Saf fan

Early this morning, on a thankfully very quiet M25, my 1993 Renault Safrane cut out and would not restart. No prior sign of distress in running, or any forewarning from the audio diagnostic. Since being...

Injection moulded

I need some advice on my 2004 Mondeo TDCI auto. It’s done 74,000 miles. From cold, it starts, but blue smoke fills the road and it runs roughly. When driving at any speed it will hold back and yet again...

Rover returns

I have a Y reg Rover 75 2 litre diesel with 81,000 miles. I like the car and want to keep it. I am 77 and only do about 5,000 – 6,000 miles a year with the car standing idle for sometimes five or six days...

Vol no vo

I own a year 2000 Volvo V70 Estate, and am having trouble starting. Sometimes the engine will fire and run for about two seconds and then cut out as though it was starved of fuel. At this point if I lock...

A llarma

I have had problem after problem with my car not starting. If I disconnect the battery every night and reconnect, or disconnect when I am not using it then reconnect, it starts every time. I have had it...

Something nissing

I own a 2004/54 Nissan Micra, which has done 13,500 miles and was chosen as a retirement car. I thought being English/Japanese it would be reliable, but I went to start it and the management symbol was...

Airpark

I will shortly be leaving my 9-year-old (but extremely reliable) BMW 520i for 3 weeks at an airport surface carpark and am slightly worried it may not start on my return. Should I disconnect the battery?...

Non starter

Very recently I read a piece in your column about a car that "shut down" and simply wouldn’t start when the owner tried to move it within his drive. If I remember your reply correctly you said it was something...

Fiestering sore

My daughter bought a brand-new Ford Fiesta 5 weeks ago and has had to call the AA out 3 times because it wouldn't start. All three patrolmen have said it's got a major drain somewhere. The car has been...

Brain drain

I have been an avid reader of your column for some time, but never thought that I might have the misfortune to need some of your expert advice, but here goes. My 3½-year-old VW Golf MK 5 TDI, has developed...