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• Hard ground 19 Jul 2010 (Forum)
  Something fitting there perhaps - for these hard men, to be encased in hard rock, bones and traces of coal dust from their lungs forming a sort of `mini strata` in their graves - a microcosm of the larger coal seams in which they once toiled. The local doctor is in there too - not from these parts, but embedded with his patients - commitment beyond the end.
• Preparing bike for French Trip 11 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  so had to clean carp off the bike gear and the floor of the shed, not a good start........then as i'm bent right over spotted world's most enormous spider (maybe slight exaggeration) and being severely arachnophobic had mini heart attack. Then had to move two big boxes of SWMBO school books back into the house, where 6 months ago we'd had a row, cos there is nowhere to put them.......despite the fact that my garage is now 2/3rds of its starting size as i built an office for her to house all the school type stuff... which is why the bike is in the garden shed, no doubt invalidating the insurance, hence the ground anchor, 2metal chains, disc lock, security light and alarm wired direclty into house via underground cable.
• Local Dealer vs Internet Shop 15 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Is there any reason for me to spend £200 more and buy through a local dealer in terms of after care etc, or anything else? Are there any reason I should feel guilty about? Having test driven a few super-minis, I\'d like to review the cars I\'ve tried, hoping it might help someone who?s seeking small hatchbacks. I tried Ford fiesta zetec, Nissan Micra SV, Renault Expression, Skoda Fabia classic. (all 1.4litre automatic) I\'ve ruled out Vauxhall Corsa ( very dull to drive), Daewoo Matiz ( just didn\'t like the look), Hyunadai Getz ( intereror and overall feel is too tinny).
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  Why has Honda refused our warranty claim? 9 Jan 2026 (Ask HJ)
  My brother owns a Honda Jazz bought new in March 2023. It has had three services over its 7700 mile life. Last serviced by Chiswick Honda Spring 2025....
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  What are the best offers on new cars, including free insurance? 13 Nov 2017 (Ask HJ)
  We're looking to insure a 17 year old driver. We are unsure which strategy to pursue, buy new - including free insurance - or buy a used car for £1000...
• CAT C AND D SALVAGE EXPLAINED 22 Mar 2016 (Forum)
   A desirable model car will have a very high salvage value, insurance companies no longer rely on percentage of the p.a.v. to assess a salvage value, they look what previous salvage vehicles of the same type have made at there online auctions and take this into account when deciding which is the way they lose the least amount of money. A 3 year old mini cooper convertible, with a £3000 repair bill and a P.A.V. of £8000 as a cat D would likely make £5500. the Insurance company have saved £500 and probably another whack on courtesy cars etc.
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  Trade in my diesel car? 19 May 2012 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2010 Seat Ibiza diesel, the 1.4 S A/C model, I bought this while i was at university and i was commuting aprox 40 miles a day to go to uni. However,...
• Access to turn round 9 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  Yesterday the guy who owns this driveway (I am assuming he actually does have the deeeds to this piece of land), fitted a set of gates which now prevent any vehicle of normal size from turning around and therefore facing the correct way to enter the main road. As I said before recent changes in the main road have included adding a mini - roundabout from what was a T-junction, this has meant that the stop lines for this piece of road are now further back (by about 3 metres). This means that it is now impossible due to other vehicular parking) to see traffic coming off this roundabout onto the main road.
• My 'Go anywhere disco' a Cornish Diary 18 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  I want rid of earth/rubble etc, he wants, so I take it there and dump it, he then levels it using his mini digger. A couple of days ago I dumped a couple of loads over a new septic tank he's installed. Although the ground is reletively flat it was extremely wet. I did get sort of stuck, as the weight in the trailer had ensured that its wheels sunk into the mud when I reversed over some soft ground.
• Swift Review 30 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Due to delays in delivery she was away when the car arrived and it was agreed that I would take delivery (this was just before Easter). I therefore ended up driving the car around for about two weeks. Here's a 'mini review' of the car after about 500miles/two weeks of driving. Bear in mind the car was brand new and not mine - so I was driving it gently..... First of all let me say that the Swift is a very good piece of design work - both internally and externally.
