moley

Finally managed to see the Tesla Cybertruck for real.🤔

I'm always suspicious when a garage quotes you for parts, then states that they can't guarantee that the fault won't return. I sounds like they're guessing what the fault might be and then fire up the parts cannon. As others have said, what fault codes were logged? It might be worth finding a VAG specialist or a specialist in ABS faults.

I had along chat with my good friend and sales director of one of the German companies I work with this week. He drives a VW Tiguan and during the conversation he told me that VW were recalling nearly 100,00 EV's due to a fault. I found an article relating to the recall, which quotes VW and Seat models, but there is no mention of Skoda's being recalled. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/369250/volkswagen-and-cupra-recall-almost-100000-evs-due-battery-fire-risk#:~:text=Volkswagen%20Group%20has%20recalled%20roughly,in%20the%20UK%20are%20impacted. I couldn't find the original article I posted recently regarding Skoda pulling out of China, but I have found this similar article. Although Skoda are going it appears VW and Audi are still investing in China, https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/skoda-quits-china-in-epiq-fall-from-sales-hero-to-sales-zero

Always hated auto boxes, every time I was in the US it was the dreaded slush box. After 40 years of manual gearboxes I reluctantly bought a dsg Octavia. The reason was I had some loose cartilage in my left knee and operating the clutch while driving around 33,000 miles a year was causing problems. Another dsg Octavia followed and that was eventually replaced with the dsg L&K Superb. When we last changed Mrs Moley's Fabia combi manual it was with a Kamiq dsg. I wouldn't go back to a manual as these modern autos are really good and you can shift manually.

No big surprise, but the shape of things to come.

Yesterday actually, I changed the front discs and pads as the L&K is in for MOT on Thursday. There was an advisory on last years test to say that the front discs were scoring on the inside faces. Straightforward job apart from the two bolts that hold the caliper are 21mm hex head, so I had to get a socket to suit. The car has covered 101,000 miles and there was still 6mm on the original pads.

Tuesday morning I had to go out to fix a machine. Left home at 05:30, on the hill leading down to the main road was a pickup truck sitting with it's brake lights on. I cautiously passed it, when alongside it started to move off, then stopped when the driver realised that I was there. At the T junction it was clear, so I turned right onto the main road. As I pulled out there was a car approaching from the left about 200 metres away. I quickly got up to 30 mph, which is the speed limit and very quickly the approaching car was tailgating me. Once we were over a brow and the road was clear the driver overtook, shortly followed by the pickup truck. I would estimate they were doing 35 - 40 mph. About 1/2 a mile later I arrived at the traffic lights leading towards the A3 and who were waiting at the lights when I arrived?

You won't be paying 'road tax', that went years ago. You will be paying VED 'vehicle excise duty' and this 'tax' does not go directly to the upkeep of the roads.

Just back from a quick repair for a customer and the L&K Superb is getting close.

About time too. I've been looking at the Elroq to replace my L&K Superb in the next 2 years. The problem I have, is with the options I would like to have puts the car over £40k. I guess there is now going to be a pause in people buying £40k+ EV's until April. What happens to those that have already purchased a car over £40k, but under £50k?

From January the London congestion charge will increase to £18 a day, up from £15. For the first time EV's will have to pay the congestion charge, but at a reduced rate of £13.50 a day.

If heat pumps are 'magical' wouldn't it be better to get a full system installed by a professional company so you reap the full benefits of the system?

How much did the install cost for your heat pump and how much does it cost to run compared to gas central heating?

Why would you want to put 20% VAT on gas?

When the dealer checked / adjusted the alignment do you know if it was with an optical set up on the front wheels only or a full four wheel laser alignment?

That's interesting. My brother has a 23 plate Scala and has not mentioned a problem. Mrs Moley's 23 plate Kamiq is the same platform as the Scala and we've had no issues with steering / tracking either.🤷‍♂️

Just take it to your local alignment specialist to get the car fully laser aligned. The car could have been bumped up and down a high kerb, hit a speed bump too fast or a pot hole before you bought it. I changed the track rod ends on my Superb earlier this year because one of them had a small split in the rubber boot. I accurately measured the length of the threads to get them as close as possible, but the steering wheel was very slightly off centre. Took it to a wheel alignment specialist, they reset it and the steering wheel was then spot on.

VED brings in around £8bn. Fuel duty brings in over £24bn, also factor in VAT on fuel. VED would have to go up considerably to balance the books.

Pay by the mile appears to be the best option.

From what I have read the airbag recalls cover cars built from 2000 - 2015.

It's very short sighted to pass your driving test in an automatic as one day you could find yourself needing to drive a car or van that's a manual. Public transport in rural areas is poor and you will need to drive a car. In London public transport is good, well not this week as the tubes are on strike. If young people are choosing not to get a driving licence why is the waiting list for driving tests so long?

Try GSF.

Of all of the Skoda's that I've owned this is the 1st one that has required a repair to the air con system.

When I had the car serviced in March I asked them to check the air con and regas if required. They came back and said that they had carried out a leak test and there is a leak, but they didn't know where the leak was. The cooling got worse, so I contacted a local guy (15 miles away) who came out did the leak test and confirmed that it was the condenser. He fitted a genuine VW condenser for £390 + vat. I don't know how that price compares, but he turned up when he said he would and did the job with no fuss. He charged me what quoted me.