Questions from May 2013
I have owned a '58 Kia Cee'd CRDi GS from new and have covered 39k miles. My annual mileage is decreasing yearly and is around 8k. I am very happy with the performance and economy of the car but would...
I am considering buying a 2001 Y plate SLK Kompressor 2.3 Auto with 80,000 miles on the clock, a full service history and three previous owners. It would be as a second car to replace my Mk1 MX5 so I would...
I am a Parish Councillor in a Northumberland village and the County Highways have a policy to put in metre-wide speed humps as, they claim, inter alia, that full road-width humps are more damaging to things...
I am a young 78 years old and have owned a 2000 SAAB model 9-3 SE auto 5-door hatchback from new. It has 45k on the clock and is the best car I have ever owned. To me its comfort, reliability, practical...
I recently bought a used 58 plate Audi A4 avant from a dealer, less than three months ago.
A few weeks after buying it I noticed that at times it was sometimes quite hard to select first gear from stationary...
My girlfriend has a 2003 Renault Clio 1.2 Billabong, which is starting to cost more and more each year to maintain. We would probably only be able to match the amount that the Clio's worth to buy a new...
I'm looking to purchase either a crossover or 4 x 4 vehicle. My main criteria are: High ground clearance (farm roads, rough ground), comfort and either full 4x4 or intelligent 4x4 for snow, mud etc. I...
I recently purchased a BMW 320i SE which has daytime running lights which I am told by the dealer that you cannot turn off. I understand why you might need these while you are driving but they remain...
Front sunroof sticks when closed and opens like a rocket when it decides to open. Rear sunroof works perfectly.
My car - a Peugeot 307 - was running perfectly and as its a 2.0-litre diesel I put it in for a cam belt change at 91,000 miles. The car came back and didn't start, so I took it back to the garage. They...
My 2006 Bora has developed a problem with the boot. It won't open, not even with the key. Garage fixed the micro switch, but do not understand why it won't even work with the key. Any ideas?
What is the best small automatic car for economy, not with a EGS type jerky gearbox but conventional auto? Commute 20 miles both ways.
You recommended that fitting 15-inch wheels on a new-shape Hyundai i30 solves the handling/steering complaints. I'm going to take your advice.
But I was wondering how you arrived at your observation...
I have BMW X1 and for the last 2.5 years have had no problems, however when I start the car now I get a coiled coil indication on the dashboard that disappears when the car starts.
This has not appeared...
My father was involved in a minor accident waiting to cross the oncoming traffic ie. turning right. A lorry in front of him was doing the same and moved off. On doing so my father waited stationary in...
I am looking to buy a four-wheel drive vehicle and would consider the above. Value for money, economy and reliability. One important point is rear legroom whereas I believe the VW comes with adjustable...
My car always runs with the temp gauge on 1/4. Last night coming home, it kept going up to 1/2, then the fan came on and it went back to 1/4. This went on for about an hour, up and down. It was serviced...
I have an Audi A3 Cab 2.0L auto - efficient but dull. I dream of an SL level of car while just under 70 years old, but for the best engines we are looking at 2012+ and that costs mega-bucks with surprising...
You have previously given advice for our daughter, who has lived in Thailand for several years. Now she, her Thai partner and their baby son will live in the UK.
They need a car that is safe, has easy...
Do you think that a '10 VW Golf Bluemotion with over 60,000 will have any issues related to its high mileage? Also when would you recommend changing the cambelt?
I don't understand Ford's marketing policy and wonder if you can throw light on it. I want to buy a Fiesta Zetec 5 door with the Ecoboost 125PS engine. Trouble is it doesn't exist. Ford market this...
Is there a small car that has low insurance group, low tax, approx 1.4 engine, high mpg, out there?
My commute to work is on windy, narrow country roads, so I need something small but nippy, that handles...
I stupidly put petrol in my almost empty diesel car - about £3.50 worth before I realised. The 70 litre tank was almost empty. I didn't switch on the engine - some muscly men helped me move it out of...
My son owns a Vauxhall Combo Van which he uses for his work.
In 2009 he had to have a new ECU fitted which was carried out at a Vauxhall dealership using approved parts.
On friday last he had to be...
