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• Chevrolet Lacetti Station Wagon auto - Poor mpg 13 Dec 2017 (Forum)
  The car has been checked, no fault codes, went to a specialist locally who is put it into a full diagnostic mode and nothing came up as being out of sync or not working. Took the plugs out and they are very black and sooty, clearly car is running rich.    Does anyone know what would be casuing this, everyone seems to be stumped around here.    Car is really good other wise and has been well serviced,    Any help much appreciated,   
• MGB GT - Tyres 28 Nov 2017 (Forum)
  I have just returned from a run in the MG when I experienced juddering from the front suspension/Steering. On inspection I found the front nearside tyre had started to laminate and expose the wire casing underneath. My local tyre specialists explained that my 'made in England' Dunlop tyres were probably 20 years old.
• Peugeot 207 1.4 petrol - low oil pressure 16 Nov 2017 (Forum)
  Low oil pressure warning on start with an engine STOP warning, much clattering of the top end but it's not my car and went to view it with a view to purchase and fix. the owner who knows nothing about cars said the noise goes away after about 15 minutes running. I don't know why the warning was ignored. Is it possible to drop the sump with the engine in the car. is there a tensioner on the pump chain, opinions if possible that the low pressure is causing hydraulic valve lifters to take a while to pressurize?
• Sourcing & Finance Broker - Q&A 12 Aug 2017 (Forum)
  Thought I would give you all the opportunity to ask any questions you have of a Finance and Sourcing Broker (me) who runs a proper FCA regulated company (my company) and knows how things 'should' be done. I know this has a chance of becoming a broker bashing thread, but I am thick skinned and so long as you keep it civil I'm happy to participate.
• Renault Symbol 1.6 L - Renault Symbol 1.6 not cranking when hot 15 Jul 2017 (Forum)
  Repairs done so far: - Replaced battery - Replaced starter and cabling - Installed heat protection on starter - Swapped around relays in the engine bay Suspect: Some sensor inhibiting cranking? Even if hot and will no start, the fan seems not to be running either, until once today, but did not repeat. Instrument cluster temp gauge seems to work just fine All help appreciated. -Marko
• Hyundai i20 62 reg. - Defect not fixed during warranty period 1 Jul 2017 (Forum)
  All this has occurred during the warranty period and the Hyundai dealer has failed to find/fix the fault on three occasions. The problem happened again yesterday although the car kept running. My question is if the dealer fails to fix within the warranty period and the fault persists are they legally obliged to fix it after the warranty expires. I assume they are but has anyone any info. or advice please?
• Any Make - Small Four Door Car Recommendations 22 May 2017 (Forum)
  The lady is recently retired and looks after her 2 year old grandson three days a week. She currently runs an old shape Ka but finds reaching into the back to do up (and undo) the child seatbelts difficult as she has a back problem. So, she is after a small four door car with reasonable luggage space. Her budget is £5000 - £6000 and reliability is paramount.
• Regular high mileage motorway recommendations 22 Mar 2017 (Forum)
  I'm therefore looking for some recommendations on cars to look at. Main requirements: Economical (high MPG, low tax/insurance, low running costs basically)  Reliable. Comfortable. Cruise Control. Budget of up to around £8K Not too worried about engine size, car size, badge, fuel type, although am guessing mid size, hatchback/saloon, diesel are prob best trade off on the above requirements.
• Kia Rio 2005-11 - Rio 05-11 - 1.4 petrol or 1.5 diesel 1 Mar 2017 (Forum)
  Looking for a cheap robust car to run for next 4 or so years. This era of rio seems a good bet. We previously had a very reliable picanto but a step up in power and size would be nice.  Very simple question, our annual mileage will be circa 15k possibly more would you take the diesel (bearing in mind it will be around 8 years old with probably 60 to 70k on the clock) or play it safe with the thirstier but less prone to major issues petrol?
• Recommendations on Estate for £3000 . 28 Feb 2017 (Forum)
  Looking to spend up to £3000( less if possible)  on a mid size estate or a big hatchback . I do around 17k a year with a mix of motorway long runs  and town driving. I have been looking at Octavias - Honda Civics - Volvo V50 , Reliabilty and MPG are more important than gizmos or speeds but heard some horror stories with newer diesels .
