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Hi Motorcheck, I have an Opel Vivaro that won't start without spraying easy start into air duct. I have changed crank sensor and injectors plus pump but no joy. Any ideas?

Hi, I'm buying a new car at home in North of Ireland and might be moving to the south of Ireland in a year or two. I'm from Northern Ireland and have lived there all my life. Do I still have 2 pay VRT?

Hi Guys, I have a 03 Mondeo Auto and I'm having awful trouble with vibrations coming up through the brake peddle when I push on it. The car is losing pressure up and down. Feels like worn in pads growling noise. Pads Disks and servo changed no joy….! What do you think it could be….? Any help would be great thanks… Noel.

Hi Guys, Please can you help me? I have just bought a Ford Focus1.8 TDCI Titanium on a 57 plate. It had done 64,000 miles in its first two years and them only 5,000 this year and has been left standing for a while. The problem I have is that the engine management light is on the code it's showing is P2263. The car drives great with no loss of power or excessive smoke from the exhaust. I am getting 42 mpg around town. I have taken it to a dealer and he told me its anything from the the turbo to the egr valve. Thanks in advance John

Hi. I had my car NCT tested over the weekend. During the rolling road test the tester broke the handbrake. He told us to take it back to the garage where we had the pre-NCT service done last week to repair it and then to bring it back to the NCT centre to be checked before they will pass it. I brought it back to the garage this morning and the mechanic said he adjusted the handbrake during the service and it was perfect so he will be charging us to fix it as the NCT tester broke it on the rolling road. Do we have comeback to ask the NCT centre to pay for the repairs and how can we prove it was their negligence that broke it?

Hi, I am looking at purchasing an Irish Registered 08 BMW and did a check on it on your website. I received the report and It states that the car was registered in the UK first and it gives me the reg number but when I go to do a check on the UK reg number it says the number is incorrect. Is there an explanation for this?? Thanks.

Hi, I have toyota yaris 2000. It’s been with me for 6 years. It was always serviced in a toyota garage every 2 years (last done 2008). I had it serviced recently in a local service station and now it has started to jerk when it’s stopped as if the engine is about to cut out. It wasn’t like that before – ever! Also they were supposed to check everything for the NCT but it failed because the wheel alignment in front was out. After a week the malfunction indicator lamp light turned on. I was thinking the engine doesn’t look the same but i’m not sure. Have you encountered someone changing the original engine to a faulty one? I was thinking of bringing it to a toyota garage and having it checked out. Perhaps ask them if some of the original parts were changed? Any advice would be most welcome.

Hi, I have an opel astra 2002 1.4L and I've just found out that the ignition needs to be replaced. I was told it will be expensive as the ctu thingy will need to be done as well as the ignition barrell as the clips inside the ignition are broken? The mechanic didn't look too sure and now I'm not sure as he said I could get the parts from opel as they need to be coded... Any idea in english what he means about it all? Thanks.

I have an 02 Opel Corsa, the problem that i have is that, when it rains, water seems to build up in the carpet of the drivers footwell, there is no leak visable from what i can see. This problem started to occur after i had my windscreen replaced. Any ideas as to what it could be and is it worth my while getting it seen to?

Hi, I have been asked by my insurance company to get an independent Engineer to give my car a certificate of road worthiness as they have deemed it as been beyond economical repair. The front of the vehicle has only got a few dents with some paint work needed ( which it says on the report)....Who can I call that is able to do this for me? I got a quote for €330 but this seems to me to be a lot as there is nothing else wrong with the vehicle and nothing else needs to be looked at. All help would be greatly appreciated.

My car is 01, Will I get a scrappage deal in December? It passed its NCT and I have been driving it for the past four years. I have a problem with something running down the battery. I have brought it to about 6 different garages and cannot find the fault!

How much should I expect to pay for a replacement crankshaft seal repair job? Car in question is a Saab 2004 Vector 2.0l Turbo. Regards, Gene.

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Dear Shane/Paddy, I had some repairs carried out on my car in the spring following a minor accident in snowy conditions. The repairs included a new set of tyres, some relatively minor engine fittings and a new bonnet and side wing. The garage took about 10 weeks to repair my car and cited a very busy schedule as the reason. Following receipt of the car I noticed that it was constantly making loud screeching noises everytime I turned a corner or entered a roundabout. I later found out to my cost that the tracking was off and had to get two new tyres on the front (not from original garage) because of a puncture due to excessive wear. More serious than this, I also noticed that the car was losing power (not respond to accelerator) from time to time, especially following a long journey. I didn't do anything about it and thought that it might be dirty diesel. In the last week or so (received car back in May), the car has been overheating and I brought it to a specialist dealer to check it out. They found that a plug that regulates the supply of coolant to the engine was not connected. I was provided with photos of this. On questioning further, they assured me that this was not by chance and that the plug could not become removed unless disconnected. He suggested that the original mechanics forgot to connect this plug following their repairs. I brought it back to the original garage today and they refused to accept liability. However, after much deliberations they agreed to check it out and ask the insurance company assessor (put claim through insurance initially) to check this out also. I would appreciate any advice that you could give me on this matter, particularly in the event of the garage ultimately refusing to accept liability on this. Regards, John PS. I forgot to mention that I was told that the head gasket is probably now damaged in the car.

