I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Please come back after it's been fixed and let us know how you got on - it could help someone else with a similar problem in the future.

Dear All i got my steering column replaced and my car is now working! All in it cost £294 to get fitted. Thanks for all your help! Laura ??

That's a good price.

Glad it's all sorted.

Here's hoping you now have many miles of trouble-free 500 ownership.

This is good news and done quickly too, and, as you have told us, a good price. I'm glad you read the advice and sought appropriate help.

If there is anything to be learnt by this thread, it is that armchair diagnostics whilst helpful, are not always the practical soloution. Often it is better not to muck about trying for weeks or months trying to seek solutions to a problem that can only be solved by taking the plunge and getting proper diagnostic prognosis done at an early stage. I admit, it narks me somewhat when owners pitch up on forums and moan about the cost of diagnostics trying every which way they can to avoid a trip to someone who can identify a problem within minutes or an hour, but ultimately, seeking professional help is sometimes the only way.

Whether we like it or not, car ownership involves costs and judging by the sheer number of cars I see and drive daily to auction houses, many owners are just not prepared to spend money on fixing a problem. 21st century cars are complex bits of kit and car owners across the board need to budget appropriately.

Happy motoring!

There was a "service vehicle " just in front of me today stating expert state of the art diagnosis,,, two out of its 3 brake lights were out, made me wonder just how state of the art they were if they didn't even check a simple bulb!

John202020 said:

There was a "service vehicle " just in front of me today stating expert state of the art diagnosis,,, two out of its 3 brake lights were out, made me wonder just how state of the art they were if they didn't even check a simple bulb!

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Nothing unusual this time of the year. Yesterday, in just a ten minute period stood outside a car auction clearing site, I saw at least 8 vehicles with at least one headlamp out. To me this is diabolical and proves that on the whole, many motorists just cannot be bothered to carry out even basic vehicle checks.

frupi said:

Nothing unusual this time of the year. Yesterday, in just a ten minute period stood outside a car auction clearing site, I saw at least 8 vehicles with at least one headlamp out. To me this is diabolical and proves that on the whole, many motorists just cannot be bothered to carry out even basic vehicle checks.

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Many cars made in the last 5-10 years have warning lights to tell you whether are out

Most people ignore thing's like that
Just like those who drive month's with engine management lights on

chris3234 said:

Many cars made in the last 5-10 years have warning lights to tell you whether are out

Most people ignore thing's like that
Just like those who drive month's with engine management lights on

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You have to ask yourself 'why?' though. Most likely, because they just cannot be bothered. They place their own and everyone else's safety at risk, especially when it comes to blown lamps/indicators etc. I drive on average, 50 to 70 cars a week of all makes and a good deal many of them have engine management lights illuminated. Most of them end up at auction.

frupi said:

You have to ask yourself 'why?' though. Most likely, because they just cannot be bothered. They place their own and everyone else's safety at risk, especially when it comes to blown lamps/indicators etc. I drive on average, 50 to 70 cars a week of all makes and a good deal many of them have engine management lights illuminated. Most of them end up at auction.

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Really makes you wonder how people can have that little pride in there car that they won't fix a £8 bulb that will improve there safety
Seen a car often traveling home from work at 12am with Only a front side light working front and one rear main light so that's two out of 8 bulb's that work traveling on a unlit section of motorway
?

As one poster here recently said "I only EVER check the fuel gauge " !

John202020 said:

As one poster here recently said "I only EVER check the fuel gauge " !

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In the job I do, breaking down and being stranded at the side of the road taking vehicles to auction, is par for the course. We don't run out of fuel, it's usually electrical or mechanical problems that stop us, but it probably wouldn't surprise you, that there are enough people out there who can't even be bothered to check their fuel gauge either. Plenty of people who I see broken down at the side of the M1 every working day have seemingly run out of fuel, well that's what the recovery guys often tell me when they come to pick me up. :bang: