Car Swappage

Elektra is here. My old Kia Soul EV was taken away after it’s final inspection and replaced with the brand new - straight off the boat - BYD Seal Excellence. This thing is so packed with Chinese tech, I’m going to need an interpreter to drive it. I’m actually writing this after our family holiday, so I’ve done around 600 miles already including a 400 mile return trip to Manchester Airport.

I was obliged to test the claim of the 550bhp monster being able to do 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, so chose a quiet and straight road near HMP Northumberland and stuck it into sport mode. It was like being in a jet fighter for a few seconds - not something I’ll be using to be honest though.

My car requirements are simply comfort and reliability given the miles I endure. This provides both. It charges from 20 to 80 percent in about 25 minutes using a roadside fast charger, and the tech provides a nice experience inside.

The old Soul - aka Sparky - provided a cautionary warning for the future. My excess miles added up to just over £2500, and despite having scratches professionally removed, the eagle eyed inspector dude discovered some minor marks which totted up to over £300. There was also some “dispute” over the frequency of the servicing which added another £320, plus the extra months rental of £400. There’s absolutely nothing you can do in these circumstances except bend over and take it like a good boy.

I’m taking my youngest to the Gravity motor show at the Birmingham NEC over the bank holiday weekend, so we’ll tot up another few hundred miles there. I’m going to ringfence any additional mileage costs straight from the get-go this time, and have an annual review of body work requirements. The service schedule with this vehicle is mental - at every 5000 miles as opposed to the usual 20,000, which means 4 services a year. They get you every way they can.