September 2025
Good afternoon everyone,
I am looking at 2nd gen (1999 to 2005) Suzuki Grand Vitaras, petrol and v6 auto only.
Apart from being quite old now, anything I should look out for with these? Weak points?
I plan to import from Japan so rust should not be an issue. On that topic, if anyone can recommend (or has comments) on a good importer, auction house in Japan or any aspects of the purchase and import process i’ll be very grateful.
Many thanks!
Best,
Metropolis Read more
I purchased a new Renault Austral early 2024 on PCP. For the first year, other than a niggle with a fuel gauge issue, the car was amazing. Things changed a few days after the cars first service with the car having now broken down four times since then, in each case with the car being totally immobilised, and have resulted in the car being at the dealership for many months since January.
Three of the breakdowns have reported exactly the same error messages (Impossible Restart, Check Electrical System and 12v Battery Backup). After the second time this fault happened, I raised complaints with the dealership, Renault and the finance company. My initial thoughts were to get the vehicle replaced but after suffering a third case of the same fault I am at the point where I don't feel able to trust a vehicle with the same hybrid system so am pushing for a refund.... Read more
You have a choice.
1 Put up with the situation of paying for a a car that is unreliable and has broken down three times.
2 Find a solicitor who specialises in car claims, put your evidence to him/her and act on that advice as the car is more than 6 months old from new.
NB - Take a look at your house insurance - does it come with legal protection insurance?
Ours did and MOH successfully got a £40K redundancy payout that her employer was refusing her - it didn't cost us a bean in legal fees.
It is listed on Alibaba for $11,100. €35k in Germany. I don't think there will be much of a market at that price (apart from within the Chinese community).
I own a 2013 i20 and have been experiencing smoke emission from the air vents. While there's no visible color to the smoke, I can feel warm air and detect a smoke/petrol odor inside the cabin. This issue persists even when both the air conditioning and fan are switched off. Could someone please advise on the potential causes and appropriate solutions for this problem? Read more
Have you lifted the bonnet and cleared the leaves and other debris from the heater air intake (usually just below the windscreen)? When was the cabin air filter last changed?
hi
just purchased 5 Year old I20 with no scuffs marks or dents... Read more
hi
it was not the dealer !
Sorry for yet another 'What to buy" thread but I always find them interesting.
Daughter has recently moved house to Falkirk/Stirling area and decided that they now need a second car. Current vehicle is a diesel 2014 Audi Q3 and will be used for his daily commute and longer trips, so she is looking for a run around for local use. Must be big enough to fit two child car seats and buggy in the boot. Budget of £7.5k but could be stretched a bit, has driveway so could consider electric / PHEV. ... Read more
For runabout duties, it's hard to look past EVs. In addition to the Leaf and i3 suggested, it might be worth considering a Kia Soul or Hyundai Ioniq. For more boot space, possibly an MG5.
I've always held a motor trade insurance policy, ever since I started driving 20 years ago. However, I've decided to come out of car sales. I've also been a named driver on my parents' car for the past 10 years. I've never made any claims since I started driving.
If I end my motor trade insurance, am I right in thinking I will lose my 20 years No Claims Discount or would it be possible to effectively 'pause' that trade policy and use the NCD I've built up in the future on a new motor trade policy or a private car policy (should I find an insurer that's happy to accept a motor trade NCD on a private policy).
I don't currently need my own car in the foreseeable future so as I'm continuing to use my parents' car as a named driver on an ongoing basis, am I best to use the named driver NCD I've built up on this policy over the last 10 years if I wish to start a new insurance policy on my own car in the future? I understand that some insurers accept NCD as a named driver and this named driver cover will be ongoing right up until I intend to get my own car again in the future.
It's pretty unlikely I'll ever go back into the motor trade but I've heard stories that once you end your trade insurance, it can be difficult to obtain a new motor trade policy (even if you've held one for a long time before if there's a break in the cover) but that's something to consider in the unlikely event I go back into car sales in the future.
Greatly appreciate any feedback/advice on which NCD will be applicable once I get my own car again. TIA. Read more
This depends on the insurance company - you'll need proof of your driving/insurance record etc Personally I'd recommend using a broker to arrange the cover for the first year.
Perhaps more worrisome than Dacia's not having the latest crash avoidance gizmo's?.
Apparently during Euro NCAP's offset frontal crash, the seat latching mechanism failed causing it to twist. This resulted in a more severe impact on the drivers right leg that if the seat had remained in place.... Read more
I imagine dealers would have a problem if they have these standing on the forecourt waiting to be sold.
Question....
Ssangyong Korando 2021 with andoid auto.... Read more
Any idea of the power output of the cars USB socket? Maybe its not powerful enough to charge a modern smart phone & is becoming overloaded resulting in it disconnecting - this happened on older Peugeot / Citroen products, cured by using a data only USB cable.
As for a dongle, I have used the original AA Wireless dongle in both a Peugeot & a Toyota, worked perfectly with both. ...
Hi everyone just need your advice on this.
At mini roundabout my right side car didn’t signal and hit my car when I was already attempting to my exit which was my first exit.
Evidence shows that car was doing U Turn in that mini roundabout should’ve signalled right before that didn’t happen.
Has anyone had similar incident and the outcomes please could you share your experiences on this?
Many thanks Read more
A failure to indicate on roundabouts is my bugbear (sure I'm happy just sitting there while you turn off).
But I'd guess that failing to anticipate traffic already using the roundabout means you'll be liable. ...
Thank you for your thorough reply BBD. I think on balance, if I lived near a major port it could be a bit easier to arrange things in persom, but I don’t so i will probably end up using an importer like the ones you suggest. If I am able I will post an update on the C a r 4 play forum in due course.