Advice on fettling and insuring 2005 Rav4 3-door

[mikeonb4c]

Her indoors has bought a Rav4 and very nice it is too - silver, diesel, 1 owner, 75k miles. We dropped by at Adrian's at Japandirect in Bury (yes he doesn't just do Bongos ) and he put it up on the hydraulic lift and gave it a thorough inspection and drive and pronounced it a good 'un. He didn't charge much and we thought it worth every penny to get a baseline health check done on it.

I'd like to get some rust protection done on certain areas on the underside. I can do some of it myself but have no idea of anyone locally (Manchester - Walkden/Worsley area) who might do surface rust removal and waxoyl touch up work. Adrian doesn't do that kind of work any more and it doesn't really need a full waxoyl job as much as careful cleaning off and local waxoyl protection. I may end up doing it myself if I can access areas properly using just ramps, but it anyone knows of a good local operator I'd be grateful for their details.

The other thing is insurance. Trish (my partner and the new owner) says it will cost her about £700 to renew with Sheilas Wheels when it comes up for it next March. That sounds like a silly price for a mature driver with a clean license and good no claims record. Anyone know of a good specialist we might try? She doesn't drive many miles at all so could probably go for a 5k annual mileage limit. Also, although not garaged, the car is kept in a back yard with very secure padlocked tall steel gates i.e. more secure than many garages! The right insurance company should surely allow that in their quote.

Thanks as ever chums

[Simon Jones]

We just bought a Freelander 2 for her ladyship for when we move out the the country. Added it to our Admiral multicar policy and it works out about £400 fully comp. That's parked on the road and with a mileage limit of 8000 miles. Will you be driving it at all? Sometimes adding an additional driver can bring the premium down.

[blobber]

Hi Mike, there's a place called "Ring 'o' Bells" that do a good job wax oiling, had my Paseo done there last Dec. Literally 1min off j10 M56. Maybe worth a call for localized proofing.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Simon and Alan. Excellent tips and I'll follow those up.

[mikeonb4c]

Well with a HUGE thanks to Alan, Trish called Ring O Bells this morning whilst I was underneath the Rav4 removing sclaed rust (it all looked very solid underneath it which was good) and they were able to take it in this afternoon and we'll be collecting it all nicely waxoyled tomorrow afternoon. They seem like a great bunch and knew Bongos well so I think they'd be a good recommendation generally if you're not up to forking out the £400+ for the top Dinitrol type job that people like Chassis Clean and Rustmaster do.

We'll follow up Simon's insurance pointers next.