Back to UK after 2 years away. What have i missed?

[pimping]

I've been working away for 2 years and haven't been back in the entire time.

I'm looking at heading back and buying a car, maybe a house and I feel completely out of touch for some reason.

Has anything happened regarding motoring in the last two years that I should know about as I don't want to make a silly mistake etc.

Many thanks beforehand for all help.

[webby23]

I went Le Mans

[matthias73]

Funny you should start this thread, I'm in exactly the same boat. Come back next week.

Where have you been?

[ging84]

your no claims discount will have expired
the can insurance cartel will now charge you double

[TobyLaRohne]

My advice would be to get home, see the family, then go about finding another job overseas asap.
I've been overseas since 2008 and the only 2 things that seem to change are my friends haircuts and the size of my nephew.

[Welshbeef]

Um MX-5.

This is general gassing strictly car related discussion this needs to be in the lounge.



Fuel is now notably cheaper than when you went away more potholes lots more employed loads more new cars being sold middle lane hogging gets 3 points where I drive I've noticed a step up of police on the roads note from a low base.

House prices in the SE are way above previous peaks though many others parts of the UK that isn't the case some are much lower.

Scottish Independance vote is next year
UKIP seems to be winning 25% of the vote whee it stands


We had a sunny summer
Olympics was good
Jubilee was good
Royal wedding was good

Press scandal phone hacking bubbles on

Min wage is 6.31

Dirty protests are on the up

Um covers most things I guess

[Triumph Man]

Welshbeef said:

This is general gassing strictly car related discussion this needs to be in the lounge.

He said motoring...

[wemorgan]

pimping said:

Has anything happened regarding motoring in the last two years that I should know about as I don't want to make a silly mistake etc

Hyundai/Kia are a credible brand. MG are not.
The BMW 135M is the car of the moment (in PH eyes)
JLR can do no wrong.
Lotus slumped to new lows, but are now looking up.
Saab were no more, but there's some faint light at the end of the tunnel.

[k-ink]

F1 was taken away from the BBC so I stopped watching it.
Other forms of motor sport turned out to be superior anyway.

UK roads are even more crowded and pot holes than before.

[anonymous-user]

Not a lot

[anonymous-user]

Me too, back this month after two and a half years away.

I calculated that energy costs have increased 40 % since I left.

[V88Dicky]

To 'fit in', you must now drive slumped over the centre console, with your right hand at the 10 o'clock position on the steering wheel.

This is especially important if you drive a German car, or a Range Rover.

[Welshbeef]

RealSquirrels said:

Me too, back this month after two and a half years away.

I calculated that energy costs have increased 40 % since I left.

But we are now the 3rd cheapest for energy in the UK.

[Monkeylegend]

Everybody loves Audis, they are the car of choice. BMWs are so yesterday.

Don't hog the middle lane and don't tailgate.

Dartford crossing is now £2 each way. Stansted and Luton charge you £2 to drop off.

Lots of people now use winter tyres.

[kiethton]

You now can't ignore private parking tickets from Parking Eye, just needs a POPLA appeal to get rid of them, others are still good to bin though (for the moment).

[Welshbeef]

If you remove your steering wheel which was fitted with an airbag to an aftermarket one without it will fail the MOT

[anonymous-user]

Welshbeef said:

RealSquirrels said:

Me too, back this month after two and a half years away.

I calculated that energy costs have increased 40 % since I left.

But we are now the 3rd cheapest for energy in the UK.

True.

Butt he housing is so st you need a lot of it.

[Welshbeef]

RealSquirrels said:

True.

Butt he housing is so st you need a lot of it.

Spot on.
But labour want to invest in a price freeze rather than investing in lowering the demand. Job done.

[pimping]

I'm over 30 so hoping the insurance won't be diabolical.
What's with wheel clampers being illegal now?

I still remember getting a £60 fine from oxford services for parking longer than two hours (long drive - little nap). I'll never stop there ever again.

[pimping]

Had a look at the motor after two years standing. Started first time thank god the old man kept starting it. Bit creaky moving it and moss had grown all over. Still no one discovered the dead hookers body in the boot so happy with that.