The price of replacing car parts...

Aston Martin admirers should take note of this story and possibly feel glad this didn’t happen to them.

A £175,000 Aston Martin DBS lay broken in one of the most exclusive areas in London after thieves targeted the luxury car’s wheels. The car was left stacked up on bricks in Eaton Square, Mayfair earlier on this week.

However, it seems as though the thieves’ scheme to take all four wheels from the car was foiled as pictures show the driver’s rear wheel was left on the car with a rather contorted jack poking out from underneath the car. The metalwork around this wheel was also left damaged.

An Aston Martin expert estimated that the damage could cost up to £30,000 to fix, with the wheels are tyres alone easily costing £4,500 to replace. The body repair work could cost up to £3,500 and as the car was not properly suspended when the wheels were unceremoniously removed, there could be damage to the brake discs which could cost the owner several thousand pounds to repair with one newspaper suggesting a figure of up to £20,000.

In spite of wishing we could afford a posh car like the Aston, at Megavaux, we’re pleased that the Vauxhall parts we supply are available at a less heart-stopping price! 

Why I love my Vauxhall Corsa

This is my Vauxhall Corsa. Her name is Vivienne and she is 14 years old. Funnily enough, I’m not much older than the car!

Vivienne has a 1.2 litre engine and probably missing most of the horsepower she was born with. Sometimes I wish she was a little more ‘gutsy’, but when you buy a small car because you a.) can’t afford the insurance on a bigger car and b.) don’t have 2.4 children and don’t need a big estate car, there has to be some give and take!

I’ve had my Vauxhall Corsa for almost 3 years now and she is just as lovely today as the day I first decorated her with flowers. My Corsa might be old, but unlike my first car, a dilapidated Peugeot 106 with four gears and a manual choke, Vivienne has been reliable. She has refused to start on only two occasions – both because her engine wasn’t turned over for two weeks. She’s never failed an MOT, although the garage has provided me with short lists of advisory things to do. This is fair enough as all vehicles require maintenance. Whether your car is old or new, you can’t be complacent about keeping it running properly as demonstrated in this article about the need for car maintenance.

My Vauxhall Corsa is reliable because I look after her. I love the freedom my car gives me as it means I can go where I want, when I want. As I live somewhere relatively awkward, I can’t rely on public transport to get me to work or to the supermarket for a week’s shopping. Because of this, I need my car to be reliable and my Corsa is exactly that.

Maintenance really is the key to keeping your car running smoothly, how else could my 14 year old Corsa be in better shape than my boyfriend’s 6 year old Seat?

Here are my key tips for keeping your car working well for you well into its dotage:

• Check oil and water regularly. The moving parts in the engine need to be lubricated so low oil levels can cause damage to your engine.
• Check your tyres. Low pressure increases fuel consumption as well as making your vehicle less responsive when you need it most.
• Get strange noises looked at as soon as you notice them. I ignored noise at the back of my Peugeot for weeks and one day, the exhaust pipe just fell off!
• Clutch control is very important. You could drive without a clutch but you would ruin your gear box and that is a big job for your mechanic. On my Vauxhall Corsa, there is a little clip on the cable that stops it from ‘slipping’ and snatching from you. However, if you’re heavy-footed on the clutch, you could wear the cable – again, on my Peugeot the cable just snapped because I was using it far more than I should. I have learned my lesson now.
• Go down to your local breaker’s yard. I always go to Megavaux for spare parts for my car because they know their Vauxhall car parts, they’re really good guys there and its much cheaper going to Megavaux than going to a cowboy mechanic who charges you for work and parts that they haven’t done or used!

Why Your Car Isn't Rubbish

By Paul Lanham

Every year, cars in Britain must pass a test to declare them 'roadworthy' and safe for the year ahead. This test is called an MOT and owners can be punished by law if their vehicle does not have a valid MOT certificate. Lead by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), MOT's are often dreaded by car owners as they can be extremely costly and there is a perception that garages are out to fleece unsuspecting motorists. In some cases, this has been proved to be true with watchdogs flushing out the rogue mechanics. Local councils now often offer MOT test centres that do not offer repairs so mechanics have no incentive to pretend there are issues with your vehicle which should be some comfort to motorists who are currently feeling the pinch thanks to Britain's prolonged economic troubles.