Hi Shane, Many thanks for your reply. Yes, you're right about the connection being to the fan. The vechicle is a '08 jeep. I'll let you know the outcome. Regards, John

Hello Shane & Paddy, I would really appreciate some advice, as i am almost at "breaking point" with car problems. Prior to NCT I spent €460, and another €450 before re-test, which my car then passed. Only one week later car broke down with head gasket problem. After 2 weeks in garage and another €900, I have been told to start looking. My car is LandRover Freelander, 2000, and i am aware that the engine in this make is considered defective. I have owned it for 2 years and only recently has it been troublesome. I live in the country, i like the gadget free basic but comfortable car. I like the height also. Ideally I would like to have diesel, as driving for the past week in a borrowed car, the fuel consumption has been considerably better. I am desperate for advice, do not have the funds for a new car, and need to be mobile. Please advise me, and what is Chevrolet @ €9,000? I am not very au fait with car makes and types, have had a VW estate and Mitsubishi Lancer, both of which I found reliable. many thanks, Mary C

Hi Paddy, Many thanks for your suggestion, but hope you don't mind if I bother you for further suggestions. What other make/model might I investigate with diesel engine and the height, but that would come into a lower tax category? I am in Meath/Cavan area but Dublin would be also accessible. Thanks, Mary

Thanks Paddy, Will investigate those options, Mary

Hello Shane and Paddy, I have a 2001 Fiat Punto in Italy. The problem is that I am moving to England in a few weeks and seeing as I can't sell the car here (as it's right hand drive) I am thinking of just scrapping it. Do I need to have certain documents or inform someone back in Ireland that I am doing this or can I just bring it to the scrap yard and wave it goodbye? Thanks Rachel

I have a symbol on my dashboard. It's amber in the shape of a lightbulb with an ! in the middle of it. It only comes on when i turn on my lights. It's a 2000 fiat punto 1.2.

hello shane and paddy. can you appeal co2 reading on paying out car i bought subaru 2000 turbo 4wd it the same car as wrx but wrx is lower reading than mine same engine in both cars

Hi Shane and Paddy, I bought an 02 almera privately in Feb this year and have been doing 500+ every week (now has 83k miles on it) However, I discovered it was burning oil day I bought it (5 litres every 1500mls or so) but apart from that was driving fine. Only thing it failed on the NCT last week was emissions (nut on brake pipe needed tightening too, but that only minor thing) During the week I had 2nd hand engine fitted by garage, and they gave me a 3months guarantee on it. They also replaced 2 belts, oil filter, engine oil and antifreeze. Total cost was E1000. However, two days later (and only 20-25 miles of driving) I spotted the thermostat at max. When I lifted the bonnet there was steam and the coolant had burst all over the front of the engine. I also discovered that the hose fitted to the radiator had silicon on it where the hose meets the pipe that comes off the top of the radiator, and on the hard pipe coming out of the radiator there was a huge crack some 2-3 inches long covered by the silicon. There was never a single problem with the rad,the temperature, or even any sort of leaks, and I never had to top up the water/coolant or even had any sort of steam coming out of engine. Never any sign of oil slick when I opened the rad cap either. I've had the bonnet open almost every day to top up the oil, and would have noticed steam, and there were never any leaks on my driveway. Because of the oil problem I always checked the driveway. Now there is fairly large leak spot of coolant on my drive (it feels slippy but doesnt smell like oil, so assume it's coolant) What I'm wondering is: if there was any type of damage to thd hard pipe coming out of the top of the rad, would it not have shown itself sooner by way of steam, leaking, or my having to top up the coolant, would not even the tiniest hole make itself known fairly quickly? Sorry for such long message, but wanted to give you as much detail as possible and being a lady driver I'm worried sick the garage are going to make out the fault was there all along when I know it wasnt. Any help or advice you could give me would be very much appreciated. Thanks Veronica

I have a '07 1.3 Yaris Sol which was recalled for both steering and brake problems. I have had the car back at the main dealers twice to try and identify a noise problem I've been having for ages. It was back again today for a full service and the mechanic says he can find nothing wrong! It's very difficult to pinpoint when the 'clunking' sound occurs but I notice it moreso when driving about town mostly. Fine when cruising along but usually happens when I brake and turn a corner. It sounds as if the the underneath of the car sways and creaks! My brother heard the noise and thought it sounded like the shocks but the garage say the shocks are ok! The mechanic said today that they had another lady with the same problem recently and her car was sent for further investigation. The report came back saying it was worn tyres causing the problem, however I had new tyres put on the car last year and the problem didn't go away!! I dont know anything about the mechanics of a car but something's not right with this model. I had a 00 Yaris 1ltr before this which was a great little car but I'm beginning to hate this one!! Both cars were purchased new. Any ideas guys??? Thanks in advance Lillian

If a car is lying up for 1 year and 6 months in a forecourt what are the effects of this?

