1.6 rapier petrol, 52 plate. The car started to judder and then the catalitic converter fault flashed on for a second. No warning lights were showing but car continued to judder and ran weak. I parked it up and the following day when I tried to start it to take it to the garage, it would hardly turn over. I tried it again today and the oil light came on. When I checked the oil, it was completely empty. I replaced the oil and eventually it started, but it sounds rough and the engine is shaking. Is it beyond fixing please?

michelle, May 2012

You could well have done permanent damage, you were lucky that it didn't seize up completely. It has probably overheated too which may have distorted the cylinder head.

If it was me I'd get someone who knows about cars to check it over. At least carry out an engine oil and filter change, and make sure that the coolant level is ok. If it then seems to run ok you may have been very lucky. If it does run ok then get it serviced properly, and regularly serviced in future.

Modern cars take an incredible amount of abuse but no car will continue to run forever without servicing.

ChicksFan, May 2012