226 RELATIVELY UNSCATHED...

After the excitement of receiving our magnet pack yesterday, today was filled with 'going to the dentist' levels of dread as the car was going into the garage for its shakedown. Carl did this recently, and it cost him £1,100! To be fair, that did include a service and MOT.

I also asked them for a price to change the brake callipers from the standard ones to the red Competitionoze ones I bought when I was drunk. I asked if they could check that they were working and would actually fit. Also, I asked them to look at the squeaky clutch.

So I dropped Abbie off, explained what I needed doing and walked home to wait by the phone like an expectant father from the 50s. I spoke to Lisa and explained that the car was definitely getting a full service, an MOT, and new pads and discs all round. We have a small pot of cash set aside for this, and as long as there are no major issues, we should be fine.

I eventually received a call from the garage. There is corrosion on the exhaust shell and the rear suspension struts, and all the discs are pitted, and the pads are worn. Arse! I asked if any of this was an MOT failure, and they confirmed it wasn't. Result. I asked whether any of that needed sorting before the trip, and they said that, ideally, I'd change the brakes. This was already on my list, so again, result!

That is a massive weight off my shoulder. It means that I chose wisely 18 months ago when I plucked the car from Auto Trader and took the plunge to buy a car from Poole in Dorset.

I've booked it in for pads and discs all round, a full service and an MOT. I've also asked if they could put the black wheels back on while they are messing around with the brakes - much easier for them to just put different rims on after taking others off, I think.

And the cost for all this mechanical love? £830 - ouch! Once complete, though, the car should be rally-ready...after I get the air con regassed, obviously! I'm not sweating while cruising along the French Riviera, I'm not a savage!!!