August 2012
I recently took my car for a service to local main ford dealer I explained I had a problem with the front brakes the n/s seemed to be binding.
I collected the car and was told the fault was due to brake dust, the problem never improved and when I checked on the internet sticking calipers seems to be a common problem.... Read more
Hi All - I have started encountering a problem with my 2003 Mondeo 2.0 tdci in that occasionally the motor cuts out when I am driving. If I switch off the key and re-start the car it runs perfectly well - sometimes for days, other times for a few minutes. I noticed that when it cuts out al the dash warning lights come on, the speedo goes to 0 MPH and the rev counter goes to 2500 RPM. Although I tow a small caravan and this problem occurred twice within 10 minutes, the car has also cut out when being driven solo. HELP!
Thanks,... Read more
Moved to Technical.
The rear electrical windows have stopped working altogether along with the cigarette lighter and when I turn on the cars fan the warning light reading STOP comes on. Any pointers as to what may be causing these problems would be appreciated, thanks. Read more
My wifes Jazz only covers 1200 miles p.a. (100 miles a month) and all journeys are within 10 miles of home. We have had the car from new and It has been serviced every year. Last year it cost £200 for an Interim Service and M.O.T. It is now due again and we are wondering if we could save some money and only have it serviced say once every 2 years or maybe just have the oil changed each year instead of a service? Any views would be welcome. It will of course have to have an M.O.T. and I have just discovered that Halfords Auto Centres (ex Nationwide) are doing them for half price if you book online. I am also going to see if my local council have an M.O.T. centre as this was mentioned on Martins Money Tips website. Any comments welcome. Thank you Read more
One point about the Honda CVT. The automatic gearbox oil MUST be replaced every 24,000 miles. The oil is very expesnive and is only available from Honda dealers iirc.
...
i came across a Honda Civic 1.6 I-VTEC SE 5DR AUTO 2001 for £1,649 28.8mpg and a honda Civic 1.5i LS 4dr Auto Saloon 1998 for £600 that does 34.9 mpg
i just want a car to get a from a to b... Read more
Please bring someone knowelegeble with you, of you know nothing! Bring a torch, prepare to get dirty by inspecting the chassis, if you see any rust try to touch it, if the rust is dropping, you better avoid it. Check engine oil look out for any cracks on tire because that always happen to age unused car. Talk to the seller, ask to see if they can provide any history or receipt, study them carefully look out for mot advisory or has it even fail ( yellow and red colour sheet), if you can't get hold all of them, check it online with the newest mot sheet, you will able to trace the history of it. Honda civic is a very reliable car, I would say the engine is a gem!
Hi
Yesterday I noticed tapping noise in the engine bay (towards the stealing wheel area) immediately after turning the engine off. It lasts for probably 5-8 seconds then stops.
The cars starts fine and the only problem it has that I know of is it is due an engine service (booked in for tomorrow) and the check emissions light intermittently coming on.........which I believe to be linked to the oil change being due.
Does anyone know what the tapping noise may be,or had a similar problem?
The only thing I can think of is the starter motor, but the car works fine and I'm not mechanically minded!
Many thanks in advance. Read more
Briefly, mother-in-law's Fiesta written off in collision. Liverpool Victoria offered £2,200, which seemed about right based on local market.
A few weeks later receives a letter from new owner of supposedly written-off Fiesta, asking if she can provide service history!... Read more
I wouldn't see a problem helping someone out. Let the new buyer have the service history,
Garages will charge the insurance company near the market price. Sold as salvage, it will be bought by a one man band or a private buyer who value their labour more cheaply....
Hi All
I have a private PCP deal with Santander that is due to end in Feb 2012. I wish to end the deal and return the car to them to avoid the balloon payment. Based on my calculations I will have paid back 50% of the whole loan in Dec this year.... Read more
Hi phil ,previous posts have confused a vt with the lease purchase deal that you have ,
A vt will add a negative, though legal marker to a credit file .If you return your car at the 50% paid marker ,you have completed Your side of the transaction .The finance company shouldn't mark your experian account with any negative comments .
With regard to bvrla guidelines ,you can download these from thier websites .Because they tend to support leasing companies ,I would have a written car inspection done by a BMW dealer to counteract any attempt by Santander to charge for unnecessary work .Basically the lease agreement will state that the car must be in reasonable condition for its age and mileage ,no bald tyres ,bodywork damage etc .
Finally ,do you think you could sell your car for more than the 50% outstanding.Check autotrader for the selling price of cars the same age as yours ,with similar mileage ,you can start advertising it now before the agreement ends ,of course you must settle the whole of the agreement if you sell the car .
One issue if you do decide to sell the car ,if it's a lease where vat is added to your payments as a seperate charge ,you have a lease ,not a lease purchase .
Thier are added complications in selling a car that's on lease ,you will need to check with your finance company if you decide to sell the car .
Regards
Tony g
Car is a 2007 (MKIII) Ford Mondeo 2.0l petrol, 74000 miles.
Just bought this car recently, and have noticed an annoying fault with it.... Read more
So, I lived with this problem for 5 years on the Daewoo and you're telling me it was potentially a leaky hose all along? lol.
I hated that car, in no small measure down to the throttle response......
And why is this news exactly? Read more
Stunning in the CGI yes, in the metal, umm - no! Lacks the flair of, for example, forthcoming new Seat Leon range...


It's the usual main dealer in a huge glass palace on a busy road with expensive overheads problem. The manufacturer demands that the dealership has prestige premises(to keep up with the other manufacturers) usually in an expensive location, lease, business rates etc. To keep their overheads down and profits up they employ kids in the workshop who have been to the local technical college and who have handfulls of certificates and not much experience or knowledge except at plugging in a laptop or code reader and saying "There aren't any fault codes-Doh, what do I do now?" Any experienced technician with a brain has got fed up changing oils and filters and left long ago to set up on their own or work for an independant garage.
The manufacturers are as much to blame as the dealers because they don't seem to want service dealers, who maybe have a decent workshop in an out of the way location, lots of knowledge and experience but who don't want to sell new cars.