Do you know what issues will cause your car to fail its MOT? Sometimes, an MOT failure is easier than you might think. For example, a broken indicator bulb, low tyre tread or a worn out windscreen wiper is enough to fail your MOT. However, if there are several minor faults with your vehicle then the blame lies solely with the car's owner. The key to passing an MOT is good maintenance.

In January 2009, figures were released under the Freedom of Information Act that showed a shocking first time MOT failure rate of cars registered in 2004 and MOT tested for the first time in 2007. What is interesting is that some of the recurring faults that caused cars to fail their MOT in 2007 are due to genuine manufacturer faults, but so many are due to poor maintenance. For example, the Citroen Berlingo saw a 21.5% first time failure rate. However, this is a commercial vehicle that is very likely to be abused by its driver. The same goes for the Ford Mondeo as it is a popular choice for fleet drivers so the higher than average mileage means wear and tear is substantial but unlikely to be the fault of manufacturers. Brakes, tyres and suspension are all easy victims when a car does high mileage, particularly over the three years that a new car does not require and MOT.

What was most surprising was that family cars did not fare as well as one would hope. The Renault Scenic has a 23% first time failure rate with nearly half of MOT failures due to tyres. 16% of Renault Scenics failed because of 'the driver's view of the road' which could be down to chipped windscreens, worn out wipers or damaged washer jets.

The model of car that performed worst in the vital first MOT was the Renault Megane with 28% of 3 year old cars embarking on their first MOT failing. Renault explained this by stating that it was the second-best selling car in its segment with a majority of its sale to company fleets. So again, probably due to high mileage and no-one is accepting responsibility for maintenance.

How did the nation's favourite car, the Vauxhall Corsa fare? 24.7% of Corsas failed their first MOT. Again, this was down to wear and tear from town driving. Stopping and starting in traffic wears the clutch and gearbox down quicker than regular motorway driving. Speed bumps are lethal for a car's suspension and as Corsas dominate towns, they will see far more speed bumps than many other models. As this is a popular model of car, it is easy to find Vauxhall Corsa part at a breaker's yard to minimise costs.

How can drivers avoid first time MOT failures?

- Check lights regularly. You can do this by reversing up to your garage door and seeing the lights in the reflection.

- If you get a chip on your windscreen then get it sorted ASAP. Chips can very quickly become cracks and could compromise your safety in a collision. It is much cheaper to fix a chip in your windscreen than replace the whole windscreen!

- When you check your oil and water, check your tyre tread and how well tyres are pumped up. Petrol stations often offer free air to blow up your tyres. Correct tyre pressure should be listed in your manual. Bear in mind that front and back tyres require different pressures.

- Approach speed bumps very slowly (5mph-10mph max) and avoid potholes wherever possible.

- Use the correct oil in your car. When you take your car for the MOT then you should ask the mechanic for some advice on which oil to buy.

- Don't take your car to the dealer's garage unless it is under warranty and you HAVE to take it there. The unscrupulous will charge over the odds for 'authentic' car parts etc. £200 for an oil and filter is ridiculous so make sure for that money they have replaced all necessary fluids e.g. brake fluid and checked the spark plugs, brakes, lights and battery and tracking.

This is not a comprehensive list but if you follow these basics then your vehicle should be well prepared for its first MOT.

Megavaux is a leading authority in the East Midlands on genuine Vauxhall car parts. If you wish to maintain the value of your vehicle, then careful maintenance is the key.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Lanham


http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Your-Car-Isnt-Rubbish&id=3642511

January News

January has been a nightmare for drivers thanks to the devastating snow and ice, grinding the UK to a halt. With stories emerging that temperatures hit -16 in parts of Scotland, we have certainly learned the weather is a harsh mistress and that in the UK, we are poorly prepared!

Drivers were stuck in their cars for hours at a time and we happily echo advice issued by the emergency services – only make essential journeys in your car in such extreme weather conditions. We would also say that if such weather is predicted, carry a ‘survival pack’ in the boot of your car consisting of the following items if at all possible:

• A large bottle of water
• A flask containing a hot beverage
• A reflective jacket or reflective strips that can be placed on your person should you be required to leave your car
• Blankets
• Snacks to keep you going just in case you are stuck for hours
• Fully charged mobile phone so you can inform loved ones that you are safe

This isn’t an exhaustive list but it should be a good starting point for those anticipating being caught in extreme weather conditions. Before making the essential journeys, check the met office website and the highways agency.Also, see our Ezine article about how to start your car on a cold morning.

