January 2025
SWMBO has reclaimed her car (Leo the Leaf) because it has isofix in the front passenger seat and mini swmbo likes to be beside mum whilst being chauffeured around, so I am now back to using the C class for commuting purposes and I’m really missing the Leaf for its simplicity and running costs and I’ve been looking at used examples where many a bargain lurks.
Seems that the rear end has fallen out of the used EV market, particularly the Leaf so there are many stupidly cheap cars about. I can get a sensible mileage 4yr old big battery 62kwh example from Cinch for around £11k or a private sale 40kwh car for much less. It is tempting despite the £3k loss I’d take on the Merc. I’d save around £2k a year on fuel.
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412287582428 Read more
Hi - hope the forum can help with this. Will take a while to explain, so my apologies...
I received a NIP last month for speeding at the end of November 2024. The offence was: "Exceed 30 mph speed limit in contravention of a Local Traffic Order - manned equipment". I was doing 35mph in a 30mph, so no complaints and will take it on the chin as a fixed penalty with a £100 fine and 3 points.... Read more
My policy requires me to inform my insurer when I renew if I or any driver on my policy have had any motoring convictions or endorsements during the period of insurance. As it happens, the NIP arrived about a month before my renewal date anyway.
Because I'd informed them of the conviction prior to renewal (for which, no admin charge at this point), I was worried that the delay in it appearing on my driving record online would lead to the insurer treating it as a policy change when the DVLA did update its record. I now know this will only take effect for my insurer when I next renew....
I need a new alternator for the mighty Piaggio Porter.
Sadly money is a little tight and so was looking into cheaper options. Came upon a listing on Ebay for a re-manufactured one from a Polish outfit called Recoverse, here is the item, 126895065865... Read more
Regarding getting the other one off, the mechanic who taught me basic skills told me most of us DIY folk don't hit things hard enough!
This is because they are our things...
I’m replacing two tyres next week, one on the front, one on the back. The other two tyres have about 4.5 mm left. All in readiness for it’s mot. Would you:-
1. Just replace the tyres as they are or
2. Put the two new ones on the front or
3. Put the two new ones on the rear?
Obviously a front wheel drive car.
Thanks, H.
Read more
I toe the "official line" on this one. having twice "lost the back end"" on FWD cars due, I think, to lift off engine braking in greasy conditions, in one case going through a hedge backwards and stopping on the edge of a sea cliff, new tyres go on the back.
There are clearly several variables at work here - quality of tyres and road surface, correct tyre pressure - but I am wondering at what point (depth of tyre rubber) does the difference between front and rear tyres become significantly large ? Might not this hedge incident have happened on nearly-new rubber ?...
I have a personal plate. If I pop it onto a retention cert. Does it cause a problem if I finance a car but put my plate on it? Via the dealer of course. Read more
I have been and it looks better than Vauxhalls. Same whining about diminished range sub zero temperatures but thats about it. Planning to change end of the year when the 500e goes back.
I have noticed in the past few days when phoning for information that my call to a dealership is routed through a call centre where i have to explain what i want, then get put through to a dealer, then get put through to sales, each time explaining..
A while back when my neighbour had his fuel pump go and had the same palaver to get through to the service dept. Read more
I also remember the old parts man in a BL dealer many years ago who almost never looked at the catalogue. He used to listen and then get the parts.
...
Got an 09 fiesta. I've written about it a few times here in the past but thought I'd give an update since I keep getting oil warnings (they pop on for one second then disappear). My ex owned this car for 5 years before me and I've owned it for about five years since. She never changed the oil. I've changed it once and topped it up once.
Anyway, I bought a bottle yesterday and I'll probably top it up or change it again next week. Read more
In my days of running bangers when I was young, foolish and skint (as opposed to old, foolish and skint ?) I used to habitually visit sc***yards for spares.
It was amazing how much congealed black rubbery oil there was in sumps where the oil had never been changed - has some wonderful pictures of US cars where the oil has congealed to look like jelly pudding and will not flow out of the drain plug. You Tube - not available then as the Internet did not exist nor did PCs!)
Hello,
I would appreciate some advice buying a second hand SUV. ... Read more
If you go for Kia Sportage, then opt for HEV only. The latest Sportage (5th gen) MHEV and ICE only models have issues with PPF and Kia forum is full of people complaining about it.
Apparently HEV & PHEV are not affected....
I've had a new car for almost 3 years and have had a number of issues with the safety systems. I was wondering how common this is ?
Firstly a general point, on my car there are 3 settings. On the most sensitive setting the alarms go off going up or down a hill. Another example is an alarm went off when somebody stumbled about 5 ft from the car on the grass verge. Potholes also set it off. So on a 5 mile journey it goes off every 30 seconds. The second setting is less sensitive, but only just. The least sensitive alarms about once every journey.... Read more
Shortly after purchase 2025 Yaris Design we noticed this issue with the car. On numerous different occasions we have left the 30mph zone, passed the National Speed sign, the car’s icon indicates that we are still in a 30mph zone and continues flashing and beeping. ...
I want to purchase a used estate car. My last car was a Renault Clio estate 1.5 90 hp, which was reliable and with reasonable running and maintenance costs. I need something bigger, roomier and more powerful.
My budget is quiet low though.
What i can afford is cars like Skoda Octavia SW 1.0 TSI (before 2020) and Peugeot 308 SW 1.5 130hp.
What do you think guys?
Any ideas appreciated! Many thanks Read more
My budget is around 12.000€.
Location; Greece....
