After carrying out an oil change, the sump plug is leaking - could it be because I used a metal washer?

After carrying out an oil change, I have a leak from the sump plug. I used a metal washer from the filter pack, not a copper one, as I would have expected to seal the sump plug. Could this be the cause?

The engine in our car keeps cutting out and losing power - what's wrong with it?

Our 2007 Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi broke down on Sunday evening. The engine cut out at 75mph. It started up again and revved fine, but came up with 'Engine System Fault' and an Amber Cog with and exclamation...

The gears in my Vauxhall Corsa sometimes won't change - can you help?

When driving my 2008 Vauxhall Corsa, the gears intermittently lock and I'm unable to change gear (up or down). My gearbox is manual and when the problem last occurred I had to complete my journey in second...

Spark plug was smashed after being hit by a piston - does this require an entire engine rebuild?

I have a 2011 Vauxhall Astra that went into limp mode when I was going about 65mph. I pulled it off the road and the car would not start, it would crank but not ignite. After being recovered home I had...

What's the best way to start my standing 1996 Ford Mondeo?

My 1996 Ford Mondeo been standing for three years. What is the best way to approach starting it again? I've fitted a new battery but it didn't start. The previous owner said it needed a fuel pump and I'm...

Are American cars built to a better quality than European cars?

I read a few years ago that American cars have less mechanical problems as the Americans spend the majority of the development money on the engine/drivetrain mechanicals making them more robust and less...

Mercedes Benz E class cam chain problems

I have a Mercedes Benz E 200 estate 2010 October model which has done 89000 miles. It has been fully serviced by a registered Mercedes Benz dealer. The cam chain has broken requiring a new engine at a...

Why is the Land Rover Discovery 3's parking brake so complex?

The parking brake on my 2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 has just failed at 70,000 miles, and the local Land Rover dealer is charging me £1100 to repair it. This seems to me to be an unutterable waste of money...

Mechanical problems with Subaru

Subaru purchased with 3 year warranty in June 08 - new model Boxer engine with no low range gears. Used to pull small trailer well under recommended towing weight. New clutches required at 18k and 41k...

BMW Z4 Roof motor - not recalled by BMW yet a well documented BMW fault

I have a BMW Z4 on a 54-plate. The automatic roof recently stopped working. I Googled the problem and it appears that the most common fault for the roof is that the motor, which draws the roof back,...