Trending topics in September 2013
Questions from September 2013
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On a recent trip to France in my 17,000 mile 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, I had the misfortune to get a puncture in the rear nearside tyre. The tyres are Pirelli 225/50 R16 92W. Fortunately, we were still...
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I have a 2007 Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCI Titanium X estate. It was my company lease car, which I bought a year ago on leaving the firm for £2500. It has 114,000 miles on the clock, but the engine has been smoky...
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Following a previous question about Castrol having the sole rights to oil for the Jaguar XF, I now notice that both Shell (Helix Diesel Ultra AF-L 5w-30) and Millers (XF Longlife C1 5w-30) are claiming...
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My son has received a parking ticket after parking for five minutes outside Ealing Broadway Station. He parked in a bay rather than block the high street, which he thought considerate. Should we take any...
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I bought a Mazda 3 from a main dealer in 2010. As recommended by the manufacturer, I took the car for its first check up in 2011, where it was given a full service and oil change.
After the latest service...
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One of my elderly neighbours has a 1991 Proton 1.3GLS. She has owned it from new and has asked me if I could find out how many are left. Can you help?
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I'm having a problem with the temperature gauge on my Citroen C3 - it keeps going into the red and setting an alarm off. I have replaced the temp sensor and fan but it still does it, normally after heavy...
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Two weeks ago I bought a 2003 Ford Focus with 109,000 miles on the clock for £1800. During the time I've owned it I've discovered a fairly severe oil leak coming from somewhere on the engine or transmission....
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My 2009 Mazda 6 2.2 diesel has covered 66,000 miles and is two months out of warranty. Last week I noticed a loss of power and took the car to the dealer to be inspected. After £160 of diagnostics it was...
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My 2002 Vauxhall Vectra is making a scraping noise, which seems to be coming from the front wheels. There's no vibrations, or any performance issues, but the noise is very loud. Any idea what it is?
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I am driving a 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel. I deliver pizzas for a living and have covered 80,000 miles in the past three years without any problems. However, last week, the car started having EGR valve issues...
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I have recently been made redundant and am looking to downgrade from two cars to one. I currently own a 2012 Toyota Aygo and a 2009 Verso, but find the Aygo to be too small so want to sell it. The only...
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I’m looking to buy a small car, but can’t choose between the Ford B-Max or the Vauxhall Meriva. What is your view? My priorities are safety, economy, reliability and heated seats.
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I have been worried about replacing my 2006 Land Rover Discovery 3, which I believe doesn’t have a DPF. I want to buy a newer Discovery, but am fearful that my short journey to work (four miles) will cause...
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I am having trouble finding a second hand lower black spoiler for my 2010 Vauxhall Zafira. Will a 2005 to 2010 spoiler fit on my bumper or do I need to get a 2008 to 2011 part?
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I am driving a 2002 Ford Mondeo 2002. The mileage on the clock is 61,000; is it necessary to replace the timing chain at a specific mileage level for this model?
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My wife and I are the proud owner of a Skoda Yeti 2.0-litre Diesel. We have had the car for over three years, but have had nine punctures over this time. In every case the whole tyre had to be replaced...
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Can you tell me if I should be forced to pay for a courtesy car? My 2011 Renault Megane has suffered head gasket problems and it’s going to be off the road for weeks. Renault have agreed to fix it under...
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My 2012 Audi TT started to leak exhaust gasses in to the engine bay/cabin after just nine months of ownership. After seven months and numerous visits to my dealer, the problem persists. Is there a known...
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I'm looking at purchasing a used Volvo XC90 (diesel) but don't want one with a DPF. I'm also unsure about the engine size - is the V8 worth the extra money or is the D5 sufficient?
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Our Volkswagen CC is coming up to three years old and we are being offered an extended, comprehensive warranty by our local dealer for £290 a year or £31 per month. This seems too good to be true as Warranty...
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I need to buy a used car, but need an automatic due to a disability that restricts the movement of my right arm. I only drive short routes to town, but want something economical and reliable. I’ve narrowed...
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My Audi A4 recently developed a fault that caused the ECU to switch to ‘limp home’ mode under various driving conditions. I took the car to an Audi dealer to have the fault diagnosed – at a cost of £90...
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I have a 2011 Ford S-Max that I purchased in April 2012 from a main dealership. Since July 2013 the car has been suffering with a "Steering Malfunction" message, which renders the car unusable. I have...
