First car highs and woes.

[ik9000]

Finally joined the ranks of the wheeled. The cost of insurance... : First quote was £1340 - going up to £1700 if I added people.

Anyone got any tips for buffing out a bumper? Just before I took ownership of it I watched the previous owner scrape it up and down a large kerb. You couldn't make it up, but yup, that's what he did. I'll add a picture later.

Also anyone know how he might have deactivated the parking sensors (which the car has). He said "read the manual it's simple to reactivate them" but there's nothing in there. Apparently it should not be a user option, they should just turn on automatically. Needless to say that is not happening. There is no individual fuse (it's lumped in with several other working things). So it's either disconnected physically or at a software level. But I don't fancy my chances if the latter...

[Bluecube]

What make/ model of car is it?

[ik9000]

Skoda Roomster SE

[peterb]

He said "read the manual it's simple to reactivate them" but there's nothing in there. Apparently it should not be a user option, they should just turn on automatically.

Think you have confirmed your own suspicions there. Either they have been deliberately disconnected (why?) or there is a fault with them. I think I know which option I'd go for.

As for buffing out a scuff, it depends on how deep and what the bumper is made of. If its a surface scuff, on a plastic bumper, then ordinary car polish might remove it. If its a deep scratch, then a professional job might be required. Some mobile repairers may be able to do it at a much lower cost than a body shop.

[Flibb]

Apparently you can fiddle wit the settings on some skodas, try this thread
https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topi...rking-sensors/

[Ttaskmaster]

It's a Škoda... Leave it scuffed and let other drivers think you're not precious about your car, ie not bothered about a prang or two, and watch as they give you a wide berth!!

[ik9000]

It's a Škoda... Leave it scuffed and let other drivers think you're not precious about your car, ie not bothered about a prang or two, and watch as they give you a wide berth!!

Oi? What you trying to say about Skoda drivers?

[Bagnaj97]

Skoda Roomster SE

An excellent choice, which engine?

As for the parking sensors I'm not aware of any way to tweak them (although reading the thread Flibb linked it seems possible if you can find someone with VCDS). The sensors in my Roomster can be temperamental at times, but when working I find that they tend to err very much on the side of caution.

It's a Škoda... Leave it scuffed and let other drivers think you're not precious about your car, ie not bothered about a prang or two, and watch as they give you a wide berth!!

That sounds like mine. It gets all the mechanical attention it needs, with decent parts, but the bodywork is a different matter. Scuffed and dinged all over the place and usually filthy. I put it through the carwash every few months.

[Ttaskmaster]

Oi? What you trying to say about Skoda drivers?

The drivers? Nothing.
The cars, however.... Škoda is a dusty, old brand of slow car that doubles in value when you fill the tank up, that only has a heated rear window to keep your hands warm while you push it... and that has 16 valves - 4 in the engine, 12 in the radio!

About the drivers - They are argumentative know-it-all chatterboxes, who unintentionally troll forums, rub people up the wrong way and spend far too much time messing with things like PC gaming and Dungeons & Dragons... and no-one ever gets their jokes!!

[OilSheikh]

The easiest way round first time insurance is to have a family member you live with to be the primary driver and make yourself the additional driver.Then, when you have a few years NCD under your belt, you can have your own insurance.
Try to go on price comparison sites at midnight. Like flight prices, they fluctuate throughout the day!

For your bumper, buy Halfords rubbing compound and rub over the scrape with a microfibre. This will improve things a lot. Else, get one of those Union Jack stickers and cover the damaged area

[peterb]

The easiest way round first time insurance is to have a family member you live with to be the primary driver and make yourself the additional driver.Then, when you have a few years NCD under your belt, you can have your own insurance.

Be very careful doing that - insurance companies are wising up to that trick - if you make an incorrect insurance declaration, you may find your insurance invalidated in the event of a claim. (and worse - on the insurance industry's blacklist)

[Smudger]

Having an older relative as a named driver (not principle) can reduce insurance costs - for many years after I moved out, I had my dad on my insurance. A broker I once knew said that was a good way to reduce costs. He didn't know why, maybe that an older, "more sensible" person may influence your driving style, even when not in the car...

[Zak33]

Insurance costs are odd

Being married and adding your spous on makes it cheaper. Taking them off but still being married isn't the same

it's all about statistics. More married people who share cars have less accidents.

get this one- garaged cars made more claims in 2014 -15 so in 15-16 and this year, it's cheaper to have you car on the drive, cos people who tick "parked on drive" have less accidents than people who tick "garaged"

it's not to do with the accident HAPPENING on the drive or in the garage.. it's just a LOT of data shows it to be like that

[Guy]

The easiest way round first time insurance is to have a family member you live with to be the primary driver and make yourself the additional driver.Then, when you have a few years NCD under your belt, you can have your own insurance.

Seriously? How about we don't suggest insurance fronting to illegally save a few £.

[Macman]

The easiest way round first time insurance is to have a family member you live with to be the primary driver and make yourself the additional driver.Then, when you have a few years NCD under your belt, you can have your own insurance.

That doesn't work.

If your a NAMED driver, the NCD only apply to that insurance company, if you change. It only carries over for the MAIN driver, any named starts with a new slate.

This is usually for folk who GENUINELY share cars, I highly advise AGAINST doing this for the means of getting cheaper insurance as someone else has mentioned that insurance companies are wising up to it.

[Ttaskmaster]

Being married and adding your spous on makes it cheaper.

It can.... doesn't in my case, though and I may end up taking her off - In any case, she can't ride my bike, she can't drive my car... !!