Good news for expats in Malaysia

According to this recent message I received from UMW Toyota Motor, in support of the Malaysia My Second Home programme, they are now offering new locally-assembled Toyota vehicles without any excise duty and sales tax.

Tags: Toyota Malaysia Offers

Passed the MOT test

Every vehicle in the UK has to go through the dreaded mandatory MOT test. The name derives from the now defunct Ministry of Transport, but is still officially used.

The test is carried out annually to most vehicles over a certain age to ensure that they are safe and roadworthy.

It's that time of the year for our car. So I went over to a nearby garage recommended by some of our friends - TPS Autos Ltd in Foleshill.

I was praying that everything would be OK and I wouldn't have to change anything. Unfortunately that was not to be and I found out that:
1. Nearside front brake pipe excessively corroded [3.6.b.2c]
2. Front headlamp aim too low [1.6]



I was a bit sceptical about the second fault and had a feelign the guy was ripping me off but I kept my mouth shut.

It cost me £45 for the test itself and £80 for the replacements and repair.
Total damage: £125/

Is that costly?

Cars are cheap in the UK but the cost of maintenance, insurance and other extras are really high.

Reminds me of a story I heard from a friend. The story goes that one guy found out that he would have to fork out more than the price he had paid, to fix the car. He just drove it straight to the scrap yard and sold it for a few pounds.

In case you are interested, the owner's name is Pritpal Singh and here's the full add of the garage:

TPS Autos Ltd
14 Boston Place
OFF Durbar Avenue
Foleshill
Coventry CV6 5NN

My only complaint was that they did not have a customer waiting area.

Find your nearest UK MOT test centre here.

Tags: Coventry MOT Workshop

Mitsubishi signs agreement with PSA Peugeot Citroen

according to an announcement today, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and PSA Peugeot Citroen have signed a new collaborative agreement under which by PSA Peugeot Citroen will supply diesel engines to Mitsubishi Motors from mid-2007.

The engine is the state-of-the-art 2.2l common-rail, direct-injection diesel engine. This engine will also be fitted with a PSA Peugeot Citroën patented particulate filter to deliver outstanding environmental performance.

Read the details of this agreement here.

Tags: Agreement Citroen Mitsubishi Peugeot

Different petrol prices

Unlike Malaysia where petrol prices are fixed by the Government, Petrol prices in the UK depends on the market. For example, the prices went down for a while around November but it went back right up soon afterwards. It also varies from place to place and between companies.

Given below are the prices of unleaded petrol at various petrol stations near our locality:

1. Tesco: 84.9p
2. BP: 85.9p
3. Jet: 86.9p
4. Texaco: 87.9p

Mind you, these are prices for 95 Octane unleaded Petrol. 97 octane petrol is costlier (as much as 4p more at some stations)

The nearest to our house is a Texaco station but have never filled up there because it is the costliest. I usually fill up at either the BP station along Lockhurst lane (2nd cheapest in my area and I also get Nectar points there). My favourite is of course the Tesco station - the cheapest + Tesco points. The full address is Tesco Filling Station, Pheonix Way, Coventry Arena, Coventry. CV6 6EN.

What is your favourite station?

UPDATED: (19 Jan 2007) Just found out that the petrol prices fell overnight.

Tags: Petrol octane Tesco BP

Kermit locked out of the NAIAS

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originally uploaded by losinghand.

Famous Muppet Kermit the Frog, regretted his role as a "spokesfrog" for Ford Motor Company in Ford's Escape Hybrid commercials last year.

On Sunday, the frog teamed up with RAN, Global Exchange, and The Ruckus Society to kick off the New Year in fuel-efficient style at the North American International Auto Show in downtown Detroit (NAIAS).

During the first press day, Kermit and five other Freedom From Oil supporters attempted to enter the main entrance of the auto show but were immediately stopped by security.

He said, "it's easy pretending to be green, but Ford needs to commit to leading the industry in fuel economy."

Read more here.

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

Is GM acquiring stake in Proton

The Business Times (The New Straits Times) reported that General Motors is planning to make a bid for an unspecified stake in the Malaysian automaker Proton Holdings, as early as this month.

However, according to Proton's head of group corporate communications Faridah Idris,
Proton Holdings Bhd is not aware of a reported move by GM.

Related post:
- Malaysia's Proton says unaware of reported approach by GM for stake
- Report: GM may bid for stake in Proton

Tags: Proton General Motors