July 2013
I have a Passat CC, is coming to the end of its 4 year Lease, and is out of warranty.
Two things recently happened, the black plastic trim on the top of the bootlid hs developed a small crack, and there appear to be several others developing, there are visible marks. No apparent cause for this.... Read more
Hi purchased a Vauxhall Insignia in Feb this year and the warranty has just expired, gearbox has gone on the motorway needing RAC assistance and repairs are being completed. Would i have a case to the car dealer for compensation for repairs...? Read more
Its been confirmed as 1700.00 total, full gearbox has gone, as for giving garage a chance they didnt want to know. offered chance to look at it but would not entertain in the slightest. Not much i could do really in the circumstances but get it fixed...Thanks anyway !
In conjunction with the post relating to the WhatCar? September 2013 Reliability Survey I wondered whether anyone could give me information on the reliability of the Honda FRV. Having read numerous positive reports I was looking to purchase one, but it's been absolutely panned in the survey as unreliable and expensive to fix. The report stipulates that 10 per cent of all FRV's developed a problem and that these were expensive to repair with 46 per cent of faults being engine related (typically oil system, timing belt, valves and springs). The average repair bill was set at £846.64. I wish these reports were more specific, given that the car was manufactured with 1.7, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines and a 2.2 diesel unit. I'd assumed that the only engine with a belt in the FRV was the 1.7? Surely they can't all be that bad? HJ's Car-by-car doesn't seem to reveal anything untoward. I'm hoping someone might be able to enlighten me by offering specifics. Thanks, in anticipation. Read more
Agreed on the subjectivity of some reliability surveys. A lot of it comes down to owners expectations which explains why Skoda, which uses VW mechanicals does so much better than VW and Audi in lots of surveys.
Edit: Oops, wrong thread!
Hi does anyone know if one of the rear electric brake caliper is faulty does the motor still try to operate on the second brake caliper or is the whole system shut down pending replacement of faulty brake caliper.
Im asking this question as I took it for brake pads replacement recently and the mechanic could not get the rear calipers to release so new pads could be fitted.
He was using an electric tool which was coming up with red light? Anyway he told me at least one caliper should attempt to release if only one was faulty and indicated to me that it could be possible that both had malfunctioned.
However he did mention that it was rare for both to fail at same time.
Am I unlucky or is the brake caliper system temporarily shut down pending repair on the VW Passat B6?
Thanks Read more
The motor can be removed and the caliper wound back by hand using a (T45?) splined key. If your mechanic doesn't know this then maybe you have the wrong mechanic?
The rear calipers need to be set up using a special tool (aftermarket ones are available, you don't have to have VAGCOM), though there is a technique around for indexing them without it, search for a good VW Audi forum.
Just passed my test and need to send my provisional and pass certificate off to the DVLA to get my full licence (I couldn't do it through the examiner as my provisional needs renewing in a couple of days with a new photo)
I have taken photocopies of my provisional licence and pass certificate in case they get lost. I do want to buy a car fairly shortly: will a dealer be happy with this as evidence of being able to drive? Read more
Me either. Bought my new car this weekend and the garage didn't ask to see any driving license.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellaneous/2013-07/mo.../
Seems that Mercedes have influential friends willing to back them over completely worthless warranties offered to new car buyers.... Read more
Because you probably have never owned one and reciting to many fairy stories they are simply the best cars ever made ask a German taxi driver which car he prefers.Having had MB E classes since 1998 till 2012 without any mechanical problems without any rust and that also includes three C class coupes and a c class eastate bough for my wife.
Do they not have rain or road salt in Germany then? Or do they just do a better job with the rustrpoofing for the home market models?!...
Hi All,
Need some help. When i start my car in the morning, i turn the key and there is no turn over in the engine. But all the lights come on, and the fuel pump is normal. I bump start it and it starts, then i stop the car. Turn the engine off. I then turn the key and it starts fine. This happens quite often. Then if turn the engine off for 10-15 mins it will start fine. But after 20 mins the same happens again the is no turn over when i turn the key to starts the car. But it will start fine on a bump start. Can you help? is it the starter motor? Read more
is it the starter motor?
The fact that it will turn the car over when it engages suggests that the starter motor itself is actually ok (especially as you don't indicate that it cranks slowly, just "starts fine") . My guess would be that the starter solenoid is sticking and that warming and shaking it a bit (i.e. running the engine) "unsticks" it. ...
Hi,
The ignition barrel needs changing as it is no longer working (called RAC who identified the problem) I have purchased the correct part but can I have a step by step guide how it needs to be fitted. The key is still in the original lock.....so is it quite straight foward?... Read more
If you google "fitting rev counter to aygo" you will get instructions on how to remove the steering column shroud. Once off you will be able to access the ignition barrel.
I'm reading The Grapes of Wrath, and they talk about "raising" and "lowering" the spark. What does this mean? Is it talking about advancing and retarding the ignition timing?
The book is set in the 1930s dust bowl, and the cars were old, so probably 1920s models. One car that's mentioned is a Hudson Super Six.... Read more
I had a Rover 110. Nice but undriveable in snow. And very very heavy. And it wallowed round corners and 22mpg...
My step-daughter's VW Polo suffered a loss of power and the emission control light on the dash came on. The local dealer diagnosed a siezed turbo charger. The car has only 56,000 miles on the clock and has been dealer serviced since new.
Is turbo failure a known problem on this engine?... Read more
>>>Am I right in thinking that the build quality of VWs is not what it used to be?
Yes and you're far from alone. Luckily lots of very good former VW technicians also know this and as dieselnut says should be able to do confirm or deny your dealer's opinion and if necessary do a better job than the dealer for considerably less money.
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Dont buy a VW ever again or anything from their group including audi, skoda or seat.
That is how you win....