Electric cars tested in the UK

The CABLED (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators) consortium is currently testing a total of 340 electric cars across the UK. This includes the  Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Jaguar Land Rover's _e electric/diesel hybrid, LTI’s TX4E taxis, Mercedes Benz/Smart FourTwo electric drive, Tata Indica Vista EV and the hydrogen-powered Microcab.

The Microcab

The test  seeks to find out how how practical these electric cars under real life conditions would be - this include how they are used and charging information. Recharging points will be provided by Birmingham and Coventry City Councils and Eon. Birmingham University’s hydrogen refuelling station will also be available.

Researchers from Aston University will be analysing the data generated.

Interestingly out of the total cars that will be tested for a year, 110 will be based in Birmingham and Coventry. 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEV cars were passed to test drivers in the West Midlands with the rest will be given to lucky drivers, specially selected by Coventry University researchers. Hope I am one of them.

Car tax renewal

Just renewed the vehicle tax for my old Ford. It cost me £185 for a year. Tax is high because my is above 1549 cc and registered before 1 March 2001. The cost of vehicle tax is given on the DirectGov site.

Was really annoyed when I found out that the post office near our house where I normally renew my tax, has now been closed. Had to drive to the Great Heath Sub Post Office on Foleshill road (CV6 5JX).

Just found out that I might have lost the chance to win a SEAT car. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) working with SEAT has just launched a free prize draw for people who renew their tax online or by phone.

National Tyres and Autocare Spon End

Contrary to what some people might believe, I don't have anything against National Tyres and Autocare. If I have a good experience as a customer with any business, I will write about it and vice versa. In case you are wondering what I am talking about read my review "Experience with National Tyres and Autocare". It was about my experience with their branch at Gosford Street, Coventry.

I wanted to make sure that it was just one branch and not all branches cheating customers. This time I decided to try out their branch at Spon End, Coventry. However, I called them first to make sure whether their wheel alignment was only £12.50 as advertised. When I received an answer in the affirmative, I drove down to their workshop.

They checked my Volvo and I found out that I had to change one of the Tyres. This cost me £44 for a Tigar Prima (one of the cheapest). The final cost came to £62/

I was quite surprised when I found out that they had given me a further discount of £5/ which was quite welcome. Of course, this was before the reductions in VAT was announced.

More info about the branch is given below:

National Tyres and Autocare
70 Spon End, Coventry, CV1 3HA
Phone: 02476674206

Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 6.00pm
Saturday: 8.30am - 5.00pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm

Battery down

Last weekend we were all set to go to Bristol for a day trip - all got into the car, TomTom ready and then the car refused to start. It was really frustrating. I suspected a run down battery but wa snot sure as I could still use the locking remote.

Waited till Monday this week. Called up RAC. A guy turned up promptly in less than an hour. He confirmed that the battery was down. Used his van to recharge the battery and my car started up without any problems. His diagnosis - "change the battery". They do sell batteries but it was way too costly - around £90.

Called up my regular workshop and they said they could replace it for a new one for only £75/

I decided to check out the workshop Ace Auto Parts and Accessories on the way to my son's nursery. Was really surprised when I found out that a brand new batter would cost me only £55/ inclusive of labour. The guy was friendly and had the battery changed in a couple of minutes.

Also noticed that they do battery, brakes and exhaust checks for free. Maybe later.

Here's the address:
Ace Auto Parts and Accessories
103, Radford Road, Radford
Coventry CV6 3BQ
Tel: 024 76601006

Response to Anon - National Tyres and Autocare

Someone "Anonymous" left a comment on my post "Experience with National Tyres and Autocare". He or She said:

"hi there i work for national, the advert is not mis leading !! if you bother to read it properly it states, ON A RANGE OF BARUM AND AVON TYRES, SELECTED SIZES ONLY !! as for the tracking, the vocher (sic) sheet also states that prices are subject to change at any time, plus where else are you going to get tracking done for £15.00 any way ???"

In response to Anonymous, I am so sorry I forgot to read the SMALL PRINT. It does say that. Regarding the Wheel alignment offer, they have now increased the price to £12.50 from £11/ If it costs £15, why don't they just say so instead of misleading consumers.

This is precisely the reason why so many companies in the UK are unable to retain customers. They are so focussed on getting new customers by any means possible (including misleading ads). However, the most important part - retaining customers, is forgotten.

I left them a complaint on their web site and I am still waiting for their answer. A simple apology would have been enough and I won't have written the post and even if I had I would have written it in a more positive tone. Maybe "National Tyres and Autocare" got back to me and they were willing to even do the alignment for FREE. Amazing company". Unfortunately that didn't happen and I will go to the tyre shop near my house who are friendlier.

Remember it is cheaper to retain old customers instead of getting new ones. The old satisfied customers will bring new ones along with them.

