Questions from January 2013
I am agonising over Petrol or Diesel. Because the Diesel is only available in Cooper spec which I do not particularly want there is a difference in price of we'll over £2000 between the two. I do about...
I currently drive the newer version of C-Class and need to downsize. Like both new A-Class and Citroen DS3. M/B dealer says no deals on A-Class as new model. Also trying to sell tyre insurance as well...
What are the smallest estate cars which will take an adult bike in the back with the back seats folded down? An economical yet sporty car would be preferred.
My Toyota garage says that if I replace the spark plugs with 'Laser Iridium Premium NGK IFR6T11' they will cause problems - what problems - not stated.
These are not the recommended plugs, but I have...
I have a Vauxhall Zafira B on a 56-plate, and every couple of days, I get a spanner light on the dashboard, and the car goes into limp mode. After I have used the car a few times, the warning lights go...
I currently driving a SEAT Leon FR TDi. I love it, and the high spec, but I am not getting to drive it as much as I used - and consequently, I am looking for something slightly more economical - but don't...
Which car is better for hilly area driving?
1) Car with high horse power
2) Car with high torque
After seven days of not using my car (normally its used daily), it wouldn't start today. Not only this, but there are no electrics, nothing!
I opened the car using the key fob, but now the key fob won't...
I bought a Nissan X-Trail 2.2 diesel yesterday. I noticed the in-car heater was fine at first and then wasn't getting warm. I Checked engine coolant which was low so topped up with approximately two litres...
I have recently started to use my front fog lights during wet weather. It seems to reduce the dazzle from oncoming cars and lights up the near verges so that I do not get too close when dazzled. Is this...
Recently, you confirmed that a winter tyre can be used as a 'spare' in the summer; or a summer tyre can be used in the winter; provided it is treated in the same way as a space-saver, and kept below 50mph....
Is the DPF in a VW Golf covered under warranty?
Car now in limp mode after the DPF did not regenerate. After doing what was recommended in manual, I took the car on a long drive at high revs. The dealership...
The hand book for my C250 Estate Sport 2011 tells me I can't fit snowchains as the wheels are 255/35/18's.
I spoke with a chain distributor who says that as long as there is enough clearance to allow...
Last May the media unit on my Premium ix35 was 'upgraded', after which the the road speed indication disappeared, a feature I found very useful.
It now appears intermittently, mainly on motorways (very...
I have read that the French authorities are unlikely to chase up a UK registered car caught on a speed camera. However, it appears an EU agreement means this is changing in 2013.
Is this being implemented...
I am currently buying a new Skoda Yeti and would like to have spare keys for the additional drivers (2) listed on my Car Insurance.
The Main Dealer is quoting £250-300 for each new key.
Is there a cheaper...
Last Monday our car broke down in the car park of a Welcome Break motorway services on the M5. I called out the AA and they told me it wasn't safe to drive the car. After an hour and a half under the bonnet...
I have a 2009 Audi A3 1.9TDIE, can you please advise if this engine is suitable for chipping upgrades such as DTUK or Chipexpress systems? If it is possible which would you recommend or are there other...
A couple of months ago I wrote to you to say that as I was having to self-assess my driving for the third three year period and I would like to have my abilities independently checked. You suggested that...
I have had problems with my 2010 Audi A3. This model has a footrest on the right hand side of the driver's well and, after just missing a wall driving out of my garage, I realised that I had placed my...
I recently bought a secondhand 2009 Insignia 2.0 CDTI SE to replace my 2001 Toyota Avensis 1.8 VVTI. I hoped to improve fuel economy with my change in car. The Insignia, which is a diesel, has only just...
I have a 2007 Skoda Octavia 1.9 diesel estate with 82,000 miles on the clock and at the last MOT the garage said my DMF was showing signs of wear. There is a slight vibration on the clutch pedal. He told...
I purchased a Volkswagen Passat Sport TDI DSG estate new in March 2009. It has been dealer-serviced since new and now has 35,000 miles on the clock. Over the last six months or so it has developed a habit...
As an HGV driver I regard the most frustrating drivers as the CLOGS who travel at 50-55mph just below the HGV and LGV/trailer speed limit. We cannot pass in the outside lane so the only hope is for a sufficient...
Our trusty 2004 Nissan X-Trail, at 160,000 miles, worries me and may need replacing. Whilst the engine is still sweet, there is a fuel judder at 1800rpm again. Last year we replaced the EGR, camshaft and...
