Genuine?

[thehappyotter]

As Eddie says, the vast difficulty of taking a modern car without keys has lead to a massive increase in the type of crime he describes. Often by organised gangs who target high powered mid to high value vehicles to either ship abroad, split for parts or often use in other types of crime.

Undoubtedly the types of devices previously mentioned do exist but, in my professional opinion, the value of having a good quality alarm/immobiliser and if possible a tracker fitted and set at all times far outweigh the value of doing such things as locking with the key and leaving the alarm off.

A particular favourite at the moment is the Audi S or RS series as well as high powered BMW vehicles which are then used in robberies or other serious crimes due to their almost perfect suitability as 'get away cars'.

I've just brought a Skoda, I like to think I'm ok

[VEGAS]

vRS Rob?

[thehappyotter]

Of course

My first brand new car, was a big financial step to take but the 21mpg average of the Focus was crippling me so I'll be a lot better off in the long run. Went for the 170bhp vRS diesel. No slouch but averaging 45mpg and it's not even run in yet!

If anyone is in the market, Skoda are offering no VAT on selected models, 20% off even before you start haggling down the sticker price

[VEGAS]

Nice one. I love mine. Although not doing enough miles annually to justify a diesel.

Got mine with the VAT off too.

Enjoy.

What colour did you opt for?

[Garry Russell]

VAT is 20 per cent when you add it, but a VAT free price is a reduction or 16.666 percent of the VAT inclusive price, not a 20 percent discount

[Scorpius]

Gary was good at Maths in school.

[Garry Russell]

Nope...just watch so many fall for that one over the years

When VAT was 17.5 the reduction was 14.89

[thehappyotter]

Good point, maths was one subject I failed miserably at school!

I'll still take the discount though

[VEGAS]

I know Skoda don't actually give you the car with the VAT knocked off.

It's a discount equivalent to the VAT. So 20% should still apply.

The small print cleared this up when I queried it at the stealers.