No one wants to purchase a dodgy motor. The trouble you could get into with repairs and breakdowns will soon have you tearing out your hair. There could even be other less obvious complications such unpaid fines on the vehicle or an incomplete finance scheme in the background. Fortunately, you can look back in time at any car’s legacy with the help of an HPI check. This simple information request will prevent you from falling foul of the fraudsters trying to pass off a bad car as good, and could save you a huge amount of time and stress. Continue reading
Author Archives: Justin Smith
Toyota Avensis Review Common Problems
The Toyota Avensis is manufactured in the UK by the well-known Japanese car company since 1997. Available in 4 door saloon, 5 door estate and 5 door lift back editions it has the power to transport the average family round the country’s roads in a relaxed, comfortable style.
Over the years the Avensis has seen 3 generations, with each receiving a new facelift to keep the look of this vehicle up with the times. Each successive iteration has seen Toyota add new features such as adaptive cruise control and front lighting systems.
It’s always tough writing our famous common problems lists for Toyotas as these cars are known for their reliability. However, no vehicle gets off completely scot-free. There are a few issues that worry rather than plague the Avensis so be on your guard against the following faults when considering purchasing a second hand vehicle. Continue reading
Volvo V70 common problems
The Volvo V70 is one of those cars that you simply can’t fail to recognise out on the streets. With a strong, boxy look that somehow manages to be effortlessly stylish, you can see why this vehicle has been a mainstay of Volvo’s range for a number of years now.
Evolved from the famous 850 that enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the 1990s, the V70 first appeared in 1996 and has been on our roads ever since with subsequent iterations enjoying bodywork upgrades from the studios of Peter Horbury.
The V70 makes a great second hand car, but beware; it is not completely immune from faults and issues. Fortunately with our common problems guide you can stay one step ahead of any tricky sellers that try to catch you out. Continue reading
Car Dashboard Warning Lights Explained
Not everyone who drives a car can be a mechanical whizz. And let’s face it, the days of lifting your car up on ramps at the weekend and having a tinker under the hood are on their way out, with many vehicles having extensive computer control systems.
Fortunately, car designers have provided a way for every motorist to know what’s happening around the car regardless of their vehicular knowledge – the dashboard lights. But what does each light mean and what action should you take when the light illuminates on your dash?
In this article, we look at each type of dashboard light ranging from those that present a dire warning if avoided through to those that are less urgent. Use this guide to get acquainted with each type of light so you can understand the implications, should it become illuminated.
Continue reading11 Ways to Help Keep Your Car Clean This Winter
Winter is well and truly here. There is no getting around it, all we can do is deal with the multiple implications of the cold. You might think that the warm cabin of your car is something of a sanctuary in the face of the freeze, but if you don’t take the proper precautions, you could drag a slice of ice into the compartment with you.
Never fear because we have some practical tips that could help you stay on top of the battle against the elements during the colder snaps. Use our advice to make sure that you do not fall foul of water, salt, snow and all the other wintertime wonders that haunt us at this time of year. Continue reading
10 Great Winter Cars… That Won’t Break the Bank
Don’t be deceived. Until March is safely behind us in the rear-view mirror, we are not out of the winter’s cold grasp. When the snow comes down and the slush then freezes overnight, whole traffic systems can slow down and that’s with the support urban gritters. If you live in the country then conditions are often doubly treacherous, making motoring a potential nail biting scenario, if you could only release your cast iron grip on the steering wheel.
Of course, certain cars measure up better in cold weather than others and can add a whole new dimension to motoring in the winter. However, no-one wants to break the bank, so we thought we’d take a look at some of the best seasonal runners that can be found on the second-hand market for less than £5K. Continue reading
De-Icing Your Windscreen
Winter mornings are here and stretching out their icy fingers over the pavements, streets and the windows of your car. Even though your mum and dad might have sworn by a hot douse from the spout of a kettle, this might not be the best for the long-term health of the windscreen. More ad-hoc methods are equally fraught with danger. Credit cards can scratch the surface of the glass or the hairdryer in the street method might require a load of extension cords that could prove a trip hazard or even see you get electrocuted.
Even though it might seem like a simple process to some, there are always ways in which you can maximise cleaning power whilst minimising the overall fuss of clearing ice from your car windows. In this article we defrost some of the best tricks in the books, allowing you to warm up your de-icing skills. Continue reading
Checking & Topping Up Your Coolant
As you might have guessed by the name, coolant or anti-freeze plays a vital role in your car’s engine, especially in cold weather. Not only do you need enough of this fluid to stop your vehicle from seizing up when it’s freezing outside, you also must make sure that this fluid remains in a good condition. Continue reading
Saab 9-3 common problems
The Saab 9-3 is a popular, high quality executive car. If you like efficient motoring that puts a lot of power underneath the pedal, then this is a great place to start. Originally unleashed on the motoring public back in 1998, various iterations of the vehicle have featured a range of power systems including 1.8t BioPower and 2.8T V6 Diesel engines.
You should be able to find a good selection of Saab 9-3s available on the second hand market when looking for a used car. This solid car is a great choice for reliable motoring and with special editions like the Viggen still kicking around, you can even find something a little more collectable within the range.
It’s always advisable to be cautious when purchasing any second hand car – and with our common problems guide you can stay alert to some of the most prevalent issues affecting the Saab 9-3. Continue reading
Peugeot 406 common problems
The Peugeot 406 was first produced by the French manufacturer in 1995 and remained part of their European range until 2005. It was available in a number of styles and engines including economical 1.6L petrol and more powerful 2.9L V6 petrol models. With saloons, estates and coupe variants, there was something for everyone in this updated version of the 405.
There are still plenty of 406s out there on the UK roads and thanks to the popularity of this car, it is still possible to find many in good working order. However, as with all second hand cars it is best to err on the side of caution. Use our handy guide to make sure that your potential purchase is free from faults and that it won’t end up costing you more down the line.
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