The rising cost of motoring

Sir,

Your recent articles on Smiths Motor Accessories Instruments were very interesting, but you omitted to mention that they fail to provide a satisfactory spares service.

The mileometer drive in my Jaguar speedo stripped a fibre gear at 39,000 miles. I removed the part and requested a replacement, but this was refused (“we do not supply spares for calibrated instruments”) and I was advised that I could obtain a replacement speedo.

I cut a new gear by hand and it is functioning perfectly : calibration is not affected because the mileometer is directly geared from the drive. Cost : nil. I wonder how much a whole speedo. head would have cost ? I did not bother to find out.

One other small cost—to Smiths—their reputation as far as I am concerned.

I am, Yours, etc.,

RNT Burke. Leatherhead.