Questions from September 2011
This is slightly left field of your normal motoring advice but I would like your opinion on how to tackle this problem. In brief I bought a Raclet trailer tent 14 years ago from new and on average I take...
I have been looking through your excellent website car reviews to guide me and came across the one for the Mk1 Skoda Superb, a car I quite like. You mention a potentially serious and very expensive issue...
My 2005 Volvo S40 diesel has suddenly lost most of its power; due to error "2452 Particle trap pressure sensor faulty signal", according to my local workshop that looks after it and tell me that it needs...
Can I draw your attention to something to consider when taking out car insurance: Don’t just look at the initial cost. Every time you make an alteration it can cost upwards of £30. This would include change...
My son is looking to part-ex his black 2007/57 Astra Sportshatch 1.7 CDTI SXI, 27k miles, good condition, brand new MoT, brand new front tyres for a Ford Fiesta 1.6S 1600 3-door petrol, Racing Blue,10k...
I have a 2 litre diesel Skoda Octavia Estate (L&K model) with DSG gearbox which has done 63,000 miles, it has been garaged and main dealer serviced to schedule since new but is now 6 years old. I have...
My dilemma is new Audi Q3 or Nissan Qashqai with new 1.6 diesel engine? Please advise? What is current supply of either model as I would like to change my car before the winter and have refined the list...
I have retired to the Yorkshire Dales and anticipating a bad winter have decided to get rid of my trusty old Peugeot 406 and buy a 4x4 pick-up truck. You talk about diesel particulate filters and that...
We had a new clutch put in our 2002 Ford Focus 14 months ago. The garage sent us out without putting the gear oil/lubricant in, we drove about 14 miles and then realised and drove the car back as we knew...
I have a 2008/58 Vauxhall Corsa, which is due for its first MOT in a few weeks. I find it strange that Vauxhall has contacted me now regarding a re-call in connection with the brakes as they asked if I...
Regarding the email from JH of Gloucester about IAM and driver training on 17th September. Advanced driving training is also provided by RoSPA affiliated groups around the country at far less cost than...
Re: the new Renault 1.6 Diesel in the Nissan Qashqai. It's of great interest to me. I checked with Nissan and found that they are now taking orders, unfortunately they have no plans to introduce an auto...
I'm intrigued about real world economy and the rise of the so called eco models which do not seem to come close to their claimed figures. My five year old 1.9 Diesel Skoda Roomster regularly returns 53mpg...
I purchased a Micra Acenta 1.2 automatic, which is four years old with 4,500 miles on the clock. It seems to be running perfectly after a few hundred miles. Does this car have a chain-cam drive? Why am...
I’m nagging all my friends to use winter tyres. One is resisting, saying it’s a ruse put out by tyre manufactures. I counter by saying you’re using the same amount of rubber no matter which set of tyres...
I have a Skoda Yeti 1.2TSI 105 Elegance, which I unfortunately accepted with 17" wheels (having tried to order it unsuccessfully on 16s). I am unhappy with the ride, which I believe is not helped by the...
I'm awaiting the arrival of my new top-of-the-range Prius. Toyota offers its own insurance, and if I've read your replies to recent letters correctly, you reckon this is probably better value because it...
My wife has just purchased a FIAT 500. It was registered October 2010 but has only done 40 miles having been an unused, ex BSM car (no dual controls, etc. It really has been unused).
Whilst she loves...
I am about to retire and would like to reduce running costs on my 60,000mile Chrysler 300 CRD. I would like to improve the fuel economy, which at the moment averages 30mpg. I am considering an LPG conversion...
I have been looking at Hyundai Coupes around 2005 model 2 litre engine. Every car I have looked at has cream inside the oil filler cap. Is this normal? I was told many years ago never to buy a second hand...
I received a letter from Thames Valley Police Fixed Penalty Support Unit on 7th Sept 2011 to notify me that I was doing 36mph in a 30mph restriction on August 17th 2011.
I wrote back to them to suggest...
My stationery Audi A8 was hit by a bus while waiting to pull out at a roundabout. The police said because there was cctv fitted to the bus there should be no case to answer, and the bus company should...
You have advocated the use of winter tyres and I wish to purchase same for my son’s 2003 VW Polo 1.2 as he has no experience of driving in the winter. Would you recommend a particular tyre please?
