for you? Probably a bit more than that!!?...
Hello
Sorry for the new thred, but I am not sure it fits in the existing EV thread.... Read more
Very helpful information and thoughts.
Thank you everyone, to reply to the various questions. ...
Any advice please. Bought a car from a trader which after 3 months ago.stopped working, garage said its too expensive to repair as will be more than the car value. It was showing some issues and then stopped. Bought within 6 months so I should get a refund from seller, and they pay for recovery? Read more
The rear offside seat belt no longer catches the belt tongue. I have sprayed in WD40 and wiggled it about a lot and pushed in / out the spring a lot too. No joy.
Can you easily take it apart to investigate further ? Is it held by a captive bolt so I can unbolt it without crawling under the car ? Are universal ones sold on eBay truly universal ?... Read more
Problem Solved - eventually.
Yes, it is a captive nut....
Hi all!
We're in the process of buying our first second-hand car and could really use some advice. We've put down a refundable deposit on a 2017 Toyota RAV4 2.5 VVT-i Excel AWD with 48,000 miles on the clock (in grey). The car is priced at £17,500.... Read more
If this is the 2.5 Hybrid VVTi AWD rather than the 2.0 petrol only VVTi AWD, check you can insure it without needing to rob a bank for the premium.
These Gen 4.5 Hybrid models have a widely known theft problem with CAN bus injection and some insurers are walking away in a similer way to Range Rovers and Honda Jazz. ....
Hi
I had my car stolen from my drive a few days ago and I believe I know who stole the vehicle. He has trader plates and trades under a sole trader company. I reported it to the police and informed them of the make, model and number plate of the vehicle. But if a person who owns a trader plate covers the vehicle and drives off with it, then theirs no way to trace the car using the ANP cameras and other smart cameras on the road, or am I wrong?
What can you do in this circumstance?
I believe this person will ship it to another country.
Is there any thing you can suggest that will help me trace and get my car park and to penalise the person who stole the car.
The person I believe had a spare key as I only had one set.
I also can not believe that the police informed me that proof of a V5C is not proof of ownership, which really has confused me. Theirs a disclaimer on all V5C forms of this. Does that mean I can take anyone car and claim it as mine?
This area is grey in law and I would like someone with knowledge of law, specially vehicle related law and ownership. Read more
It's actually quite simple. A car is a possession just like anything else, ownership is based on acquiring title in exchange for money. Obviously more complicated if finance is involved but that's the general principle.
The person on the V5 is the Keeper; usually the person with day to day control and who is liable to pay VED and will be first port of call for vehicle offences/infringements. ...
What would happen if a driver was "fined" for non payment of parking fee - if they were picking up a disabled passenger - in a wheelchair who, obviously could not use a free bus to get to a picking up zone ? Read more
The problem with fines from private companies is you hear two conflcting pices of advice: you can either ignore their nasty letters and they'll go away after 12 months, as the fines are an invoice and not a penalty, or they can come after you with bailiffs, substantially increas the fine and take you to county court where you can be given a CCJ. Since the law changed 12 years ago, it's likely the parking companies will come after you if they think they can win and make money.
Browse
If the mileage display is flashing , it’s usually a problem with one of the electronic modules. Very common on the 500 for the Bluetooth module to fail . Electronic systems can crash after a battery disconnect. Can’t see you being able to blame anyone. If it is the Bluetooth module failure, they are repairable.