Halfpenny

I believe this will be the 3 button key, BMW CAS system with ID46 transponder. Yes, there are auto locksmiths who can probably help you cheaper than the dealer. But its not going to be much cheaper IME...

This will obviously depend on the warranty provider, so best ask them for a definitive answer.... But IMHO unlikely to be covered..

We usually fit Sachs or Exedy. Never a problem. Catalogue is here: https://webcat-services.zf.com/index.asp?SPR=4 Once you get the kit part number you can try your factors, ebay etc. also clutchparts.co.uk have good prices on Sachs.

It seems that a lot of security features - locking wheelnuts, immobilisers and coding electronics to VIN etc. only cause problems for the law abiding. The lowlifes have no problems getting around them.

Presumably you mean the bolt head had swollen up, rather than the threaded portion? This is because the bolt heads are 'capped'. They get overtightened with an impact gun and that damages the cap. Water gets underneath - corrosion - swelling. Chrysler/Fiat bad for this.

Yes of course. Its a trick as old as time!

Unless there are exceptional circumstances a clutch is considered a wear and tear item and would not be covered. A hard driver or heavy towing can see off a clutch in DAYS ! 'Exceptional circumstances' would the sudden failure of a clutch component at less than a reasonable age/mileage. I've actually had a few of these - release bearing falling apart on a low mileage car and a pressure plate that fractured clean through not long after we'd sold the car! Both repaired without argument.

The F series FRM III is made by Telefunken Microelectronic (Temic) and has a different housing and connectors than the E series FRM3 which is made by Lear. I assume coding is quite diferent, but I don't know for sure. These things are a pain in the backside and we had one somehow fry itself when carrying out some body repairs. I sent it to a specialist repairer, who couldn't repair it. Ended up with a dealer supplied new unit plus coding at extortionate price. I find BMWs become more painful with each new model iteration.

Not really news. Its IT Fleet Automotive/City Auctions - defleet and storage. There's cars sitting around all over the place at the moment. The market is seriously constipated.

Maybe true but its about the customer's perception. He asked about his ad and my view is a potential customer looking at £28k car might be put off by statement of 3M/3K warranty in the ad. Better not to mention it at all then IMHO and discuss warranty options with customer in person..

Is brake light switch working ok? Remove cup/coin holder behind where the gearstick is and then you should see a release pin. May not need coding - do the PRN etc lights work correctly? Check interlock solenoid is working.

OK, some blunt comments...Agree with above though. Looks like you are selling from a farmyard - try to frame things so there isn't half a barn in a picture or choose a better location to do your photography. Warranty looks a bit mean, 3M/3k on a £28K Rangey..?

The auxiliary battery cannot start the car. It is just there to run the electrical system when the car is stopped during the stop part of start/stop operation. You still need a good starter battery. These little batteries are quite fragile and if you leave the car standing for a long time then the voltage drops below about 11.5V and the battery is ruined. Its a crap system and if the car is not used regularly then it plays up. Our workshop has replaced a couple and IIRC they are in a box at the scuttle. Just take the top off and either replace it or try charging. Takes 5 minutes. I think you will need a new battery though. AFAIK the system does not detect that the battery has been changed - only its voltage. Drive car half an hour and it should reset.

Not sure what 'module' they are refering to. IIRC the main battery is in the boot and the auxiliary battery is at the front on the V90 - either in the engine compartment or at the base of the windscreen. In a box. They are a small 10Ah AGM battery. After installing a new one you need to drive the car at least half an hour and the warning should go. Don't know why there would be £200 labour unless there is some other problem.

You have a road risks only policy. You need to sort that out sharpish!

Actually I see the logic in her reasoning. Just as you can't get back very easily if you take the car to her, she presumably can't get to you very easily on public transport. They are not bad little motors actually. They use the 1.2 4-cyl engine and Hyundai A4FC0 4-speed box (which is basically a Mitsubishi). Picanto is the same. A bit sluggish to overtake but I much prefer them to the 'automated manual' like Dualogic etc.

What?! I think the forum needs posts from proper snaggle-toothed seasoned traders as opposed to the wet-behind-the-ears kerbsiders.... The podcast was excellent. Brought back a few memories.

The 500 auto is actually a manual gearbox with a robot bolted on to operate the clutch and gear selectors - "Dualogic". Even Toyota and Honda couldn't get this design of gearbox to work reliably so Fiat have no chance. They are clunky at the best of times. The 500s they sent to the US had proper 6 speed autos...... If the car is nice you can get someone to hook up Multiecuscan and read the clutch degradation data and the hydraulic line pressure. That will give you an idea of transmission condition. If its good then retail it. There are always buyers for small autos...

I am pretty sure they are a NI company and not connected to any other auction house. I remember reading about them when they bought the Rockingham site a few years back.

We have a small industrial oven for heating parts - I didn't use the kitchen oven!!

No. Trafic, Vivaro, Primastar all used the Renault 1.9dCi F9Q engine until 2006.

We replaced one on a RR sport we were selling and wanted to keep costs down. New lens was about £60. Lamp out and in the oven to soften the adhesive. Pry the old lens off and fit the (preheated) new lens. Then run a bead of silicone over the seal.Not too difficult.

But is his repair any good? The DCT Powershifts are a seriously flawed design and did not drive well even from straight off of the showroom floor. Even the experienced guys with all the specialist kit struggle to do a reliable rebuild. I know that in some countries Ford bought the cars back off the customers. It was not until Ford did a redesign in 2016 that they overcame the drivability issues.

This is a problem with your shift interlock. Are the brake lights working? If not, then suspect brake light switch or fuse... If yes, then suspect the solenoid or the wiring to it. Check out with a multimeter. The wire can break right at the solenoid. The solenoid comes as part of the shift selector assy - its not cheap!

The Vaux 1.3 and 1.9 are GM-FIAT co-design from when the companies were supposedly merging. Also used by Suzuki and the 1.3 appeared in the Ford Ka. The earlier ones (10-15 years old) did have some problems - we replaced a few 1.3 head gaskets. Later ones 2009-on seem pretty solid. The 1.7's are an Isuzu engine, made in Poland, and pretty good in my experience. Honda also put this engine in the Civic.