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• BMW 3 Series - can a BMW 3 series be cheaper to run than a mondeo 7 May 2016 (Forum)
  I have been compiling my total cost of ownership of my car for several years and have to put together a calculator which is pretty accurate (within about 10% based on real numbers).  It effectively uses AA running cost data (based on car list price) and HJ meal MPG data and Autotrader for used purchase price.  I tend to buy cars at 4 years and 50-80k and keep them until circa 150k or 12-14 years, which is when they start to fall apart for me.
• VW Mk3 Golf 1.4 - MOT failure only on C02 emissions 21 Nov 2014 (Forum)
  I've been to a couple of independent garages and they've basically said that I should scrap it, although it's not worth any money I love the car and seems such a shame to scrap her when it runs absolutely fine and passed everything but the C02 emissions... N.B. the exhaust is emitting a fair amount of white smoke but not at start up, only when the car has been running for a while and warmed up.
• 2007 VW Golf - Car will not off in first gear 19 Jan 2013 (Forum)
  When I went to pull away the ebrake light was still lit up even though it was off and then the abs light came on so I shut the car off again and turned it back on and it was fine. When I got home it shut up off fine again in neutral but I could still here something running when it was off I think it was the pump for the air actuated locks?? I hear the same sound every time I open the door and my friends with vw have the same thing. Anyway the noise still was going when I went in the house come back and the car was dead..killed the battery with the pump running for so long?
• Audi A6 2.7 tdi - Warranty - Petrol Contamination 24 Sep 2011 (Forum)
   I took the car back with an added problem where there was a plateau in the accelerator travel response between about 900 rpm and 1600, and running lumpily and pinking slightly when accelerating at low speeds.  The 'no start' was not replicated but the rough running put down to a faulty EGR valve, which was replaced, curing the low rev's rough running.
• It's a secret - Advice on selling used car to trader 13 Aug 2010 (Forum)
  Tried this enquiry on MoneySavingExpert forums but mostly got snorts of derision at the very prospect of selling a used car to a dealer (despite clearly stating why that's what I want to do). So I thought I'd try here. Due to a change of job it's no longer necessary for me to run a car so I'm looking to get rid of mine. Won't be specific but it's a small 1.0 hatchback, 02 plate, around 45k on the clock. First car. I'm sure you can guess. In good condition, always starts, sounds nice when running, only a couple of minor cosmetic flaws.
• Insurance question - second car 26 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  s just a Micra, but I love that wee car, it outlasted my ex-wife and proved much more reliable. It owes me nothing and costs peanuts to run. Anyway I digress, we need to therefore be running 3 cars for a bit until the Pug is sold, at which point the Nissan will be insured by the girl. So should I just insure the Nissan normally (with no no-claims bonus this is about £200) then cancel or move the policy, or is there some kind of short term thing I could do?
• Peugeot 306 (1993 - 2001) - 97 XSi Phase 1 has my head gasket gone? 16 Jan 2008 (Forum)
  Evenin all. Various issues here. I'll start from the top. Running a 306 XSI (Phase 1) on a P plate. Had it for all summer and as winter closed in I realise it's no heater. Not uncommon for these animals. It's been bypassed. So, Removed the dash and changed the matrix for another which came from a scrap yard but I belive not to be leaking.
• K-Series Engine Cooked - Advice 19 Jan 2006 (Forum)
  Before taking the engine out we looked at the problem in greater detail - and unfortunately found that the plastic oil level indicator fitted to the bottom of the dip stick has been melted off - Indicative of an engine which has been running in boiling oil (i.e a cooked engine). Sorry for the long introduction - my question is: Is it worth installing new piston rings into the engine to see if the compression returns, - the engine was running when we picked it up (albeit with very low compression), or once an engine has overheated is it useless?
• New Almera for under £6k - no brainer? 12 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  Seen add on this site for Buymynewcar offering New Almera 1.5 'Flare' for under £6,000. Having decided to run Fiesta for the foreseeable and then seeing this apparent bargain, I am doubting my decision to stick with the Ford. OK. The obvious. My wife does circa 3-5,000 mile a year. The depreciation on the Fiesta has leveled out to be almost negligable.
