Continental and Japanese Car Repair Case Studies in Singapore
Real jobs from our Sin Ming workshop, written up start to finish: the symptom, the diagnosis, the parts we replaced and, where the job records allow it, the time it took and the cost. Browse our car repair services, our engine repair workshop, or our gearbox overhaul work, see the published prices from these jobs, then see how we handled the cars below.
The biggest repair families have their own hubs: gearbox and transmission cases, engine cases and aircon cases.
Gearbox and transmission
All gearbox and transmission cases, with symptoms and costs where recorded →
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Audi Mechatronic Unit Replacement Singapore: Reconditioned Unit, Same Day
Audi · Gearbox fault
Completed: October 2026 -
BMW 5 Series Low Coolant Warning and Gearbox Service in Singapore: Both Jobs Done in One Visit
BMW 5 Series · Top up coolant warning. The owner also asked for a gearbox oil and oil pan change
Completed: September 2026 -
Honda Freed Major Service in Singapore: Throttle Body, Filters, Spark Plugs and an Oil Leak Found
Honda Freed · Due for servicing
Completed: September 2026 -
Subaru Automatic Gearbox Overhaul in Singapore: Fully Stripped, Rebuilt and Warranted
Subaru · Sudden jerk when starting each morning and a knock on gear changes from a start
Completed: October 2026 -
BMW 218 Gearbox Overhaul: Drivetrain Warning, Burnt Clutch Pack Found, 2 Year / 40,000km Warranty
BMW 218 · Drivetrain warning on the BMW instrument cluster
Completed: September 2026 -
VW Golf GTI DSG Gearbox Overhaul in Singapore: The Cracked Shift Bracket Behind a Mechatronic Fault
Volkswagen Golf GTI · The gearbox fault came back even after the mechatronic unit was replaced again
Completed: September 2026 -
Audi A6 Gearbox Oil Sump Leak: New Sump and Fresh ATF, Quoted in Full
Audi A6 · Oil leak under the car
Completed: September 2026 -
Mercedes-Benz Suspension Overhaul and Oil Pump Solenoid Fault: All Sorted for $6,200 Nett
Mercedes-Benz · Worn front suspension feel. Engine warning light or fault code present.
Completed: September 2026 -
Mercedes-Benz W211 E230 Gearbox Overhaul: Jerking Fixed, Drives Like New
Mercedes-Benz E230 (W211) · Jerking on the 2-3 gear change after a cold start, plus lag when shifting
Completed: February 2026 -
Porsche Cayman 987 Gearbox Coolant Contamination: Three Flushes Later, a Full Overhaul
Porsche Cayman 987 · Coolant in the gearbox oil that three flushes at another workshop did not clear
Completed: August 2026 -
BMW X1 Gearbox Overhaul and Torque Converter Replacement: $3,400 Total, 2 Year / 40,000km Warranty
BMW X1 · No symptom reported; the owner asked for a full overhaul of the automatic gearbox
Completed: July 2026 -
Hyundai Ioniq Electric Gearbox Overhaul: The Noise Was the Gearbox, Not the Wheel Bearings
Hyundai Ioniq Electric · A noise the owner suspected was coming from the front wheel bearings
Completed: July 2026 -
MINI Cooper S Engine Overhaul and Gearbox Overhaul: How We Fixed Both at the Same Time
MINI Cooper S · Engine losing oil, and a jerky gearbox
Completed: July 2026 -
Skoda Superb DSG Gearbox Overhaul for Jerky Gear Changes
Skoda Superb · Jerky gear changes
Completed: July 2026 -
Mazda 3 Gearbox Cannot Engage: Cracked Internal Part, Full Overhaul Done
Mazda 3 · Could not engage any gear, car completely immobile
Completed: July 2026 -
Mitsubishi Attrage CVT Gearbox Overhaul: Valve Body Replaced and Engine Mounts Sorted
Mitsubishi Attrage · Limp mode: stuck in first gear, would not shift, gear indicator blinking
Completed: July 2026 -
VW Passat DSG Mechatronic, Engine Mounts and Coolant Hose: A Full Sort-Out in Singapore
Volkswagen Passat (DSG) · Mechatronic and coolant leaks found on inspection, then a misfire with a flashing check-engine light
Completed: July 2026 -
Volvo V40 With a Check Engine Light: How We Overhauled the Gearbox, Replaced the Injectors and Engine Mount
Volvo V40 · Check engine light on the dash; a strong vibration from a worn engine mount was found on testing after the first repairs
