Old Peter

My MOT is due on the 20th June. I usually have it done a couple of weeks before then, and the new rules start on the 20th May. Not had a fail or advisory in the last 5 years. Peter.

Hi Stevie, Have had my last two cars treated and have thought it worthwhile in the long term. I also had SWMBO's Toyota Yaris ceramic coated, and the water runs off, and all it needs is drying. My current car is now 11 years old nd a good wax every three months is all it needs. I say go for it, but some may disagree -- de gustibus etc etc. Regards, Peter

It is a pity that such a great car does not seem to get the after sales care that it needs. The handbook I got with my s type [07 plate] is great and very useful, but the car was made when Ford owned the company, and Ford are noted for trying to get things right. There are some dealers who are very good and some who let the manufacturer down. I think Jaguar should do what they did when John Egan was CEO. Regards, Peter.

My car is Metallic Indigo Blue - quite dark - and I use a good shampoo - Auto Glym - and an auto glam detailing spray to get any dirt off. Then a good application of Bilt Hamber Double speed wax - two coats in the autumn will last through the winter, Peter.

We always dress for dinner [after cocktails] in Sutton Coldfield, but I must admit than I no longer wear a morning suit these days. My Triumph T100 blew up - con rod hit crankcase - on 13th June 1964 - a Honda replaced it for 75k miles! When police were on point duty, the straight ahead signal was always welcome. Peter.

When I passed my test [first time] we still had to use hand signals. You also had to use them on open tractors when on the open road, and during the war [WW2] when holding the reins on a horse and cart they also came in very useful. I have now been officially on the road -- no age limit then on horse drawn vehicles-- since 1941! Regards, Peter.

Hi Rich, Rover put an automated produced engine into the Mini Metro. I visited Longbridge around 1984 and saw two engine production lines, one for the last few minis and the automated line. Seeing a row of machinists making the parts on lathes next to a gleaming automated line was rather interesting. Peter.

I would keep the correspondence going by writing a letter asking which was the "appropriate department" that your "enquiry" aka complaint had been sent to. It is known as giving "pain and suffering" to what is known as the "Respondent" Peter.

I was born and lived about 5 miles from Halewood and nearly went there for a Job just after it was built. When Ford took over Jaguar it had also taken over Saab and Volvo, and had also built factories in other EU countries, and built several Ford Models in countries such as Belgium. The x type fitted into Halewood quite easily and in a way, saved the plant from oblivion. Peter.

Hi Alan, and welcome to the club. Carl is based in Erdington and I am unsure how far away he goes. His number is 07866 986243 and mention my name. He is a real expert on cars of every description and has looked after my cars for 17 years, Rovers and Jaguars as well as my son's Jaguar. Let me know how your get on, as if you are too far away, perhaps you and I come organise something. Regards, Peter.

Hi Mike, I would be inclined to take the matter up with Jaguar Navigation again and in writing. Certainly if the update was sold as the "2017" upgrade I think the Trades Description legislation would be in force. I would also suggest that you tell them that unless you get a reply within 10 working days you will seek legal advice. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

It wasn't SMWBO's Yaris - that stayed in the garage all day on Wednesday! Peter.

Welcome to the club, Ben. Shopping around is the best option as there are some curious differences. We live in an "expensive" insurance area and there are some very expensive policies which don't tempt me. The best deals I could get for both my s type and SWMBO's Toyota Yaris Hybrid were £470 and £345 respectively from Esure. I do about 5-6 K and SWMBO does about 2 -3 k. Good luck with your search. Regards, Peter.

Welcome back, Graham. The s type has that kind of attraction! Good luck with your plans. Regards, Peter.

Unbelievable is the right word. Peter.

Too true, Ron. I find that leaving fog lights on when not necessary is as disconcerting a seeing a trafficator on when the driver is obviously not going to make a turn. Just careless driving. Peter.

Welcome to the club, Owen. The XF is a well regarded car, and Jaguar used it to replace the iconic S type. It has proved to be a worthy replacement. I wanted the S Type Mk2, but it was 47 years before I achieved my aim! You will enjoy the Jaguar experience, and please share your experiences with the club. Regards, Peter.

Yesterday I drove the 106 miles to Flint in North Wales with a lot of time on the M6 and M56 in very bad weather. Visibility was poor and heavy rain as well as heavy traffic with road works thrown in did not make it a pleasant drive. What surprised me most was the only one car I saw had it its rear fog light on when visibility was only about 80 yards. I suppose that some drivers could not be bothered as even in bad weather they tailgate, even when there are chevrons on the road guiding the driver into the proper distance between cars. That was the M6. The M56 was much more civilised, with no tailgating, no lane hopping, and she very good mannered driving. It took almost 4 hours to drive 106 miles! Coming back, the weather was a lot better but someone had the great idea of getting two wide loads to travel between Manchester and Birmingham which a frustrated me getting of the M6 at Exit 16 to travel along the A34 and then along the A51, -- confusing Doris, the lady in the Sat Nav, -- I knew those roads very well. It was much more pleasant even though a large lorry was having trouble on the slight uphill stretches, probably with the full load. I would say, though, the S Type was a pleasure to drive, so comfortable, and with the engine quietly eating up the miles, and even retiring around 40 mpg for the round trip. The return trip, with half of the journey on A roads, took two and a half hours!.

Hi Richard, and welcome to the club. You will enjoy your s type -- great cars. A good polish will keep the Indigo Blue paint gleaming. Regards, Peter.

It is something that I also find laughable and not political either. It is a but like wanting to change the score after the game is over. As I often say, there is always one! Peter.

I was doing some work for NATO at the time and the heat in August was tremendous,. I asked if there was a small boat I could borrow to doodle around in the Creek, and this sloop was borrowed with a small crew of three, It belonged to the Kennedy family since the death of JFK and was being restored to it original beauty by the National Union of Seafarers. Enjoyable. I think you will enjoy your Jaguar just as much. Peter.

Hi Dave, It does not sound too good to me either. There comes a time when I would be thinking of giving the dealer an ultimatum. The Sale of Goods Act does provide some legislation concerning an item being fit for purpose and it does appear to me that it seems a bit dubious as to how it got and MOT. It might be that you could suggest that the dealer either gets the car fixed ASAP and that you get it fully inspected by someone like AA, and if it is not been corrected, the amount you paid for the car plus other costs you have incurred be refunded to you. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

Hi John, Jaguar seem to have this peculiar habit of different wheels for different cars. When I had my 18" wheels refurbished -- they were badly kerbed [not by me] and the cost for all 5 was just under £500, -- the Allow wheels specialist told me that he had a full set of wheels the same size for £400 to fit an X type but not an s type. My son bought them following a loan from Bank of Dad when two of his wheels were potholed. I would be inclined to get a check from a main dealer. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Clayton. That is a great car you have and I guess you are looking forward to the Summer! I had a great weekend in Souther Maryland in August 1985, with the pleasure of being at the helm of a 64' racing sloop with full sails being filled by the wind down what was called "the Creek" by the owner! Regards, Peter.

Hi Ted, You can have bad luck with any car. I had a brand new Ford Escort in 1972 with 5 dents in it when it was delivered, and very dodgy electrics such as light not working. My S Type which came off the production line on the 13th March 2007 has been a dream. Two owners from new and a small spell in Jaguar ownership during which time an oil pump failed and Jaguar put in a new engine. Since I have had the car only one issue - Water pump had to be replaced. May you have the same luck! Regards, Peter.