• Mazda 6 Estate - Mazda 6 DPF light Flashing 21 Feb 2017 (Forum)
  Hi I have a mazda 6 diesel estate 2.0 and the other week the DPF light started flashing. drove it down the motorway as it says to burn off the diesel soot, still flashing. put some diesel partical filter cleaner in with diesel took it for a run, still flashing. took car to my local garage he changed oil, filter and fuel filter and plugged into computer not showing anything wrong. Drove to reading from leeds over 250 miles down the M1 no problems at all and drove back again no problems  It doesnt go into limp mode or anything so wondering whether its just a sensor.
• Replace my astra van with cheap car under £500 3 Feb 2017 (Forum)
  I keep having to pay van insurance which is double the cost of a cars insurance even though I am 50 ..all the comparisson sites must treat vans as business type vehicles Is there any hatchback or maybe small estate that would have a big boot that I could run for 1000 miles year which just general maintenance and cost under £500.. not worried about the fuel costs thanks
• Ford Fiesta - Buy a Ford Direct car without seeing it? 29 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  Hi, have been looking for a new car and think I've settled on a fiesta ecoboost mainly for the cheap running costs and decent power. Planning on buying through the ford direct scheme as the warranty is appealing, but have noticed a lot of the best prices are nowhere near me. Would I be mad to buy the car based on the word of the dealer and have it delivered to me?
• Nissan Mirca CVT transmission good reliability? 28 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  I am help my daughter to find her very first car for cheap to running and to insure. Her licence is for automatic only, she is really like the Nissan Mirca 2002 1.0 CVT with 63,000 owned by elderly lady with excellent full service history. But when I hear the word CVT sound very complications, I went search on Google to see how it works, when I see a picture of the chain/rubber belt inside the transmission do this required to replace like the timing belt?
• Suzuki vitara 1.6 1994 auto - Automatic gearbox 18 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  I would repeat by slowing down and speeding up again until it would eventually change gear! One it has changed gear once it runs absolutely fine for the rest of the journey. The gear box does have a slight leak yet the levels are fine.  Can anybody shed any light on what the issue maybe or how I can deduce before seeking repair?
• Peugeot 206 - 1.4 petrol 2001 - MOT emissions fail 14 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  My 2001 206 1.4 (petrol) 73K miles has just failed MOT quite overwhelmingly on emissions: Fast idle test: CO: 7.21 (max 0.3), HC 213 (Max 200), Lambda 0.82 (0.970 - 1.030) 2nd Fast idle test: CO: 7.88, HC: 318, Lambda 0.79 Natural Idle test: CO: 7.7 Mechanic thought it would probably be the Cat (which he tells me isn't original) or one of the sensors. Anyone else seen figures as high as this? Car runs fine otherwise, haven't had any problems whilst driving. Your knowledge and suggestions would be much appreciated! many thanks in advance!
• VW Golf GT TDi MK5 07 - Throttle actuator gone again! 6 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  Light was cleared and all worked fine for the last month. Today it had come back in with the same symptoms of an engine over run when turning the car ignition off. I'm guessing it's exactly the same problem but am scratching my head as to what has made it go again?! I also have the infamous traction control light on constantly and yet there is no code showing with this on the reader that read the code for the engine fault...... dashboard is like a Christmas tree!!!!
• Basic mechanics course advice 20 Dec 2016 (Forum)
  Hi all,  Hoping someone can give me some advice. Have had a run of bad luck with mechanics lately, and I really hate not knowing anything about my car as it is my biggest expense.  So, I was wondering if anyone knows of a course I could go on to learn the basics (not even sure what the basics are.....i really need to learn something!!!).
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  Will a tyre repair kit keep my BMW X1 on the road? 12 Dec 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I own a BMW X1 (2015) with non-runflat tyres and no spare wheel. Is there an answer to the constant worry of being in limbo with only a tyre repair kit?
• Vauxhall Vectra C - Heater only blows cold 30 Oct 2016 (Forum)
  The mixer servo moves the mixer flap lever, the two hoses to/from the matrix are both hot and the fan works on all steering. Thermostat must be OK as the car runs between 80 & 90 degrees, depending on type of journey, as it has always done, and I don't think the water-pump can be duff as the car doesn't overheat. Has anyone any other thoughts ?