Completed: June 2026 -
Lexus GS300 Gear Indicator Stuck at 4 and Slipping: How We Overhauled the Gearbox and Replaced the Torque Converter
2010 Lexus GS300 · Gear indicator stuck showing gear 4, and the gearbox slipping on our test drive
Completed: June 2026 -
Toyota Corolla Altis Gearbox Overhaul: A Full Rebuild Plus a CV Joint and an Oil Leak Repair
Toyota Corolla Altis · On early mornings the car would not move when the accelerator was pressed, as if in neutral; a torn driveshaft boot and an engine oil leak also needed work
Completed: June 2026 -
Honda Odyssey Gearbox Overhaul: Done Before an Oil Leak Could Burn the Clutch
Honda Odyssey · No gearbox symptoms; the owner was extending the COE and wanted the gearbox overhauled
Completed: June 2026 -
Nissan Qashqai Gearbox Overhaul: Fixed, Then Backed by the Warranty
Nissan Qashqai · A gearbox fault found when our chief tested the car; a month after the overhaul, very delayed gear changes and no reverse
Completed: June 2026 -
Mazda 3 Automatic Gearbox Slipping: What We Found and How We Fixed It
Mazda 3 · Gear slip with the revs stuck between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm, and a metallic sound when the gear engaged; computer scans clean
Completed: June 2026 -
Audi A3 DSG Gearbox Malfunction Warning: How We Diagnosed and Fixed It
Audi A3 · Gearbox malfunction warning on the dash; the car could still be driven
Completed: June 2026 -
Porsche PDK Gearbox Fault and Overheating: How We Diagnosed and Fixed It
Porsche (PDK gearbox) · Gearbox fault warning of possible loss of reverse, then an overheating warning after a long drive
Completed: June 2026
Engine
All engine cases, with symptoms and costs where recorded →
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BMW 216i Gran Tourer Engine Overhaul Singapore: Broken Piston Ring, 3 Years / 60,000 km Warranty
BMW 216i Gran Tourer · Engine knocking sound, getting louder
Completed: October 2026 -
Mercedes C-Class Fuel Injector Replacement: Misfire Fixed at 251,000km
Mercedes-Benz C-Class · Engine misfire after two rounds of new spark plugs and ignition coils
Completed: September 2026 -
VW Jetta Check Engine Light: Scan Shows an Air Leak, Owner Chooses What to Fix Now
Volkswagen Jetta · Check engine light on
Completed: September 2026 -
Audi S5 Engine Overhaul: About 1 Litre Per 1,000km Oil Burn Sorted, 3-Year / 60,000km Warranty
Audi S5 · High engine oil consumption, about 1L per 1,000km
Completed: August 2026 -
BMW 4 Coupe Cold-Start Knocking: Gone After an Oil Service in Singapore
BMW 4 Series Coupe · A knocking sound when accelerating from cold
Completed: June 2026 -
Nissan Qashqai Turbo Replacement: Chasing a Siren-Like Engine Noise
Nissan Qashqai · A sound at about 1,700 rpm that the owner called a moo-ing, police-siren sound
Completed: July 2026 -
Nissan Qashqai Lost Power: How We Found a Defective Valve and Fixed It
Nissan Qashqai · Sudden loss of power and rough running, with an engine warning; a plug change had not fixed it
Completed: June 2026 -
BMW 523i Timing Chain Noise: Cam Gear Problem Found, Timing Set Replaced
BMW 523i · An engine noise; our chief mechanic placed it at the timing
Completed: June 2026 -
Chevrolet Cruze Misfire: Fixed With an OEM Ignition Coil, Same Day
Chevrolet Cruze · Stuttering
Completed: June 2026 -
Ferrari 488 GTB Engine Overhaul: Coolant in the Oil, Put Right
2016 Ferrari 488 GTB · Overheating and coolant level dropping repeatedly
Completed: June 2026
Aircon
All aircon cases, with symptoms and costs where recorded →
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BMW 116i Aircon Weak in Heat: Overcharged Gas Found and Corrected, Same Day
BMW 116i · Aircon very weak when the weather is hot
Completed: October 2026 -
Honda Fit Aircon Warm at Idle: Fan Motor, Compressor, Condenser and Cooling Coil Replaced
Honda Fit · Aircon cold when driving but warm at idle
Completed: October 2026 -
Volvo S80 Aircon Compressor and Condenser Replacement in Singapore: Diagnosed, Quoted and Fixed Properly
