Showing results in  Forum [Show all channels]

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Tipper Truck and Limp mode - Two Surprises OUCH! 24 Sep 2014 (Forum)
  Driving on the A41 Hendon way, saw the lights change and decided not to chance it, so braked and stopped for the lights, Tipper truck behind emergency  braked and whatever he had in the back (big and heavy) broke loose and hit the front of his load compartment with an almighty bang, although he stopped a good 3 feet from the back of my car. Oooof! Driving up an A road couple of days later, car shoots across from the right (VW passat) and suddenly loses power and then proceeded to drive very slowly up the road, obviously unable to accelerate.
• car insurance renewal-good news 2 Sep 2012 (Forum)
  Just got a very pleasant surprise. My renewal documents arrived and prior to opening them I anticipated a few hours on the internet finding a new insurance...
• vauxhall vivaro van - 1.9 tdi 2004 6 Jun 2012 (Forum)
  Looks good in respect of usage (95K) condition, service history, ownership (1) . Why didn't I leave it at that. I read the car by car breakdown and now expect the water pump to sieze, ripping up the cambelt (replaced as part of purchase) and destroying the engine. Am I being unduly pessimistic, are there warning signs and what preventative action should we take.
• S-Type Jag- advice requested... 6 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  Best variant? Would I be better off with a XJ6/XJ8 (size isn't important, in this case)? I've read the car by car breakdown info, but would like to hear personal experience too, if possible.
• VW Golf MK3 Auto Transmission 28 May 2005 (Forum)
  The gear selections appear ok but the leaking fluid gives me cause for concern and I am unable to determine whether I have the correct fluid level. On the car by car breakdown on this site mention is made of auto problems sometimes associated with the oil control value. I can find no mention of this in any of the manuals neither can I find any diagrams of the auto engine bay the same as mine to verify whether one or other of the breakers should be plugged.
• Fiat JTD Engines 23 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  Does anybody have any experience of these engines and their general reliability? I haven't really read any regular horror storiess and the Car-by-car breakdown doesn't appear to highlight any problems. Strikes me as a very cost effective way of getting a reasonably up to date diesel engine. Does anybody else know different??!
• Urgent help required Passat Tdi 97 25 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  Hello everyone, My car is currently in the VW garage being looked at after a breakdown this morning. My Alternator (water pump and power steering) belt snapped whilst on the M1 this morning. The water temp rose to 120 degrees c before I had the space to pull over to the hard shoulder.
• New Car Recommendation - Meriva? 16 Oct 2005 (Forum)
  Friend currently has R Reg Scenic, looking to update car. Only her and her 2 year old son although sometimes carries her elderly parents. Majority of time car is used for her 2 mile round journey to work. She wants to retain the high up seated position, wants to spend about £5k over her own car (guessing at about 2k trade in), so total spend £7k.
• Drifting Fiat Punto (follow-up) 14 Feb 2002 (Forum)
  Well, the car was back at the Fiat dealer yesterday and they could find nothing wrong with it. Mind you, they did fix the juddery wipers which is mentioned on HJs car by car breakdown. They claim that the car is not affected by the other recalls that HJ notes, even though one is related to sterring.
• Jacking points and sill damage 5 Oct 2001 (Forum)
  (I did have a look at the car by car breakdown but couldnt find anything on it). Thanks John
• Ford Fiesta 1.6 Diesel - Cambelt failure and DPF blockage 18 May 2016 (Forum)
  Hi, 2010 reg Fiesta diesel with 101,000 miles when cambelt failed.  Car cut out and no restart.  Relayed to the Ford dealer who has serviced the car from new.  Head sent away for checking and skimmed but on putting the engine back together (over 3 weeks since breakdown!)
• Volkswagen Passat (2005 - ) - 2.0 TDI Sport DSG Need a bigger car, 05/06 14 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  Hope everyone is well... I've recentley set up my own company (even in todays climate, i know!) and need a bigger car for carrying stock and commuting around 30 miles a day. I currently drive a 2004 Audi A3 2.0 tdi sport but i'm looking to change it for a Passat. I like the size of it, but i have just looked at the C-B-C Breakdown and its kinda put me off!
• First time buyer - advice please 28 Jul 2005 (Forum)
  Hi Following the breakdown of my marriage with the ex getting custody of the car, I now find myself looking for a car, but not knowing where to start. I'm not bothered about makes, but there's a few things which may narrow the search a little.
• Rover 214i P reg any good? 20 Mar 2002 (Forum)
  Hi, Ive read the very useful Car by car breakdown but would like to canvas a few opinions... Ive been offerd a tidy P reg Rover 214i with the basic 1.4 8-valve K series engine. Its done about 50kmiles and its most recent owner was an elderly gent who won't have driven it hard.
• Esure car insurance 8 Oct 2011 (Forum)
  I've read a bit on a review site about how their customer service is pretty poor and how they charge random admin fees for things but as I'd be saving £150 (after taking out separate breakdown cover ) from that point of view it's worth it. Also I don't "need" my car much so if the worst happened and they were dragging their heels then it wouldn't be a disaster. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of them or any general advice?
• Should I buy this Nissan QX 21 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  Phoned them and they looked on their computer and told me that other than regular servicing its only had a replacement wiper blade and a mudflap. The car has less than 30k miles and is about £4.5k from a big main dealer group with a 'proper' warrantly (i.e. not 'breakdown insurance'). I know these cars aren't great looking and don't corner like the new Mondeo - but what are the other downsides?
• Some people just don't listen... 7 Jan 2004 (Forum)
  HJ writes, in the car-by-car breakdown, about certain Mercedes Benzes: Listen for timing chain rattle, signifying infrequent oil changes. Don't want to hear any ... rumbles from the wheel bearings. ... Remember, these cars only go on forever if frequently and expensively maintained.
• small car decision - seat, ford, vw?? 14 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  I also like the Clio but it's French and have had so many problems with reliability with my past French cars. As for Japanese I know the quality is great but parts seem very expensive Your opinions on these and the pros and cons would be great. I have read HJ's breakdown on all these cars but some owners views of these would really help.
• Honda FR-V - Honda FRV clutch? issue 17 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  Local mechanic said it’s a flywheel issue and quoted £1k to replace clutch and flywheel. I love this car but not sure it’s cost effective to spend that much on it. So left it off the road a few months (I dreaded driving it as it was so noisy and I felt sure it would breakdown) and now it’s absolutely fine again!
• Any (without TPMS) - Valve Core Replacement 5 Mar 2017 (Forum)
  http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/breakdown-essentials/halfords-4-in-1-tyre-tool GF is in the UK now so I could probably get her to bring one back. Perhaps valve cores too, though I should be able to get them here. Am I missing anything?