May 2025
We are looking to buy a VW GTi, just under 3 years old, from a large car supermarket. Car has 12k mileage and a main dealer service last September, all checks out on HPI.
Have noticed that the car was first registered in Sept 22, V5C then issued again in Dec 22. DVLA issues one previous owner. So, effectively 2 owners to now. Doesn't look like it would be a pre-registration, so does this indicate a fleet car or perhaps lease? Slightly confused over why it might be registered then V5 reissued (to new owner) three months later, any thoughts? ... Read more
Sad news today about the fire at the Heritage Centre and the tragic loss of two fire fighters .
Apparently the fire started after an explosion. ... Read more
Good advice MCB
The tragedy is the loss of life to the Fire Service team and member of the public who were involved . ...
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....
I wonder if anyone has any words of wisdom with my issue with my insurance renewal which has more than doubled. A car with a cloned plate hit me last year and the claim has gone down as a fault claim because the insurance company have nobody to claim against. Consequently my no claims discount has gone from 10 years to 4.
My ongoing debate with the insurance company is that they have an ‘uninsured driver promise’ which they won’t invoke because they cannot say for sure that they offending driver was uninsured because they don’t have his details.... Read more
I haven't heard back directly from the ombudsman yet, but I have heard from Hastings today that they have reviewed my claim and have decided they were wrong. So the uninsured driver promise has been applied, the claim has been changed to a non-fault and my 9+ years of no claims has been reinstated.
I now need to work out my renewal, which is due on the 6th June. I had lined up a policy with Aviva, but I now need to look again with my improved situation. Hopefully I can get the price down a bit. ...
A reminder to us all regarding the danger of falling asleep at the wheel.
I've never fallen asleep at the wheel although I have experienced being very tired while driving.
One thing I do experience sometimes is feeling tired shortly after the beginning of a long journey. I think that's a psychosomatic reaction to the thought of hours ahead behind the wheel.
Hi.... Read more
Another vote for the PCV valve. How often was the oil and filter changed? (should be 10k miles max). Was decent Peugeot spec oil used? (a jug of sludgeogenic bog standard 0-30 from the cheapo garage 200 litre oil drum is not good enough for this engine). Do you give it a regular 'italian tune-up'?
Daughter #1 has just passed her test, so I’m looking for a car for her.
It’s got to be auto, and relatively(!) lower cost to insure. Budget c£1700.
I’ve homed in on first generation Škoda Fabia, 1.4.
Doing a bit of research, it’s coming up as a four speed auto, so pre-DSG. Anyone know which box this is? Read more
Pre Powershift automatic Ford Fiesta and Focus are generally robust things too. Mazda 2/3 auto again good news also. I’ll second the Astra auto also, I’ve never had any bother with any Vauxhall autos I’ve flogged relating to the gearbox.
Hi all,
Second stab at looking for a reliable car I actually like the look of. Any view on whether this ring alarm bells from the spec.... Read more
Folks, thanks as always - really helpful.
This sold before I could get to it, but getting a good feel for these now, just need to move a bit faster....
can someone recommend a diagnostic tool. i've a toyota 2017 yaris hybrid and need to find fault with the mmt gearbox. so needs to be able to read gearbox faults and be able to learn settings.i'd like to keep it under £200 from ebay Read more
If you don't have any luck, google "planet owners map" to find fellow Peugeot owners with the Lexia and DIAGBOX dealer-level diagnostic kit. They'll be happy to help you for a beer.
If you want the kit yourself, you can get a cable online for around £80, but you'll need a laptop to run it on. But a second hand machine for about £100 will be more than capable.
Hello all
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Take it back next time they're open and don't leave until they fix it properly.
Sounds like you'll have no way of knowing that, and if you commit to it you might have to be there overnight, which they can probably legally prevent....
That. Exactly. ...