January 2020
I'm thinking of an Automatic Mini Convertible. I could spend up to £6k. I understand the CVT gearbox is problematic as well as automatic. Did Mini fix this or change to a different auto box? If so what year would be the first to consider without the CVT problem. I wouldn't want a Cooper S; an ordinary Cooper or a One would be OK. Read more
I drive a big heavy diesel SUV - most of the time it suits my needs exactly - but my conscience is starting to get the better of me on short trips into town so I'm considering some form of electrified car just for the short trips.
Although I'll make savings by using the SUV less I can't fund any sort of second vehicle on them so I know I'm going to spend more but to keep the cost down I'm looking at 2012 (ish) cars which are now out of their extended warranty so I'd like the Backroomer's views on the risks involved.... Read more
If you were going to have a second vehicle for popping down the shops and such, where it isn't just saving fuel involved but not putting excess local wear and tear on your main car, but also a small car is less likely to suffer damage from the legion of people out there who literally can't drive and find parking as impossible as exiting their cars without banging their door into yours.
As SLO, if this were my issue i'd be looking out for little standard petrol cars , preferably unfashionable so cheap as chips, so long as it runs all right and comes with a full MOT what's not to like, if you spent a little more an early Aygo/107/C1 would make a cracking little town runabout, cheaper still if it doesn't have aircon which would hardly matter for local nipping, full set of tyres about £120, clutch fitted £280, £30 tax and well over 40mpg even short town hopping, if you found one of the few Diesel C1's make that 60mpg plus....
When on full lock I get a sensation through the steering wheel as if the front wheels are 'wobbling'. It does not cause any noise. Is this a sign the steering rack is defective. The car is low mileage 56,000 and well maintained. Otherwise the steering is completely normal, no vibration and no 'dead spots'. Read more
Could this be drive shaft joint related? (is the 'wobble frequency dependent on the speed of the car?)
Will a bonnet trim on my car that I can't clip back in fully on one edge due to being shunted by someone and it getting bent be an mot fail? Read more
It could be if it's likely to pose a possible danger to pedestrians. Impossible to say without seeing it, really.
I thought that too. Any chance the OP could put a picture on a photo sharing site and post a link?...
Hi,
I need to replace the crankshaft sensor on my MK1 2004 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI, but have read in the manual that I need to reposition the crankshaft to TDC.... Read more
OK great, hopefully that will sort it.
Hello,
We need a car for about 7 months and are looking at options for either buying for that period or leasing. We need a medium sized reliable car. Ideally one that won’t lose too much at resale. Wondering if anyone had any wise advice as to makes and models? Many thanks! Read more
Facebook is clearly reading what I post on forums as I've had a targeted ad based on long term car hire.
Try deleting all Facebook cookies. When ever you use Facebook do it in Private Browsing mode. That way the Facebook cookies get deleted when you exit Private Browsing. Also Firefox has an Addon which deletes Facebook cookies. Even with all that they may still track you but it makes it more difficult for them. They are a creepy bunch....
It's MOT time again and I've just remembered last year although the car passed I had a 'minor defect - repair as soon as possible' due to a small crack in the windscreen outside the line of view. The crack hasn't changed since and I've got limited time and money to get a new windscreen sorted before the MOT deadline. My question is if I put it in for MOT without replacing the screen will it be an automatic failure or would I just get another minor defect? Read more
At face value, if the cracked screen is no worse than last year, the result of the MoT test should be the same, if done by the same tester. But their opinions can vary.
There should be no wrist-slap penalty for not having done anything for 12 months.
I do think HJ is very honest with his reviews generally but I do have a questions around his ratings in the car by car reviews. If you take something like the Land Rover Discovery it gets a full 5 star rating and then when you read the good v bad section, it is riddled with issues - especially the Discovery Sport that I notice has had its rating reduced to 3 stars now. How can a car receive so many stars in a rating when it has loads of issues to look out for. Read more
Those were the days.. The Ton was fun and the chances of getting caught were lower too. 100mph + on European motorways in the 827 Vitesse.. 9 hours ish Geneva to London Inc ferry.. Only thing to worry about was the fuel consumption...
External lights warning light is on in the dash panel but no bulbs are faulty Read more
the warning light went off for two days now its just come back on.
battery is ok and charging ok.. all bulbs are working and have not been ...
Hi I’m looking to buy a Nissan Micra K12 model. I’ve found a 2005 which has 12 months MOT and it’s a 1.2. Only advisories were that the offside rear tyre is worn close to limit so will need replacing, the offside front wheel bearing has slight play and the front bumper mountings are corroded but not likely to become detached.
The bumper itself is pretty tatty which is reflected in price I think. My question is will this be expensive to fix? I.e possibly replacing the full bumper. If the MOT said that is it still likely to fall off?
Also is the front wheel bearing expensive to sort?
Thanks in advance Read more
No, you're out of date, Ed. 'Bumpers' are part of the cosmetic appearance of a modern car - not quite bling, but definitely part of the image. That being so, they have to be looked after :-)
Does a 15 year old Nissan Micra have a "cosmetic appearance" ?...
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I believe (but might be wrong) that all the post 2009 R57 models will be a conventional 6sp auto while the earlier cars used a CVT which from what I’ve read isn’t very robust. A later car is the better bet but it’s not easy with Mini to be 100% sure as the firm frequency change specifications mostly to save money with components coming from different suppliers often month to month.
I spotted a nice Foat 500 Abarth auto soft top while looking too and it was nice. I’d have a manual one any day but the auto kinda ruins it. Go for a test drive in one to see if you can live with it and buy any of these small autos with caution and have a backup plan of the gearbox dies. It’s a common failure on automated manuals like the Fiats and in early CVT’s.