Trending topics in January 2012
Questions from January 2012
Four weeks ago my wife parked at Asda in Newton Abbot. She forgot to display her Blue Disabled Parking Badge, and when she returned after a couple of hours there was a Penalty Charge Notice asking for...
Some time ago you warned against storing a spare can of diesel for too long. Now I have a diesel car I would appreciate a repeat of that advice.
You state in today's column that a modern car has a 7-year life cycle. Since I have an 8-year old Mercedes-Benz, this is a bit of a surprise, to me and probably a few million other car owners. Can you...
I wonder if you can throw any light on the definition of 'parked'? I recently pulled off the road and had my two nearside wheels on the paving area outside a factory in Perivale, whilst I consulted a map...
We have an elderly Focus that has suffered the common problem of "clouding" of the surface of the polycarbonate headlamp lenses. This can, I am told, lead to MOT failure. Whilst there are (relatively expensive)...
The front Goodyear Eagle Summer tyres on my wife's Tiguan are due to be replaced, but the rear tyres still have 4mm tread. Given the recent winters, we have had I wondered if it would be advisable to switch...
I was interested in your warning about impending failures of diesel particulate filters and dual mass flywheels on diesel engined cars. My Freelander 2 is now two and a half years old. Do I part-exchange...
A man was killed after he was thrown out of a pick-up truck when it hit a speed bump in Malvern, Durban on 5 November. The man was travelling along Spence Road with another man in the back of the pick-up...
I've had a 2.2 litre diesel X-Trail since new in late 2002 when I retired early. It’s a fantastic car and has given me no trouble whatsoever in all that time, although it has to be said that I have only...
I wish to purchase a 4x4 pick up for my work as a forester, driving on rough forest tracks as well as the public highway. With a budget of approximately £4000 I was thinking of an older Ford Ranger, preferably...
I have only had my brand new Honda Civic 1.8 Si 5 speed torque converter Auto for 10 days but I agree that the handling and grip are fantastic, even on wet roads. I think the Bridgestone tyres help, as...
Do you know of a site or organisation that can offer reasonably accurate price guides for 'classic' or rarer type (potential classic) cars? I have the opportunity to acquire a genuine, unmodified LHD 1991...
If you get a fixed penalty notice through the post that also carries penalty points, the computer system first sends you a demand for the cash. When you have paid, it then sends a demand to return your...
Engine starts ok and runs perfect. Then travelling at about 40mph or more it randomly starts to judder and surge, then it runs fine again. Then when decreasing speed to about 20mph the engine will sometimes...
I am an independent retailer. Recently our landlord has imposed clamping rules to our service yard where we used to be able to place one car free. The service yard has a barrier which is permanantly broken.Can...
I have a friend that has just bought a car with brand new MoT from a garage who were selling the car as 'sold as seen. The garage he bought it from failed to explain about a faulty cv joint and head gasket...
I spotted a 2009 Honda Jazz EX on Autotrader in a rare (But not to everyone's taste) colour, and at a great price.
It was in Luton and I live in Manchester, but it had a clear HPi report, which prompted...
Hello, I currently own a Honda Civic Hybrid but I feel I've done my bit for the planet and was thinking of buying a used SEAT Leon FR with a DSG gearbox - what's your view?
I was in an accident and the insurer told me that car is total loss and wants me to scrap it. Nothing was mentioned as to what exactly was damaged.
How could I get information about their assessment...
Just bought an approved used Audi S3 Sportback from Guildford Audi. Had a puncture and when checking what tyre I needed, I found that the car had been fitted with 2 Goodyear on the front and the rear had...
My 2004 Audi A6 2.5 TDI (120k miles) smokes big-time on starting in winter. Is this normal?
If a car advert says this, would you be alarmed about the refurb bit?
* 2005 (05 reg)
* Estate
* 79,000 miles
* Manual
* 2.0L
* Diesel
MOT: 01-2013. Body has done 101k, refurbed...
I do a 152 motorway miles every workday and I have a DPF filter light. The light comes on is then reset (for £40) ok for a bit comes on again (this time £97 for reset and regen) and guess what its back...
You have given/displayed an excelllent answer (RUNNING IN A DIESEL) to the Question, "What's the best way to run-in a diesel engine" but your answer only refers to a manual transmission. Can you please...
A high frequency vibration peaks at about 2900 rpm on my Kia Cee'd. It's not noticeable at low revs but unpleasant at 65ish mph, coming through the steering wheel and pedals.
Depressing the clutch and...