As Communications Manager at Exeter International Airport, I wrote to your reader DC of Brusford concerning his poor experience of APCOA airport parking as follows:
“I now have pleasure in offering an...
Some time ago a Traffic Policeman aimed his camera at me when I was exceeding the speed limit. I think his camera must have been jammed or something because the speeding ticket I was expecting never materialised....
I'm about to downsize from my 55-plate Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI Elegance to a Kia Rio 3 1.4 ISG. The Skoda has been brilliant and was in fact my last company car. I'm looking for economy, reliability and...
On 1 November my car was stolen. After reporting this to Sussex police, and with a feeling of impending doom, I called Saga insurance, expecting the usual runaround. I was more than a little stunned. Not...
We have owned our Fiat 500 TwinAir for six months and we were involved in an accident at the weekend. We T-boned a car that was trying to turn right across the front of us on a 50mph dual carriageway....
I have a question in regards to a potential new car purchase and VAT implications. I have noticed a pre-reg vehicle for sale that has just 50 miles on the clock. The dealer said it could not be sold for...
A few months ago I purchased a Skoda Octavia L&K 2.0 TDI with which I have been very pleased. This is the first diesel that I have run and have been receiving confused messages about whether or not it...
I took our car insurance with Sheila's wheels on my car, a Toyota Celica. I paid the instalment by direct debit. (Comprehensive, NCD protected). I had my first accident in February of 2012. I have never...
I am about to replace my 2005 Mercedes-Benz A180 CDI Auto. I have looked at the new A-Class but it is not for me, as the car is too low on the ground and the view out of the back is not clear. We are a...
I privately purchased a 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S with 38,000 miles on the clock in March 2012 for £26,375. The vendor specifically denied any insurance loss on the vehicle and I performed a vehicle history...
I have just returned a hire car to a Spanish airport where there was nobody inspecting the cars for damage, etc. When I dropped off the keys I was told that "a mechanic would check it later", so, to avoid...
I do about 5000 miles a year, live in the country and require a 4-wheel-drive during snow conditions. You have mentioned the Dacia. Would I be better off buying a new Dacia or a 2-year-old Honda CR-V,...
My husband and I moved to the Suffolk countryside two years ago, and bought a 2007 Ford C-Max automatic (mileage on purchase: 7000). We already had, and still have, a 2005 Ford Focus automatic. We are...
I was looking at a used Volkswagen Touran but test-drove one and wasn't happy with it. As we are a four-member family, we don't really need seven seats, more a good size boot for weekend trips away. I...
I want to buy a vehicle to tow and launch my 18-foot boat. A front tow bar makes launching a breeze. I also want a second car suitable to for regular visits to the tip. The Defender 90 seems to be the...
Nearly three years ago I bought a new Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6HDI, plus the Citroen 3-year service agreement from a Citroen UK Main dealer in Coventry. The car has been excellent but sadly I cannot...
I watched your video on the BMW F25 X3. At the time of making the video the more powerful 3.0-litre engine was not available. Do you have any comments on this more powerful engine? The salesman at BMW...
My 17-year-old daughter has just started driving and I think it would be more cost effective to buy her a small car rather than try to insure her on the family car. Safety and reliability are definitely...
I am not a frequent motorway driver, but when I use the motorway system I endeavour to keep to the leftmost lane whenever possible. Sometimes this is not practical because as I catch up with slower vehicles,...
We purchased a secondhand Peugeot Partner Tepee S HDI in the autumn of 2010, and had no trouble with it until we took it for a service at an independent garage, having done 15,508 miles. The car had a...
My son's girlfriend has owned her SEAT Ibiza from new for the last four years. She has been insured with More Than for the last two and has seven years NCB. Her renewal was due on 29 October and documentation...
I have just purchased a Chevrolet Orlando with 235/45R18's. If I wanted deeper profile tyres do I need to change wheels? Also what would you recommend for winter with existing wheels? Different tyres,...
For two weeks I have seen the same person drive the wrong way around a local supermarket car park. Anyone can make a mistake so as I walked past I asked if he realised that it was one way. His astonishing...
I have the choice of buying either a new Mercedes E220 CDI or a Jaguar XF 2.2D. Which do you recommend please?
My Galaxy lost power and started making Thumping and knocking noises. pulled into services and had AA look at it, the turbo air intake looked as if smashed and had come away from the turbo... loss of...
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