Your fleet running reports

[Ascender]

Got a fine today from the DVLA via a debt collector for no road tax on my wife's car.

Obviously Mrs Mike shrugged her shoulders because, well, when cars are good, they're good. When there's issues, it's my fault.

Looks like the address change never went through so she never got a new V5 meaning no tax reminders.

No V5 or reminder means no way to tax the car without getting a new V5 at the cost of £25.

Which can't be done online and that means you need a cheque or postal order.

And of course, we have no cheque books.

Two post office counters in local villages have no idea how to issue a postal order. Presumably because its 2025.

Honestly.....

[Matty]

Cheque or postal order? To be delivered by carrier pidgeon, I assume? I've not seen either of those in a good 10 years

[Marv]

You can still go into a bank (which you have an account with) and ask them to make you a cheque, right?

[GG.]

Pretty sure you can request a new V5 online. MIL had to do it last year to allow me to sell my later FIL's old Volvo.

Sorry I get you now - you can't do that as you're at a different address so need to change details. That is annoying. Can't you speak nicely to the new inhabitants of the old address and just get them to hand it over once it arrives?

[integrale_evo]

Anyone can apply for a v5 at any address. It might class it as another owner even if it’s in the same name though.

I solve all this by just leaving them on rolling direct debits.

Except the alfasud, which I have to do yearly and seems like a bit of a faff even though it’s free. Reminds me, I need to get on with it.

[Ascender]

You can still go into a bank (which you have an account with) and ask them to make you a cheque, right?

I have no idea where the nearest actual bank is up here now, they've all closed.

And without a reminder letter or a v5, you are screwed basically.

All the cars are on rolling direct debits apart from Mrs Mike's - possibly confusion caused by the fact the dealer put 12 months on it when she bought it.

It was funny though that the DVLA had to get the debt collectors to track me down. They apparently had no idea how to find me on their system by any other way...

[mik]

Last time we moved house I had our mail redirected for about 18 months.

I can’t remember the reason I did it, but it absolutely definitely categorically wasn’t ’cos I suspected Mrs mik wouldn’t notify everyone she needed to.

[Jobbo]

Loading springs fitted to the MX5 today. I only did it for the visuals but actually it feels way less roly-poly yet doesn’t have a notably worse ride. It’s the official Mazda ones which are only supposed to be an inch or so lower but it’s made a big difference.

I’ll fit the new alloys at the weekend and finally see how it looks with them on.

[V8Granite]

That’s a good multi vehicle selection there.

Dave!

[John]

Same as I had on mine, much improved.

[IanF]

Much improved Jobbo. Is the front still higher than the back.. hard to tell from that angle?

[Jobbo]

Ian, side on at the dealer when I picked it up, it looked almost lower at the front than the back. That angle isn’t great because the drive has a slight incline.

[Nic]

Got a fine today from the DVLA via a debt collector for no road tax on my wife's car.

Obviously Mrs Mike shrugged her shoulders because, well, when cars are good, they're good. When there's issues, it's my fault.

Looks like the address change never went through so she never got a new V5 meaning no tax reminders.

No V5 or reminder means no way to tax the car without getting a new V5 at the cost of £25.

Which can't be done online and that means you need a cheque or postal order.

And of course, we have no cheque books.

Two post office counters in local villages have no idea how to issue a postal order. Presumably because its 2025.

Honestly.....

Do you have the old V5?

[Broccers]

Limped home and am waiting for the other list of items that need doing like rear main seal costs to add up. Had to happen one day.

That's a bugger. Although, a new RMS isn't going to add much to the cost if the clutch is being done anyway.

Been away and finally dropped it at Porsche specialist Barnsley. Clutch and rms 680 plus vat. Having other things done too. When I asked when it might be ready he said Christmas

[duncs500]

Loading springs fitted to the MX5 today. I only did it for the visuals but actually it feels way less roly-poly yet doesn’t have a notably worse ride. It’s the official Mazda ones which are only supposed to be an inch or so lower but it’s made a big difference.

I’ll fit the new alloys at the weekend and finally see how it looks with them on.

Wrap looks great to me.

[Jobbo]

Cheers Duncs - the car is pretty filthy and it still photographs OK so it’s certainly achieving its purpose.

[integrale_evo]

MOT fail on the X5.

Worn front balljoint apparently.

A bit annoying as there’s no knocks, clunks or noise from the front end.

It’s 20 years old, weights 2.2T, so bits are going to wear out now and then. Has actually been pretty cheap to run this year. From memory just a door handle carrier -£40, a rear light after I broke one - £40, prop centre bearing - £40 and a brake pipe which was about £5 in materials.

[Mito Man]

Look at my shiny golden nuts

If only women could see under my car

Found an oil leak on the gearbox, specifically all round that plastic sump you’re meant to replace when you service it because the gasket is built in.
I’m really rather starting to suspect that my independent liked to ride horses and corral cows in his free time…

[Jobbo]

New wheels on the MX5. I’m glad I went for OEM TPMS sensors because they just worked.

Wider wheels and tyres plus a slightly different offset means the stance is much meatier. And it drives really nicely. I hadn’t moved it when I took this photo so I think the rear suspension is sitting a bit higher than it is now it’s settled:

[speedingfine]

Can't see your photo Jobbo!