• 2020Skoda Kodiaq SE drive, 1.5 TSI ACT - Skoda Kodiaq unidentifiable noise 28 Nov 2024 (Forum)
    Skoda do say there are various "noises" to be expected in a Kodiaq and the car is safe to drive. It actually runs superbly!   My concern is that if this was one of these "noises" why has it only happened in the last 100 miles of 2k miles.   Any ideas gratefully received.
• Tight budget car 20 Feb 2024 (Forum)
  Hi all, Any help much appreciated.  Looking for a cheap second run around for September (required for school run/getting to work whilst other half has other car).  We are on a painfully small budget of £800-£1000. I know it's very much a gamble at this price but have a few in mind.
• Honda FR-V - FRV blower fan working but no air output 6 Jan 2024 (Forum)
  Potentially connected but maybe a totally separate issue is that when I key the engine to the first position before turning over to start the fans by the radiator in the engine bay start running even though the car is cold. Not sure if this was a pre-existing issue or if it happened at the same time as the blower packed up. I presume these shouldn't be running unless it's at a high temperature - maybe a faulty sensor there?
• Mazda MX5 (1998-2005) - 2000 1.8 intermittent starting fault 29 Apr 2023 (Forum)
  i am having an intermittent starting problem with my mazda mx5 icon.it only happens when the car has been warmed up and running for about 10 minutes.it starts 1st time every morning or if it has been sitting for 1 hour or more.the problem only happens once the car has been running and then parked for about 10 -20 minutes.the car will turn over but wont start or on the odd occasion it will start but appears not to firing on all cylinders but this normally clears after a couple of minutes.I have taken the car to 2 garages but because it is so intermittent they can not find the fault, also no error codes coming up on the computer.Could it possibly be the coil pack if it only happens once it is warmed up?
• Vauxhall Combo van 05 plate - Electrical issues 7 Apr 2023 (Forum)
    A couple of days later, noticed that the centre console/radio control panel was illuminated when the ignition was off/key out.  When radio is switched on manually or ignition is on/engine running, lights go out.  Experimented today, and also found when ignition on first stage, switching the headlights on also switches the radio on! Van has also become difficult to start today, and eventually did fire up but sounds like its running in 3 cylinders.
• Subaru Forester/Toyota Auris Estate 2010 to 2015 10 Jan 2023 (Forum)
  But, my office trips once a week would gravitate to being more comfortable in a more normal car. And I presume the Toyota would be cheaper to inusre/run and better on fuel. So two very different cars and I have no idea what to go for for long term ownership. We need two cars as we both work and the Subaru is used as the offroader and bee keeping car.
• Unknown - Ask HJ question ? 13 Jul 2022 (Forum)
  After a few says I phoned back to ask how to clean the inside of the car and was told 'leave the engine running!' I have just returned from a holiday and loading/unloading the car has been extremely frustrating as the low battery warning keeps going off as I didn’t leave the engine running (security risk and fuel cost).
• Toyota Yaris - Best fuel grade to use... 4 Apr 2022 (Forum)
  I've looked at a few websites and Wikipedia and still confused... On the Vios it specified 91 on the fuel cap and seemed to run well on that.
• Citroen C4 Grand Picasso - Picasso Grand C4 vs Touran vs Smax 27 May 2021 (Forum)
  smax - biggest but best to drive apparently / again reliability / higher running costs   if buying new might go touran but all have good/bad points. with all, 90% sold as diesels, but we do mostly town driving which seems to be an issue when you read around. other thing is manual vs auto, the budget scares me off auto boxes a bit
• What to choose for long motorway trips? 16 Mar 2021 (Forum)
    The second car was a 2001 Peugeot 206 2.0 diesel HDi which I owned from new, and covered 100,000 miles before it succumbed to the ‘corrosion virus’ so we had to scrap it last year.    I tend to keep my cars running for many years, the best ever was a diesel 2.0 Vectra which I ran to 212k miles then gave it to a family member.    So, what would you recommend?  I’m thinking of spending £8000 - £10000 on a used car, and it needs to be reliable, reasonable running and servicing costs and sufficiently powered and comfortable for motorway driving.
• Citroen jumpy - 2011 citroen jumpy 2.0 ltr diesel won’t start 22 Feb 2021 (Forum)
  When i cranck the engine i see no fuel movement. The local garage advised to change the BSM, i have resetted it but still no running engine Battery is new, anyone a suggestion what it could be? Thanks