February 2025
Had to rent a car out through enterprise as a stop gap, unfortunately sustained some minor scuffs to the alloys. It doesnt seem hugely straightforward to touch up my self as I'll probably end up buying the incorrect paint and getting the right paint code doesn't seem massively straightforward. Torn between seeing if I can pay someone to come touch them up before it goes back or hoping they aren't bothered. Anyone had any similar experience with any minor issues returning a rental? Would attach photos if able Read more
Hello
Does anyone know legal height limit for a side curb please. ... Read more
I cannot see the possibility of any positive suggestions, but foresee more caustic comments, so making this thread read only.
Hello everyone.
I need some suggestions on buying a new car please. I have been driving an 06 Aygo for 4 years now. An absolute pleasure it has been. Zero issues and great mpg. Unfortunately I am having to upgrade due to lack of boot space, but I'm struggling so much with finding a car that's just as reliable and works for me within my budget of 6/7k. Really sucks. I've been searching for a year. ... Read more
Locking this now. The OP has been given some suggestions, it's up to them whether to take them forward or not.
...
Last Saturday my daughter and her family (including her 2 & 4 year old) were rear-ended in lane 3 of the M42. They were slowing down as traffic speed fell to 50-60. A van whacked into them from behind going about 60-70. A further car ran into the van but my daughter’s partner brought the Vitara to a safe halt without hitting anything in front. The car is a write off but the rear crumple zone and child seats did their stuff. It was the only vehicle involved that could still move, albeit very noisily, under its own steam to get a safe, short distance from the wreckage behind.
Even a week later they are a bit hazy on the after accident details as they were shaken up. Recovery came after an hour or so probably summoned by their I-phone crash detection service which contacted a call centre. They weren’t aware of any 999 attendance meantime. Until recovery they remained in the car but protected by the two other damaged vehicles that were some yards back and traffic was also down to a crawl so, although very worrying for us to the end of a phone line, they were reasonably safe and warm in the freezing temperatures. Luckily it was daylight.... Read more
Thanks Paul.
I entered into a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreement with MBFS, and I have encountered several issues with the vehicle in my under six months ownership. While some of these issues have been addressed, there are still outstanding concerns. Notably, the car was delivered with scratches down to the metal and primer in multiple locations, and the dealer had agreed to rectify this. However, MBFS has stated that since a resolution was accepted for these defects, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 no longer applies in my case to other defects. Additionally, the vehicle was not equipped with an essential software patch prior to the sale; this update was released in April 2024, yet the vehicle was delivered to me in November 2024. I subsequently experienced a loss of steering, and the software patch was only applied after the vehicle was brought to the dealer for service.
Are MBFS potentially misinterpreting the law? Read more
Mercedes Benz Financial Services probably fund the dealer involved and have massive sway over the dealer network that they support. They have the ability to bring more pressure to bear on the dealership than any individual customer.
Customers must pursue the true legal chain of supply and robustly exert their rights under the CRA against MBFS, and, anyway, MBFS are much less likely to go bust.
I'm currently using a lease vehicle for personal usage and have the option to buy it before the end of the lease.
It's a Vrs Skoda Octavia 2021 model with 83k miles on the clock. It's a diesel with a DSG gearbox ( price I've been offered from the lease company is £16k )... Read more
I'm 5'11" - with the front seat set for me I was cramped in the back of a Corolla estate but plenty of room in an Octavia Estate - I think the Octavia estate has more boot space as well....
Front-page news in today's Times says that a US study has found that 'hi-viz jackets and reflective strips ... can make cyclists and pedestrians invisible to modern car safety systems'. The vehicles tested were a Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and a Forester. 'Every time, the Honda and the Mazda hit a dummy with strips without slowing' - the Forester was rather better.
Back to the drawing board ? Read more
Subaru use Eyesight camera technology mounted behind the interior mirror.
However isn't the idea of hi viz to make you more visible so the driver can actually apply brakes and not rely on tech?...
I've been quoted £300-400 to remove the DPF from my Vauxhall Astra CDTi, clean it on a "proper" cleaning rig, reattach it and then run the diagnostics.
Does this seem expensive? It's a garage that I trust in terms of workmanship, they've always done a good job but they aren't exactly the cheapest place. For the DPF I've seen other places advertising a similar service "from £99" but whether this is actually true or not I don't know.... Read more
Waste of money, cleaning a DPF never works longterm in my experience. Both bus firms I’ve worked for tried this and it’s never worked. It’s a 12yr old motor, a new DPF will be needed, and possibly there’s another fault causing contamination. Older DPF equipped diesels are a liability.
Must be the two worst companies to deal with. AirBnB only contactable via Twitter evn if you've contacted them before. Ebay now seems to use AI or an i**** for communications.
eBay is great for second hand stuff and for things like machine screws where you want something specific in a small quantity. Not a bad place to buy and sell cars either. Great for flogging old junk too.
Indeed. E-bay is good for finding items no longer available new, such as parts for cars 20 or 30 years old. I have sold one or two items, including a speedo for a Pug 205. The buyer found it wasn't suitable and asked for a refund, which I had stated would not be given. Before a dispute began, E-bay intervened, in effect refunding the buyer on my behalf - after all, the item could still be sold on....
My daughter took her 14 year old Fiat Panda for £300 service & MOT at a Halfords workshop. They did the service first, then MOT. It failed on imbalanced brakes, front and rear suspension components, a tyre, faulty lights and and exhaust leak. Should those major safety faults not have been identified in the SERVICE and been reported to my daughter ? Should the MOT have been done BEFORE the service ? I think she's been taken for a ride. What action should she take with Halfords ? Thanks chaps. Read more
Changing the oil and filter, topping up this and that and giving a glance at the brakes is all that’s generally done at a short service. Have you got a list of items ( tick box) that Halfords said were needing to be checked for your £300?
Minor scuffs normally are ok, but I guess depends on the colour. Had it happen to a dark alloy on a rental and sanded/painted over it like an amateur.
Bit of sandpaper and some random £6 paint after googing from amazon did a reasonable job in about 20 minutes. Paint wasn't an exact match but it passes a glance and I doubt it would go anywhere beyond that....