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• Skoda Octavia I (1998 - 2004) - extended warranty , worth it? 28 Jun 2009 (Forum)
  I bought my 04 octavia 1.9tdi just on a year ago and have now done 26k miles in it with no problems at all - 2 services, a cambelt change and just put 2 new front tyres on with mpg at over 50mpg throughout. I bought it from a skoda dealer and had a full skoda warranty which included breakdown, euro cover and engine components etc. Pretty comprehensive and nice to have. I have now done 53k in it and have been offered an extension of the cover. This includes oily bits etc plus parts, labout and VAT without limit up to new price of the car plus roadside, recovery, onward travel and european cover.
• Renault now more reliable than Japanese? 2 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  And the results for 2006 show Renaults apparently doing as well or better than Toyotas or Hondas. The following results (indicating number of breakdowns per 1000 vehicles) are for cars sold in 2004, 2005, and 2006, and are taken from the 2006 results. http://www.adac.de/images/Pannenstatistik2006_tcm8-179730.pdf 2004 2005 2006 Renault Clio 10.0 4.3 2.1 Renault Twingo 6.7 4.3 2.6 Toyota Yaris 6.9 6.1 7.5 Honda Jazz 7.8 5.5 3.4 2004 2005 2006 Renault Megane 11.1 5.1 4.4 Renault Scenic 17.9 6.0 2.5 Toyota Corolla 7.8 6.2 8.0 Honda Civic 8.9 8.5 8.1 2004 2005 2006 Renault Laguna 19.0 7.6 4.7 Toyota Avensis 9.2 8.4 7.1 Has Renault really turned the corner?
• A3 Quattro recall (new shape) 15 Apr 2004 (Forum)
  Just got a recall notice for the A3 today. Might be worth adding to the car-by-car breakdown. I saw the original one "29-9-2003: On 21,694 cars shatter cracks may occur on vacuum pipe to brake servo, leading to loss of servo assistance to brakes." But as my car is 04 I'm assuming this was done.
• is this any good? 9 Sep 2001 (Forum)
  there's not one spot of rust (galvanised body i guess is the reason), it's not been in any accidents, and as far as i can tell it's a genuinely cared for car. reading the car-by-car breakdown i noticed there's something mentioned about the 1.8 engine being a problem. does anyone have any comments, experiences, etc they'd like to mention? any help would be appreciated.
• Jaguar X-Type vs Rover 75. 19 Aug 2001 (Forum)
  A contact of mine is due to replace a previous cherished luxury car after more than ten years of ownership. His choice is leaning towards a new X-Type but the possibility of diesel and estate options on the Rover 75 do attract. Have read the Car By Car breakdown and the Jaguar potentially looks the better car.
• Renault Modus (2004 - ) - Anyone with a Modus automatic? 22 Jul 2015 (Forum)
  Would be interested in feedback on how it performs etc. How smooth, or otherwise is the gearbox? Any specific problems with them - I see on the car by car breakdown it is Nissan based rather than a renault box? There seem to be quite a lot available at around 3 years old - are they likely to be motability cars? Is this a good or bad thing? Any other thoughts on a small(ish) auto for around £6000?
• Nissan CVT box in Primera 30 Aug 2010 (Forum)
  Does anyone have any experience of the CVT transmission used in Nissan Primera Mk3 cars (99 - 02)? I've read the car-by-car breakdown and nothing's flagged up there apart from it being slow setting off. What's it like to drive, and what's its reputation for reliability? (I don't think we're talking about the same thing as the old Micra CVT).
• Golf IV/Rear Wipers/Screenwash 8 Dec 2004 (Forum)
  FYI: I've just suffered the problem in HJ's Car By Car Breakdown' for Golf IV's; the rear window wash wipe has leaked and caused the ecu to believe that the tailgate is open, thus causing the alarm to go off (most inconveniently at 4am!) VW dealer has commented that VW will not meet warranty claims if VAG screen cleaner not used, so be warned (I've had the car for 60k miles/18months (now 86k)and have used Halfords double concentrated throughout before this has occured).