Volvo S80 · Brought in for an aircon check
Completed: September 2026 -
Mercedes C180 Aircon Pipe Replacement: Leaking Pipe Found and Replaced, 1-Year Warranty
Mercedes-Benz C180 · Aircon not cold
Completed: September 2026 -
Honda HR-V Aircon Not Cold: Failed Compressor and Condenser Replacement, At Least 6-Month Warranty
Honda HR-V · Aircon no longer cooling
Completed: August 2026 -
BMW Heater Core Replacement and Multiple Fault Code Repair
BMW · Cabin not producing warm air; multiple dashboard warning lights including ABS, TPMS and traction control
Completed: July 2026 -
Volvo V40 Seized Aircon Compressor: Smoke, No Cold Air, and a Full Fix
Volvo V40 · Burning smell from engine bay, aircon not cooling, belt squealing
Completed: August 2026 -
Subaru Forester Aircon Not Cold: Full A/C Overhaul at 90,637km
Subaru Forester · Aircon not cold, cooling progressively weaker
Completed: July 2026 -
Volvo V70 Aircon Kept Losing Its Cold: How We Traced It to a Contaminated System
Volvo V70 · Compressor very noisy and aircon not cold, again, after the compressor had been replaced twice before
Completed: June 2026 -
Porsche Panamera Aircon Leaking Gas: Compressor and Condenser Replaced, Then a Cooling Coil Leak
Porsche Panamera · Aircon leaking gas and not blowing cold
Completed: June 2026 -
Volvo V60 Aircon Not Cold: Evaporator Coil and Expansion Valve Replaced
Volvo V60 · Aircon not cold, and not cold again after a top-up at the end of March
Completed: June 2026
Oil and coolant leaks
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Porsche Macan Check Engine Light: Cracked Intake Manifold and Broken Coolant Hose Fixed
Porsche Macan · Check engine light on
Completed: August 2026 -
Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Intake Manifold Fault in Singapore: New Manifolds, Walnut Blasting and a Faulty Solenoid Found Before Handover
Audi A7 3.0 TFSI · Intake manifold fault codes P2006 and P2007 (runner flaps stuck closed), a rougher idle and occasional sluggish pull under load
Completed: September 2026 -
BMW 5 Series Spark Plugs and Valve Cover Replacement Singapore
BMW 5 Series · Drivetrain warning and shaking in sport mode; later a lack of power and shaking at traffic lights
Completed: September 2026 -
Honda Valve Cover Oil Leak Found at a Service: Valve Cover and VTEC Oil Seal Replaced
Honda · In for a routine service; our technician found an engine oil leak during the service check
Completed: September 2026 -
Mercedes-Benz Coolant Leak That Came Back: Thermostat, Coolant Lines and Water Pump Replaced
Mercedes-Benz · Coolant leak, coolant level dropping
Completed: September 2026 -
Toyota Engine Oil Leak: VVT-i Valves, Vacuum Pump and Alternator Replaced
Toyota · Booked in for servicing and an aircon leak; our technician found an engine oil leak. The car later had to be towed back
Completed: September 2026 -
BMW X4 Timing Kit, Cam Magnet Leaks and Valve Cover
BMW X4 · Check engine light came on; later a lag when starting the car
Completed: August 2026 -
Audi Q7 Oil Leak and Spark Plug Replacement: Traced and Fixed
Audi Q7 TFSI Quattro · Oil change and inspection reminder on the dash; owner wanted a full check before renewing the COE
Completed: July 2026 -
Honda HR-V VTEC: Multiple Oil Leaks, Cracked Fan Belt and Worn Control Arms Fixed Properly
Honda HR-V · In for a routine service; our check found engine oil leaks, a cracked fan belt and worn suspension parts
Completed: July 2026 -
BMW X1 Coolant Leak at 29,000km: Thermostat, Water Pump and Major Service Done Together
BMW X1 sDrive18i · Booked in for a service; our service check found a coolant leak
Completed: July 2026 -
Honda Odyssey Oil Leak: Valve Cover, Driveshaft and VTEC Seals All Fixed in One Visit
Honda Odyssey · Oil dripping under the car at multiple points, oily film on the engine underside
Completed: July 2026 -
BMW Valve Cover Oil Leak: Caught During a Service, Fixed Before It Got Worse
BMW 3 Series · In for servicing; oil leak found during the service check
Completed: July 2026 -
