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• Esure car insurance 8 Oct 2011 (Forum)
  I've read a bit on a review site about how their customer service is pretty poor and how they charge random admin fees for things but as I'd be saving £150 (after taking out separate breakdown cover ) from that point of view it's worth it. Also I don't "need" my car much so if the worst happened and they were dragging their heels then it wouldn't be a disaster. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of them or any general advice?
• Should I buy this Nissan QX 21 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  Phoned them and they looked on their computer and told me that other than regular servicing its only had a replacement wiper blade and a mudflap. The car has less than 30k miles and is about £4.5k from a big main dealer group with a 'proper' warrantly (i.e. not 'breakdown insurance'). I know these cars aren't great looking and don't corner like the new Mondeo - but what are the other downsides?
• Some people just don't listen... 7 Jan 2004 (Forum)
  HJ writes, in the car-by-car breakdown, about certain Mercedes Benzes: Listen for timing chain rattle, signifying infrequent oil changes. Don't want to hear any ... rumbles from the wheel bearings. ... Remember, these cars only go on forever if frequently and expensively maintained.
• small car decision - seat, ford, vw?? 14 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  I also like the Clio but it's French and have had so many problems with reliability with my past French cars. As for Japanese I know the quality is great but parts seem very expensive Your opinions on these and the pros and cons would be great. I have read HJ's breakdown on all these cars but some owners views of these would really help.
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  What used electric car should we replace our Honda CR-V with? 7 Sep 2023 (Ask HJ)
  We are looking to replace a petrol Honda CR-V automatic with an electric SUV and exploring what's best? Our Honda CR-V has been super reliable and we value...
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  Did diesel freeze cause my Volvo V50 to lose power? 5 Dec 2012 (Ask HJ)
  Setting off after parking my Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe overnight in temperatures down to -16 degrees C, the car kangaroo jumped for a couple of minutes with...
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  VAG 1.4 TSI turbo failure 26 Jun 2011 (Ask HJ)
  I own a March 08 VW Golf 1.4 TSi GT 170 which is now just over 3 years old, has covered 24,000 miles and been maintained on the VW three year maintenance...
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  Why is my Citroen Xsara's engine cutting out? 16 Jun 2011 (Ask HJ)
  A couple of weeks ago, as my wife drove to work in our 2000 Citroen Xsara 1.9 diesel estate, the car simply stopped and turned itself off with the engine...
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  Civic duty 19 Sep 2009 (Ask HJ)
  I have bought Civics for the last 20 years. My present one is 6 years old and the only reason I haven’t traded it in yet is because of a review I read...
• Honda FR-V - Honda FRV clutch? issue 17 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  Local mechanic said it’s a flywheel issue and quoted £1k to replace clutch and flywheel. I love this car but not sure it’s cost effective to spend that much on it. So left it off the road a few months (I dreaded driving it as it was so noisy and I felt sure it would breakdown) and now it’s absolutely fine again!
• Any (without TPMS) - Valve Core Replacement 5 Mar 2017 (Forum)
  http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/breakdown-essentials/halfords-4-in-1-tyre-tool GF is in the UK now so I could probably get her to bring one back. Perhaps valve cores too, though I should be able to get them here. Am I missing anything?
• Nissan X-Trail - Smoke, Steam and loss of power ! 24 Oct 2015 (Forum)
  Could it be turbo seals ? Purchased car 5 months ago from a garage who supplied (via 3rd party) a years warranty up to £250 ! for drive train. Mike
• FIAT Punto (1994 - 1999) - 1998 1.2 no spark 2 Aug 2008 (Forum)
  helo...can anyone help please? My 1998 punto failed to start yesturday and the AA man couldnt diagnose it. He wrote on the breakdown report " live feed to coils and injectors no switching" He said it might be either the crank sensor or a relay or the ECU. He said to change the sensor first and if it doesnt work to do the relay and failing that, the ECU The fuel pump primes but there is no spark, my local (30 minute drive) scrapyard has the same model in but i have a mate who is an experianced mechanic says it is bound to be the ignition pack , saying the fuel wouldnt prime if ECU/crank sensor is faulty I dont realy want to buy the wrong bit/s for it obviously and i only have free car hire from AA till saturday lunchtime.If its the sensor or relay it would be handy (cheap).
• No Green Card= no comprehensive cover? 1 May 2007 (Forum)
  Direct Line still insist that the comprehensive cover drops off in Europe without the card (for which they charge over £20!). This is potentially worrying, as I'm sure many people will purchase Euro breakdown insurance but assume that their UK level of insurance cover remains just that. Apparently not so; you may get the car repatriated, but if the accident is down to you the prospect of a very substantial bill looms...
• Intermittent Golf 18 Nov 2004 (Forum)
  My other thought is the Hall effect sensor in the Dizzy but it restarts immediately on most occasions. The owner has experienced the car not restarting on a couple of occasions and one such breakdown caused a AA guy to change the coil ! wrong. Can you purchase just the induction ring for the diz with the cost of the whole dizzy. ?Regards Peter
• MINI Adventure. Tyre press.warning light 7 Mar 2004 (Forum)
  Has the job supposedly done. Friend drives car for half an hour and yellow \"You have a puncture\" light comes on on dash. Tyres checked, no probs. Light usually / sometimes comes on after driving about half an hour. Obviously no tyre problem. Anyone got any ideas ?
• Which Civic Auto? 16 Mar 2003 (Forum)
  The Concerto has a 1.6 engine which works well with the autobox but a trawl through Autotrader\'s website comes up with several 1.4\'s - does anybody know if these are conventional or belt driven boxes and are as reliable as the 1.6. Have checked HJ\'s CBC breakdown but there is not much info on the 1.4. The car will be used mainly for school runs, and local driving with the occasional motorway trip and cover approx 8 - 10k miles a year. It must have 5 doors and be automatic and be Focus /Astra size.
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  Can I drive my car to a rural area to walk around during the lockdown? 24 Mar 2020 (Ask HJ)
  Will I be allowed to drive to the countryside alone, just for leisure, if I don't leave my car when there are other people about?
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  What do you think of the Ford S-Max? 23 Feb 2013 (Ask HJ)
  Its time for me to invest. Despite its breakdown in France last year, I'm going to keep my Skoda Superb as the family car and I want to get something similar...
• Do I need to declare a 'notification'? 12 Jan 2012 (Forum)
  Hi, I'm really confused so I hope someone can help me. The other week my car understeered into a field (4AM and foggy/icy). I had to call the breakdown cover that I bought with my insurance to recover the car as its little trip off road buckled a wheel on a rock and has caused an electrical short somewhere meaning the engine wouldn't start and because of where it ended up they had to lift it over a wall to remove it.