Hi, Wondering can you help me.. I bought an 011.4 Opel Astra but when I first start the car up it has "INSP" coming up where the mileage is .. could anybody tell me what that means?

Hi, I have a 98 Opel Astra G. I need a new throttle body but there are none in scrapyards and a new one is pretty pricey. Do you know if a certain type 1.8 Vectra or something would fit? Thanks, Mary

Hi, I have an Opel Astra 1.7dt. The problem I am having is the engine reving when put foot on accelerator. I am pretty sure its the clutch, the question is how much shoud I expect to pay all in for new clutch and labour?

Hi, I really hope you can help me. I bought an 08 opel Corsa and unfortunately have found out that it has been crashed and uneconomically written off. I had to seek legal advice on this as I just want my money back that I paid for it first day. Unfortunately my legal help isn't being helpful at all. I was just wondering if I went to a garage to sell it or try to sell it privately - obviously I would have to disclose it as uneconomically written off but in my language what does that mean and would I lose a lot of money now? The car oddly enough is going perfect. I am driving it a year and hasn't failed me once. It was actually my brother who gave it the once over after I bought it and spotted it had been crashed so I took it to a mechanic and he was able to tell me it had been uneconomically written off. If you think you could help me better if I ring you that is no problem just let me know. You have no idea how much I have looked for a website just like yours and can't believe my luck that I have found you. Eagerly awaiting hearing from you. Anne

I have a 2001 opel corsa and the flywheel oil seal is gone. Has anyone any idea how much this will cost to replace. Also, do you think it will get through the nct before fixing?

hey guys found out a simple way to get rid of it.just did it a while ago..open up fuse box on side of drivers dash and remove fuse 17,,,,wait ten minutes and then put back in..engine managment light is gone off now and if service theft alarm was on that will be gone to with check ok sign on radio consol...wooo hoooo.

I have a 1995 2.8 long wheel based mitsubishi Pajero (shogun) jeep, I have always looked after it,my problem is that it will not drive, the engine runs well,and starts first time the gear will move in and out of gear freely but will not engage,there is a whining noise which stops if you press the clutch pedal. because of the age and were I have it stored I can't get anyone to come out and look at it. they just advise me to scrap it but i love my jeep and have never really had to spend any money on it in the past 10 years that i have owned it, so i'm prepared to spend on it now so my question is am i looking at a replacement gear box or a replacement clutch or could it be something else

Hi Paddy/Shane I have a Toyota Avensis 2011 i bought new in July 2011. About six months ago a rumbling sound started in the front left side of the car. I brought it back to the dealer I bought the car from and they said it was " a pin at the wheel that had moved. They said they would replace the pin. They did complete the repair. Shortly after the noise started again not as loud but as time passed the noise increased but in both sides of the car. I brought it back to the dealer again and he said" that they used the incorrect grease when replacing the pin and they would replace them again when they got the correct parts from Toyota . I am very dissappointed with the car and feel this should not happen to a new car. What should I do?

Hi Shane & Paddy, I bought a brand new Nissan Juke in March. Now, 6 months later it is covered in what looks like tiny rust spots. I brought it to a Nissan dealership to get it checked as I thought it was a paintwork defect. They brought it to Nissan HQ who after inspecting it, said that it isn't covered under the warranty because it isn't rust. Their rationale for this is because the bumper, which is plastic, also shows these small brown dots. They weren't able to tell me what the spots are however. They are even on the paintwork inside the boot. Is there an independent assessor who can help with this? I can't believe they are claiming it is not covered under the warranty! Thanks Jeanette

Hi , two weeks ago our 2006 Kia Sportage stopped suddenly as we were driving. To date a suspected fuel pump has been replaced and when that did not work the car was sent for diagnostic testing, suspicion of dirty fuel . Dirty fuel has now been 90 % discounted and it would seem that the Head Gasket needs to be replaced. We need advice as what all this might cost as it could greatly affect our plans on trading in the car.

Can you list the best companies to organise an independent engineer/assessor to inspeact my car for damages sustained in an accident please? THanks

I was told that coil could need replacing on my opel astra 01 just wondering what the cost on it would be