Is there a grace period once a car’s road tax has expired?
A dream to drive, but the servicing costs can be expensive
INTERIOR
GOOD
“I DON’T understand why splitfolding rear seats are optional; they should be standard.”
“BMW may now offer Android Auto with the 5 Series, but this was not available when I bought my car, annoyingly.”
“Boot in the 530e is too small due to the space the plug-in hybrid batteries take up.”
“I know dealer servicing costs can be expensive, but BMW’s are higher than I anticipated.”
“The iDrive head unit failed and BMW charged me £1,400 for a new part to be fitted.”
“Insurance has been more expensive than expected.”
“Road noise is pronounced on concrete motorway sections.”
AQAQAI AM buying a new car, and the road tax on my old one runs out on 31 August. This is precisely one day before I am due to pick up my new wheels, though. Do I need to re-tax my old car just for this single day?
David Farmer, E-mail
UNFORTUNATELY so, since there is no grace period for road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty), and you risk an £80 fine because the DVLA posts out penalties automatically to people with untaxed cars, unless they are SORN’d). Note that the minimum amount of tax you can pay is one month, while the DVLA does not refund tax for partial calendar months. Given this, you may wish to consider rescheduling the day you are due to collect your new car, if possible.
Must I take lease car to main dealer for maintenance?
I LEASE an 18-plate Audi A3, and the oil pressure warning light has come up on the dashboard. Audi says this must be seen to at an approved garage, or I could face extra charges at the end of the contract. Is this the case, or can I go to any garage?
FB, E-mail
WHILE warranties should not be invalidated if a car is serviced at an independent garage (according to schedule, and using approved parts), if the leasing company insists you use the main dealer for maintenance, you should do this. There may be a clause in your lease agreement stipulating main dealers must be used for all work. Since the leasing company technically owns the car, it can request this.
What sort of damage will be covered under my warranty?
SOME securing bolts under my car worked loose, and the plastic underbody protection became damaged as it scraped along the road. Will this be covered by my warranty? Mark Bird, E-mail
POSSIBLY, but this will be determined by the terms and conditions set out in your warranty agreement. You could try arguing that the bolts weren’t tightened to specification, thus constituting a defect of manufacture. You could also ask if your dealer removed the protection during routine servicing, and didn’t tighten the bolts properly, or use threadlock (if this was required) when doing them back up. The best course of action is to speak with your dealer, or the manufacturer’s warranty department.
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