Went out sunday to help an old (disabled) buddy to change his oil on his new (x reg) car that he bought to replace his aging cavalier. The car was reasonable nick, and on first appearance, had been looked after.
John has only one leg good, and can't get under a car to change the oil and filter, so its my pleasure to do this for him on a regular basis (and his wife makes fantastic cakes and biscuits too, but that has nothing to do with it, honest) but this time i had to just stand back for a bit.
The oil was like golden syrup,but black, and had a gritty consistancy to it, the air filter was black, the plugs were stubby on the electrodes, and the best part was to come.
After using a breaker bar on the 34mm drain bolt and good old plus gas, the oil filter was written on by the mechanic who changed the oil and filter last. (good practice) The black marker pen on the white oil filter read:
32945 miles 16/5/02..............02?

the car has now done 91356 miles, by the way.
Needless to say it was refilled with cheap oil and a good flusher, with a new filter, and will be changed again in a month.
'Kin Ell!.................does that count as "car abuse"??