Quick replies/20/4

Please assist with the problem I'm experiencing on my 2005 Peugeot 307. It started when the headlights came on when I put on the indicators to turn right.

Next thing, the headlights automatically came on when I started the car - and then stayed on. I replaced some globes and now they are dead. - Connie

"The chances are very good it's a problem in the com2000 unit," was the opinion of my friend, the Peugeot boffin. He then proceeded to show me where the famous com2000 unit is installed on Peugeots, and to explain in layman's terms what it does.

It's found behind the steering wheel boss where the indicator stalk goes into the plastic shroud.

It's a sealed unit which handles the switching of wipers, indicators, headlights, airbags, etc.

If the unit becomes defective, it has to be replaced. It's not advisable to even attempt to open and repair it, seeing that it also contains the circuitry that triggers the airbags. Airbags are expensive, and the damage that an airbag can do to your face and eyes if it deploys by mistake can be even more expensive.

The com2000 unit costs between R2500 and R4500, depending on which model was fitted to your car. You can reckon on one hour's labour to replace it.

Of course, this is only an educated guess. One can't be certain without further investigation, but I suggest you ask your Peugeot workshop to look at that first.

I AM considering buying a 2005 BMW 120d with 93000km on the clock. However I am scared of diesels; they are perceived to be expensive to maintain. - Lucky

Lucky, basically my advice to Mpho a few weeks ago applies in your case as well. Knowing BMW, one can accept that the basic quality of the car would be good, but at the same time you have to consider servicing and maintenance costs.

I don't know if these costs are higher for BMW than for comparable cars. The best way to find out, is to get quotes for both major and minor services on competing models.

Phone around, and ask in particular whether each model has a cambelt which has to be replaced at specified intervals and what such a job will cost. I expect the car that you have in mind will be out of warranty by now. Is this perhaps the reason why the owner is getting rid of it. Do they know something that you don't know?

In my experience the owner can always trot out very convincing reasons for selling the car. I would check out these stories very carefully. I am sorry if I sound distrustful, but it's a case of once bitten, twice shy.

I'm not saying you should never buy a used turbodiesel, only that you can never be too careful if you do.