Volkswagen Sharan Coolant Leak: How We Traced the Leaks and Renewed the Cooling System
Volkswagen Sharan · Coolant leaking, found by our technician while the car was in for servicing
Completed: June 2026 -
Mercedes-Benz CLA Coolant and Engine Oil Leaks: What We Found and Replaced
Mercedes-Benz CLA · Booked in for a check; a coolant leak and an engine oil leak were found
Completed: June 2026 -
Porsche Macan Oil Leak Repair: New Original Oil Sump and Level Sensor
Porsche Macan · Engine oil leak found by our team while the car was in for servicing
Completed: June 2026 -
Audi A4 Towed In Leaking Coolant: How We Found and Fixed the Leaks
Audi A4 · Coolant leaking badly; the car was towed in
Completed: June 2026
Suspension, brakes and steering
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Kia Sportage Major Service in Singapore: Brakes, Plugs, Fluids and Filters Done Right
Kia Sportage · Due for a major service. The owner also mentioned the revs sometimes rising without the car moving
Completed: September 2026 -
Porsche Macan Vibration: Transfer Case and Engine Mounts Replaced, and What Happened Next
Porsche Macan · Vibration and jerking, and a whistling sound when accelerating hard
Completed: October 2026 -
BMW Alpina B7 Air Suspension Replacement: Front and Rear Struts, Right Side
BMW Alpina B7 · Air suspension pump kept pumping up the struts; car sinking
Completed: September 2026 -
BMW 216: Suspension Noise, Leaking Mounts, Oil Seals and Driveshaft Boots, Quoted and Done Together
BMW 216 · Noise when driving
Completed: August 2026 -
BMW X1: Service Found Rear Brakes at 20%, New Rear Discs and Pads for $680 Before GST
BMW X1 · Routine service; the rear brakes were found due on inspection
Completed: September 2026 -
2015 Toyota Vios: New Steering Rack, Absorbers, Lower Arms and Rear Brakes in One Visit
2015 Toyota Vios 1.5 E · Worn absorbers, a cracked lower arm, a steering rack problem and worn rear brakes
Completed: September 2026 -
Honda at 82,250km: Brake Overhaul and Front Suspension Repair with Full Service
Honda · Booked in at 82,250km; major service due
Completed: September 2026 -
Honda Freed: Worn Front Lower Arms and Linkage Found at a Routine Service
Honda Freed · Front lower arms and linkage found worn during a routine servicing
Completed: August 2026 -
Porsche Macan: Suspension Overhaul and 4-Wheel Brake Overhaul
Porsche Macan · Due for servicing; the owner suspected a suspension issue
Completed: September 2026 -
BMW X4: Full 4-Wheel Brake Overhaul, Valve Cover Replaced, Spark Plugs Renewed
BMW X4 · Brakes worn, oil leak from valve cover area, spark plugs overdue
Completed: September 2026 -
Audi A3 Full Suspension Overhaul: Front and Rear, All Original Parts, Alignment Included
Audi A3 · Suspension inspection requested, car handling felt off
Completed: August 2026 -
Mazda Fan Belt Cracked, Rear Absorbers Leaking: Found During a Service, Fixed the Same Day
Mazda · Routine service, no specific complaint
Completed: August 2026 -
Porsche Macan at 112,560km: AWD Fault Warning, Driveshaft and CV Joint Leak, Cracked Absorber Covers
Porsche Macan · AWD fault warning on cold start, knocking sound when turning slowly at low speed
Completed: July 2026 -
Lexus IS F-Sport AVS Absorber Replacement: All 4 OEM Electric Absorbers at $5,500 Nett
Lexus IS F-Sport · Suspension that felt quite loose
Completed: August 2026 -
Mercedes GLC Engine Mount and Gearbox Mount Replacement: OEM Parts, $830 Nett
Mercedes-Benz GLC · Vibration through the cabin under acceleration, particularly on pull-away
Completed: August 2026 -
Mitsubishi Outlander Driveshaft and Brake Repair: Front CV Joints, Rear Brakes, Radiator and More in One Visit
Mitsubishi Outlander · Leaks flagged at an earlier service, a creak from the brakes when reversing and a slight vibration at standstill
Completed: August 2026 -
Skoda Octavia Cooling System Overhaul: Radiator, Hoses, Timing Belt and Brakes in One Visit
Skoda Octavia · Overheating complaint and sludgy contaminated oil found in the engine
Completed: August 2026 -