• Dodgy mechanics 16 Oct 2004 (Forum)
  I heard nothing all today and was passing on my way home so I dropped in to see how it was going, just as one of the mechanics got into it, started it from cold and proceeded to rev the engine until it hit the limiter. He then went off for a mini joyride of his own (unbeknown to him that I was the owner and was watching). I started to get a bit annoyed at that point and had a few more stern words with someone there who promised to deal with the mechanic and apologised.
• BMW overtakes Mercedes 8 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  BMW sales overtake Mercedes By James Mackintosh in London Published: July 7 2004 20:58 | Last Updated: July 7 2004 20:58 BMW has taken pole position in the luxury car market for the first time in seven years, beating German rival Mercedes in global sales for the first six months of 2004.BMW, owner of Mini and Rolls-Royce, outsold the Mercedes Car Group, which includes the Smart and Maybach marques, by 6,183 cars in the first half. The BMW brand also outsold Mercedes-Benz badged cars in May and June, although the Mercedes brand stayed ahead in the six-month period.
• Golf 1.4TSI DSG CABRIO GT - Problems, problems 28 Aug 2016 (Forum)
  When I picked the car up I had some problem with the DSG gearbox - it hesitated aound 1 to 1.5 seconds before engaging - not fun in heavy London traffic, especially at mini roundabouts where you have to take whater chance is offered. I thought this was just me not being used to the DSG. after a few days I decided it was not me, and took it to the dealer, one of their engineers drove it and told me "thats just the way these are!"
• 30,000 miles with an Octavia vRS estate v2 25 May 2015 (Forum)
  And the other point off is for the excessively hard ride, partially caused by the 225/40/18 tyres which are too low-profile for my taste (and particularly SWMBO's, although her Mini Roadster is just as unforgiving). If I find I can't afford a new car next year, this is one I'd be happy to keep. But if I can, something a little higher off the ground and more softly sprung might beckon.
• Ford Fiesta (2002 - 2008) - Does no one want my £8000? 25 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  BTW, if anyone has purchased from Deal Driver, please e-mail me with your opinions as i've never heard of them, but they seem ok. (sorry for the mini-rant)
• Speeding (mostly excl cameras) XVIII 12 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  Access to the road would have to be limited to prevent the stream of 100mph traffic piling into the hold-up. 5/ Restricted access: the 100mph road would be unsafe for a clapped-out Mini or even a brand-new Smart car! So only approved vehicles would be permitted -- most mid-sized and larger newish cars should qualify. 6/ The standard driving test would probably be inadequate, and special permits (such as an enhanced driving test on IAM lines) would be needed. 7/ Junctions would need to be massively upgraded to allow drivers to safely join a stream of 100mph traffic; the 100mph road would probably have far fewer junctions than most current motorways.
• Vauxhall Astra - Passing on the inside - clipped wing mirror 21 Nov 2022 (Forum)
  There is no 12 o'clock exit and only 3-4 metres between the 9 &  3 o'clock exits.  It's one of those multi-mini-roundabout complexes where on my route it's a right then left then right sequence to get across, with very short distances to change lanes and people whizzing about cutting in. I was indicating left leaving the roundabout, and continued to indicate preparing to move into the nearside lane when I heard a soft thump, my nearside wing mirror had been clipped by a driver who came from the 9 o'clock position and shot up my left side.
• What do they teach learners these days? 5 Dec 2019 (Forum)
  The number of driving schools has increased hugely since I learned to drive in the early 70's and whilst in my youth they all had nice new cars (Mini's, Imps, Escorts mainly) which were changed annually these days any old wreck seems to be the norm. They do not seem as professional as they used to, even the local Taxi's are in better condition.
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  I am looking for a quiet and comfortable used car for about £10,000 - what do you suggest? 13 Sep 2019 (Ask HJ)
  I am looking for a quiet and comfortable used car for about £10,000. I want petrol car and will consider hybrids/ EVs - although doubt I can afford a good...
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  Is it normal for a car dealer not to allow a test drive until a deposit has been paid? 24 Sep 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I'm three hours drive from a dealer selling a car that my son wants. I contacted the dealer and he said we can't test drive the car unless we buy it by...