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• Are current VED rules simply killing old cars? 9 Nov 2013 (Forum)
  This is a topic that was covered on PistonHeads a while back... unfortunately, their userbase totally missed the point (like they always do) and it ended up turning into a bit of a joke, with guys talking about how big their wangs are... a regular occurence on PistonHeads. So, my question again... Are current VED rules simply killing old cars? (Regardless of whether it's necessary) Are they designed to push people into buying new cars?  Let me give you an example... using my own car. My car is a Volkswagen Lupo SDI.
• Insurance options for 17 year old 20 Jun 2023 (Forum)
  My son has just turned 17 and while he's taking lessons we've bought a Fiat Seicento for him. It needs a bit of cosmetic tidying up, but miraculously...
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  Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Audi Q2 - which is best? 17 Jan 2023 (Ask HJ)
  I’m considering buying a 12-month-old SUV. I've narrowed my choice to the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Audi Q2. Which car would you recommend?
• Reducing road noise 10 Sep 2021 (Forum)
  The new surface is very smooth, but the most noticeable thing is the reduction in road noise. When you are standing next to the point where the new surface butts up against the old surface and a vehicle moves from one to the other, it's like a switch is thrown as the volume of the tyre/road noise changes abruptly. The tyre/road noise must be a least half the volume on the new surface, especially for cars on wide, low profile tyres.
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  When should we service our DS3? 16 Oct 2016 (Ask HJ)
  My wife's DS3 is now two years old with 3600 miles on the clock. After 12 months of ownership, she took it to a local Citroen dealer and they did a standard...
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  MINI One gearbox failure 3 Aug 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a second hand MINI One with a full service history from a local dealer. It had 52k on the clock and was five years old. After eight weeks I returned...
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  Should I buy a Saab 9-5? 12 Aug 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I'm thinking of buying a 13 year old Saab 9-5. It has 140,000 miles on the clock, but is in lovely condition bar the broken air con. If I can live without...
• Peugeot 207 - Any mechanics in Scotland looking for trainee? 13 May 2014 (Forum)
  I have a driving license, my own car and qualied in first aid.
• Renault Clio II (2001 - 2007) - 02 1.2 intermittent starting problem 19 Dec 2012 (Forum)
  My daughter has inherited my wife's 2002 1.2 Clio. We have owned it from nearly new and it only has about 38000 on the clock. Recently the car has refuse to start about one time in ten. This seems quite at random, the engine spins over perfectly on the starter, but does not fire. First I fitted a new battery - although old one seemed OK - Next fitted new plugs (Despite huge tool kit, had to buy special spanner -Those Frenchies!)
• dexron 111 with castrol z - oil compatabilaty 5 Feb 2012 (Forum)
  I have a hilux surf and auto box runs using dexron 111 oil.Now because its my everyday car for work and towing trailers and a large caravan around europe,.I would like to know weather replacing the dexron 111 gearbox oil with the synthetic castrol z oil is possible.Would i have to have the box completley flushed before changing the oil,or can i just drain the old oil out of the gearbox sump and refill with castrol.As i know some dex 111 oil would still be in the tourque converter,would this matter.I would like to do this because the surf is clocking up around 15ooo miles of towing plus all the weekend run around stuff, and i think the old girl deserves the best oil to keep her going.i,ve had the surf for 4 years and 73,000 miles and never missed a beat.She,s got 169000 miles under her bonnet and still going strong,i just think if there are better oils on the market the surf deserves it.can anybody give me an answer.cheers      
• Toyota Previa (2000 - 2007) - .... any alternatives? 13 Mar 2009 (Forum)
  The problem is, they no longer make them for the UK market. We don't want new, probably just a year or two old. I've looked at quite a few second hand ones, but they all seem to be very highly priced for a car a few years old with moderate mileage. I can't find anything else on the market that is similar in layout.
• KIA Pride (1991 - 2000) - Strange rattling sound 28 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  I drove over successive humps, at increasing speeds, until at nearly 30 MPH she shouted out 'that's it' - what that poor old car has to cope with! I repeated the experiment until I was sure of the sound. When I first bought it, one of the cords that lift the parcel shelf when the tailgate is opened had pulled through (it was just a knot tied in the cord), so I'd fitted a washer between the knot and the parcel shelf..........................
• Tight old man needs advice (trade Rover 75 - buy)? 20 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  I think i screwed up and somehow deleted my last attempt at posting a topic so let me try again : I have just paid out for a new clutch and think my lovely...
• What small auto? 29 Jul 2008 (Forum)
  She's not a girl racer but defintiely no blokes' or old people's cars allowed, even though the classic buyer of a small automatic is a pensioner couple! I have my suggestions of course but I'm hoping I'm not missing anything by suggesting that the closest she can get is a Polo Match 1.4 SE - £9,500 through drivethedeal/dealdrivers.
• Super-saloon - realistic running costs? 5 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  I'm not fussed about using main dealers if I don't have to although it might be more appropriate with a 5 year old car like this than my 9 year old Porsche. Interested to get views on this especially from anyone who has run one of these beasts
• Length of time 'till first MOT. 22 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  The MOT business has been thoroughly overhauled recently with computerized certificates etc so why has the 3 year rule remained unchanged for years? I'm sure that like this nearly year old Passat there are plenty of other 1, 2, year old vehichles that are sure fire failures. Why not a 12 month from new compulsery test?
• Insensitive morons in DVLA 3 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  My father died not long before Christmas and is survived by my mother. One of my tasks is to notify all and sundry of his death including DVLA about his car.(1.3 Totota Yaris 21/2 yrs old - 5500 miles). I followed precisely the way to advise DVLA by reading the guidance notes that come with the V5 "log book". This included, as demanded, a covering letter explaining why I was transferring the keeper of the vehicle to his wife/widow.
• Vauxhall Astra Heater 11 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  I just dont' know what to do now - is there something I have't done - the oil and water levels are fine - do I need antifreeze (i'm south african and we don't have that problem & I think the mechanic has done it already). Admittedly I am driving 80 miles a day round trip & the car is old but it was serviced 3k miles ago. Any one with any clues? Otherwise I'm off for another expensive mecahnics bill :( thanks -F-
• Freelander Air Con Mystery 14 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  moved from Discussion to Tech Matters I have a 1-yr old Freelander TD4 with an air con problem which seems to mystify the dealership. It was barely 7 days old when the air con system completely discharged. The dealer reseated a pipe but the system has never worked entirely satisfactorily since.
• Ford head unit connector pinout 2 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  Hi I am trying to install a old style (standard size) Ford 2006 RDS head unit into the old 89 polo, as it's original head unit has died, and as the rest of the car is not far behind I do not want to spend money on a new head unit.