The release cable for the bonnet has either broken or more likely come adrift from the rubbish-quality opening handle by the driver's door - and I need to get into the engine compartment, of course. Does anybody have an idea how someone as technically challenged as me might be able to get the bonnet open? Later in the week, I can get it to the dealers, but as it's been losing a (tiny) bit of coolant lately, it'll probably start telling me it needs topping up before then. Sunday is do-the-fluids day as a rule...

Is there tension on the bonnet release handle in the car?

If so, then the cable may have stretched and the handle just can't pull it far enough. Release the cable sheath from the fitting below the handle and whilst pulling the handle, push the sheath back as far as you can with a pair of pliers. If this doesn't work, release the cable from the handle. Then pull both the sheath and cable at the same time.

No such luck - there was a clunk and the handle lost all tension. One way or another, it's come off. It's always needed quite a firm pull to get the catch to release, and I think this must have been one pull too many.

I don't think that missing one Sunday check will hurt the car.

Panic over - I decided that if it was already broken, I'd hardly be going to break it further, so I stripped out the plastic furnishings and found the cable - intact. The handle had broken. So one good yank on the cable with a pair of pliers and the catch released. All done until the next time.

And it did need cooling fluid, too - the last thing you need on a Monday morning at oh-dark-hundred hours is the car binging at you...