Jenny Smedley

Hi we have our door locks set to lock when we reach 10mph, but we have to switch the engine off for the passengers to get in or out. We have the remote buttons and the extra fob with same symbols on, but we can't get any of those to work. Can anyone help?

How do you keep your battery charged without disconnecting it and causing these issues?

This is tricky because lots of things go wrong if you have to disconnect the battery either to charge it or change it. For instance has anyone come across the anomaly with the remote window opener/closer for all windows bar the drivers one? We found out that after you reconnect the battery you have to open each window with it's own button, holding it for a few seconds after the window stops moving. Then the remote controls from the driver's seat will all work. It's funny because one of the remotes has never worked, and the dealer would have changed it for us, but we decided we didn't want long drives back and forth to do it - he obviously didn't know this trick (which is in the handbook actually although we never noticed it before). Now all the remote buttons work, so the original Japanese battery did us a favour by failing. Does anyone know any other little useful tricks for after battery removal? We're also wondering why we didn't lose our radio again - if that was caused by battery disconnection during shipping, why didn't it happen this time?

Part of our conversation with DVLA. "Jenny, we're constantly looking to improve and update our processes and can confirm changes have recently been made with imported vehicles. This may allow us to obtain this info on more vehicles. You can view the current processes here: https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us again. Vehicles manufactured or registered between 01/03/01 and before 31/03/17, would be taxed under the Grad VED scheme, permitted we were provided the Co2 emissions when the vehicle was registered. You can find these current rates here: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-registered-on-or-after-1-march-2001 If we were not provided the Co2 emissions, this would be taxed under the CC/engine size and under the tax class PLG (private light goods). You can find full tax rates for the relevant tax class here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-of-vehicle-tax-v149 I hope this info helps. -

The DVLA (you can talk to someone by messaging their facebook page) told me they do take emissions into it, well Co2 specifically, but they will only take what's on the original registration form. Ours didn't have it on there (like a lot on imports) so we're stuck with what they decide. I was able to show them our very low emissions on our MOT, but it can't be changed if it's not on the registration.

As regards insurance, we are with Aviva. Ours is 2007 Alphard V. Start date: 10/02/2023 Start time: 00:00 Policy holder: Jenny Smedley Your car: EU57GCO Total annual premium: £235.61 * Included as standard: Fully comprehensive Approved repairer guarantee** Windscreen cover European cover Courtesy car Personal belongings cover

Oh I see, thank you. At least it's not just us. We got our emissions from our MOT but presumably that won't help. This is what the DVLA said: Hi Jenny, thanks for getting in touch. Vehicles manufactured or registered between 01/03/01 and before 31/03/17, would be taxed under the Grad VED scheme, permitted we were provided the Co2 emissions when the vehicle was registered. You can find these current rates here: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-registered-on-or-after-1-march-2001 If we were not provided the Co2 emissions, this would be taxed under the CC/engine size and under the tax class PLG (private light goods). You can find full tax rates for the relevant tax class here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-of-vehicle-tax-v149 I hope this info helps. - Kirsty

Hi, can anyone untangle the road tax situation now? We've just been charged £325 for a year - mostly it seems because we've been put in band I for emissions and because our car is counted as having been first registered 2021, when of course it's a 2007 car. It's also a 2.4 engine, so it seems a bit unfair. Also we can't fathom if it will always be this expensive now or if that's just for the first year.

Very nice! Great idea!

Thank you for that, I was wondering too.

Yes brilliant!

Hi Can anyone tell me if our 2.4 Alphard 2007 has a belt or a chain please? Our son just had a belt fail on his Citroen and now we're worried. Hopefully our lovely car has a chain!

Our local garage did a great job on ours after I tried products, which only worked a little.

We have a fob that looks like a smart one, but it doesn't open the tailgate. What is the ecu please? And how do you programme it?

I suggest you contact Andy's in Dereham by phone. They are absolute experts in all Alphard conversions and I'm sure they would be able to advise you. tel:07768933521

Do you mean when you fold them up the sides to clear the floor? If so there's a strap you have to use for each one.

You could ask Andy Andy's Imports (andysimports.co.uk) as he specialises in conversions of Alphards and might know why and how to fix it.

Did you know you can buy a manual in English? I'll have a look in mine later.

If your vehicle isn't used a lot I'd still be suspicious of the E10 petrol, as in a standing vehicle it can corrode pipes.

No, but there is a guy in Norfolk (Dereham) who does conversions for a living. He might be willing to advise. Andy's Imports. Andy's Imports (andysimports.co.uk) He's a very nice guy and also has a shop there.

Yes ours was £200 odd from Aviva. Part of the trouble with Churchill is they won't accept that there's a 2.4 model. We were with them for one year and then they wouldn't reinsure. Prices I guess are more for the higher CC model?

Davey Cox Motors, Necton, Norfolk. Great team, innovative too when it comes to sourcing (or even making) parts. Did a great job on our Alphard - highly recommended! 01760 721666

Ours is 2007. We only had it a year - so not much help! We certainly wouldn't swap back to a 'normal' car

Ah right, thank you, we'll get that looked at.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? As you turn the wheel either way you get a sort of squeaking noise. We've asked for it to be checked at the service on 13th. Any ideas what it might be? Hydrolic fluid not low.