sparky

Sadly, I would say my vehicles dislikes now far outweigh my vehicle likes.

Looking at the state of his pick up I'd imagine he's a right sheepskate.

Unbaaaalievable.

Surely only AT could tell you, they seem to know everything else. Failing that, there's an old gypsy woman on Rhyl prom who charges a couple of quid for such info. Get me a 99 and I'll go and ask her for you.

It must have been the balloons.

I tend to agree with TML, well I guess having an ex filling station on a main road gives me no choice! Last year I was thinking of doing putting a car wash on the front of my forecourt and shifting the cars around to the back compound, thus making them more or less out of sight from the main road. I then worked out how many sales that I did from walk- ons and whilst it wasn't was it was, it was still a decent amount (especially in the summer when the holiday parks are open) so I knocked that idea on the head. Not far from me there are a couple of main road forecourts on a busy road. Before the internet they where the forecourt of milk and honey and nothing much has changed, when it did hands recently folk were fighting to get the keys. Even now, in 2016, the advertising spend on the pitch continues to be next to nothing. To answer the original question, no you don't need a road side pitch but it's an extra piece of armoury worth having in my opinion, although in the summer when I'm asked if I have a public toilet/ phone/shelter and having to give directions out every bank holiday it maybe doesn't feel like that!

And here was me thinking your middle name was 'digital' Umesh By my estimation, if you looked at the area which my local paper distributed to I would estimate that under 30% use AT, and that's being generous. It's fair to say that it's an area often seen as a short straw by AT reps. Many dealers (both new and used) over here still place a heavy emphasis on local advertising so maybe I've been missing a trick in dismissing it all these years. I don't know about anybody else, but my local estate agents have not given up on the local paper, far from it.

Once I get my stock back in order after a few busy months I'm thinking of doing a bit of local paper advertising for the first time in god knows how many years. Been keeping an eye on a few dealers similar to me (local and national) who are not on AT but who do put well put together local advertising and they are doing the business. This discussion is worthy of a new thread me thinks

Excellent result.

I was trying to be facetious, if that's how you spell it:)

I made the same mistake buying from Bridgewater last year. Bought a non assured car that I know, feeling pretty secure to any obvious faults as BCA in particular tend to point them out, or at least that's what I thought. Unless the auctioneer was deaf then I have to say, like you, I got stitched up. Same thing happened at Manheim Knottingly last year. It won't be happening this year as now I only search 'assured' cars which does tend to limit what you can buy, especially with Manheim. I look forward to the day when these auctions go quiet and they get on the phone touting for business. Whatever happened to BCA's 'Bethany' who used to come on here?

Did I mention the C4 Grand Picasso?

And if you don't use BCA transport?

Sorry I can't help, but like you I buy a lot of cars via BCA online so I'll be interested to know how you get on. Good luck.

In the old magazine version of North West Auto Trader, there used to be a dealer who always advertised his cars with a beautiful Alsatian stood next to them. Anyone else remember this?

If it's the company I'm thinking of they really do want to have their cake, eat it and then go back for seconds without it touching their waist line. Still, I'd appreciate a PM to confirm. Thanks.

. You keep ranting, I'm with you all the way. I'm guessing the price of odd coloured autos with odour will rocket.

Had something similar happen last year. Grand Picasso, full history, 60k, prepped well (including pick up filters), not a sign of what was about to happen. Customer rang in 5 minutes after he picked it up saying something had gone pop, in a big way. To cut to the chase, a heater plug had blown out, something I've never experienced or heard of before and doubt I ever will. Luckily the customer was as good as gold and a week later came to collect it. Cost me about £500 and a full tank of fuel as a gesture of goodwill but could of been a lot worse. The man pops in now and again and we can laugh about it now, at the the time though, it's fair to say the cat stayed out of my way!

I've gone right off Ford's own diesel engines. I'd love to know which bright spark came up with the idea of a 'wet' belt.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504122544186?radius=100&price-from=1000&model=scenic&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&transmission=automatic&make=renault&search-target=usedcars&postcode=ll328er&maximum-mileage=up_to_70000_miles&sort=default&page=1&price-to=3000&logcode=p

The petrol engine has the same VVT engine in it which I mentioned earlier so that's an even bigger no no. The 2.0 HDi would be my choice but even then it's a case of fingers crossed. It's a huge shame as like you say, when they are good they are a lovely MPV and are great sellers, but just not worth the grief.

Any car with the Fiat 1.3 multijet engine in it. They have pretty much come to the end of their life now, but the Renault/Nissan with the 2.2 Dci engine (in contrast to the 2.0 dci which is bomb proof). Insignia Diesels. Sadly, the C4 Grand Picasso HDi is on my black list, and it is sad because they are great sellers but good god, they are made of glass and enough is enough. I only bought ones with up 70k max and full history but at least half had or needed turbo's on them, then you have injectors, turbo again, wiring looms with water in, another turbo, heater blowers and resistors, another turbo, flimsy seats and glovebox lids, turbos and glow plugs that are located in such a place that even the world champion contortionist couldn't get too. Oh, and now and again you need to change the turbo.... Finally for now, anything with a Peugeot VVT engine it, including The Mini. This should make a cracking thread!

I just left Clickdealer due to Motors making me an offer I couldn't refuse, but would highly recommend them.

I remember years ago in my early days (when I was wet behind the ear but still paying VAT) trying to make a claim for a Renault Safrane (insert your own punchline) head gasket and part of the claim was a skim. They refused to pay out at all because I mentioned skim and that was wear and tear, if I had not have mentioned skim they reckon they would have paid out. Up until recently, I never used a warranty company ever again.

As well as balloons, bunting and boot opening, do you think if I line the cars up like a Korean army that would help?