March 2025
So after a lot of consideration and what seemed a lot of research/thought/discussion I went for a high mileage 2014 Toyota Prius UK model (£0 road tax along with cheaper insurance than an import). This was purchased from a dealer for an added "security" peace of mind via credit card (consumer rights protection?) and their 3 month warranty on engine/mechanical and 6 months on the battery. Came with a reconditioned battery the day before (invoice to prove it).
I went about looking for a car trying to avoid a lot of pitfalls that you hear and learn in life. I'm very mechanically inclined however the hybrid territory was new and a bit frightening to begin with. Mechanically the car seems to be sound have no quibbles (for now).... Read more
My sister is learning to drive - she's passed her theory test and is having lessons with an instructor. She is thinking of buying a car now to get more experience behind the wheel before she takes her driving test, and has asked if I would supervise her. I have never done this before, but found some very useful stuff at:
A driving offense by learner then supervisor would be looked at for aiding abetting counseling procuring the offense. Sect 44 (?] Mags Court Act
From memory...
Been pondering fitting a ten panel solar array plus battery system at the old ponderosa. Lowest price I’ve got to date with a 5kwh battery is £10,995, or £12,500 with 10kwh battery. The estimate savings are around £900 a year which means the system will take over 14yrs to pay for itself on the assumption that I use the subsidised 0% mortgage for renewables/insulation offered by my building society which gives you 5yrs interest free, then switches to the svr.
As an investment it’s not brilliant, and that’s on the assumption that the battery pack has a substantially longer lifespan than this and that zero maintenance is required. I’ve tried to find a V2H (vehicle to home) charger that would allow us to use SWMBO’s car to store cheap lekky overnight then power the house when she’s home. None are available in the UK at the moment as far as I can see, but they do exist and should be available shortly. This if priced sensibly make for a better investment.
Anyhoo, mind wanderings as usual. Has anyone installed solar and/or battery storage, and how has it worked out? Read more
i would check out costco.they offer packages including a battery. sure to be good value. you should have done it in 2011
Hello - I hope someone can help me with this question please. My Wife's car was running on the driveway and then just stopped. Dashboard dead when trying to turn it over, and no electrical functions anywhere. Full tank of fuel, oil ok and nothing obviously visible. Tried to jump it and nothing either. My garage has found that the main fuse had blown and the wiring leading off it had melted and fused together. The garage has said that it is a "catastrophic electrical failure", and it is likely going to cost the value of the car to repair. We have comprehensive insurance - does the melting and subsequent short class as a fire? Read more
Thanks for the replies - very helpful. My garage aren't elec. specialists but have said it could take them 3/4 days to evaluate the issue only to find then that lots of remedial work / parts replacement may be necessary and then no guarantees that works once repaired. going to find an elec. specialist to see what they deduce.
I need to start using a wheelchair. I have never had anything to do with wheelchairs so I was wondering what are the important things to consider if you need to carry a wheelchair in a car.
I know that I want a self propelled chair without a motor. My car is a 2025 MG HS hybrid +. I have frequent hospital visits that involve hotel stays so I need to be able to carry a small suitcase although this could go on the rear seat.... Read more
I would choose a car with the lowest boot level I could find, with quite a wide aperture and definitely with no lip. Our Peugeot 2008 has a lipless boot floor level no higher than kneecap high - a good reference point if you are looking at different models on the forecourt...or supermarket car park.
I have had a 5 series for 7 years, it's a lovely car and is now 10 years old. I have a chronic health condition which affects my mobility and will need to get a car that is easier to get in and out of. I no longer do a lot of miles (due to the health condition) but do still make a trip to the Dordogne in France for a family holiday each year. I am looking for suggestions for a car that drives as nice as the 5 series, is very spacious and comfortable, and is quiet on the motorways. I am really not sure about getting an SUV, the ones that I think are going to be comfortable will cost a lot to own and are too big. Budget is £25k, do not want an EV but a PHEV would be fine. Any ideas?
Recently swapped from a mid size hatch to a Seat Ateca SUV - similar to VW, Skoda and Audi variants. Knees were starting to be a bit of an issue - much better seating position, easy to get in/out, feels spacious inside despite footprint similar to previous car.
Just driven down from Bristol to Malaga, albeit with a few stops. Absolutely no problems - although may not have the "luxury" trimmings of a 5 series. Personally not bothered - would rather trade almost new for older, higher mileage, debatable gizmos.
Hi everyone,
New member but been lurking a while.Ill start by saying I’m pretty clueless with cars so need a bit of guidance.Ive got around 8k to spend on a petrol hatch.im torn between 1.4 seat Leon fr (148bhp) or Audi a3.Which would any of you recommend? Thanks all Read more
im torn between 1.4 seat Leon fr (148bhp) or Audi a3.
Just to clarify - the a3 has the same engine? There were lower power versions of the 1.4 (as well as the 1.0 of course) which I read somewhere aren't as desirable.
I was lucky enough to have a 2015 a3 company car with that engine for 3 years, and we really liked it. The engine was at least as good as the 1.5 version (same power) we've now got in our 2018 Arona.
Hoping someone a bit savvier with cars than myself can help.
For a few weeks now my car's been struggling to start. It eventually does start which seems to be some kind of compression issue in the diesel engine. This is despite a change of glow plugs so it's not that. ... Read more
How old, how many miles and what engine? It might not be worth chucking £1k's+ at it.
Bubbling noise can be lack of coolant and air within the cooling system - the noise usually comes from the heater matrix inside the car....
I recently purchased an 07 Antara from a dealer and on the test drive I queried what the pedal and gearstick vibrations were, to which she replied "oh, I've not noticed that before". She said she could get the mechanic to look at if I wanted but I declined as I thought it was probably me not being used to it and we settled on me calling in if the issue was still there in a few days. The issue was still there so popped it back in and the lady drove it around the forecourt and said, "ah yeah, I see what you mean, it could be the clutch but it's an old car so it's not unreasonable to expect this type of problem". I asked if her mechanic could look at it and she agreed but would have to call me with a time to come back in.
She called me 3 days later and asked to bring it back up so I drove to the garage where she just drove it around the forecourt again and said "I get what you're saying but as I said, it's an old car and you've got to expect these problems, it's fair wear and tear so we can't do anything about it".... Read more
It's actually been well maintained with regular services and no major issues on MOTs, just the usual brake pad changes and suspension bits and pieces and only minimal surface rust under the body which is why I thought it was a good deal for me.
In terms of warranty it came with 3 months warranty, but my main issue is that there was no mention of a potential clutch/DMF problem and was described as being in an "excellent, well maintained condition" so I don't think it would be unfair to to assume it should have been in working order and any potential problems should have been noted in the advert. Also only admitting there seems to be a problem after the sale seems a little bit slippery....
A few years ago I was stopped for not obstructing a box junction. Photo above in link... Read more
A few years ago I was stopped for not obstructing a box junction. Photo above in link...
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The VIN should be at the bottom of the windscreen, on the door frame and under the driver's seat. Ignore the stickers on the doors.