Richard Wafer

Could a clunk from the front of your car be more than a nuisance? The signs of a bad tie rod end can include knocking when turning or driving over…

Could a clunk over bumps mean your control arm bushings are worn, or could another suspension fault be to blame? The symptoms of worn control arm…

Could a clunk over bumps be more than an annoying suspension noise? The signs of worn ball joints can start with a knock, squeak or change in…

Around 40% of Kiwi vehicles fail their initial Warrant of Fitness inspection, and a split piece of flexible rubber underneath the car is often the…

That persistent low drone filling your cabin isn’t just coarse road seal. A speed-dependent hum is almost always mechanical friction grinding away…

According to Waka Kotahi NZTA data, steering and suspension defects contribute to roughly 12% to 14% of all initial Warrant of Fitness failures in…

Over 63% of light vehicles on New Zealand roads are older than 10 years, meaning most are driving well past the designed operating lifespan of their…

Paying for a part you didn’t think you needed might actually be the smartest financial move you make this year. When your mechanic suggests adding a…

Is that small puddle of pink or green fluid on your driveway a minor nuisance or the first sign of a $5,000 engine rebuild? It’s a question that…

Imagine driving over the Desert Road on a freezing July morning, but your car heater is blowing air as cold as the snow on Mount Ruapehu. Or perhaps…

You are stuck in a crawl on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, watching the temperature needle creep steadily toward the red zone. Just minutes ago,…

You’re cruising along a busy State Highway when your engine suddenly stutters, losing power just as you’re trying to maintain speed on an incline. It…

You’re heading out for the morning commute when you notice a dark puddle under your car and a faint smell of burning oil. It’s a classic sign of a…

You are sitting at a red light in peak-hour traffic when you feel it: a persistent, bone-rattling shudder through the steering wheel that makes your…

What if that annoying chirp under your bonnet isn’t just a sign of your car getting older, but a warning that your engine is about to lose its power…

Imagine you’re cruising down the motorway when a sudden, high-pitched squeal pierces through your radio. It’s a sound that instantly spikes your…

You turn the key on a cold morning and hear a sharp, metallic rattle that lasts just long enough to make you worry. It’s a sound no New Zealand…

Have you ever noticed your car gulping more petrol than usual or felt a strange shudder while idling at the lights? It is easy to blame the rising…

Your car’s ignition coils don’t just die of old age; they are usually pushed to the brink by heat, vibration, or a set of neglected spark plugs. If…

You’re already five minutes late for the school run or a meeting when you turn the key and hear nothing but a single, hollow click. It’s a sinking…

What if that flat battery isn’t actually a battery problem at all? It’s a common frustration for Kiwi drivers. You jump-start your car, head to work,…

What if that “mint condition” Japanese import is actually hiding a $4,000 gearbox failure behind a fresh coat of wax? Buying a used car in New…

Your Saturday morning shouldn’t be held hostage by a workshop waiting room or a logistical nightmare just to get your car sorted. Many car owners…

What if your pre-purchase inspection report isn’t a pass/fail grade, but your most powerful tool for saving thousands of dollars? Most Kiwi car…