I am trying to buy a car for my daughter (Ford Focus C-Max 2004 2.0-litre TDCI, 88,500miles at £2800) from a private seller who says that he works for a garage. He said that the Focus came in as a part-exchange...
My sister aged 40 has just passed her driving test and needs a car to carry herself, her five-year-old daughter and her growing dog, so an estate or largish hatchback would seem to make sense. She will...
I have owned a 1993 Mitsubishi Sigma 3-litre estate for 15 years and now there are only about six left in England. Unfortunately the petrol tank has given way and leaks everywhere. I was wondering if this...
I wondered if you think it worth making a claim for compensation to a local council regarding damage to my car caused by a particular set of speed humps? In the past year, I have had three springs and...
Some years ago I was given a Trafficmaster device that gave timely warnings of motorway delays, etc. It still seems to activate but has not shown any signs of life on recent navigations of the M27/M25....
I have a 2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Taking golf clubs from the boot I noticed evidence of water and while washing the car I also discovered signs of paint bubbling on both side doors. Surface disruption...
My car is a Citroen Dyane, January 1981. It has 81,814 on the clock, shining buttercup yellow, bought new, always garaged with seat covers, so the original upholstery is pristine. It's regularly serviced...
I purchased a Volkswagen Passat CC two years ago. Volkswagen has contacted me to remind me of the second year service, which is now due. They also said that my aircon was due for a service at a special...
Since 1990 I have owned a 1988 Ford Sierra XR 4X4 that I used for many years in connection with my business. Consequently, I showed my office address as being applicable in relation to all queries for...
Less than three months ago my husband bought a newly converted campervan. It was a classified ad on an eBay business account stating it had a full engine and gearbox rebuild following a timing belt fail,...
I purchased a cigarette socket phone charger for my 2006 Volkswagen Polo. When plugging the charger into the socket in the dashboard console, with the engine switched off, the charger would not work. Once...
With advancing age I want to drive something smaller and more economical (presently I have a Mazda 6 2.0i) and am very interested in the Hyundai and Honda 1.6 diesels. Do they have DPFs and other expensive...
My wife and I are in our eighties and have been happy with our now 4-year-old Golf Plus (total miles 20,000) and much older Nissan Micra, both owned from new. However, we don’t need two cars any longer...
I have had a bad experience of a service plan with my father’s Volkswagen. Volkswagen does a fixed price two year plan at £379 which you pay up front in one go and which covers two services and two MOTs,...
I have noted owner’s comments about the 2005-11 Volkswagen Passat reliability problems. There seem to be very few about the post-2011 model and I am wondering if you have any feedback as to whether or...
My 2006 Renault Scenic Dynamique at 50,000 miles is due for a change. Could you suggest a suitable replacement? It needs to be able to carry two touring bikes inside, standing with the front wheels removed....
Just had a chat with an AA patrolman. He told us that fire-damaged window seals can kill you if you touch them.
Toyota (among others including Honda, Nissan and Mazda) is recalling 76,000 cars in the UK between 9 and 13 years old due to a possible fault with airbags. I understood that airbags are only expected ...
My wife drives a Toyota but it is not affected by the airbag recall. That said, I felt that all airbags need an examination after 10 years. So I think that the manufactures recalling cars for a potential...
With reference to the email about the variable speed signs on the M42, I have always understood these to be legally enforceable. However whilst obeying them I seem to get passed by a lot of vehicles clearly...
We hired a car in Italy last June and did a day trip to Florence. Whilst using our normally reliable satnav to find a parking area I recall driving through some narrow parts towards the centre of the city,...
My wife's car is 2004 Renault Megane Coupe Cabrio in excellent condition with 30,000 miles on the clock. We wish to trade it in for a smaller cheap-to-run car about three years old. The car should be auto,...
I read with interest your replies to AB and JD about the advisability of franchised dealer servicing in order to keep a new car warranty valid. Over the years I have experienced the efforts of both franchised...
I am thinking of buying a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 Equipe. Can you give me your view on build quality, dependability and durability please? I am paying £4000 and it has done 24,000 miles.
We recently purchased a 2002 Mini One for my daughter who will soon be 17. In general, for her first insurance, where would you suggest going without a rip-off premium and, in particular, are there any...
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