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• 
  Bulk diss count 5 Dec 2009 (Ask HJ)
  This week my 1997 SAAB 900 Convertible failed its MOT test due to a crack in the bulkhead. It was fine at the service in August. It has done 98,000 miles...
• 
  The end of his teves 5 Dec 2009 (Ask HJ)
  I read with interest the e-mail headed "Half Braked". I too have had DSC failures on two BMW E90 Series cars. One was registered May 2006, the other Jan...
• Is it safe to use a jump starter on all cars ? 26 Oct 2017 (Forum)
  I do not want one with an internal battery. Whilst I will probably never need to use it on my own cars I do not doubt the opportunity to use it on colleagues cars will arise. I do not expect any of my colleagues would carry their cars hand books with them and I would have reservations about jump starting say for example a year old Toyota Land Cruiser in which case we are probably back to square one and waiting for the breakdown services.
• Honda CR-V II (2002 - 2006) - 06 2.2 Dipstick 4 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  Having added 5L to it and turning the motor over for 30 secs I rechecked it and there was still nothing. I then headed for home but after leaving the car in a car park for 15 mins, when I restarted it, there was a heavy rattling noise from the engine. I used the motor to get the car out of the car park and then called a breakdown truck. Still waiting for local Honda to check the car but they say it sounds like the motor is wrecked.
• immobiliser is too effective! 11 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  Decided to use spare key on my GS300 since main key was somewhere upstairs in the house. Went to unlock the car by placing key in lock and alarm goes off. Got inside and somehow the alarm eventually went off. Found main key again, but car would not start. Thought battery was dead, so called breakdown people.
• Driving in Europe 26 Nov 2001 (Forum)
  Afterwards, at home, I received a phone call from their agent to advise me that, really, I shouldn't have been provided with that car because, strictly speaking, the car hadn't "broken down", but that they were not pursuing the matter. It certainly felt like our car had broken down when my wife and I were trudging around Dinan.
• VW Golf mk7 2013 1.2tsi - 1.2TSI P334B Charge pressure actuator mechanical 22 Mar 2018 (Forum)
  However this all seems to be for pre-2012 cars, this is a 2013 car. Do I take it to VW and pay their diagnostic fee in the hope of a goodwill fix or do I just get an actuator and fit it myself...?
• Renault Scenic (2003 - 2009) - Recall and database error. 10 May 2008 (Forum)
  A recall notice from Renault's Director of Services and Quality was received by registered post this morning. Apparently there is "a potential for an immobilising breakdown caused by a blockage in the air conditioning compressor" which has affected some Scenic models, and they're asking us to book the car in with our local dealer at the nearest opportunity for a free inspection and any remedial work.
• New towcar - Hyundai or Kia 31 Oct 2006 (Forum)
  I'm not put off by the foot activated parking brake either as I've had Citroen XMs in the past. HJ's car-by-car breakdown is helpful but the Caravan Club Tow Car of the Year mentions the Santa Fe parking brake not holding on a 17% hill and some "instability" towing. Then there's the question of old Sorento versus new Sorento.
• Mondeo 2.2 ST-D 11 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  In the car-by-car breakdown, HJ notes the new Mondeo "153bhp ST TDCI from May 2004, gets to 60 in 8.4 seconds". That's almost as quick as my current BMW 330d! I know they showed this car at the motorshow, and the press release at the time said first deliveries from August.
• Jaguar x Type 2.5 - Fault list 8 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  For all you X type owners, and perhaps for HJ Car-by-Car Breakdown. One year of ownership 16k miles. Lots of little warranty claims saved for one visit all known by jaguar. weaping washers solved fitting of non return valve, rocking drivers seat mod fitted, boot locking system replaced, car juddered in 5th at 30 mph download new software problem solved, drivers door catch faulty had dried out lubricated now OK, next week goes in for two days to have steering replaced squeaking noise, may be bearings and another developed this week petrol guage reads half when full, then dances between half and full, will be sorted same time as steering.
• Non-start update 10 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  Original posting: Non-start Author: Roger K. (---.cache.pol.co.uk) Date: 05-12-01 21:13 I had a car die on me recently: all ignition circuits were dead and no ignition light. Lights and hazards working and central locking. I checked fuses and fusible links and looked for loose connections. After about an hour, the warning lights came on and the car started and ran normally.
• Xantia - Purchase in mind 16 Oct 2001 (Forum)
  Dear all I am looking at purchasing a Xantia as a second car. (Big smiles on DW's face). I will be using it to drive to and from work every day and the occassional load moving session. Can anyone advise me on what to look out for, which spec is best (I've taken a good look at the cbc breakdown and taken that into account).
• BMW 323i Air con broken down 2000 reg 24 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  If that is wear and tear, then what is a breakdown? Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks, Otto
• Vauxhall Corsa C - Coil pack keeps failing 11 Nov 2016 (Forum)
  This was confirmed by the error codes on the dash. I replaced it but the replacement coil pack didnt work. I called a breakdown company who cleared the codes and the same error codes returned, they said the replacement coil pack was faulty. I returned the faulty part and the new one worked straight away but tonight it has failed again and the car broke down- I am getting the same error codes.
• Kia Carens - 'safe' motoring 5 Apr 2016 (Forum)
  Afternoon all My current car is currently at a garage following a lack of oil pressure (known fault for the make model). There is a chance it is uneconomical to repair. Even if I have got away with minimal damage it'll still be expensive to repair.
• Toyota Yaris d4d t3 2004 - Powe loss, then ok for 300 miles, now not start 24 Sep 2012 (Forum)
    I did notice couple of days before problem engine sounded really boomy/loud for a few miles but this disappeared. Car has been serviced at recommended intervals and done 80,000 trouble free miles. had oil and filters changed just before breakdown,   Any suggestions gratefully received.   Thanks   hagrid1
• Peugeot 306 - 306 Hdi ticking / knocking 10 Jun 2012 (Forum)
  I only had the bottom pulley replaced around 4-5 years ago so surely its not this again?!¬! What else could it be? I am taking it to a garage tomorrow as the car sounds very bad and I am scared of a breakdown or engine damage. How can I try to make sure the garage is correct in its diagnosis and doesn't try to rip me off with a puley when i don't need one? Is there anything I could look for myself?
• nissan micra 1998 - starting problem 17 Dec 2011 (Forum)
  Can any one please help give some advise on my micra.It was running fine one day the next died. Breakdown guy added fuel to air intake and car ran for 10 seconds then stopped. Mobile mechanic called and carried out diagnostic and produced fault codes P0003e and p0007e. Fuel regulator volume control and fuel shut off valve.
• Peugeot 307 19 Jun 2011 (Forum)
  I bought this from new and have had numerous problems such as electronic service indicator counting down very very quickly, carpet coming adfift of the trim, exterior door rubbing strips coming adrift of the door, a breakdown whilst driving, steering lock/ignition key recall problem, glovebox release mechanism broken, horn intermittently not working, paint chipping on bonnet despite mainly slow speed driving, hatchback would not close until shut several times, rear seat velour stitching not finished, remote central locking intermittently not working, electronic oil level indicator reading empty despite being virtually full, etc nearly all are now resolved but very frustrating and lets the car down - anybody else with simailar experiences ?????