Halfpenny

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Posts posted by Halfpenny

  1. Posted

    You need to establish some facts.  Firstly, the car was sold in July but it seems the MoT runs from April.  A 3-4 month discrepancy.  What were the mileages at MoT and at date of sale?  What is the mileage now? This is why we only do an MoT immediately prior to sale.

    Secondly, an MoT is only a snapshot of the cars condition at the time of inspection. It is quite possible for the brakes to pass an MoT but become unroadworthy a week later.  The MoT standard is actually quite weak on disc condition - I speak as someone who used to be an MoT inspector until 2018.  Discs can be really quite worn and corroded and still pass, whereas a diligent mechanic would recommend replacement.  HOWEVER we do not warrant friction parts (brakes/clutch) - BUT we do normally replace any friction parts that won't last at least 6 months or 6000 miles in our judgement.

     

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  2. Posted

    This has been in the news over the summer. Current DVLA contract with the PO ends on March 31st 2024.  Thereafter you will have to engage with DVLA online. Good luck with that.  All part of government 'cost saving'..  I know there are people getting up petitions to reverse this decision, but I won't be holding my breath.

    Unfortunately this is all part and parcel of living in what is increasingly 'Sh*thole Britain'. I semi-retired in 2018 (I have a business partner who does most of the work now) and spend half the year overseas, with a view now to moving away permanently.  Coming back to UK is so depressing.  Just about any service in the UK is dysfunctional - police, NHS, tax office, banks.  Roads rammed. People ill-mannered. Crime.  Ridiculous charges (councils, waste disposal etc etc).

    • Like 1

  3. Posted · Edited by Halfpenny

    EGC are often a complete nightmare. Its an 'automated manual'. We don't buy, sell or service vehicles with this gearbox.  Best case is disconnect/reconnect battery will reset it. Be sure battery is in tip top condition.

    If that doesn't fix it then you may need to go to the main dealer. Not many independents will mess with these. Often its actuator failure which is couple of thousand to fix.

    A ten year old EGC is not something I would retail.

    • Like 1

  4. Posted

    My experience after 40+ years in the motor trade is that very few people can make proper money fettling 'collectors' cars (i.e. old stuff that is too unreliable to use every day) if you cost your time at anything like a sensible rate. When I see an old JLR product (or even a fairly new one) I see a steaming heap of trouble and strife. A 17 year old 100k+ mile X350 that's been left sitting for months would be pretty much my worst nightmare.

    I used to have a trader mate who specialised in sale and repair of older Jags. He had a yard which was usually home to about a dozen hulks in various stages of decay awaiting repair. It ended up costing him his marriage, his house and eventually his sanity. He escaped to Norfolk where he now runs a B&B.

    I semi-retired in 2018 and the business (sales/service/MoT) ticks over under the watchful eye of my business partner with me helping out when I get bored. I have lost most of my interest in cars, especially 'classic' cars which, let's face it, are mostly pretty shite by modern standards. My philosophy is buy something from Toyota or Honda and get on with life. 

    • Like 2
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  5. Posted

    I've got experience of the X350, although not had one in the workshop for a few years now...

    Keep in mind that this car was very much JLR 'experimenting with technology' - for example fibre optics to carry data and extensive use of aluminium. If the car is sat for many months it WILL drop. The various valves in the air suspension do not seal perfectly. There can be multiple problems with these cars quite apart from the air system - the suspension bushes themselves wear quickly. Lots of electrical problems. Unless its going to be kept as a cosseted 'collectors car' and you are prepared to throw money at it then I wouldn't bother.

    • Like 1

  6. Posted

    Depends how its been stored for the two years.  At the very least I would strip, clean and lube the pads/calipers.  Last year we picked up a Mitsubishi that had been standing outside for 18 months. Discs were very corroded. Rather than mess about we just put new discs and pads on it and bled the system.

  7. Posted

    11 hours ago, trade vet said:

    Nice one but surely the customer would have signed for the mileage on the sale invoice.Do Experian not also confirm the mileage .It’s the customer who should threaten Trading Standards/Court action with his supplier.Unless things have changed,in my experience ,things like this and also with any outstanding finance ,its the first dealer in the line who has the problem. ( if they are still trading ).

    In this case it seems that the mileage discrepancy arose before the customer owned the car. The customer can therefore claim that they had no knowledge of the discrepancy and would not be liable. The law recognises that an individual can only give assurances or guarantees according to what they know, not about what they don't know.  A private individual would not be expected to carry out mileage verification of a car they are buying or selling, whereas a dealer would be.  I think in this case OP slipped up and has to take it on the chin. 

    • Like 1

  8. Posted

    Bunch of pirates IMHO.  If it will start and drag itself a few yards then it passes 'BCA Assured'. The question is, do you need them more than they need you?  Try to take any kind of formal action against them and your account WILL be terminated.

    I look at prices being paid, at fees and delivery, at repair/reconditioning costs and marketing costs and I really wonder at how the small time trader is making any money.

    • Like 1

  9. Posted

    Who contracted the transport company, you or the seller?  If the seller then take it up with them. If you, then you need to look at the transport co's T&C's.  Sure, stuff happens, but damage in transit (whether at fault or not) is the day to day bread and butter of being in the transport business.