Moving on to this month’s driving news, the snow affected the millions of UK drivers although many hit the news as gritting vehicles were slow to respond to key areas. However, one story that made headlines that will cause many to scratch their heads in confusion is the two men who drove their Peugeot down a frozen canal – before plunging through the ice.

Cheating death after the Peugeot car broke through the ice, the two men who were inside the car when it plunged into the freezing water were branded by the police as ‘stupid’, although we suspect stronger words were used down at the station.

The thoughtless duo drove half a mile down the frozen canal before the inevitable happened. Police tracked them down and charged them with reckless conduct. With the emergency services struggling to attend genuine accidents and emergencies at this difficult time, this was clearly a poorly thought out plan and the thrill seekers aged 22 and 24 will find out their fate when they attend Livingston Sherriff Court next month for sentencing.  

Also in the news...
Children’s cartoon Peppa Pig was embroiled in a safety row – because parents raised concerns over the fact that when the cartoon pig was in a car she did not wear a seatbelt.

One parents complained that her daughter had refused to wear a seatbelt because Peppa didn’t. We think that this is ridiculous and blame this on bad parenting rather than Peppa Pig. If I had said this to my mother when I was a child, I would have been punished for being so silly! Cartoon characters are not role models and any parents should be stronger when dealing with a petulant child.

However, to be seen as taking these complaints seriously, the creators of the Bafta Award winning cartoon aimed at children aged two and above admitted that they were “naive” when they began making Peppa Pig. Future episodes of the cartoon will feature Peppa wearing a seatbelt. Another win for the overbearing parents involved it seems.



This is brought to you by Megavaux, supplier of Vauxhall Van Parts

December Driving News

Just like the film Speed, but no terrorists or buses – the story of a man stuck in Cruise Control!

An Australian driver is recovering from shock this week after a terrifying car ride across Melbourne. The driver, Chase Weir (22), was nearing his motorway exit when he realised that the cruise control in his Ford Explorer was not going to disengage, allowing him to slow down for his exit. Instead, Weir had to weave in and out of city traffic, honking his horn and flashing his lights just to get other vehicles out of his path as he helplessly careered down the road at 50mph. For thirty minutes, Weir was convinced he was going to die and covered a distance of 25 miles during his ordeal.

Weir did everything he could to disengage the cruise control, he frantically thumped on the footbrake, pulled on the handbrake and even tried to turn off the engine and remove the ignition key but to no avail.

Quickly running out of options, Weir made a desperate call to the police. With the help of the police, he was able to miss most of the traffic he encountered, narrowly avoiding creating a trail of destruction behind him. The car only came to a stop when he saw he was going to hit a queue of traffic, so the terrified driver put all his weight on the footbrake and pulled on the handbrake, swerving into the other side of the road.
Chase Weir commented,

“I could hear the tyres skidding on the road for what seemed like forever.

“I was convinced that I was going to die.”

Ford issued a statement saying that frozen cruise control was not an issue the company had encountered before, however, if you search Google for cruise control problems, over half a million results pop up. It seems as though Ford may be denying a long established problem. Back in 2005, Ford recalled a number of vehicles due to cruise control related problems.

Some commentators have been dismissive of Weir’s story but we would love to know what you think about cruise control faults you may have encountered.


Funny story of the month:

Two fraudsters who were involved in a ridiculous scam to take driving tests on behalf of dozens of cheats were jailed after admitting conspiracy to defraud.

Ali Abdallah, 28 and Muktar Nuren, 22 are both from Manchester and targeted test centres in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Yorkshire and East London.

Their own lawyers described their client’s plan as ‘abysmal’ and ‘spectacularly unsophisticated’ as staff at testing centres recognised the two men who were regular visitors and looked nothing like the photographs on the licences they presented.

Police used CCTV footage to link them to the scam.

Some serial impersonators often use false beards, wigs and make up to disguise themselves and repeatedly use the same test centres. 616 cases of impersonation have been reported in the last year.

