Newbie looking for a bit of direction :D

[ASL642]

I know of a car that "acquired" an MOT from behind the bar of a local pub !!!

[rob.hardy1]

Welcome to the forum Lilou. I think that you have seen we are predominantly a friendly lot with lots of encouragement and advice to offer that i have found very usefull in the past.

With regard to 2door/4door/traveller. Personally i prefer the flexibility of a traveller, but then i am biased but i would issue a slight warning about 4 doors versions. The front doors are somewhat smaller and if you or anyone that matters are like myself, a little to tall round the waist then they are not as 'comfortable' to get in and out of.

[PSL184]

I know of a car that "acquired" an MOT from behind the bar of a local pub !!!

Fortunately this is no longer possible with the computerised system however it used to go on far too often

[mike.perry]

With the new MOT computer system I believe it will not let you put your car in if the current MOT has more than a month to run.
My wife's car was refused for that reason last week.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - one month before - but it would still be possible to get a fraudulent MOT, the computer can't stop that. They do have to log the start and finish times of the MOT, but nothing actually 'proves' the car is present. I'm sure that sort of thing doesn't go on - does it ??

[lilou]

Wow I'm really chuffed at how friendly everyone is on this forum

I have taken all the advice in as best I could. I think I will start to seriously look in June, as my work schedule before that is absolutely hectic!

I would like an opportunity to meet up with a local branch, as Lou suggested. See the difference between the 948 and 1098, and learn what to look for, etc.

I must say, I am a little sad that Molly is sold, must have just happened over the weekend...I had been ogling those pictures for quite some time! I guess as my dad says...."It's never the last deal!"

bmcecosse, I was a bit surprised when you mentioned the underbonnet looking a bit shabby. Is it supposed to look spiffy?

I have always been leery of folks who polish their cars in the wrong places (unless of course you're dealing with a fanatic who really loves his car!!) and try to blind you with a little splash of fresh shinny paint in places where you expect a bit of mess!
I wonder what else is lurking underneath that they are trying to hide....

Regarding the MOT, I know it really depends on the garage....we have had a few issues with our local garage and wondered how they passed our Peugeot with a ceased caliper!

So if I understand correctly, an owner shouldn't be upset if I ask for a fresh MOT if there's 6 months or less on it? it sounds like that's not always possible due to the new MOT system?

I would certainly feel much better if a MMOC member came along when I do find cars to look at, later this summer. I promise a pint and a good meal!!

[bmcecosse]

Good cars sell fast - you have to act quickly. Poor underbonnet condition could indicate that the outside has had a quick 'blow over' to make it look good. My own car is definitely 'shabby' under the bonnet - I don't care - it's not a show car - it's for using!

[mike.perry]

There is a difference between an underbonnet that gets the occasional rag wiped around it and one that has never been cleaned.
If the outside of the car is immaculate you expect the engine compartment to at least look as though it belongs to the same car.

[alainmoran]

Hehe ... we are all fanatics who really love our cars ... it will happen to you too, just wait and see

[lilou]

Hehe ... we are all fanatics who really love our cars ... it will happen to you too, just wait and see

I'm afraid you might be right on that one!!