Muggles and a 'hideous lack of maintenance...'

[Superflow]

It's the modern way, everything is disposable now.

I have a two year lease on the "longlife" schedule,it won't be getting a service in that time.

I drive it hard in sport mode and hand it back,i would not buy an ex lease vehicle.

[mph1977]

aw51 121565 said:

When I saw the word "muggles" I picked up on your definition first - there is an early '60s public information film about holiday traffic in Cornwall (it's on YouTube), which refers to the muggles dragging their shells behind them (ie caravans) .

Or was it "grockles"?

grockles for tourists iirc

[Willy Nilly]

Blakewater said:

Pints said:

What's the answer to having these rolling death traps on our roads?
Government education? Enforced minimum servicing alongside the MOT? More regular spot checks for the more obvious issues (e.g. tyres, discs and shocks)?

This random survey carried out outside one school found a third of all the cars dropping children off had tyres in an illegal condition.

http://www.tyrepress.com/2014/08/30-of-cars-in-shr...

How about spot checks by the police outside schools checking things like tyres, lights and other safety aspects of the cars being used to transport children?

That would probably result in a lot more kids having to walk to school which would have dual benefit of getting dodgy cars off the road and reducing childhood obesity.

One of our horsey clients has a MKIV Golf 1.6 auto which she is wanting rid of because "it has done 97,000 and they are just don't designed to run that long." Ooookaaay. She then went on to tell me how it was worth £2,500 all day long because that's what they are going for on Autotrader. Yes, love, for diesels. She wasn' impressed with my offer of 500 quid for a 03 registered car.

Next she regaled me with what a good car it had been (so why sell it?) but it does use a little oil and she religiously tops it up when the red light come on. Jesus.

She didn't seem to understand that this is likely to be terminal for the engine, no matter how I explained it to her. She didn't like my revised offer of £100/tonne either. 2/3rds of the brake lights normally work as well.

[hidetheelephants]

aw51 121565 said:

BigBen said:

I had heard the term but had no idea it was from Harry Potter, I would have guessed it was what people from Cornwall called folks from the mainland or something like that.

I have also not read any of the Harry Potter books, chiefly as I am an adult.

Ben

When I saw the word "muggles" I picked up on your definition first - there is an early '60s public information film about holiday traffic in Cornwall (it's on YouTube), which refers to the muggles dragging their shells behind them (ie caravans) .

Or was it "grockles"?

Grockles when west of the Tamar, and I think emmets when in Devon. I might have them back to front though.

Edit to add; I have indeed got them arse about face. Grockles are Emmets in Cornwall and Emmets are Grockles in Devon.

Edited by hidetheelephants on Sunday 21st December 18:25

[Blakewater]

Willy Nilly said:

Blakewater said:

Pints said:

What's the answer to having these rolling death traps on our roads?
Government education? Enforced minimum servicing alongside the MOT? More regular spot checks for the more obvious issues (e.g. tyres, discs and shocks)?

This random survey carried out outside one school found a third of all the cars dropping children off had tyres in an illegal condition.

http://www.tyrepress.com/2014/08/30-of-cars-in-shr...

How about spot checks by the police outside schools checking things like tyres, lights and other safety aspects of the cars being used to transport children?

That would probably result in a lot more kids having to walk to school which would have dual benefit of getting dodgy cars off the road and reducing childhood obesity.

One of our horsey clients has a MKIV Golf 1.6 auto which she is wanting rid of because "it has done 97,000 and they are just don't designed to run that long." Ooookaaay. She then went on to tell me how it was worth £2,500 all day long because that's what they are going for on Autotrader. Yes, love, for diesels. She wasn' impressed with my offer of 500 quid for a 03 registered car.

Next she regaled me with what a good car it had been (so why sell it?) but it does use a little oil and she religiously tops it up when the red light come on. Jesus.

She didn't seem to understand that this is likely to be terminal for the engine, no matter how I explained it to her. She didn't like my revised offer of £100/tonne either. 2/3rds of the brake lights normally work as well.

So she's selling it because it's lasted as long as it's designed to but it's definitely worth £2,500 and not scrap value? Makes sense...

[Matt UK]

silverfoxcc said:

andy43 said:

LimaDelta said:

What the fk is a "Muggle?"

Have they got any sisters?

Yup, but y'know, it's complicated...

[Patrick Bateman]

I remember seeing a Micra on the way to work (dual carriageway NSL) with no tyre on it's back right wheel. I saw sparks from a distance but I wasn't expecting that.

[C.A.R.]

