The ongoing saga surrounding our beloved Toyota Rav4 continues to be an ongoing one. The old girl is languishing away in the courtyard of our French property – which is due to be handed over to the new owners in a few months time – and we have been trying to sort out what to do with her. The problem is she is not roadworthy right now and we have had problems finding the various Car Parts needed to get her going again. And we have to bear in mind she is a Japanese import.

Firstly she has sat idle for just on three years now and so the battery is dead as a door nail – resists even the most prolonged recharging. Needs new tyres, brake pads, new radiator, hoses…but apart from all that she’s a good car. And we love her too…

Arnold wants to get her towed or driven over (probably towed…) but we need the parts first and you cannot get them in France. I know from past experience too that buying the parts brand new is a rip off, and very un-green, and the best way is to find a UK based Car Breakers Online, get them as used parts and save money that way. That’s what I’ve done in the past with previous cars and you’d be surprised just what parts you’ll find in a breakers yard, even car door locks which are a fortune to buy new - if you can locate the one you need.

Anyway we have found to date the parts we need to get the car fitted – now all we need is someone over there who can do the job OR find out how to go about shipping the old girl back over here!