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Martin's rule of obtaining car insurance quote 26 days before renewal
Hello, I've heard Martin mention that the best time to get insurance quotes is 26 days before your renewal date. My question is: since most insurers only send out their renewal offer about two weeks before the renewal date, how can I effectively compare quotes from comparison sites with what my current insurer will…
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Insurance groups
For the last few years I have been using a 2005 Peugeot 206 1.4l (inherited from my Dad), which was Insurance Group 11. I renewed the insurance this year just before I bought a 2011 Skoda Octavia (1.6 MPI petrol engine), which is also Group 11. I phoned to change my insurance from the Peugeot to the Skoda. I was expecting…
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car refund
HI my daughter recently bought a car from a VW dealership. She paid the deposit, signed all the relevant paperwork and following day sent the remaining cost of the car. She was then told she could collect the car after it had been inspected. The following day she received a phone call to say she could no longer have the…
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R1234yf and R134a air-con canister fitting.
Hi.I understand the difference between the two types of gas, and my current car uses the more recent R1234yf. I have topped up my previous R134a car successfully using a kit, so understand the process. My current car had a full air-con gas replacement a couple of years back, at a reasonable £50 or so, but the same task now…
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Third Party Insurance for Courtesy Car
I have booked a car service at a dealer that offers a courtesy car for me to use while my own car is being serviced. The courtesy car insurance they provide has £750 excess by default, or I could pay £20 to reduce the excess to £50. Are there any third-party excess cover options for courtesy cars that may be cheaper? Would…
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Part exchange advise please!
All sorted. Good result 😀
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Ford Focus, Mondeo or Vauxhall Astra Estate?
Hi all, I need to swap my Vauxhall Astra 1.6 petrol hatchback (63 plate) for an estate so it can accommodate my two large dogs. I am considering another Astra or swapping to a Ford Focus or Ford Mondeo. My current Astra is lovely to drive and is really comfortable, but it's cost me a fortune in repairs, etc. I have owned a…
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Deciding not to renew a licence 70+ - how to do it
My Mum has received a letter & form with an application to renew her driving license. She hasn't driven for a while now - no-one has told her she can't drive, but she doesn't feel safe/confident to do so any more. Can she simply not return the form, or does she have to somehow tell them and return her license? There's…
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Beware Autoaid Automatic Renewals
I have just had an email advising me of automatic renewal which I am sure did not happen last year. I was going to renew so I am glad I looked closely at the email which showed my premium had increased from £54 to £94! They had only added £30 for my car being over 16 years old (a*Optional: Click to remove but my car is…
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Help on radio code
Hi can anyone find my Radio code serial number for Audi radio is AUZ1Z3A9612845 Thanks
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GAP insurance and Finance Company, and me stuck in the middle :(
I am in need of some advise, maybe somebody has been through the same situation I am in currently. It was my first time taking out a lease car, and I was advised to get GAP insurance should the worst happen, a few months into the lease and the car was in an accident and sadly was classed as a total loss, my Insurance…
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DVLA fitness to drive notification
I completed a fitness to drive form for the DVLA due to a recently diagnosed medical issue. I got a response by email saying not to reply to the email as it would not be acknowledged but that they would be in touch with progress shortly. It was a week ago that I applied but I wondered if anyone had any experience of the…
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Fuel efficiency and Older cars : getting tank to empty before filling or not.
I've always worked on the assumption that getting the fuel tank down to near empty is best due to the weight of the fuel decreasing mpg. However I recently got my 15 year old zafira down to only about 2/3 full and and refilled and the fuel efficiency was about 40 mpg compared to about 33 mpg when getting it near empty. A…
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What are the facts about 'wet cam belts', Vauxhall and others?
Hi. I'm considering buying a 2020 Grandland X, 1.2, 24K miles, FSH. I am aware of the horror stories regarding the 'wet cam belt' design in these engines, which is also used in various Peugeot and Citroen models, possibly others. It seems pretty clear that there is an 'issue', with early 'wet' cam belts - say 2017-2019…
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New Car Registration by Dealer
Good evening, We ordered a new Kia in early December last year. Estimated delivery date was end Feb. Production delays meant it didn't reach the UK port of entry until 31 March. There have been further delays in the PDI process and transportation to the dealer. I was advised it would reach the dealer last week. The dealer…
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AA. Real down cover - can I cancel to get a better deal
I’m Currently with the AA for break down cover. My renewal price came through and was extortionate. I’ve called them and they’ve reduced it to £140. New members can get the same cover for just under +£90. I said I’ll just cancel and take out our new joint cover in the other persons name - the lady said I can’t do that and…
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RAC 3rd Party Mechanic Damaged Car
A few weeks ago I had a flat tyre. I called the RAC who sent out a local mobile tyre fitter who changed the tyre. I then booked the car in at my local tyre fitter for a wheel realignment. I then get a phone call from them saying they haven't removed the hub because the bolt has been cross threaded - almost certainly…
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Short Term UK Breakdown Cover
My new car Breakdown cover ends in 5 days. Is there any companies that offer 1 month only breakdown cover including Nationwide recovery and onward travel UK ? Thanks in advance.
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Blackwall Tunnel £4 Charge for off peak time.
I accidently took a wrong turn today and ended up going through the blackwall tunnel. This was after 10am so I presumed I would pay £1.50 off peak price, but when I went online to pay it is only giving me the choice of paying £4. Is this correct or some sort of error?
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unidentified car part
Does anyone know what this is? It fell off the bottom of my 2007 Skoda Roomster. It is quite corroded...there is embossed writing on it which says:VWAGCZ KR1600 120 AC01 07-> Still seems to run OK after this falling off but it would help me to have an idea of what has gone wrong. I am not a car person. Thank you.
Bought a car, van or motorbike on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP) since 2007? Discuss the probes into hidden discretionary commission and undeclared commission - and how to complain.
468 discussions
2.3K comments
Most recent: Barclays Partner Finance (BPF)- from 07/2014- Do they still have the paperwork? by dunstonh
2 August at 2:20PM
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