You could wander around any supermarket carpark and find an alarming amount of cars with illegal tyres on, owners totally oblivious.

The best example had to be this fella who was obviously doing very well for himself - you know the type, black Range Rover Sport, lots of hair product, sunglasses on a cloudy day and dressed like he just did a photoshoot for a clothing magazine. Tyres on this expensive motor as bald as his undoubtedly-waxed chest, the dopey tart. All the money and no observation. He might notice if he took the shades off! Or maybe next time he needs to brake in a hurry...

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Some great examples here lads, keep them coming. Thanks for the links to the 'MOT Howlers' websites too - some fascinating reading there, and proof that basically backs up my point, no?

And as an aside - I thought it was beautiful, and typically PH, that the thread descended into an argument about Harry Potter - yeah there were some handbags prevalent...however this kind of digression is exactly what makes PH such an interesting and fun place. I really enjoyed that, thank you

Now, back to the horrendous lack of maintenance....

[Rick101]

Numerous lights out on my M1 journey last night. Most annoying was the car with a fault, 2 white lights to rear but worst was the car running on 1 sidelight only.

Was ok though as he had fog lights on.

[Refined Detail]

My girlfriend was like this until I started seeing her. First trip out in her Mini and I was already trying to diagnose the multitude of noises I could hear from it!

This was with a week to go to the MOT expired too:

Rear brake pads shot - the squeal they emitted when braking apparently had been there since "the garage fitted the front brakes!"

Coolant - expansion tank completely empty and bone dry - apparently "does that regularly since I had the new radiator and head gasket done earlier this year" - except it's been fine since I topped it up, and I'd imagine it only needed replacing to begin with due to neglect!

Servicing - yeh it goes in once a year - turns out she's referring to the MOT, the only service work it has is anything it fails the MOT on. So currently hasn't had a proper service in 4 years of ownership.

Currently working my through other smaller issues too and persuading her to book it in for a service and also to replace the 4 perishing tyres!

[R2T2]

Phoned up interested in a car, that had done 90,000 miles.

Asked about service history. It's been MOT'd every year, that's what you mean right?

Asked about cambelt: I didn't change it because I rarely use it and never go above 3k rpm.

Needless to say I didn't carry the conversation on. It was still for sale 4 months later.

Went into the garage and asked for 2 new tyres on the front. They had treat left, but were mismatched, and 1 was run flat, and 1 was just about legal so they both got changed. Tyre fitter mentioned this and woman having tyres done looked up and said "I wouldn't swap tyres like that, they've got plenty of tread left" When they were illegal, I saw the tyres that come off of hers. Cord, and the inside was almost entirely canvas, It was ridiculous. And she proudly claimed that she would only buy cheap tyres as they do the same job as the Pirelli's I had put on. I kindly reminded her that they're the only piece of car that touches the road, and asked her if she buys smart price/value meat as she's doing the same thing in principle.

Straight over her head.

[Dog Star]

My dad will replace a single wiper rubber and shock absorber. He's also tried it on with brake discs/pads just on one side. And he *loves* cheap tyres.

[Dog Star]

R2T2 said:

... "I wouldn't swap tyres like that, they've got plenty of tread left" When they were illegal, I saw the tyres that come off of hers. Cord, and the inside was almost entirely canvas...

If you want a "laugh" go and take a look at the pile of used tyres round the back of the fitters next time you're having new ones. It is absolutely shocking when you see the state of some of them and then realise that you're sharing the wet roads with such skinflints.

[groundcontrol]

MY sister's car is absolutely horrendous, the one time I lifted the bonnet open to top up the washer fluid it was like opening a tomb. Every fluid dangerously low and discoloured.

It's full of little dings and bits of missing trim, that were someone else's fault, of course.

[patmahe]

A couple that have stuck in my mind. Not horror stories as such, but just a lack of even basic knowledge.

- "Do diesel cars need oil, there's an oil light on in my car for the past few days"

- "How often should you service a car, mine has never had a service?" Spoken about a bought brand new Audi A3 which at this point had 30,000 miles on it at approx 2 years old.

I'm sure there's more but can't think of them right now.

[R2T2]

Dog Star said:

If you want a "laugh" go and take a look at the pile of used tyres round the back of the fitters next time you're having new ones. It is absolutely shocking when you see the state of some of them and then realise that you're sharing the wet roads with such skinflints.

It's harrowing to say the least. I must admit though, on my old car the tracking was out, meaning the inside wore out before the outside began to show, so I missed it until I checked when on full lock and found an inch of cord showing, so I went straight to tyre shop and swapped both over, and had the tracking done.