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I need to buy a fun car for my wife to commute 10 miles per day in. We have a budget of only £2000 - £3000 and she would like something reliable that can take three teenagers in the back on occasion. What...
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Hi John, I've been to many classic car shows and stands across the UK and one topic with huge confussion I face is the story of adding lead to classic air-cooled Volkswagen engines. To my knowledge Vdubs...
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I want to buy a small used car with an automatic ‘box. I have £10,000 to spend and want something that will be reliable, but fun. What do you suggest?
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I have recently had the first service on my 2012 Kia Cee'd SW (1.6 diesel, manual gearbox). I was very surprised to note that this service did not include an oil and filter change. On checking with the...
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I have a 1950 Citroen Light 15 (Traction Avant) which is mechanically sound but needs a bit of work. What is the best way to sell such a car and to get the best price with the lowest outlay?
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I'm about to be made redundant and I am looking to start buying and selling cars as a small business. I have little knowledge or experience of the industry, and have no idea about legalities or where to...
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I am in the market for a used Ford Mondeo, but want to get the best value for money. I have just looked at a 2010 Titanium X with a 2.0 TDCi diesel engine. The Ford dealer wants £13,450 – is this a good...
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We will be retiring next year and want to buy a new MPV. My wife will be the only driver, but she has some health issues and it’s important the car has an automatic gearbox, high driving position and a...
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My wife drives a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200, with 73,000 miles on the clock. It is in decent condition, but last week my wife ran over a gate closing device and damaged the exhaust. The whole exhaust has...
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Six months ago I bought my old company car from the leasing firm - a Volkswagen Passat. The car is four years old and was sold with a two year extended warranty. Last week I took it for a service, but...
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I'm on my third Mazda3 1.6D and was looking forward to buying the newest model. However, without a 1.6 diesel in the new range, and the 2.2D Skyactiv being too large for my needs, I am not sure what to...
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My 2005 Volvo XC70 Diesel has for the last four years intermittently given an "Engine Service Required" amber warning – error code P0244. Although the performance is slightly impaired, the light usually...
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I have bought a 2012 BMW 520d recently after 12 years with a 530i Sport. So far I love the car, but am comparatively disappointed with the road holding, cornering and noise from tyres. The car is presently...
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We are looking for a smaller car that will also be able to cope with the occasional long journey. It needs to be comfortable (interior and ride), quiet, reasonably economical and have a high/easy access...
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I’m a self-employed electrician with a new Volkswagen Transporter. I drive long distances and carry a lot of tools and equipment, including a ladder. As you can imagine, the tools and equipment can shift...
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My partner would like to buy a new/nearly new car which can cope with occasional snow and steep hills in the area she works as a GP. Her commute to work is a round trip of 30 miles, but there will be shorter...
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Occasionally, when pulling up at a junction or at lights, there is a bleeping sound and this flashing snowflake symbol appears on the display of my 2003 Citroen C2. The car then refuses to engage first...
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We need to replace all four tyres on our Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. It's currently on Michelin Primacy HP 205/50 R17, but I'm looking for an all-year all-weather tyre. We're based in the south of France...
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While driving along a B road in Penzance, I pulled over to allow a flatbed truck to pass from the other direction. Despite doing this, the truck driver still hit my car, tearing the offside front tyre,...
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I have Skoda Octavia TDI VRS currently on aluminium wheels with 225/40/18 summer tyres. Would steel wheels with 205/55/16 winter tyres be a good combination for winter motoring?
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Petrol has been added to my diesel Nissan Note. The tank has been drained and a new filter change. The car will start but is very sluggish and does not seem to have any power. The turbo will also not engage...
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I put my Saab in for a service recently after noticing a change in engine noise following a long journey. The garage told me the car had no oil and replaced the engine and turbo at a cost of £3000. Since...
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I have a dangerous misfire on 13 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0-litre petrol. When partly warmed up, it goes through a spell of chronic misfire on part throttle. However, when 100 per cent warmed up,...
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Can you tell me if vans have lower speed limits compared to cars? I was driving around 70mph in my Ford Transit on a dual carriageway and have now been sent a speeding fine. Is this correct?
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I’m in the process of buying a new van and am thinking of having a full-size bulkhead fitted as an option. The van already has a ladder style bulkhead as standard, but the dealer says only a complete steel...
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I’m having some problems with my 2004 Citroen Xsara Picasso. The engine management light comes on and the car goes into limp home mode. I’ve had a diagnostics test carried out and was informed that the...