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• NEW CARS: How can I save money when buying a new car? (FAQs)
  After European price inflation and the fall in value of Sterling against the Euro the benefits of importing have become marginal and you often get a better all-round deal buying UK supplied. Even the main UK impost supersites are now switching to broking UK supplied cars. ON-LINE IMPORT/UK BROKING SPECIALISTS WITH SUPERSITES Trade Sales of Slough , 336-338 Bath Road, Slough (Near Heathrow: J6 or J7 from M4); tel: 08701 222 980; website: www.trade-sales.co.uk Motorpoint , Chartwell Drive, West Meadows, Derby; tel: 0870 1209611; website: www.motorpoint.co.uk Motorhouse 2000, Wryly Brook Retail Park, Walkmill lane, Cannock WS11 3XE; tel: 0845 345 6777; website: www.motorhouse2000ltd.co.uk ON-LINE DISCOUNT UK SUPPLIED SPECIALISTS (Note that NONE of these are checked out.
• IMPORTING A CAR: I want to import a car to the UK - what do I need to know? (FAQs)
  All other imports up to ten years old will be subject to the SVA test.
• INSURANCE IN FRANCE: I have heard that the car is insured, rather then the driver. Is that true? (FAQs)
  Just as in the UK, you can choose third party insurance (au tiers) or comprehensive (tous risques) and if you make a claim you will usually have to pay an excess, although you can usually choose to pay more for your policy and have no excess. A no-claims bonus system also exists. Some insurers will allow you to 'import' a UK no-claims bonus, and others won't - it is worth checking when you choose your insurance company. Make sure they specify the number of years' no-claims you have, rather than just stating 'full no-claims bonus' - in France it takes longer to attain a full no-claims bonus, as opposed to just five years in the UK.'
• WINTER TYRES: Should I use different tyres for the winter? (FAQs)
  As soon as the temperature drops below 7°C it makes good sense to fit cold weather tyres on your vehicle. It is important to use tyres adapted to winter driving conditions when roads are slippery and temperatures are low. Cold weather tyres are designed for driving on cold winter roads and in rain or standing water, whenever the temperature is regularly below  7°C .  A cold weather tyre gives much better grip and traction than a summer tyre in these conditions, because it has deeper tread grooves and many more sipes.
• ELECTRIC CARS: Is an EV right for me? (FAQs)
  md=1140">www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=1140 BEST ELECTRIC CAR Mitsubishi is hoping to import an electric version of its 4-door 4 seater i-car, shown at motor shows in 2007. Offers 0-60 in 10 seconds, 80mph top speed, better handling than petrol i-car because batteries are mounted in the floorpan and fuel costs of just £50 for 10,000 miles of electricity.
• DPFs: What are they and why do they go wrong? (FAQs)
  This can be caused by defective temperature sensors, pressure sensors, additive system components (if applicable), poor connections, wiring issues, etc. Important Information • Before diagnosing a problem vehicle or attempting to perform an emergency regeneration, it is important to obtain a full diagnostic log and read out relevant measured value blocks.
• JUMP STARTING: What is the correct way to jump start a car? (FAQs)
  If an engine takes several seconds to start, then this replenishment will take longer of course. What is important, is that this quantity of electricity is not only available but can be supplied very quickly and on demand, and often is quoted in CCA or Cold Cranking Amps of a battery, as several hundred amps.
• VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY: How much is the tax on my car? (FAQs)
  Consequently VED was charged according to a vehicle's date of first registration in the UK regardless of whether they were brand new vehicles or imported vehicles that are new to registration in the UK. That meant that a pre March 2001 car, even a 1995 car, imported after March 2001 was subject to CO2 based tax rather than the normal standard rates for older cars.
• CONSUMER RIGHTS: How do I reject a vehicle or get compensation for problems with a car? (FAQs)
  A lot of people think they have statutory rights under acts such as the various Sale of Goods Acts. But what is important is the interpretation of these Acts in courts of law. And the higher the court, the more important the ruling. It goes County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and what used to be House of Lords Appeal, but is now The Supreme Court.
• BROKERS: Which brokers should I consider if buying a new or used car? (FAQs)
  The revised V5C is a different colour (red) and makes clear that the V5C is not proof of ownership. Is the car an independent or ‘parallel’ import? If so, how much manufacturer warranty is left. This usually dates from when the car was first sold in the country where it was sourced, but may date from when the car was actually built.
• AIR-CONDITIONING: How do I know if my air conditioning needs servicing? (FAQs)
  PART_HDR_ID=28585" target="_blank">AutoParts 2020 Cool Air Kit   (If your car has a/c using the old R12 CFC gas which is now illegal, you can buy a conversion kit to the legal R134a gas, recommended by a reader who did this years ago in a US import Honda Accord and has not had any trouble since.    Smells from air-conditioning

  SPEEDING DEFENCES 1. Is inadequate posting of a speed limit a valid defence to a speeding NIP? (FAQs)
  Signs that do not strictly follow the Regulations and the Directions (see para 1.4 in respect of Northern Ireland), or have not been specially authorised are not lawfully placed and the speed limit might be unenforceable. To avoid the risk of failed prosecutions, it is of the greatest importance that speed limits be signed lawfully. It is equally important that speed limits be signed clearly and in accordance with this guidance, so that at no time will drivers be in any doubt about the prevailing limit."
• PARKING FINES. What are my rights regarding parking penalties for parking in private carparks? (FAQs)
  If the PPC does not state whether the amount claimed is damages or a contractual sum', it is important for those challenging the legality of the parking charge amount to submit appeals that  address both the potential issues of ‘damages’ and a ‘contractual sum’ The whole appeal process is fairly lengthy and time consuming and so in the first instance, where the charge is £30 or less, it may be easier to simply pay the initial parking charge at the reduced rate and move on with your life.
• CREDIT HIRE: What is it and how can it affect me if I am involved in a crash? (FAQs)
  . For more information please go to  www.thecho.co.uk   RECENT CASE LAW Credit hire: impecuniosity and mitigation of loss Umerji v Zurich Insurance PLC  26 March 2014 In an important decision for motor insurers, the Court of Appeal has held that the issue of impecuniosity goes to the period of hire as well as the rate. Issues relating to the burden of proof, the appropriate period of hire and when the hirer should take steps to arrange for the repair (or replacement) of their original vehicle were also addressed.
• SMART REPAIRS: Who repairs minor damage to my car, its trim and wheels? (FAQs)
  The Courts will no doubt be alive to the advantages offered to Claimants by Coles and may react adversely if they feel that the judgment is being used to justify overinflated claims. For that reason, it will remain important for loss adjusters who have conduct of repairs – particularly in high value claims where expenditure will be closely managed – to be mindful of the need to ensure that the final bill is kept within reasonable limits.
• INSURANCE WRITE OFFS: What do different insurance write off categories mean? (FAQs)
  The Courts will no doubt be alive to the advantages offered to Claimants by Coles and may react adversely if they feel that the judgment is being used to justify overinflated claims. For that reason, it will remain important for loss adjusters who have conduct of repairs – particularly in high value claims where expenditure will be closely managed – to be mindful of the need to ensure that the final bill is kept within reasonable limits.