Mercedes GLC: Front Lower Arms, Full Brake Overhaul and Active Bonnet Error Fixed in One Visit
Mercedes GLC · Active bonnet malfunction message popping up now and then; car booked in for servicing
Completed: June 2026 -
Mercedes CLA180 Driveshaft CV Boot Failure: What Happened and the Fix
Mercedes-Benz CLA180 AMG Line · Grease marks around the front wheel well, faint clicking on tight turns
Completed: July 2026 -
Mercedes GLA Brake Overhaul: All Four Corners Done Right
Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 · Worn brake pads and discs on all four wheels
Completed: August 2026 -
Mercedes GLC Major Service and Suspension Arms: A Complete Liqui-Moly Service and Suspension Overhaul
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe · Car due for its major service
Completed: July 2026 -
Range Rover Sport PHEV Air Suspension Sinking: How We Diagnosed and Replaced the Front Right Strut
Range Rover Sport PHEV · Front of the car sinking after parking, the front right more than the left, back to normal height after starting; towed in
Completed: July 2026 -
Volvo XC90 In for Servicing: Sunk Mounts, Worn Front Arms and Oil Leaks Found on Inspection
Volvo XC90 · In for servicing; the faults were found during our inspection
Completed: July 2026 -
Jaguar XE Front Shock Absorbers and Linkage: Original Parts, Honest Advice
Jaguar XE · A suspected creak from the suspension and a Battery Low alert on the dashboard
Completed: July 2026 -
Porsche Macan at 87,585km: Major Service, PDK Fluid, Brembo Brakes and Collapsed Engine Mounts
Porsche Macan · No specific fault reported, owner requested a thorough service and check at 87,585km
Completed: May 2026 -
BMW Brake Warning on the iDrive: Pads and Discs Renewed Front and Rear
BMW · iDrive warning for 'Brake system. Drive moderately' and 'Rear brake pads'
Completed: July 2026 -
BMW 3 Series Brakes and Suspension: A Full 4-Corner Job Done Properly in Singapore
BMW 3 Series · Airbag warning after a jump-start, and the car due for its service
Completed: July 2026 -
Hyundai Elantra Service in Singapore: Sunken Engine Mount Found and Quoted
Hyundai Elantra AD 1.6 · Booked in for routine servicing
Completed: July 2026 -
Mercedes GLA Major Service at 136,000km: Engine Mount Found Cracked on Inspection
Mercedes-Benz GLA · Due for a major service at around 136,000km
Completed: July 2026 -
Honda Odyssey Brakes Worn to 30 Percent: How We Replaced the Pads and Disc Rotors With Genuine Honda Parts
Honda Odyssey · Due for a service, with the front and rear brakes worn to about 30 percent and the disc rotors worn out on inspection
Completed: June 2026 -
Subaru Forester Knocking Over Bumps: How We Traced It to Worn Front Lower Arms
Subaru Forester · A knock and clunk from the front suspension over bumps and uneven roads
Completed: June 2026 -
Volvo XC40 Major Service at 90,000km: Brakes, Tyres and Rear Tailgate Struts
Volvo XC40 · Booked in to replace the two rear tailgate struts, with a service at the same time; due for a major service at about 90,000km
Completed: June 2026 -
Mercedes C180 Major Service at Over 151,000km: Brakes, Spark Plugs and a Throttle Body Clean
Mercedes-Benz C180 · Due for a major service at about 151,000km, with worn brakes and an engine oil leak flagged on inspection
Completed: June 2026 -
Mercedes GLB 200 Steering Vibration: How We Confirmed and Replaced the Steering Rack
Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 · A vibration felt on impact at speeds above 60km/h that eased when slowing to around 50km/h
Completed: June 2026 -
BMW 740Li Major Service and Brakes: A Flagship 7 Series Looked After Properly
BMW 740Li (7 Series) · Due for a service; the owner also asked about a leaking power steering pump valve and a replacement undercarriage cover
Completed: June 2026
Electrical and hybrid
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BMW 5 Series: Oil Leaks, Worn Suspension Arms and a Fuel Pump, All Fixed in One Go
BMW 5 Series · Came in for a routine service. The leaks and worn arms were found during our check.
