Continuity mistake: When Jeremy and Jemima tell Mr Potts about the car at Mr Coggins' place and how Coggins told them they could have if Mr Potts paid him 30 shillings, they tell him to give Coggins the money in the morning, presumably so the junk man can't take the car. However, the next morning, they all instead go off to the sweet factory to show Mr Scrumptious the toot sweets Mr Potts discovered the night before, and it's actually not until the day after (after Mr Potts got all that money at the funfair during the night) that Potts finally pays Coggins and gets the car.
Factual error: There is a scene where Chitty is pacing the train, which is an 'Austerity' tank engine. This engine was made during WW 2 but the movie takes place in the early 1900s.
Answer: It seems those times were occasions when she was on her way to see her father, Lord Scrumptious, at his candy factory, or wherever he may be (like at the Potts' wargaming with Grandpa).
Scott215