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• Citroen C5x - Missing Certificate of Conformity 13 Oct 2023 (Forum)
  I bought a C5x new last year. I need the CofC as I am going to register the car in France. However I never received one and this has only come to light due to my move abroad.   The government website states that the CofC should be handed over at delivery. I guess it should be signed for as well due to it being a legal document, and the cost for a replacement is over £200.
• Volkswagen Golf TDI 2.0 - Help - extortionate bill for hire car damage! 13 Jan 2023 (Forum)
  Im not a car expert so have headed to people who are and joined this forum. I have a large and expensive problem. I bumped my hire car when on holiday in France last August and have just received a bill of nearly 3K euro. Also, it would appear that I messed up with my insurance and I am not covered. I am therefore wondering whether to challenge the bill and see if it can be reduced.
• N/a - Russian Sanctions being broken 13 Sep 2022 (Forum)
        And they aren't alone...more French companies ignoring Sanctions... https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-ukraine-war-france-renault-totalenergies-auchan-leroy-merlin-11648040961
• Ford Fiesta 2009 1.4 / Mazda 2 Sport (2008) - Second Hand - Fiesta 2009 or Mazda 2 Sport (2008) 18 May 2021 (Forum)
    I need a reliable, small car to drive to and from work daily. Once a year I'd like to be able to drive across France and Spain if possible. I'd like something that is reliable and can overtake without issues on the motorway.  What would you recommend between these two cars? Pro and cons? Anything to avoid?
• Car for 3 children 8 Mar 2021 (Forum)
    The Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (to 2018) and Citroen Grand Space (2018 on) appeals as the second row of seats has 3 Isoflex. She lives in France so there are advantages to a French car; servicing and spares. Most of her journeys are short so a Diesel would seem inadvisable but it does not seem to have caused problems to other people she knows doing the same thing.
• Mitsubishi Shogun 2013 - Air conditioner problem 29 Jul 2020 (Forum)
  The clip needs to be changed and the pipe replaced however as this is a very common problem not mentioned on the Shogun review, there are no pipes available until October.  This is very unfortunate for us as we are travelling to France where it is a lot warmer than the UK and the air con is needed especially as we have dogs with us on the trip. A very poor showing from  Mitsubishi who appreantly have been aware of this fault for a number of years, but have refused to do a recall especially has coolant leaking out is an enviromental issue!
• ANY - Quick straw poll Insurance Thanks Bilboman 22 Oct 2019 (Forum)
  Quick straw poll - would backroomers prefer (1) to keep the existing "competitive", "always shop around" insurance system in the UK; (2) a "rest of the world" style "any driver is covered" system; or (3) New Zealand's (unique AFAIK) state insurance scheme, whereby car insurance is not actually required: in the event of a crash, the driver sues the state and the state pursues the guilty party for costs. I lived in France and Switzerland and had long term stays in USA and Canada/ ". would be fine for me, but beware insurance costs. PS How much do you pay in Spain Bilboman ? Youngrovergirl Dr... and myself.. retired..
• Any - French resident buying car in UK - how to tax it? 1 May 2019 (Forum)
  A UK national resident in France decides to buy a used car in the UK from a bonafide dealer.  At the point of sale the vehicle tax is surrendered by the dealer who claims any refund due. Strictly speaking, the buyer needs to tax the vehicle to drive it legally to the ferry to get it out of the country.
• It's a FINE! - Speeding tickets on smart motorways 8 Nov 2016 (Forum)
  Higher fines and 3 points 1st time, double fine double points next time and repeat. France fines here http://english.controleradar.org/speeding-fines.php Second offence speeding by more than 50 km/h (31 mph)   Jail  (2)  : 3 months Fine  (2)  : 3750 euros License points loss: 6 points License suspension  (2)  : 3 years
• Not the British way 2 May 2016 (Forum)
  On a different tack altogether, but sharing a common theme, the US soldiers who foiled a terrorist attack on a TGV were awarded the Légion d’honneur by France just days after the event. Would something similair have happened in the UK, or would they have had to waited in line behind a long line of numpty (non) celebrities and under performing sports "stars"?
