"itcapainslow" has a point (not in "has a pint" down the pub). I had a similar problem with corrosion of the Lucar connector which energises the solenoid upon operation of the starter. However, that does not explain your initial disclosure that some of the warning lights are inop...

First check. Disconnect the battery and check the "off-load" voltage which should read in excess of 12 volts. Re-connect the battery and measure the voltage across the terminals whilst someone acticvates the starter. If the battery voltage drops below about 9.5 volts, its cream-crackered. ...

You can drive a motor vehicle without a current M.O.T.to the "nearest" M.O.T Station (within reason) as long as it is pre-booked.

So even if the car repairs take longer to complete and the M.O.T. runs out, you (or the body repairer) can then drive it to somewhere local to the bodyshop.

Forgot to mention. ......................as I fear bespoke stainless hoses might be expensive. Have you tried Wilcox & Son for your hoses? Ask for John Wilcox as he is very obliging to look up chassis and part numbers for you - and its suprising what they still have in stock. Their telephone num...

Generally speaking, brake hoses tend to have "standard" threads - so all you really need to do is concentrate on getting replacements by their length. Rather than just look for Rover O.E. parts, approach general motor factors such as Europarts etc. who will list them by application across ...

Would some kind soul with a 400/45 HHR body shell kindly measure the exact apperture distance between the tips of the rear wings directly above the rear lights for me (with the boot lid open of course) which will be in the region of 43.5 inches (110cms) or so. I need this dimension to check if my re...

Thanks for your further advice - I see you are in Birmingham so perhaps we will meet one day and I owe you a pint (or two), as I was born in Summer Lane. I've located a boot lid as Good 'Ole Wilcox has come up trumps yet again! It's amazing what they still have in stock. I'd even bet they have a spe...

Thank you for your responses which are very informative as I do get "pink spots" on the bonnet which polish out for a time. The painting needed to repair my rear-end shunt by the foreign lorry on the M6 is confined to the boot lid, so may I ask another question please? Does the re-painting...

In gathering estimates for the repair of my 1997 solid red colour 420GSi the various companies I've approached differ on which painting method applies. Some say it is clear-over-base coat, and some say it is not. They say this is important because they have to "blend out" the colour with t...

I've 'phoned Rimmer Bros with the VIN number and they do have a boot lid. However, although dented the repairers say it can be rectified (which at least leaves the new one for some other unfortunate in the future). I've been in touch with the British agents (*) (a legal requirement) for the transpor...