Failing 33 of the 43 tests they completed, their ‘no pass, no fee’ promise would surely soon leave the hapless duo out of pocket. Those observing the case may be inclined to wonder if the pair should be banned from driving too if they can fail so many driving tests.

When sentencing, Judge Andrew Blake addressed the defendants, telling them, “Luckily, the safeguards that are in place did find you out, but the fraud nevertheless ran for 18 months.”
An investigation has now been launched to locate the drivers who obtained their licences fraudulently through Abdallah and Nuren.

This news has been brought to you by Megavaux. We specialise in Vauxhall van parts and car parts.

How to choose the right van for your needs

The car market may be slow to get back on its feet, but the job market seems to be seeing ‘green shoots of recovery.’ This should mean that soon the car market should be thriving again and the man with a van will become a more common sight.
Regarding choosing the right van if you’re a decision-maker, here is a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best vehicle for your purposes.

What will you use it for?

• City driving
• Long haul (mostly motorways)
• Large loads
• Off-road
• Transporting colleagues

For each of these uses, you would require a different type of van depending on the nature of your business.

City Driving
The Corsavan is perfect for city driving. It’s as small as a normal corsa therefore easy to park in towns where space is somewhat limited. Interestingly enough, it is rather spacious inside so it will comfortably fit two fully grown men in the seats. Exceptionally taller drivers (6ft 4” tall +) may disagree with this statement.

Fuel efficiency is often a problem for city vehicles as constant gear changes and stopping and starting is not great for fuel consumption. If this is an issue, it is helpful to know that car-derived vans such as the Corsavan are well suited to such driving. The clutch and gearbox are likely to wear quickly from lots of gear changes thanks to city driving. It is advisable that drivers be alert to changes in these parts that may signal that they may soon require replacing. Corsavans are not suitable for delivering bulky or heavy vehicles but they’re perfect for moving small loads or for tradesmen working on smaller jobs and typically attracts favourable reviews.

Alternatives include the Daihatsu Hijet or the Piaggo Porter although they are poor alternatives as they are more like small trucks rather than vehicles designed for running around town. Radio stations have chosen Corsavans for their out and about vehicles as they are small, nippy and surprisingly spacious. If you need more space, the Astravan is a larger alternative but not an equivalent due to the vehicle not being small enough to be described as a city car.

Long Haul
In fact, the Astravan is more suitable for long haul journeys than it is going around the city due to the length of the vehicle making it harder to park in crowded city centres but owners of these vans will happily admit that they would choose an Astravan again and again. Not only is it complimented for having a comfortable cab that is on par with the typical domestic vehicle, it handles well and is cost-efficient. The 2009 Astra which the Astravan is based on has fantastic NCAP safety results for an adult which is a big bonus although the pre-2009 models received very respectable ratings. Still, if you are transporting smaller goods across the country, the Astravan is the sensible choice for fuel economy but realistically, a bigger van may be needed for the job. In which case, the next step up is the Vauxhall Vivaro.

Unfortunately, the Vivaro has attracted less glowing reviews compared to the smaller Astravan. Main faults appear to be a weak gearbox and various other complaints relating to bearings on older models.  Yet, the Vivaro has won the top award for ‘Best Medium Van’ seven times since 2001 in the Van Fleet World Awards which is an impressive feat which could indicate that only a vocal minority have experienced real problems. Often hailed as roomy and comfortable, the Vivaro does appear to be a great contender for long drives when you require space. Reviewers report that the engine can be rather noisy but quietens down once fifth gear is selected which suggests that the vehicle is intended for motorway use. However, if you are planning on hiring a vehicle like the Vauxhall Vivaro, please check your driving licence. Drivers who passed their test before January 1997 are entitled to drive this vehicle but drivers who have passed their test since January 1997 need to pass an extra test to add the C1 classification to their licence. The Vivaro and its bigger brother, the Movano both are capable of carrying large loads but very large loads should be left to specialist fleets e.g. HGVs.

