May 2025
Our petrol auto Honda FR-V, after 15 years of unwavering service and a thorough rinsing from two toddlers growing into big teenagers, is in need of substantial welding, making it economically unviable. Pity as the engine, gearbox, electrics are all A1.
(FYI all FR-Vs eventually rust into the suspension arches, if you're keen on one). ... Read more
My old Petrol mower is getting very difficult for old me to pull start. Any suggestions for a push button start mower or a battery one would be appreciated. Lawns approx 150 sq M Read more
I'm not sure how a robot mower is supposed to hurt a hedgehog.
My neighbour's 'professional' gardener managed to terminally damage one with a strimmer. The poor thing crept into my garden and expired....
Has there ever been greater fuel price disparity? According to 'petrolprices.com' this morning, at a nearby town Tesco, a few hundred yards from the busy A14, charges 124.9/l. Less than a mile away BP charges 141.9/l. Assuming the Tesco price is not a loss leader, the BP profit margin is huge! Read more
>Picked up the new Corolla which had just over a 1/4 of a tank in it. Not knowing the area (NE
>London/Essex) I decided to go to the services (Birchanger M11) I had...
It made me smile, It has been the longest I have kept a car for many years
Just one minor problem in that time, a coil pack at a couple of months old. Since then routine maintenance and 2 tyres.... Read more
3 cars in almost 30 yearsfor me a Mazda MX5 for 6 yeats Mazda 626 for 12 years and Hyundai I10 for 12 years. The Hyundai has had 3 clutches but still on original battery. 95000 on the clock no reason to change at the moment. Dread dealing with dealers they are such a lousy set of crooks
Agree with that dealer statement 100%
Fell in love with the A 2 when I met the club members at Kimbolton show.
Bought the TDi 90 version and things fell apart soon after . A pool of oil on the drive from a damaged oil filler and one thing after another went wrong.... Read more
Here's someone who appreciates their A2. And as for someone earlier in the thread claiming they are wheezy, there's always the 1.6 FSi 0-60 in 9.5 seconds.
A while back I posted about moving a car for a very elderly friend. I said I thought the clutch had gone and it was underpowered. got a bit of backlash but mentioned he was interested in a new swift as a replacement.
Saw him today, had decided to keep the C1, but just off to collect it with a £645 bill for recovery and a new clutch. Read more
LUK clutch kit is around £85. About a hour to fit, someone's had there pants pulled down imho....
Colchester Citroen main dealer OEM parts.....inc recovery. Old couple both have same car. one 2013 and one 2014....
We’ve had an accident in the family wagon, a 2022 model in sliver. The rear nearside door was replaced and the rear nearside wing repaired and repainted. After a week I noticed that in certain sunlight the repaired section is a slightly shade of silver, more matt, than the original paintwork of the front door and wing. I’ve contacted my insurer and the repair company have asked me to bring the car in ( “ it might need a polish” ). I’m not keen on doing this as I would imagine they’ll do anything to avoid a respray and once they’ve got control of the car they can do what they like with their buffers, pads and heaven know what. I’m concerned that they may well degrade the original paint to match their repair. Has anybody had a similar experience? Any advice would be much appreciated. Read more
My body shop who I use regularly for minor repairs mixes the paint himself on site rather than buying from a paint supplier.
The results are very noticeable and they are able to match the paint to perfection....
Have had a really bad experience with the RAC and looking for any advice.
The short story is I have had an unsatisfactory services provided by the RAC patrol exacerbating a simple electrical problem and they then would not provide cover without receiving an £85 call out payment. Tried many attempts to resolve the matter, I have had no reply from their team as yet.
The long story is my son broke down in my vehicle and did not have breakdown cover. I am a Motor Mechanic but live 400 miles away from where he was so in the panic I called the RAC and they took a one off payment to attend. The Patrol told my son he replaced an earth strap but could not get the vehicle to start. I upgraded the policy to include free call out and nationwide recovery. I had a local auto electrician do a call out and simply replaced a fuse, got the vehicle running again in 5 minutes flat. There was still an issue with the lights and wipers not working though so I called the RAC back. They wanted to charge me to attend and if required an extra £850 for recovery?
I arranged my own recovery at a fraction of the RAC quote and got the vehicle back home. I noticed the N/S/F splash guard had been removed and placed in back of vehicle so went to put it back on. This is when I noticed the Earth strap the Patrol man had fitted was insecure and a terrible fix. I addressed this and hey presto all the lights and the wipers worked.
I understand that the cover these companies provide is actually just an insurance service so when you talk to someone they have no technical knowledge but when their 'technician' does not have any knowledge either it beggars belief!
I am well out of pocket but the question is do you think I am due a refund for what I have payed the RAC? Read more
My parents are in their 70s and drive to visit us from near Oxford to Redditch. Got a puncture out in the sticks. Both a bit frail but safe and sound and parked ok. Breakdown man came out changed the wheel and waited till they were on their way. Worth every penny of the £56 they paid for an annual policy. He also said the computer says your MOT is due.. it's checked when you call in to make sure you are covered.
Was assured that already booked in once home.
Hi Folks
My son has a 2015 Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport. It has a full service history and has done about 56000 miles. Whilst he was visiting friends last weekend it developed difficulty selecting gears and the yellow oil light came on ( though my son is more likely notice difficulty changing gears than warning lights). ... Read more
On balance a good-ish outcome. Good cars.
As for the oil light if it’s like the one on our Vitara it just says “Oil” with a spanner symbol. Not useful wording such as “Oil service due”. Admittedly it’s yellow which normally means it’s not an immediate action but it's disconcerting when it pops up on a journey as ours did. An immediate pit-stop and re-read of the manual put us right. Like yours it lit well before the year was up.
Afternoon all.
Whilst I do like my Volvo V50, my circumstances have changed and I am thinking of getting a replacement.... Read more
Thanks everyone - really appreciate your comments.
I am now mindful just to keep the Volvo.....
No invoice for the belt is a bit concerning. If you can identify the people who put the timing belt in from the stamp give them a ring. Had the same thing iand a call confirmed the belt replacement.