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• Volvo 960 - your views 22 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  It is a 1995 2.5litre version. I am tempted to buy it. does anyone have any experience with this model? Had a look at the car-by-car breakdown already. the bad news is that i have a 1996 mondeo 1.8TD with 125k on the clock. The day before i took it for mot and it passed. Had promised myself that if it fails mot then i will change the car.
• If not an Alfa 147, then...? 26 May 2004 (Forum)
  Mrs O is looking for a new car. We've driven the Focus 1.6 and it seemed ok until we drove a 147, which seems a much better car. We've now read the car-by-car breakdown (oh how aptly named!) and she's taken fright. The dealer was also only offering a 30 day warranty, which I didn't think you could do nowadays.
• Car insurance groups 6 Feb 2004 (Forum)
  One for the FAQ I think. I was trying to find out the insurance groups for several cars, tried C-by-C breakdown, HJs FAQ and the various manufacturers websites without any luck. Then did a google for 'car insurance groups' which yielded lots of info. These are set by the ABI for UK cars and they have a very useful search engine for finding the insurance groups of current model cars.
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  I live in Northern Ireland - after we leave the EU, will my UK insurance be valid if I drive over the border? 13 Apr 2018 (Ask HJ)
  I currently live in Northern Ireland and I'm covered by GreenFlag. After we leave the EU, if I drive over the border to Eire, will I technically be in...
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  Steering issues on a CR-V 13 Nov 2011 (Ask HJ)
  CR-V had issues from new with wheel alignment finally resolved at aprox 28k. Honda just advised in reply to me concern re juddering in the steering...
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  Thanks to the AA patrolman who rescued my daughter from the roadside. 2 May 2011 (Ask HJ)
  My 19-year-old daughter phoned me at 9pm from the side of the A1 where she was broken down on her way to university. Whilst I was talking to her (she did...
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  Is the 140PD engine in the 2007 Skoda Octavia prone to turbo and oil pump failure? 23 Jun 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I am looking at buying a 2007 (07) Skoda Octavia with the 140PD engine in it. However I have found a few bad reports on the engine, some in relation to...
• Peugeot 307 SW (2002 - 2008) - 03 2.0 HDi SW SE - Non starter 9 Jan 2010 (Forum)
  The breakdown guys believe it to be the low pressure pump in the fuel tank however garage says otherwise. How is it the breakdown mechanics can spray ether into the air intake pipe and it fires up? It gets towed to a garage and they then have no trouble starting the car.
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  German engin-erring 24 Oct 2009 (Ask HJ)
  I would appreciate any advice re private purchase of a 2001X 5-door VW Golf 1.6 16v SE in metallic reflex silver. It is a one owner from new car registered...
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  Getout claws 21 Mar 2009 (Ask HJ)
  I have seen you recommend Warranty Direct in the past and so covered my SAAB 9-3 with one of their Extra Care warranties. This was renewed in October last...
• Skoda Roomster - Skoda Roomster woes 28 Aug 2013 (Forum)
  The breakdown services tried to source the part but none of the local dealers had it in stock, and the car had to be recovered back home; thankfully as I had ‘relay’ type breakdown, there was no cost involved.
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  Which old car? 5 Feb 2012 (Ask HJ)
  I want to keep a car at my parents, it will be used once a month and kept off road but not garaged. I have a Golf mk2 1988 1.6 cl 32k miles which is...
• Mercedes 280S. 22 Jun 2001 (Forum)
  Another of my contacts is inviting input into a possible car choice that is outside my direct experience. He's looking at a 1997 Mercedes 280S, 1997 with 55,000 miles. I've seen what HJ says in the Car by Car breakdown. My interpretation of this is....... large reliable prestige car but very complex, and with just the chance it was an import or "store prior to sale" car.
• Volkswagen Touran MPV (2003 - ) - Warning of impending car breakdown 8 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  My VW Touran is 5 years old. Every couple of months it requires an engine coolant top up. When the coolant level falls just below MIN, the Multi-Function...
• Mercedes e coupe 250 cdi (2012). - flood damage to engine 14 Oct 2012 (Forum)
     I am particularly concerned about the catalytic converter as a considerable amount of water drained from the exhaust when the car was winched onto the breakdown truck. 
• Timing belt cost Clio 1.2, 16v. 22 Oct 2006 (Forum)
  Sorry for the lack of time to answer this but my son and I are going to look at a Clio tomorow for his first car. It is a 2002 1.2 16v with 50,000 miles. It is being sold to us at a good price as my son goes to school with the car dealers son. Having just checked the C by C breakdown it appears that a timing belt change would probably be a good idea.
• Car seat comfort 6 Dec 2004 (Forum)
  Having now disposed of Mrs ND's late Laguna to a chap a little over 6' tall (is he in for some backache) I got to thinking about car seating. The Laguna was a classic example of bloomin' awful seating, whilst my 156 has a superb seat that allows me to arrive refreshed after 800 miles of motoring (and no, that's nothing to do with it being on the back of a breakdown truck).
• 306 XSi stiff clutch? 12 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  Drove our 306 for the first time in a while yesterday (my wife drives it most of the time), and thought the clutch seemed heavier than i remembered. Not sure if it was just because i was used to the lighter clutch on my car, but SWMBO also commented on it, saying she thought it was getting slightly heavier. Reading the car-by-car breakdown, it comments on the clutch cable being susceptible to drying out, which might cause this.
• Advice to a young driver 24 Oct 2001 (Forum)
  I would like to change the oil and filter but do not know which oil and which grade to choose. Honest John states in the Car by Car Breakdown that the E30 is a "prime candidate for fully synthetic oil (engine won't last forever without it)". I would like to strike the right balance between cheap motoring and keeping the car in as good a condition as possible.
• Any - 36 month warranty for buying online 28 Dec 2020 (Forum)
  "Quote from an advert" As an incentive to purchase on-line and to give you added protection and confidence, we are including 36 months comprehensive warranty and 12 months breakdown cover free of charge for all purchases (with exception of TVR, Bentley and Aston Martin) made during lockdown.   I have found this particular dealer to be very good and fair in the past, but is this a first for used car sales.