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• Vauxhall Vectra C (2002 - 2008) - Swap from 2006 Focus 26 Oct 2008 (Forum)
  Local Vauxhall Dealers has 2008 57 plate Vauxhall 1.9 CDTi 120 SRI for sale at £7995. Current car is a Focus 2 1.8TDCI Sport. Focus is a bit cramped in the boot when we go away and rear legroom is not great for our kids in a car seats... Would people change or am I wasting £2k? Focus needs Breakdown cover, tyres and wipers soon.
• Peugeot 206 hatchback (1998 - 2006) - 99 1.4 Electronic Intermitant Failure 15 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  After 2 breakdowns in as many weeks requiring the AA service, my car has been diagnosed with failure of the ECU. I have been informed that will cost at least £500 and I believe my car is now only worth about £1000.
• SEAT Leon TDI 10 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  Is this the norm or is it the sign of some defect? The service history indicated brake pad replacement some 8000 miles ago. The car felt good in other respects. The service record indicates that the first service was done at 19,000 miles. Is this acceptable? HJ's Car-by-Car Breakdown talks of the eventual failure of the ECU on TDI 110 models.
• Megane? Opinions please 8 Apr 2004 (Forum)
  Now if it is as described, this is well under 'book' price. It's just the right size but HJ's car by car breakdown has scared me a bit. Could current owners give me their opinions, good and bad. Much appreciated. MLC
• Vauxhall Monaro V8 9 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  I see from my local paper\'s Motoring Section (Oxford Times 24th October 2003) that Vauxhall have officially announced the launch of a rebadged version of the Aussie Holden Monaro...a V8 coupe version of the Holden Commodore. The Australian original was launched at a motorshow in 1999 or thereabouts as a concept car and won such accolades that it was in production in 2001 for the Australian market. Details: V8 5.7l engine, RWD, 3 doors. Makes the Omega look rather stuffy! Ian L. HJ points out that the Monaro coupe, the station wagon and the doublecab ute are all in car by car breakdown on this site.
• Value these two cars please? 27 May 2003 (Forum)
  (I have already read the CxC Breakdowns very carefully) It will be for girlfriend to run around in London. Also just in case my QX breaks down (not that I think I ever would, touch wood) Garrison
• Saab 900 1996 18 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  Hello, I am considering buying a circa 1996 Saab 900 for my wife, she wants something a bit stronger than her Clio, due to the menace of 4x4 driving mums round here. but something different with a bit of style. Anyhow, What is the longeivity of these cars like ? for example if I find a good, well maintained example, but with a lot of miles - like 120 000 would it be a reasonable bet so long as the price is not more than £ 2 - 2500 ? I would be interested in your experiences, I have read the car by car breakdown.
• Ford Kuga - Dad bought a used car for daughter. 19 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  So a neighbours dad bought a 2014 kuga diesel auto a couple of years back for her, not serviced since, as far as I am aware, no gearbox service either...
• Subaru Legacy and Outback Diesel (2008 - 2009) - Owner Experience for Boxer Diesel?? 8 Jun 2009 (Forum)
  I understand that Subaru's generally have excellent reliability but I'm a little worried about the fact that the Boxer Diesel isonly around since 08. Have looked at the car by car breakdown and seen the reported engine problems. So does anyone have any other feedback on the Boxer Diesel? Thanks MPH
• Honda Accord Tourer (2003 - 2008) - Warranty rectification 10 Oct 2008 (Forum)
  Looking at the car by car breakdown, there is the following for my Accord: "Reports of problems with swirl chambers of 2.2iCDTIs at high mileage. Best to have replaced before the 3 year 90k mile end of warranty." How exactly should I go about getting this done?
• Honda's reputation at stake? 3 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  Rumour has it that this gearbox is a bit iffy, which surprises me because my other Honda autos have been excellent and fault-free. HJ mentions this in the car by car breakdown - anyone know how prevalent this problem is?
• Omega - friend or foe ? 23 Jan 2005 (Forum)
  We're talking later built ones, manufactured from 2000 - after the last facelift, that is. Yes, I'm aware of its image and HJ's car-by-car-breakdown stories. There are plenty to choose from, however I won't be picking up a diesel. Also, no less than 6 cylinders will do. And an autobox, please... Speaking of which - are they all 4-speed ?
• Nissan Murano pricing 29 Sep 2004 (Forum)
  Per car by car breakdown, the launch price of the Nissan Murano in the UK will UKP 29,800. In the US (per nissanusa.com) the price ranges from $28,300 to $29,250. Taking the higher price, and adjusting for taxes and exchange rates (assume $1.8 = 1 UKP, VAT at 17.5% and import duty at 10%, for an overall tax rate of 29.25%): $29,250 x 1.2925 / 1.8 = UKP 21,000 Thus, not adjusting for differences in spec (I imagine fairly minor), UK buyers are being ripped off to the tune of UKP 8,800, or 42%.
• Vauxhall Reliability? 30 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  With all the recent adverse press reports(JD Power & Auto Express) on G.M. reliability, I would appreciate any comments from backroomers with experience of this model. I have looked on H.J`s car x car breakdown for this model which gives a conflicting picture - came 3rd from top in the Which 2002 survey and 8th from the bottom in the Auto Express 2002 report. Any comments and advice would be much appreciated.
• Mondeo Query 30 Jul 2001 (Forum)
  After being persuaded by HJ's frequent praising of the Mondeo I am now close to buying a 99 TD, but am a bit confused by the comments from the Mondeo Car by Car Breakdown. The comments start off very positive but the cause of my concern is the reference ( under Whats Bad) to the "very antiquated diesel" Does this comment apply to the Turbo Diesel, and if so does that mean the Turbo Diesel is NOT worthy of the otherwise glowing comments?
• Company Cars 24 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  It's new car time for my other half. Currently has company car (MGF - awful car but that's another story). Can now only get either focus or mondeo diesel as traditional company car, otherwise can take a PCP for any car and get given around £500/month extra to fund this.
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  Has anyone else had problems with water leaking into the new Vauxhall Meriva's doors? 29 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I have a new 2010 Vauxhall Meriva and have found a problem with water getting inside the door panels when it rains or when washing the car, which obviously...
• Ford Focus II (2004 - 2007) - Ford Direct warranty or lack of it 22 Mar 2009 (Forum)
  The cars previous owner had delayed the first service until 14000 miles so i was aware the manufacturers 3 yr warranty was void, but was comfortable with the ford direct 2 yr warranty and this included 2 yrs breakdown cover.
• Ford Fiesta (2000 - 2002) - 2001 1.6 zetec S breakdown 25 Aug 2007 (Forum)
  I have a Ghia with the 1.6 Zetec S Engine. After sorting out the initial overheating problem it had when I first bought it (thanks in no small part to...
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  Is my Ford Focus breaking down because of a coil pack fault? 9 Sep 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I was driving along in the rain today when my Ford Focus decided not to work. I had my foot on the throttle and I was getting no response. I then stopped,...