Mini Problems

The blades are supposed to flip over when they change direction at each end of their sweep to prevent them doing what yours are doing. Your blades are not flipping over.

Start by fitting new blades, adjust the angle to get them flipping over, and you could use something like Rain-Ex on the windscreen, and in the washer water.

You’re looking at a relatively new model so the reliability should be fine, and the maintenance costs should be ok if you use a specialist independent mechanic instead of a dealer.

You might not be able to see it, but there is a leak and you need to take it to a mechanic or a dealer to have it located and repaired. It could be the radiator tank, a fitting on the engine, or the worst case is that it could be a head gasket.

It’s not like the old days when Mini Coopers did appeal the purists and a manual was the only thing to have, today’s Mini buyers a less purists than fashion followers. Although I would prefer a manual for the fun of driving it, most buyers would prefer an auto and that would affect the resale of your car should you choose a manual. I do agree with you that it’s a good idea for your son to learn to drive a manual.

To register the vehicle in Victoria you will need to get a roadworthy certificate, pay a transfer fee of $38.50, and pay duty. The duty is based on the market value of the car, and is calculated at $8.40 per $200 of that market value.

You’re right; it is silly advice. The onus shouldn’t be on you to know that there is a potential problem and that you should check these things; it’s the carmaker’s responsibility to design the car such that it doesn’t have problems. When they discover there is a problem they are responsible for fixing it. I would pursue this issue through consumer affairs, and consider taking them to your state small claims tribunal for compensation. You don’t say what year your car is, but it doesn’t matter if the new car warranty has expired, in your case it seems you would have a good claim for your car being substandard and not fit for purpose.

You've always got the right to argue your case and try to negotiate a satisfactory outcome, but I doubt you would be successful with a car as old as yours. Unless you're prepared to invest a lot of time in the negotiations I would suggest you just cop it and get on with life.

The web is causing all sorts of problems because overseas situations are rarely the same as Australia. I have been in touch with BMW Australia and even though your car is 13 years old and has not been regularly serviced by BMW, the reply is positive. Company spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher says: "The Cooper S has hydraulic steering and the overseas service campaign was with the electric steering on the Cooper. Nonetheless, if he takes it to a dealer we'll have a look and see what we can do."

Your budget limits your choices, but the Liberty is certainly worth considering. You could also look at a Mazda3 MPS, a Honda Accord Euro, or a Mini Cooper.

The chain drives the camshafts and provides the timing for the opening and closing of the valves. Chains are used on many engines as an alternative to belts, which need to be replaced regularly. Chains don’t need to be replaced on a regular basis, but they do wear and they can become slack and affect the valve timing, which in turn affects the engine running, and when they wear they can also rattle.