Off Road
If you are intending to do a lot of agricultural work or mostly operate in the country, the Vauxhall Frontera is a sensible choice. For those who do not have deep enough pockets to cover the purchase of a Jeep or Land Rover, the Vauxhall Frontera is a sensible and logical choice. Vauxhall have not made the Frontera since 2004, but second hand models are available for good 4X4 entry level vehicle. The cab is set lower than traditional 4X4s which gives it reasonable side protection. Unfortunately, the 2002 model that was tested by Euro NCAP described pedestrian safety as “dire” and that child occupant safety was questionable. Adults fared better but driver safety was impaired with front passenger results being marginally better. 2003 models are often recommended. Similar vehicles for similar money would be up to five years older for the same money but alternatives include the Mitsubishi Shogun and the Ford Maverick.

Transporting Colleagues
If you work with one other colleague, any of the aforementioned vans are suitable for two people, possibly with the exception of the Corsavan for two exceptionally taller occupants. The Vauxhall Movano seats 3 passengers and similar vehicles include the Ford Transit and the Mercedes Sprinter.
Other questions you need to consider

• How much can you afford? Businesses have been known to collapse due to unwise vehicle choices which also include road tax, servicing and insurance.
• How long do you expect to keep it? If you only need a van for a short term, it may be best to consider rental as you will not have to cover the cost of depreciation or servicing etc.
• Will the van be used for towing? In which case the Frontera or the Vivaro/Movano are the better choices but may require extra classifications being added to your driving licence.
• How much time will be spent in the vehicle? If you are intending to drive the vehicle for many hours then comfort should be a big consideration.
• If something goes wrong, do you know where you can take your vehicle for genuine Vauxhall van parts?

Carburettors and Home-Made Fuel

As the country has moved deeper and deeper into the recession, car owners have continued to feel the pinch with rising car tax, maintenance costs that cannot be ignored e.g. new tyres, and fuel costs have rocketed up to 110 pence per litre of unleaded in some areas.

Desperate to hold onto their cars, drivers have tried to keep their costs down in a variety of ways, some legal, some illegal. In desperate times when people are fighting to keep their jobs and tightening their belts meaning that some ‘forget’ to renew their insurance policy, others try to drive less or more efficiently. Some drivers take more drastic action and try to make their own fuel, however this is dangerous.

Why is it dangerous to make your own fuel?
The carburettor mixes air and fuel and then injects it into the engine. If, for example, you put petrol into a diesel car, do not start the engine. Petrol burns at a higher temperature to diesel so when the fuel is sprayed into the engine, the petrol could melt some of the engine components. You will know this has happened because once you have turned the engine over, there will be a huge amount of smoke coming from the car. The principle with home-made fuels also applies. By using such fuels, you are contaminating your engine – you might as well put sugar in the tank.

If your car is not modified to run on alternative substances, then putting home-made fuel into your car is a huge mistake and could be fatal for your car. Fuels can vary from brand to brand as different companies add different additives that make the fuel burn more efficiently. This is why you may notice a difference in fuel consumption when you use different brands of fuel. As an unofficial rule, brands refine their fuels for quality whereas supermarkets refine their fuel for price. Home-made fuels have fundamental differences to refined oil that is made into petrol which is what was originally intended for your car to use. 

Can you modify your car to run on these cheaper fuels?
Yes, but your car must be modified by a garage as it is a complicated job. If you have an old car then you may find that the initial expense cannot be justified. After all, you will have to cover a huge distance before the car starts paying for itself. Don’t forget, cars that use LPG fuel are not currently allowed to use the Channel Tunnel so if you drive from the UK to mainland Europe and you have converted your car to use LPG fuel, you will have to book a ferry instead.

So what about my carburettor?
Newer cars don’t always have a carburettor inm a traditional sense as they use a fuel injection system instead. However, there are still a number of cars that use a carburettor in an evolved form. Even with a fuel injection system, you should never add a substance to your fuel tank that wasn’t intended to be put into your vehicle by the manufacturer.

A new carburettor could cost anything from £100 to £600 which might or might not include the fitting by a garage. They can be bought second hand. It is an expensive car part to replace and a frustrating one if you were romanced by the promises of cheaper fuel.

How can I fix my car if I have put the wrong fuel in?
If you haven’t already turned your engine on, DON’T! Get your car to a garage and have the fuel tank and pipes drained by a professional. If you have started the car, be aware that you car may have to be written off as it could work out too expensive to repair.

If you have seen videos posted online and various articles telling you how you can get cheaper fuel, consult with a professional before trying it out on your car.