I have just purchased a 3 yr old BMW from a non-franchised dealer advertised with full BMWSH. When I asked to see the paperwork he produced a number of copies of BMW receipts for every service and this shows the car has indeed been well maintained by a main dealer.

However, he said there is no service book - presumably lost.

He said I could contact BMW who would issue a duplicate and stamp it up. Could anyone confirm whether this is possible? Is it a straighforward process? Do they charge a fortune?

I also read in another post that you can ring BMW and they will confirm service records over the phone - will they do this even if the car isn't through an Approved Used BMW sale?

Thanks. Read more

Just out of interest this one, as - despite it being occasionally annoying - I doubt I can be bothered with the hassle of doing anything about it.

The estate I live on has a covenant saying that no commercial vehicles can be parked on it overnight. One of our near neighbours not only ignores the covenant, but actually parks his very large van right outside the entrance to our drive, making it quite awkward getting in and out. It's hard to describe, but we're on the end of a cul-de-sac, our drive goes straight on to the end of the cul-de-sac, he parks at the side of the road, with the nose of his van against the join between road and driveway. We can only get out because our driveway and our neighbours are side by side, double the normal width.

Anyway, to the point: What's the legal situation with the covenant? Who would you complain to? Who has the power to enforce the rule? I would guess it's not a police matter. Read more

I've just had an oil and filter change on my Citroen Berlingo (5 years old, 62,000 miles) at a main dealer.

As I was waiting, a gent came out of the workshop with the sump plug to show me that the thread was damaged. I'm not sure, but I think that means that the thread on the sump itself would also be damaged. He told me he was going to try to get it in, but he was not certain it would work - and if it didn't, the car would need a new sump - which he didn't have in stock. Anyway, he got it in, but told me next time the oil is changed, the car will need a new sump.

How common is this sort of damage? I was surprised to hear of it on a fairly new vehicle. Read more

Please can anyone help with this?

ON Saturday night someone who shall remain nameless threw up inside my husband's company car. In trying to puke out of the window, they managed to get vomit both inside and outside the car, and down inside the car door where the window goes when its wound down.

I've been out scrubbing with bio washing powder and bicarbonate of soda, the upholstery smells OK now but when you wind the window down it still smells of sick. I've pushed back the trim and washed all the visible parts but I think there may still be some sick further down. When the window is up, the gaps in the trim are inside, so not an area that would be affected by rainwater or a car wash.

What worries me is that there may still be some traces of sick stuck down inside the window recess area, which will continue to smell unless I can somehow get them out. I don't know much about cars though and have no idea (a) whether this area is accessible somehow and (b) whether I might do more harm than good trying to get cleaning products or even water down inside the door


Does anyone *please* have any hints on how I might clean this up to save us having to pay who-knows-what to get it professionally cleaned?
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I am self employed and have toyed with the idea of leasing but am not vat registered. Apparently I could claim the whole leasing cost back but I am unclear as to wether or not it is a good idea or another of my pie in the sky schemes. Any advice? Read more