I bought a 58 plate Nissan 350Z from a used car dealer, and I noticed it had a bit of a whine in first gear. I google'd it and saw that it could be a characteristic of that gearbox but took it to Nissan...
I have been offered a Peugeot 308 with 14700 miles on the clock, described as 'Trade' on the dealer's website, for £9995. What does 'Trade' mean in this context and what should I be wary of?
I have a 2007 (last of the old shape) Volvo V70 sport with 17” wheels.
Although a ‘sport’ model, I’m a steady driver that doesn’t need to corner hard and doesn’t drive with lots of hard braking.
What...
Thanks for your prompt reply to using Unleaded Fuel and putting in additive. No more Redex for me. Just read a report which compares Tesco Momentum 99 with Shell V Power petrol.
Do you consider them...
A number of classic car owners have noted that their fuel hoses have degraded as a result of modern fuel containing bio ethanol.
This also applies to situations where modern fuel hoses have been fitted...
I have a 1.6 petrol Ford Focus automatic. It struggles to get past first gear into the upper range. I've been told this could be a gearbox solenoid. Problem is which one? There are six in the gearbox.
I'm buying a second hand car from a dealer. He says that it still has 8 months tax left on it from the previous owner and do I want to buy it off him at a discount price. Is this a good idea? Should...
Last year at 70,000 careful miles several swirl-flaps came adrift on my BMW 730d and one went through the engine into the turbo.
Inlet manifold and turbo replaced, one set of valves and piston changed....
My Oct 09 BMW 1 Series diesel has been suffering from clutch judder for the last few months from cold.
This disappears when the car has warmed up. BMW forums show it to be not uncommon (52 pages to date)....
We currently have a Nissan Qashqai, but are looking for a car with a more practical boot space. We do a lot of mountain biking and a lot of camping so often load the boot up with mountain bikes and camping...
After each of two years my BMW 520d has shown excess oil in the sump. Is this because attempts to clear the particulate filter have dumped fuel into the sump?
I now recognise that this is probably the...
What price would I expect to get for a private sale on my July 2007 Ford Focus 1.6 115 Titanium hatchback in metallic blue?
Immaculate condition, 38,000miles, full Ford service history and MOT, standard...
My Ford Mondeo 1.8 petrol gets to high speed on motorway then after a while cuts out looses revs. If I press the throttle nothing happens and it continues to lose power. I have to pull over onto hard shoulder...
We last communicated back last summer (May/June) as I'd just bought a Pathfinder from a main dealer in Birmingham (Chatfields) with a failing dual mass flywheel.
You helped me fight Nissan and get the...
I have a 52 reg Ford Fiesta 1.4tdci owned from new with 210,000 miles on the clock. Now I'm experiencing some clutch slip - does it have a dual mass flywheel? This would seriously add to any clutch replacement...
I am looking to replace the Bridgestone runflat tyres on my wife's E93. Would you recommend moving away from run flat tyres and replacing with standard tyres? Looking for a tyre that would give a more...
I would like to buy a 4x4 pick up for work as a landscape gardener, but it also will be my car for everyday use. I have £5000 to buy a used truck, can go a bit higher if needed. The Rodeo, Ranger and Navara...
We are moving to Malta soon and need a car that will accommodate our labrador. My wife also prefers an Automatic. Within our budget for a 3 year lease, we can get a new KIA Sportage EX 2.0, Nissan Qashqai...
I am looking at buying an 08 Ford Mondeo Zetec TDCI.
Would this be a cam belt or chain? And it has full service history, would the up keep of the cam/chain have been included in this?
We are looking to replace our 1999 Grand Espace with a similar model. The main repairs we have had on ours in the 7 years we've had it are clutch, gear linkage & clutch hydraulics. Are these likely to...
When I brake, the brake lights stay, if I pull the pedal back, the lights go off but the engine starts reving its head off. It's the same when driving: the engine always seem to be racing. Computer says...
My second hand car has 19" Inovit Wheels. I had 4 new Bridgestone Potansa RE050A tyres - Size 235/35 R 19 91Y rating - fitted 12,000 miles ago in March 2011.
Despite periodic tracking and camber checks...
On my drive to work each day I end up hitting a fair few potholes, which vary in size from those you can only just feel to those which feel like your spine has just shattered.
I thought I would report...
I have ordered a Vauxhall Meriva 1.3 diesel from Motability. Do these cars have any dpf problems? I do aproximately 15 miles each way on the motorway a couple of times a month, will I have a problem with...
As a regular reader of your column, I note that you frequently recommend Shell V power as the best petrol for it's performance enhancing & engine cleaning qualities. I have a Nissan Note Acenta 1.6 automatic...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