Reviews of garages / workshops in Coventry

Hollis Road garage - MOT

KNS Autoparts Ltd, Foleshill - Car Repair/Ford Specialist

National Tyres and Autocare, Gosford Street - Tyres

Station Garage Coventry, Ballsal Common - Used Car and Servicing

Taxi & car repairs, Stoney Stanton - Car Repair and Servicing

TPS Autos Ltd, Foleshill - Car Repair/ MOT

Review of KNS Autoparts - Ford specialists in Coventry

After I bought the Volvo from Station Garage, I was wondering what to do with our old Ford Escort. Read my post "Ryanair to La Rochelle" in case you are wondering what happened to the car.



I had made up my mind to sell it as scrap as almost everyone I had talked to had convinced me that it was not worth trying to fix - "The cost would be more than it was worth".

Looked up the local newspaper and called up some scrap dealers, enquiring how much they could give me for the car. The maximum offer I got was £100. That was ridiculous considering the fact that the new Barum tyres I had fitted recently cost me £45.

I then checked with my favourite garage - Taxi & car repairs. Unfortunately Mr. Isfaq told me that he doesn't do engine repairs. There's one guy whom most Malaysians living in Coventry send their Mercedes Benz cars for repairs. He told me that it would cost me a minium of £500 to fix the head gasket. That was the same amount that he had charged my friend Ihsan for a similar problem with his car as well. Considering the fact that Ihsan's car was a Mercedes and mine, a Ford Escort, I certainly expected him to charge me less.

By that stage, I really didn't know what to do and had made up my mind to sell off the parts bit by bit on eBay when one of my friends told me to try KNS Autoparts Ltd in Lockhurst Lane. They are specialised in Ford cars.

I didn't really have any high hopes but I called them up anyway. Chris picked up the phone and I described my car and the problem. I couldn't believe it when he told me that he could fix the car and that it would cost me only £300 plus VAT. Of course I readily agreed. They were even willing to tow the car to their garage Free-of-charge.

So I gave them my car keys, told them where it was parked and went off on my holiday to France.

Called them up yesterday morning. Chris replied saying that the car was fixed and I could pick it up anytime. I was actually expecting him to tell me that the car needed more work and that it would mean more money. A lot of dishonest garages do that.

Altogether it cost me £352.50 (inclusive of VAT). It may be my imagination but the ride feels much smoother than before. Of course, it's been just one day but I am impressed with the work the guys at KNS Autoparts have done. Chris told me that I could bring back the car if it has any problems.

If you are in Coventry and have a problem with your old Ford Escort, you know where to go now.

The garage is located at 187, Lockhurst Lane, Foleshill, CV6 5NQ, Coventry.
Tel: 024 7658 1798

Auto Story in Pictures Wednesday

I am starting this new meme called "Auto Story in Pictures Wednesday".

This meme is for auto enthusiasts, photographers, car owners - in fact everyone is welcome to join in. It's really simple. All you have to do is post up a picture of anything related to the auto industry that you feel tells a story on Wednesday.

Just leave a comment here or send me an email (ahoklah@gmail.com) with a link to your post and I will add you to the Auto Story in Pictures Wednesday blogroll.

I start the ball rolling with this photograph I took in Coventry. Calcott was a car manufacturer based in Coventry.

Experience with National Tyres and Autocare

I needed to change my tyres and was quite excited when I found out that National Tyres and Autocare was offering two tyres for the price of one. As they say, "if it sounds to good to be true, it usually is." Found that their promotions and offers are quite misleading.


They have two branches here in Coventry and I went to the one in Gosford Street, near Coventry University.





Found out that the "Buy one tyre, get one free" offer is not available for my car tyre size. I only had one replaced - a Barum Bravuris tyre (195 / 50 R 15 82V) costing £45/

It's not that bad considering that I had one tyre changed at the "New Cheap Tyres" shop on Stoney Stanton road. It cost the same for a no-brand Chinese made tyre (the cheapest according to them).

Coming back to the National tyres shop, I wanted to take advantage of their Wheel alignment offer - only £11 according to the coupon. However, when I asked the guy in charge, he said that it will cost me £15. Of course, it's a difference of only £4/ but I do feel like he was trying to take advantage. Another thing that reinforced this suspicion was when he told me that the 2 rear tyres needed to be changed as well. It's obvious I am a foreigner here, but I am not stupid. They still have good thread depths. The minimum legal thread depth is 1.6 mm in the UK while on the tyres on my car, they are between 2.5 to 3mm.

the only positive thing I can say is that the whole process of changing to the new tyres was that I didn't have to wait too long and it was relatively fast. I also got Tesco clubcard points.

That's another shop I won't be going back to. I am not so sure about their other branch at Spon End.