• Technical Service Bulletin...? 13 Feb 2004 (Forum)
  Folks I apologise for asking what may well be a daft question, but anyway...my '99 Accord has started making rattling noises from the driver's door panel. I remembered something about this on HJ's Car-By-Car Breakdown - sure enough, a TSB was released to fit a piece of plastic sleeving around the lock mechanism to cure rattles. My question is...is this something you can stroll up to the dealer and ask to be done in the manner of a recall, or (as my car is long out of warranty) I should expect to be charged the going rate for the work?
• Panorama.... smart motorways 31 Jan 2020 (Forum)
  The minister who approved the smart motorways is not so keen on them now. The present transport minister advises people who break down to stay in their cars. One place with no shoulder was on an elevated section so any breakdown meant you were stuck in your car.  The cameras meant to show broken down vehicles are few and far between so not much warning is forthcoming, altogether a real dangerous mess.
• Overseas (Canada) Roadside Assistance Cover 19 Jun 2017 (Forum)
  Just returned from driving in Alberta, Canada. Hired a car from a reputable Car Hire firm in Calgary, after getting as advised an International Driving Permit and DVLA codes of which when told the assistant I had them. Looked blank as to why I had them. I am planning another trip shortly to Calgary.
• Ford Focus - Buying 31 Jan 2016 (Forum)
   Delivery miles.   Both cars would be 65 plate.   Which deal is the best one?
• Pug 306 clutch cable 28 May 2007 (Forum)
  The clutch cable on my 95 306 TD was getting a bit jerky in operation and according to the car by car breakdown they have a tendancy to 'dry out' so I disconnected the cable at the clutch end. fitted a plastic bag around the cable and let some oil dribble through overnight. Next morning re-connected the cable and the clutch felt nice and smooth on the pedal.
• when to do Proton Persona timing belt? 24 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  Today we bought from a Proton main dealer a 1998 R Proton Persona 1.6 automatic for my mam, its done 45000 miles and has full main dealer history (only cost £655 too), but i was wondering when we should change the timing belt?. The handbook says 54000 miles but the guide in the 'car by car breakdown' section of this wonderful website says regular changes are needed, so i dont know if i should wait until 54000 miles or not. Can anybody please help me, thanks.
• BMW 325 conve or Audi A4 2.4 Convertible 25 Jan 2006 (Forum)
  I am torn between the two options. The audi seems to get good write ups but I do quite fancy the BMW I have read the car by car breakdown and find that neither have any particular skeletons in their closets. Any backroomers have experience of one or both of these vehicles?
• Accidents and AA / RAC cover 23 Jul 2003 (Forum)
  I'd always assumed they would recover the car as they always bandy words like recovery and rescue around, but thinking about it, the service they sell is *Breakdown* recovery. So, what is the situation?
• Impreza Advice, please. 12 May 2003 (Forum)
  Are there any Impreza owners out there who could give me some pointers/questions to ask the seller? I'll be looking for FSH and evidence of cambelt renewal etc., I've checked HJ's car by car breakdown - are there any other special points I should be looking for? Thanks in anticipation, P.
• Old Vauxhall Astra 17 Jan 2001 (Forum)
  Bearing that in mind, what should she ask an independent mechanic to look out for in particular and what are your opinions on the price and reliability of the model? I have checked into the car-by-car breakdown page on this site and am sending a print-out to her.
• Vw golf - Immobiliser nightmare 5 Jan 2013 (Forum)
  Yesterday I drove to my mums a mile down the road did what I needed to do and when I went to start the car again the immobiliser kicked in. My step dad plugged the diagnostic machine in and erased it but it did nothing. My breakdown cover came out and said he couldn't do it and it needs resetting. Is there anything I can do it can anyone recommend someone somewhere in Leicester to help??
• Toyota Land cruiser lc - Vibration in cold weather when stopped and in 'D' 21 Oct 2010 (Forum)
  In the cbc breakdown for the landcruiser it says: "May 06 Landcruiser LC5 D-4D auto had all 4 injectors replaced in March 2008 to resolve a vibration / judder through the car when held stationary in drive in cold weather.