[jamieduff1981]

Blakewater said:

Pints said:

What's the answer to having these rolling death traps on our roads?
Government education? Enforced minimum servicing alongside the MOT? More regular spot checks for the more obvious issues (e.g. tyres, discs and shocks)?

This random survey carried out outside one school found a third of all the cars dropping children off had tyres in an illegal condition.

http://www.tyrepress.com/2014/08/30-of-cars-in-shr...

How about spot checks by the police outside schools checking things like tyres, lights and other safety aspects of the cars being used to transport children?

I would fully support this. Infact, since the Police can resource campaigns at certain times of year to stop scores of cars passing spot checking for drink driving (which I also support) then there simply must be merit in doing the same to spot check for maintenance. Those who don't check oil etc are just idiots and deserve every crippling expense they get. Those driving around with dud lights, bald tyres, worn out brakes, clonking bushes/balljoints, leaking dampers, rotten brake pipes etc - basically anything safety related which could affect other people - should have the book thrown at them.

Drink driving has become socially unacceptable. Driving an unroadworthy car could be made socially unacceptable via educationary campaigns over what happens to your children when some MPV wielding arse on bald tyres skids over the pavement and crushes them like a f***ing tomato - backed up with brutal enforcement.

Although impractical at the side of the road, "suspect" cars could be given producers to attend an MOT-like inspection (but one which could actually remove wheels to inspect brakes properly) within an inconveniently short timeframe.

[J4CKO]

I went to look at a Metro for a girl I knew, was checking the tyres and front suspension so gripped the front tyres and was rewarded with a bleeding hand due to the wires poking out of the tyre !

I think a lot of people know they need to do something but its all a bit nebulous and confusing, plus it takes time and you have to go outside which to be fair a lot of the year is wet or dark. Plus, a lot don't have any money, and what they do have they want to spend on booze, shopping trips, Games Consoles, New Cars, Mobile Phones, Booze, Fags, TV's and all the other good stuff, not boring ste like brake pads and various incomprehensible bits of metal on the grubby side of the car.

The MOT is invaluable, in the US they don't have an equivalent, they have some emissions testing but not sure how rigorous or avoidable that is, some of the st heaps I saw around Atlanta amazed me, some looked like they had been banger raced, bent panels with jagged edges, horrendous noises emanating and some were like Uncle Bucks car with zero damping left, some of the ghetto fixes were impressive as well.


So, the MOT is a bit like going to the doctors, that's when you find what is wrong, without that people wouldnt bother at all in a lot of cases.


There needs to be more consequence, I think that having a light out should be the cue for the Police to pull you and make you produce your documents as they will be the cars that are harbouring other defects, which should then be looked for, people would then perhaps start changing broken bulbs.

[aka_kerrly]

jamieduff1981 said:

I would fully support this. Infact, since the Police can resource campaigns at certain times of year to stop scores of cars passing spot checking for drink driving (which I also support) then there simply must be merit in doing the same to spot check for maintenance.

Drink driving has become socially unacceptable. Driving an unroadworthy car could be made socially unacceptable via educationary campaigns

Although impractical at the side of the road, "suspect" cars could be given producers to attend an MOT-like inspection (but one which could actually remove wheels to inspect brakes properly) within an inconveniently short timeframe.

You Sir speak a lot of sense, I agree with the concept that the police and general public should be taking vehicle safety far more seriously. It gets on my nerves when I hear people joking about how serious a fault is on their car and ignore it whilst those who take good care of their cars being branded some kind of nerd.

In your last paragraph you suggest producers , how about a grading system where by cars with serious defects are clamped immediately or only allowed to be recovered by a garage. In less serious cases the option of drive away with 48hours to get the car a new MOT or you have your existing MOT revoked and a fine in the post. In fact there used to be a system where the police would issue you a "7 day wonder" as we used to call them where you had to either produce your documents or get a MOT inspector to sign the slip to say any required work had been done but I've not seen or heard of them for a while now.

One of the problems I have encountered when I have participated in (not so random) random stops is half the time the police officers have no bloody clue what they are looking at!! I would have thought that a traffic cop should have some degree of knowledge beyond being able to check tyres.

I digress, the most interesting bodge I've seen recently was a Merc Unimog where 90% of the floor was made of fiberglass. Oddly the seats were then bolted to a metal bar that was under the cab but also bolted to the same fiberglass floor so I fail to see how it offered any strength whatsoever. The rear of the cab was also full of holes that had been filled with expanding foam and then skimmed with a layer of filler!