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• Omega query: tie-rods fouling alloys. 4 Jul 2003 (Forum)
  Sorry for the ramble, I'm not angry but just really disappointed, this is the second visit to 2 separate garages, from the GG list, to do relatively straightforward repairs; First time it was to change the rocker cover gaskets due to a small oil leak - went in with a beautifully smooth running, near silent engine, came out with a lumpy idle and a dodgy rattle from the cambelt area. Now this.....
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  Need a used family car with space for a wheelchair 27 Jul 2016 (Ask HJ)
  We are coming off Motability as my disabled son will possibly transfer to residential college in the next two years. In the meantime, we likely have to...
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  Economical petrol engine for 25,000 annual mileage? 26 Nov 2015 (Ask HJ)
  What simple engined economical petrol family cars can you suggest for mainly motorway use of 25,000 miles per annum? I am considering a Skoda Octavia 1.2...
• Jeep Cherokee - Consumer rights with used car? 14 Feb 2015 (Forum)
  I explained all of the above to him and he told me that he never said that at point of sale and that he had only changed the oil and oil filter and that I should have known that. He then began to shout at me and talk over me whilst I was trying to explain my dilemma and consumer rights. He then shouted at me to come and pay £1000 and he'll see me in court.
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  How long should BMW take to fix an engine management fault on my 320? 13 Sep 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I recently booked my car for a service and the engine management light was on. It is a 320 petrol coupe and the three-year warranty expires at the end...
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  Fan drivers 25 Apr 2009 (Ask HJ)
  I recently wrote to you about a buying experience at a large car showroom when my sister bought a 2003/03 BMW 320d SE. I recommended she get her local...
• Mazda cx3 - Third Mazda service and MOT 10 Feb 2021 (Forum)
    Another thought--perhaps I should just forget about the idea of the paid for third service in my current location, just have an MOT done--then have a short "3rd" ( oil change essential) service done by a specialist non dealer in my new location-who naturally won't do it for free.Even if I postponed a 3rd service till the summer /early autumn--I doubt if i would have covered more than 5000 miles since march 2020.
• VW Polo 1.2 - 2016 VW Polo 1.2 TSI fails first MOT on CO2 emissi 3 May 2019 (Forum)
  Seems to drive smoother/quieter after the service so I wonder if they did something in addition to the oil change. Firmware of somesuch? So, back to independent for re-test of emissions. Still high. See attached. So my question here is what to do? - take to another independent for 3rd opinion - are VW trying to avoid having to contribute goodwill for anything that really needs fixing - as said it's just out of warranty?
• Toyota Yaris - Stick or twist 23 Nov 2016 (Forum)
  Oh and they say petrol tank is seeping which could explain smell. So my questions are.  1.How long should an engine last? I change oil and filter twice a year. 2 . how much do cars cost to maintain? I've always run cars into the ground but am trying hard to look after. Needs must.  3. I'll see what happens in mot, but should I save the repairs for a new car?
• Vauxhall Corsa D - Fair price for in-family purchase 13 Feb 2016 (Forum)
    Fortuitously our son is getting a company car so needs to sell his 10-reg, 1.2S 3- door Corsa. its got full dealer service history but has done 85,000 miles. Its an ex driving school car which he bought when it was 20 months old. The gear box oil was changed then as a precaution. Its been reliable but needs a couple of dents knocked out (hit and run), he thinks the clutch is on the way out and front brake pads are likely to be needed soon.
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  BMW 320i xDrive hesitancy under acceleration 8 Feb 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2013 BMW 320i petrol xDrive manual, with 31,000 miles on the clock. I have had an ongoing issue with a hesitancy under acceleration. When the...
• Ford Focus - Rattling noise 28 Aug 2015 (Forum)
  So far I have changed: Engine (the old one was using a lot of oil so I replaced it for a well maintained low mileage unit) CAT (had the original fitted so thought I would replace this) Up-stream (pre-cat) lambda sensor Spark plugs, leads and Coil pack (all genuine Ford) MAP sensor CHT sensor Knock sensor Fuel vaporizer ECU Fuel Filter Fuel pressure regulator PCV valve and breather pipes I have tried running the car on higher octane fuel and it made no difference.
• Honda Civic 1.6 Sport ('04) - Head gasket failure symptoms 17 Mar 2015 (Forum)
   So, it then had... new gasket and associated bits, cam belt kit, new radiator (since they weren't certin if the original cause might be a blockage in the rad, plus it has a very slight leak), oil and filter change, and new coolant. I drove about 30 miles and the engine light came back on again.  Called Green Flag out to my house and the guy did many of the same checks as the garage before the work - he diagnosed the HG failure.
• Hyundai Santa Fe 2004 2.7 CDX Petrol Auto - Running a used Santa Fe 2.7 petrol auto 27 Dec 2014 (Forum)
  It has leather seats but otherwise is a basic CDX petrol auto with full service history from the first owner but virtually none from the second owner who had run it for the last 3/4 years. I had the cam belt changed as it had never been done,had to sort out an oil leak from the sump, plus a noisy rear wheel bearing was replaced. Its now done 93,000 and had a pair of rear springs for its last MoT. We did not expect it to be very economical so its average on local short journey work of 21-22 mpg came as no surprise it was about the same as the old Nissan.
• Renault Master 1998 2.8td - Diesel not starting 15 Jul 2014 (Forum)
  I have had to adjust the idle screw as it started cutting out when I put the clutch in at junctions as the revs would drop rigt down till it cuts out. I have changed oil and all filters recently. I have checked the electrics to the pump. I have cracked the injector nuts while cranking and there is fuel going to all 4.  Am I right in assuming that this rules out the immobiliser and stop solenoid being a fault?
• Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSi S - Replacing my Mondeo 1 Aug 2013 (Forum)
    The 1.2TSi has better mpg and half the Excise Duty of my Mondeo but still has the same size boot.. Seems good. Getting a 9 month old example I could ensure regular oil changes so hopefully reduce the chance of turbo problems. Any reason not to buy it assuming I like the driving position and the test drive?        
• Replacing 2002 Mondeo - Still Looking 24 Jun 2013 (Forum)
    I'm still considering an Octavia 1.4 TSE when I can find one to test drive but I'm a bit concerned by various reports of camchain issues.  Would a low mileage 1.4 TSi  and subsequent annual oil changes at my 8k miles per year reduce the chance of problems.     
• Ford Ka - Ford Experts? KA 2003 OBD Code P0030 9 Oct 2012 (Forum)
  Car Ka 2003, Dura Tec (Lambda sensor with grey plug)   Hello I have a Ford KA that was running fine, I thought I would change the plugs, oil and air filter as part of a service.   Its really puzzling me as the car was running fine before and never had any issues.   Since I have done this, right away on the second start up the engine check light has come on, I just though I may have knocked a multi plug or something, when removing the spark plugs or the air box.
• Mondeo III 2.0 tdci (04) - Grumbling Noise coming from rear 1 Aug 2011 (Forum)
  At this point I expected everything to running smoothly, however the grumbling is still there at around 45mph onwards, only it is not as bad since the wheel bearing changed. The grumbling seems to have started when the loose nut was tightened still attached to the car on 20/7/11.   Any ideas ?
• Audi A3 - Audi A3 1.8T AGU violent judder/lurch under accele 22 Sep 2010 (Forum)
  I have tried various things to sort it, Maf sensor, Lambda sensor, Ignition amplifier module and tested the coil packs but have had no joy! The car is regularly serviced and was serviced approx 6 months ago which included oil, all filters and spark plugs etc. Any help would be MUCH appreciated! Thanks Nick