I want to buy a used car capable of towing a four-berth caravan. Being a novice to this art, I would appreciate your advice. The car will have to cope with everyday use as well as extended periods of...
Last Thursday I took my 1-year-old Audi A3 (8,200 on the clock) for its first annual service at the Audi dealers where I bought it.
On Friday morning I drove it out of the garage and within minutes the...
With reference to PM's request to find someone to build buggies for National Trust properties, could I recommend Garmendale Engineering Ltd. of Ilkeston, Derbyshire? (www.garmendale.co.uk). Amongst other...
My daughter needs advice about replacing her ancient and increasingly unreliable Freelander.
As an equine vet she drives about 30,000 miles a year on main roads, country lanes and rough farm tracks,...
I have a Nissan Micra 1998.
I changed the clutch cable a few weeks ago and since then I have a problem moving the gearstick into gear. There is no gear grinding or anything like that, the gear stick just...
I have a low mileage Toyota Aygo (34,500 miles) having covered approximately 6,500 miles each year, bought nearly new from a Toyota dealer 5 years ago.
The clutch plate rivets failed a week ago. I took...
I purchased this car on 16/7/11 for £5500. Last week I had occasion to adjust the drivers seat. The mechanism had failed. I feel this defect had been present when I purchased the vehicle.
The dealer will...
We are interested in a new Golf Cabriolet S 1.2 and have an Astra Cabriolet 1.8i 16v 2Dr with leather seats to PE.
The Astra has about 50k on the clock and was registered in Oct 2002. It is in pretty...
I have just bought a 2001 (51 reg) Ford Fiesta.
It came with 2 keys, both have the red insert in the top of the key, but it doesn’t have a remote key. I am hoping the previous owner lost it and just...
We have bought a house in France with a garage and wish to keep a small car (about 1200cc) there which can take four adults.
We thought left-hand drive would be useful. With a budget of about £4000 what...
I have spent 12 months at my BMW dealer trying to get a problem cured on a new car. The engine resonates at about 1750 rpm in all gears. 1750 is about 70mph in top gear so motorway driving has to be done...
I am in the process of buying a VW Touran and was wondering if they are any good and if they are reliable (electrics as well)? It has a lot of extras that could go wrong. The engine is a 1.9 TDI diesel....
Buying MB CLK 220 CDI. Should I get it chipped? Is there a downside to chipping? What should I expect by way of consumption and performance improvements?
Who, if anybody, would you recommend?
Hi
In the past month I have been 'surprised' by Prisuses.
On the first occasion I had filled my car at a local petrol station and was walking out of the shop, busy putting my credit card back in my wallet....
You recommended Shell V-Power. I have no Shell garages near me only BP, Total & Esso. Do they do an equivalent high grade petrol?
I recieved a parking fine of £90 for a 16 minute overstay in a 'euro car parks' car park on the 27/06/11. I followed Honest John's advice to appeal the fine as I had been shopping in the retail park in...
Royal Sun Alliance insurance have been heavily criticised today in court for over charging for accident repairs. It seems they use thier own in house accident management company who simply ramp up the...
I have the Grande Punto from new back in 2009 and it did not come with a spare wheel only this can of sealant which I've never been too happy about.
The wheels are 195/55 R16.
Can you recommend anywhere...
I have bought winter tyres mounted on steel wheels for an' 03 Audi TT Quattro and an '06 BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46). I have asked the parts departments at local Audi and BMW franchisees and both say there...
What would you recommend as a replacement for our aging Nissan Primera. A large boot is important.
We've driven automatics for 20 years but are considering, for economic reasons, changing to manual -...
I'm feeling very sick. I've had the car just over 3 months. A few days ago the car suffered dramatic power loss and was running like a tractor. Towed in to a local garage and at first the chap thought...
I have long disagreed with your assertion that the left foot should be used to brake when driving an automatic, mainly because the distance ones foot is moved is pretty much the same for both feet, and...
I have been reading through the good and bad reviews regarding the BMW Coupe 320 Diesel year 2007-2009.
I noticed that it has been advised that there has been turbo failures on this particular model reported...
I will shortly be picking up a brand new Skoda Fabia vRS. Is there any risk filling it up with Shell V-Power right from its near-empty state upon collection?
A couple of Fabias ago I did this and within...
I'm a 22 year old man who can finally afford to splurge on a new or nearly new small car after getting a few years of NCB under my belt.
It's a toss up between a Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec and a VW Polo...
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