  10. Posted

    IIRC there are two versions of throttle body used on the Honda 2.2D. They are made by Hitachi and an insane price from UK dealers.  Best part of £2k I think.

    Never known anyone to rebuild them (highly unlikely any internal parts are available) but you could try the likes of BBA Reman.

    What is the problem? Poor throttle response and flat spots on these is normally the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, which frequently goes bad.

  11. Posted · Edited by Halfpenny

    On 1/21/2023 at 1:24 AM, TRADE SURVIVOR said:

    Well Mr Chestnut (see what I did there) set out to revolutionise the motor trade, really? So far it seems the only revolution has been to burn money on a scale that no self respecting motor dealer could imagine in my memory.

    Seems like whoever he has hired at the top to grow the business hasn't a clucking foo. Hopefully the people who are being let go as they say, are reemployed in the real motor trade.

    Maybe we have reached a point with Cazoo when it's not if but when.     

    Carzam, Cazoo, Cinch, Carvana.......Hmm...  I think we can now safely say that their online model for used car retailing has been tested to destruction! The only 'disruption' is to their investors bank balances. 

    Used car values have confounded my expectations so far, but I think that with rising interest rates and a likely recession on the horizon there is a reckoning coming. I gather used car demand/prices have started to drop quite sharply in USA.  If mirrored in the UK that would be a stake through the heart of Cazoo..

  12. Posted

    13 hours ago, A & S said:

    Its a BMW 116i 2.0 petrol 2009

    I avoid buying mainly Japanese petrol cars and now petrol BMWs, anything else the thieving b@stards mainly target ?

    Its anything with a cat (first cat, second cat) accessible from under the car.  If its a car with a single 'manicat' then its safe. They prefer hybrids because of the higher precious metal content.

    A major reason for these thefts is that the 2013 Srap Metals Act is not being enforced.  Dealers are buying these cats for cash with no ID checks.  I was reading that in Germany the thefts have been large stamped out because the police went hard after the buyers and jailed a few.

    For your particular model/year of BMW even the type approved aftermarket cats are quite pricey, but still a third of BMW price.

     

  13. Posted

    Unfortunately in shithole Britain these guys act with impunity. We've had several stolen in our area and we lost one off a Auris and an adjacent pitch lost one off a Jazz week before last. The Jazz theft was at 9pm and caught on CCTV. People walking past and the thieves appear completely relaxed.  Weak policing and lack of ID checks/recording by the recyclers mean these guys keep on doing it.  They go for anything where a cat is accessible....so yes, BMW are on the list.

    You don't state exact model/year but type approved aftermarket may be ok if you put a spacer under the lambda sensor. 

  15. Posted

    23 hours ago, It's me said:

    interesting,i use a chinese one i bought in covid times for £100 and i sit this in the car for no more than 20 minutes doors shut on the timer,i then leave for 10 minutes then open all the doors wide and it rakes a while for that beautiful smell of lightning to go

    reason i mention it is when doing my homework it was suggested that too much ozone can break down wiring coverings in things like cars so dont over do it

    yes proper deep valet first

    Ozone gets rid of bad odours because it actually oxidises the molecules that cause the smell. It doesn't just cover up the smell. The oxidising action also kills bacteria and viruses, in a similar to bleach. And yes, it will oxidise plastics so go easy with it.

  16. Posted

    Difficult to eliminate 100%.  Ozone generally works well though. Important to give the car a very thorough valet before using ozone. Use a professional external generator with a duct into the car. Run it for 1-2 hours MAXIMUM. Air out the car for a few hours after.

  18. Posted

    On 11/7/2022 at 6:30 PM, Beautiful South Martin said:

    Yes its a 2014

    ok. It has the Jatco CVT7 ('7' because its 7th generation, not 7 speed).  Its also known by various other Jatco designations depending on pulley size, belt width fitted...  e.g. JF011E. JF015E etc etc.  Its been fitted to various cars from Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki etc.  But NOT Toyota or Honda (who make their own much better CVTs).

    The CVT7 is my least-favourite CVT because they have lots of weaknesses and realistically you will struggle to get a decent long term repair done in the UK.  My suggestion is either a dealer recon unit (expensive!) or a known good secondhand unit. 

    This article from the US gives more info...  https://gearsmagazine.com/magazine/jf015e-common-issues/

  21. Posted

    10 minutes ago, Paul Falcon Cars said:

    Hi All

    I have a 2012 Citroen Berlingo 1.6 HDi, my problem is a steering vibration when turning at low speed or turning when stationery with engine running, it's the sort of vibration you would get if power steering fluid is low but obviously not that!! 

    Can anyone help?? 

    Paul. 

    Haha.... normal for Citroen.

    Happens when we work on one and turn the wheels without engine running.

    Lift the wheels clear of the ground (or roll onto slip plates). Start the engine and smoothly steer lock to lock about a dozen times.  Centre steering. Engine off. Restart and all will be well!

    • Like 1

  23. Posted

    Most cars come with tyre sealant now. Useless evil stuff.

    Not a lot of difference between the young guys and girls these days. Apparently sperm counts are half what they were 30 years ago - additives in plastics affecting male hormones is possibly the culprit.

  25. Posted

    Snapped spring and snapped ARB droplink? In transit??  Sounds like there could be more to this. I'd have it up on the ramps for a very careful inspection of the steering, suspension and chassis legs. And then check 4 wheel alignment.