Should our 2005 Vauxhall Corsa's timing belt be replaced?

My in-laws run a 2005 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 with 40,000 on the clock. They have been told that they need to replace the timing belt at an approximate cost of £200. In view of the low mileage is this necessary?

Should my garage have replaced my Jaguar S-Type's bowed radiator?

I have owned a Jaguar S-Type 3.0 automatic Sport since nearly new in 2004, which has run pretty well ever since (current mileage is 85,800 miles). Recently, whilst the car was in for its annual MOT and...

Should both petrol and diesel turbo engines be idled after use?

Further to your advice on turbo cooling by idling the engine for some time after use, is the advice equally true for diesel and petrol engines? I have a 2-litre diesel BMW and, in normal driving, it is...

Expensive timing chain failure on my BMW 118d - who is liable?

The timing belt on my BMW 118d, 07 reg, with 59,000 miles on the clock broke last week and I am told by my local dealer that it cost £800 to strip down the engine and identify the fault. They then told...

Relacement ABS pump on a Ford Focus - is this right?

My daughter has been quoted £1200 + VAT for a new ABS pump by a Ford main dealer on her 4 year old Focus. Is this reasonable? Are there any other options? It has passed its MoT at the same garage not...

Audi A3 Factory Oil Fill. What's your advice?

Had the car one week. Was handed 1l of Castrol SLX Pro Longlife (now replaced by Edge 5w-30) on collection! After approx 180 miles on second day, I checked the oil and found the level half way between...

Mercedes-Benz (Smart) servicing - what's your advice?

My wife owns a 2008 Smart fourbytwo cabrio and is thinking of taking up the Mercedes servicing offer, which constitutes one A and one B service over a period of two years. The cost works out at £480 over...

Should I insist on an early oil change for my Volkswagen Golf GT?

I bought a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 GT (petrol engine with supercharger and turbocharger) 11 months ago. Mileage to date is 5770. I have just been phoned by the dealer who supplied it, suggesting I should take...

Goodwill on a car not serviced with Nissan?

How extensive is Nissan's goodwill on X-trail design faults (e.g. Turbo fails DPS etc.) for Cared4 Dealer stock who's service history can't be proved to be entirely within the Nissan network?

Which fuel should we use in our Vauxhall Corsa VXR?

My son bought a 2010 Vauxhall Corsa VXR from a franchised dealer and we would be grateful for your advice on which grade unleaded to use and when to change the timing belt. Vauxhall says 10 years or 100,000...