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Can you recommend an equivalent to the Peugeot 3008, which we were disappointed with? 25 Feb 2012 (Ask HJ)
Following plenty of good reports, 'What Car Car of the Year', Honest John, etc we booked a test drive in a Peugeot 3008 1.6 VTi (the only one available)... -
Low cost motorway driving 9 May 2011 (Ask HJ)
I need some advice on what car (probably second hand) to buy. My priorities are: MOST IMPORTANT: 1. Low *overall* cost motoring 2. Quiet & comfortable... -
Should I use a diesel or petrol car as a driving school vehicle? 15 Dec 2010 (Ask HJ)
I am a driving instructor and I do about 700 to 800 miles per week. My question is, would a diesel car be better for me? At first glance at my weekly mileage... -
Shifting circumstances 2 Jan 2010 (Ask HJ)
My wife and I are in dispute about the relative merits of automatics and manuals. My view, from my advanced years, a lifetime in the industry (with Ford)... -
Peugeot 406 HDi 110 - Not satisfied with solid flywheel conversion. 10 Aug 2016 (Forum)
Now, ive read a lot of posts regarding conversion including some on these forums and ppl were most satisfied describing clutch as smooth and chatter was only the problems when they had DMF. But i just cant find no1 talk about it after the conversion. Other than that car seems just a bit rougher at hard acceleration which is normal afaik. I dont know should i call the guy or not, he can allways say it cause of the solid flywheel... -
Need a used and reliable estate car for £15k 20 Jul 2016 (Ask HJ)
I have £15,000 to spend and need a hard working, spacious estate car. I work as a taxi driver and the car will be used for work and must have a good sized... -
Skoda Octavia - Clutch fitted 7000 miles ago, now really bad 13 Jul 2016 (Forum)
I had a new clutch/flywheel fitted back in May, to replace the DMF (which was failing rapidly). I purchased the new clutch kit from a respected supplier, and contacted a garage recommended to me from the Skoda forum. They fitted the new clutch kit, and had to buy a new release bearing, as the one which had been supplied with the clutch kit, had been destroyed in transit by the Royal Mail. -
Is the Skoda Octavia prone to dual-mass flywheel failure? 10 Jul 2016 (Ask HJ)
I have been advised that there was a problem affecting the dual-mass flywheels on older Skodas/Volkswagens. The issue, I am told, caused them to fail with... -
Buying an estate/hatch - recommendations? 18 Jul 2013 (Ask HJ)
My Mazda 2 has just been written off following an accident and I need to buy a replacement. Ideally, I would like something bigger and more practical,... -
VW Passat/Ford Mondeo/Mazda 6 - Buying Used: Heart says diesel, head says petrol 10 Nov 2012 (Forum)
For our money we can only find relatively high mileage diesels (50-60,000) and I am very wary of the potential costs of the diesel engine - DMF (£800), Injectors, Turbo (£1500) etc... My head on the other hand is thinking about cash outlay and risk - I'm now thinking just to go down the naturally aspirated petrol engine route, where the engines are simpler and less to go wrong from a used perspective (i.e. with no warranty). -
Suzuki Grand Vitara - Grand Vitara 1.9ddis buying advice - dpf concerns 15 Aug 2011 (Forum)
We still love the car and i'm a die hard Ford fan but economically its no longer making sense with its general niggles and big bills looming such as the dmf and clutch. It doesn't really fit our lifestyle either now the kids are growing up - we regularly go to country shows and walk/cycle/camp - usually using our second car, my Jimny especially to tow a trailer with the bikes in as its just more suitable for rough fields and car parks but we're at our absolute maximum with 4 of us in it. -
small 6-7 seat MPV - Best used small MPV (£5k - £10k) 4 Aug 2010 (Forum)
VW Touran is the current favourite, but have yet to drive. Would it be worth getting the Touran with a DSG, as I've heard that the DMF can fail (and doesn't on the automatics?). How is the reliability though as VW has less than a glowing reputation in the last 10 years. I've always liked Honda and had a 03-08 Accord Tourer for a month recently which was great. -
Could you suggest a low tech, low maintenance classic? 6 Dec 2017 (Ask HJ)
With all the publicity about over complex, money pit, unfit for purpose cars - what do you recommend as a low tech alternative? I realise regulations don't... -
Could you tell your readers we're now offering DPF cleaning services? 21 Dec 2013 (Ask HJ)
Whether dealers try to force regeneration of DPFs or Eolys fluid top-ups, at some stage the DPF will need either replacing or cleaning because of a build-up... -
Can I expect good reliability from a 2000-onwards Volkswagen Sharan? 11 Jul 2011 (Ask HJ)
Two months ago my Volkswagen Sharan left me, following a road accident and insurance write-off. It was a 1998 1.9 turbodiesel (110bhp) SE. It had done... -
Please suggest 6 Jan 2014 (Forum)
I know that I am going to choose petrol and auto coz I do around 12000 to 15000 miles a year mostly on motor ways and some city driving. Don't want to spend on DMf and all diesel issues. Will keep the keep the car for atleast few years and budget is 7000. I did look around on auto trader and based on earlier suggestions i checked out honda jazz, Kia ceed, avensis,focus and fiesta. -
Peugeot 406 - Peugeot 406 HDI 110 aux belt rattle 14 Apr 2013 (Forum)
I have replaced several things to try and eliminate this issue: Clutch DMF All engine mounts, including the bottom one Cambelt Water pump Aux belt and tensioner Bottom crankshaft pulley I've done a lot of changing and swapping of tensioners with only marginal improvements. -
Is it legal to remove the DPF from my car? 12 Aug 2012 (Ask HJ)
Various companies are advertising diesel particulate filter removal services with associated re-programming of the ECU to stop the CEL lighting up. My... -
Clutch slipping on Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost 11 Jun 2015 (Ask HJ)
I am having problems with my clutch rubbing/slipping on my Focus 1.0 ecoboost 2012. I bought the car second hand back in September last year and it has... -
Ford S-MAX - Starting problem, temperature fault in CAT 19 Jan 2015 (Forum)
I am no technical car expert and with the car otherwise functioning OK it makes it hard to justify spending the quoted £1300 repair for clutch & DMF replacement. The 2 nd garage told me that there is a possibility that not doing the repair could impact the CAT and eventually damage it. Has anybody else come across this problem, first of all of the car not always starting well, the engine RPM being up & down for a while and getting faults on the CAT temperature sensor?
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