Author Archives: Justin Smith

About Justin Smith

As the man at the helm of BreakerLink, it is no surprise that its Director, Justin Smith, has always had a keen interest in cars, bikes and most things wheeled. Having spent over two decades in the car parts industry, Justin combines his passion that since 2002, has successfully united those looking for new and used car parts with the breaker that supplies them. Follow Justin on LinkedIn.

How reliable is the Audi Q7, and what are this model’s common problems and issues?

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is a luxury midsize SUV in production since 2005. It was the first SUV vehicle from German automaker Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. 

The original Q7 (2005-2015) shared its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne and offered a choice of V6 or V8 engines. The second generation Q7 (2015 – present) moved to Volkswagen’s MLB platform. It’s lighter and more fuel-efficient than the original, with a focus on technology and connectivity features.

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Common problems with Toyota Auris

Toyota Auris

The Toyota Auris, a compact car, is recognised for its practicality, efficiency, and reliability. Toyota produced it in various body styles – a 3-door hatchback, a 5-door hatchback, and an estate version – from 2006 to 2018. The Auris also offered different engine options, including petrol, diesel, and hybrid. The hybrid variant, the Toyota Auris Hybrid, was famous for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly features.

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What are the most common problems with the Peugeot 308?

Side view of white Peugeot 308

First introduced in 2007, the Peugeot 308 is a compact car that offers a range of body styles, including hatchback, estate, and convertible.

The Peugeot 308 has had its fair share of issues and technical hiccups, which have been well-documented among 308 owners. However, because it’s a mature model, it’s easy to find affordable parts, making it a good choice if you like carrying out repairs yourself. 

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Is your vehicle’s oil sump failing? Here’s how to spot the signs

Aluminium oil sump

Any car enthusiast knows that oil is the lifeblood of the engine. Regular oil changes are necessary to ensure your vehicle’s optimal performance and durability. However, the pivotal role the oil sump plays often goes unnoticed.

The oil sump, also known as the oil pan, acts as a reservoir to store and protect your vehicle’s oil. It ensures oil is readily available to provide lubrication essential to moving parts within the engine, protecting them from excessive friction. It also plays a vital role in oil cooling.

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Is your cylinder head failing? Here’s how to know

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is a crucial component in any internal combustion engine. It’s responsible for optimising your vehicle’s performance, efficiency, and power output. 

Housing the intake and exhaust valves, along with other critical components which control the intake and exhaust processes, the cylinder head maximises airflow to create the ideal air-fuel mixture for combustion.

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10 of the most common problems with the Audi A5

Audi A5

It’s essential to keep things in perspective whenever you talk about car reliability, as experiences can vary widely among individual owners and models. That said, it’s the case that specific model years of the Audi A5 have had more reported issues than others, particularly those manufactured between 2008 and 2011. These model years have more reported problems with electrical components, oil consumption, and other faults.

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Top 6 signs of a faulty or failing window regulator

Window regulator

Your car window regulator is a device that raises or lowers your car windows. Usually made up of a motor, gears and a rail or track, it sits inside the door panel of your vehicle.

When you activate the car window regulator, either manually or electrically, it prompts the motor to turn the gears, moving the glass up or down along the rail or track. Depending on your vehicle, you may have a handle to rotate manually, or a switch to do it electrically.

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