Hollis Road garage

On the recommendation of several of my Malaysian friends, I recently had my car's MOT test done at the Hollis Road Garage on Hollis Road. It reportedly charges the lowest for the MOT test in the whole of Coventry - only £24/



So I drove down there Tuesday evening having made an appointment for 4:30 pm. was relieved when it passed the exhaust test. Unfortunately the car failed the test because both my front direction indicator lights were of incorrect colour and the "nearside front lower suspension arm bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement."

Took it back to the garage the next day to have the parts replaced. Took them around an hour. Went back home with the MOT pass certificate.

Here's the address:

Hollis Road Garage
139 Hollis Rd, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 1AG
Tel: 024 76456657

New Mini dealership in Coventry

Just found out that the biggest Mini dealership in the midlands is in Coventry. Sytner Coventry Mini opened their doors in October this year.

Here's the Address:
128 Holyhead Road
Coventry
West Midlands
CV5 8NA

Tel: 02476 600 700

More classic cars at the Coventry Transport Museum

Nice curvy bodies


Did you know that the car chase scenes inside the sewers in the 1969 classic movie, 'The Italian Job' were NOT shot in Italy? They were filmed here in Coventry.


BP and Shell were one, once.


Triumph once produced cars


Looks like the Jag design hasn't changed much from the earlier models


The Thrust2. It held the World record for fastest Land Speed Record held the world between 1983 and 1997.

Other amazing and priceless classic cars:





Related posts:
- Classic cars at the Coventry Transport Museum
- Visit to Coventry Transport Museum

Classic cars at the Coventry Transport Museum

I was surprised at the number of car brands that once came out of Coventry. This include Alvis, Calcott, Daimler, Jaguar, Lea Francis, Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam, Standard, Swift and Triumph.

Out of all, only Jaguar remains and is still producing cars here.


Barbie's Jaguar.


A day out a long time ago.


The Lotus concept car. Designed by a Coventry University student.


Jaguar concept.


Classic motorbikes.


The Penny Farthing bike. It must have taken an effort to climb this bike even before riding it.


Do you recognise this futuristic looking car with a stainless steel body. Unfortunately it didn't sell and the company went bust.

Visit to Coventry Transport Museum

Coventry was once the home of many famous car manufacturers and I have always wanted to visit the Coventry Transport Museum. Unfortunately, my wife is not that keen on classic cars. I finally got the opportunity to visit the museum when my father-in-law (who's happens to be another car enthusiast) came to visit us.


The museum is situated in Millennium Place, Hales street CV1 1PN, just opposite the Pool Meadow Bus Station.




It was really interesting. Unlike other museums, entry is totally free and you are allowed to take photographs. Isn't that great.

Car repair workshop in Coventry

My car was overdue for it interim servicing (it's done 82764 miles). As I am new here in Coventry, I asked around. My dear friend Wahab recommended Taxi & car repairs on Stony Stanton road. It's next to the "Cheap New Tyres" shop. You won't miss it.

Yesterday I heard a knocking sound coming from the back whenever I drove over a speed bump. On checking, found out that my exhaust pipe had come loose.

Went over to the workshop and they did a temporary fix and asked me to come in the morning for servicing the car.

So early this morning I left my car at the workshop. According to my Service guide, it was also time to change the camshaft drive belt (also known as the timing belt). I was shocked when I found out that it would cost me £125 (inclusive of £60 service charge).

I was really happy when Mr. Isfaq, the boss at the workshop told me that the timing belt had been changed early last year according to a sticker on the engine and after opening the engine, he had confirmed that it was still new. I saved quite a bit.

Isfaq showed me the old oil filter. It was filthy and looked like it had never been changed since the previous owner bought the car.

I paid £100 (considered very reasonable) for everything including the parts and service charges. This also includes 2 new wipers and for fixing the exhaust.

Actually felt a big difference in the car's performance when I drove back.

Thanks a lot guys.

I whole heartedly recommend:

Taxi & Car Repairs
563 Stoney Stanton Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5ED
Tel: 024 7668 7000

Tags: Coventry Workshop

Ryton factory to close

The Ryton factory in Coventry will close completely later this month. Peugeot had stopped production of the 206 before Christmas.

The factory has a long and varied history. It was built in 1939 to manufacture engines for war planes during the 2nd World War. They only started building cars there in 1946 with the Sunbeam-Talbot by the Rootes Group.

The Rootes group lost control of the factory in the 1960s due to financial difficulties. Chrysler Europe bought over the group and continued to build cars at Ryton. However, they too faced problems and sold the plant to Peugeot in 1978 for the sum of $1. AT that time it was known as the Talbot Motor Company. Peugeot built the first car there in 1985.

Some facts
- The Talbot names was dropped in 1995 and the company became Peugeot Motor Company Plc.
- Robots were first used in 1985.

- The plant stopped production of the 306 in 1999 and the plant was left producing only the 206.

- The closure of the factory by Peugeot leads to the loss of 2,300 jobs in Coventry.

The British should be thankful that Proton is not leaving Norwich.

Tags: Coventry Peugeot Ryton