• Network Rail lunacy 26 Apr 2015 (Forum)
  It is stated that this dodgy piece of track cannot be repaired properly till early June. Why?  Well it seems Network Rail are sourcing key parts from France (and knowing the French liking for strikes, early June may not be met) Am I correct in suspecting this is because of EU tendering rules which mean local suppliers can't be used if the Frogs bid lower?
• Nissan Qashqai - Replacement Wheel/Tyre Nissan Qashqai 19 Jan 2014 (Forum)
  Intending to take a Qashqai to France on holiday. This model (NTec+) has only the reinflating stuff supplied (No spare or spacesaver). Have been looking at getting either a spare or spacesaver, but put off by prices etc. especially as it is a lease car.
• PCN on foreign number plate, Code: 12 Haringey 14 Mar 2013 (Forum)
  Hi All I have imported a classic car at the end of the summer from France.  It is now registered in the UK with DVLA, but I have not yet put the UK plates. Last night I parked in a P&display and residents bay. Paid for my stay.  The car in an old convertible, therefore do not lock the doors [they cut the hood].
• VW alltrack - Audi quattro -Audi Alltrack 9 Nov 2012 (Forum)
  I want a nearly new car & am looking at VW alltrack, Audi Avant Quattro, Audi Allroad. My budget is about £24000 inc trading in the Legacy. I travel to snowy Eastern France a couple of times each winter & my Legacy never lets me down in the snow. I dont think my budget will run to an Allroad so is an Avant Quattro as good as the VW in bad snow.My Legacy has low ratio lever & I run it on normal summer tyres but I'm worried the Avant won't be as good.
• Alfa, Volvo, Citroen, Peugeot - I- Spy new cars 27 Feb 2011 (Forum)
  I did see my first Audi A1 last weekend in my local Waitrose car park, which seemed appropriate somehow. Whereas in France this week I saw the new Peugeot 508 - nice from the front, ungainly from the rear I thought - and the new Citroen C4, which looked quite nice, which in the sector it belongs doesn't seem enough.
• Ford Focus - ESP System Fault 3 Dec 2010 (Forum)
  Help Live in France and have a 4 year old Focus Ghia 2 Litre TDCI. When it was 3 years old the ESP System Fault sign came up. Knowing nothing at all about cars, went straight to the Ford Garage that services the car to be told that the part alone was 1700 Euros - they told me to write to Ford for assistance as something so expensive should not go after 3 years.
• Toyota/RAV4 - European Insurance 15 Nov 2010 (Forum)
  I have just bought a 2007 RAV4 which is registered in Malta and I want to drive it back to the UK via Italy and France and stay for 3 months - to sort out some family matters, driving back to Malta in March 2011. I can insure the car comprehensively with Maltese companies but I am having great difficulty obtaining insurance cover other than 3rd party-only for the journey and stay in England.
• Vauxhall Zafira - vauxhall zafira is the 1.7d a reliable engine 13 Sep 2010 (Forum)
  I own a vauxhall zafira diesel with the 1.9 150bhp engine. During my summer holiday in france the bearing in the water pump seized causing the engine to seize. The engine has been repaired by vauxhall under warranty as my car is 2 years old with 30,000 miles on the clock. The engine required a new head, new rockers, new camshafts, new waterpump and a new timing belt.
• Honda Accord Tourer - Automatic Transmission Fluid 12 May 2010 (Forum)
  I wish to keep the car for as long as possible so am wondering if changing the ATF every 2 years is ok (my annual milage is circa 15,000). Also I annually tow a camping trailer (weight of 280 kg) to the west coast of France (from West Yorkshire) - is this an issue with this auto box ? Should I go to a Honda dealer or a specialist auto gearbox company for the ATF change ? Many thanks for your help. Matt
• Nissan xtrail 2.2 di? 2003 - Rattling under load? 11 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  I am a bit worried it may be the timing chain,could this cause the above problem. We have a trip to France planned and i am getting a bit concerned. Don't really want to take it into my local Nissan dealer due to compleatly losing faith in them when i bought the car.