Completed: September 2026 -
Volvo Major Service: Oil Separator Replaced, OEM Parts Throughout, Battery Tested and Renewed
Volvo · Due for a major service. Battery health not previously checked.
Completed: August 2026 -
Mercedes E350e Intermittent Charging Fault: Plug-In Control Unit Replaced
Mercedes-Benz E350e · Plug-in battery charged only some of the time
Completed: August 2026 -
Mercedes GLE Turbo Boost Sensor: Power Loss Diagnosed and Fixed
Mercedes-Benz GLE · Reduced power under acceleration; engine check light on
Completed: August 2026 -
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid With a Blinking Check Light and a Hybrid Fault: How We Found Two Problems and Fixed Both
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid · Blinking engine check light with the car running rough, plus a separate hybrid-system fault warning
Completed: June 2026 -
Volkswagen Passat With ABS, ESP, Reverse Camera and Steering Warnings: How Four Faulty Wheel-Speed Sensors Caused It All
Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.0 TSI · ABS/ESP fault light, reverse parking sensors and reverse camera not working, plus power-steering and alarm warning messages, all showing together
Completed: June 2026 -
Bentley Mulsanne Boot Won't Lift: Motors and Tailgate Control Unit Replaced
Bentley Mulsanne · The powered boot would not lift up automatically
Completed: June 2026
Servicing
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Audi A3 Carbon Cleaning Singapore: Walnut Blasting Intake Ports, Heavy Buildup Cleared
Audi A3 · Carbon buildup on intake ports and valves
Completed: October 2026 -
Mercedes-Benz A180: Jammed Waterpump Led to Belt Failure and Coolant Loss
Mercedes-Benz A180 · Car broke down; belt shed and coolant lost
Completed: June 2026 -
BMW X1 at 109,000km: A Full Head-to-Toe Going-Over in One Workshop Visit
BMW X1 · Booked in at around 109,000km for an oil leak and a parking brake warning light. More faults found as the work went on.
Completed: September 2026 -
Peugeot 5008 Service: Spark Plugs, Fluids and a New Washer Tank, Every Item Priced
Peugeot 5008 · Booked for servicing; windscreen washer motor issue; warning message on the dashboard
Completed: September 2026 -
Toyota Harrier Service: Worn Suspension Found, Photographed and Priced, Owner Decides
Toyota Harrier Elegance 2.0 · Due for servicing; the owner mentioned a noise at times over humps
Completed: September 2026 -
Porsche Macan Major Service at 55,249km: Oil, Throttle Body Clean and Brake Fluid
Porsche Macan · Major service due at 55,249km
Completed: August 2026 -
Audi Q3 Major Service and Tyre Replacement in Singapore: Looked After Properly
Audi Q3 · Due for its oil change inspection, six months after a full service
Completed: June 2026
Pre-purchase inspection
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BMW X5 Pre-Purchase Inspection at 122,000km: Cracked Arm Bushes and a Turbo Air Hose Oil Leak
BMW X5 · Pre-purchase inspection; the customer had heard squeaks on a test drive
Completed: September 2026 -
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection: What We Found on a Used Audi A4
Multi-car pre-purchase inspection · Customer wanted objective assessment of two used cars before committing to a purchase
Completed: July 2026
