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• Citroen C3 - advice re old Citroen C3 13 Jul 2024 (Forum)
  I have a 2006 Citroen C3 that I like very much - it's been brilliant since I bought it 5 years ago and needed no repairs until it broke down this week in France with a broken clutch. I'm being quoted 950 euros for the clutch to be repaired there, which is about £800. The car is only worth about £700, so the insurance won't cover recovering it to the UK.
• Any - Yet another road pricing scheme announced 2 Jan 2023 (Forum)
  "The city of Lille in northern France has voted in favour of an ‘écobonus’ incentive aimed at encouraging drivers to avoid certain roads at rush hour.  Drivers will be able to earn up to €80 a month through a ‘péage positif’ if they help to reduce the bottlenecks on the A1 and A23.
• Mazda 3 2017 - Spare Wheel 15 Feb 2018 (Forum)
  We have our car through Motability and have booked a holiday to France even got our European breakdown cover through the RAC at no extra charge, all good so far.  However having read the book the RAC sends through it says that if you have a puncture and there is space for a spare wheel and no spare wheel present then they will not assist.
• Delivering an untaxed car to mainland Europe 10 Jul 2017 (Forum)
  The problem I have is that the vehicle is not taxed. Obviously my trade plates will enable me to get as far as the Eurotunnel but once I am in France I’m not sure how I stand with regards to tax… Can anyone advise?    Ps. I will have insurance and the vehicle is roadworthy with a full MOT so these things will not be an issue – it’s just the tax I’m concerned about.
• Ford C-MAX - Ford C Max TDCi Injector Failure 25 Sep 2016 (Forum)
  Local Ford workshop replaced Injector 3, and all four seals. Injector 4 failed again three weeks ago and was replaced by Renault workshop in France. Car continues to cut to limp mode with 'Engine Malfunction', Ford workshop now recommending other two Injector valve replacements based on diagnostics. Is it likely that when one Injector fails, the other three will fail in quick succession?
• SEAT Alhambra 2005 1.9 TDI - OBD2 plug has power but not communicating. 2 May 2014 (Forum)
  Need some help on this one. I bought a code scanner to check for any faults before we travel across France. The scanner gets power from the car but displays Link Error. I've been to a garage and they have the same. Not communicating. Fuses have been checked and the plug seems ok. Everything on the Car works well.
• Renault Megane 1.9dci 2004 - Injector Fault 7 Oct 2013 (Forum)
  Hello, Yesterday on the motorway in France, my Megane started puffing a blue smoke out of the exhaust. About a mile later the on board computer appeared with the warning injector fault and to stop immediately. I pulled over onto the hard shoulder and there noticed a lot of smoke and heat coming from the engine bay and the car would not start, and hasn't since.
• 
  Do British-made breathalysers meet French legal requirements? 11 Oct 2012 (Ask HJ)
  Would a reputable British breathalyser, such as the Alcosense Elite, obviate the need to purchase multiple French breathalysers in the light of recently...
• Skoda Octavia II - Pot holes and speed bumps 21 Mar 2010 (Forum)
  In particular the bump by Furniture Village in Southampton West Quay :-) Or any other makes to consider of that ilk. Budget of up to 8K , used mainly for lugging kids around, camping trips so S of France and several 600 mile round trips to Yorkshire. Parking quite tight in our street so nothing too long, and cheap to fix when someone karate kicks the wing mirror off. Thanks    
• Renault Zoe name causes uproar. 30 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  I'm pretty flummoxed by this one..... From Autocar... "Renault's decision to call its electric supermini Zoe has caused uproar in France. "Press reports suggest parents of children named Zoe are reported to have flooded the company with complaints and launched online petitions demanding the name be changed." "Our daughters have a beautiful first name that must not be associated with a car, so let us unite to bring pressure on a multinational which is going to destroy this pretty name for a children," says a petition launched by Sebastien Mortreus, from Auby."
• Vauxhall Zafira A (1999 - 2005) - 01 1.6 - error codes 11 Jan 2008 (Forum)
  The engine management warning light came on ( constant, not flashing ) during a long hot drive back from S France last summer. No noticable problem though and the garage hooked it up when we had it MOTd , returning the error codes 0136 circuit high voltage 0335 Incorrect RPM signal. No immediate problem, they said, and reset the light.
• Number plates - improved security 2 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  Car dealers are generally able to produce their own as required and I wouldn't suggest any malpractice here, but it could be a potentially weak area. In France if I understand correctly they are physically riveted to the car body, not just held on by two piddly self tapping screws as in the UK. Are we behind the game compared with other countries, or compared with what we should be doing?
• Are we patriotic about cars? 17 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  If you go to any European countries, you'll mostly see local brand cars! Example: France - Citroen, Peugeot, Renault Germany - Mercedes, Audi, VW etc. Sweden - Volvo, Saab (Merc & Audi pretty well too) Spain - Seat (and Skoda too) Czech Rep - Skoda Netherlands - mostly European cars even USA - Ford, GM etc.
• Ford 1.9 TDI Galaxy 2 Oct 2006 (Forum)
  Hi there, I have a1998 S reg Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI and have a bit of a problem! When you start it from cold it takes about 10 mins, plumes out whitish smoke...
• Rubbernecking 19 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  This of course created the mandatory traffic jam as people had a good look at other peoples' misfortune. Why can't we do what sometimes happens in France? I once or twice have come across the scene of an accident but the authorities have erected blinds all around the accident thus giving no opportunity to rubber neck. Sure there is a small tail back as people have to slow down as invariably a lane has been blocked off, but a moderate and safe speed is maintained.
• 2004 Vectra headlight adjustment 27 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  A colleague is off to France for a couple of days and needs his headlight beam adjusted accordingly. It has the projector style lenses, which I assumed would have a lever to switch the beam across, but I can't see it. The book says to visit a Vauxhall dealer to have the beams adjusted, but I'm sure all they'll do is stick a screwdriver in somewhere and twist something to flip the beam across.
• Lexus IS200 with 90,000 miles 4 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  I'm fantasising and looking at an IS200, year 2000, 90K miles, for 6,000 pounds with an one year warranty (being sold at a main dealer, near where I live in France)). Looks like a good deal, and insurance is reasonable (550 Euros fully comp.) From a mechanical point of view, is this a sound long-term buy?? I know they're generally a recommended buy, but I'd like a nice car that I may keep for many years.
• Accord water leak into boot 8 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  Should I lift the seal again and put some silicone sealant under it (might be hard to get hold of as I'm in France) or is there something I've missed? Thanks in advance...
• 406 slight vibration 4 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  On my recent auction purchased 406,I have just done 1500 miles on a round trip into France,and unfortunately,the rear horizontal link bars had to be replaced while I was there,as the old ones had expired.The idea was to get back to Britain and have the bars replaced here.Anyhow..... The car still has a slight vibration to it,insofar as it lasts about 3 seconds,and repeats every,say,5 seconds at speed in excess of 60mph.
• Car Servicing in Calais 10 Aug 2005 (Forum)
  Hi Room Living near the port of Dover I have decided the time has come to take the Mercedes Benz 320CDI over to the MB dealer in France and save myself a packet on servicing fees. I hear that you can save up to 70% by using an approved main dealer whist maintaining your service record and warranty. When you factor in the 35% saving on disel and the wine and cheese the boat trip is paid for and im a happy bunny Does anyone know of any catch?