Trending topics in March 2015
Questions from March 2015
The fan on my 2005 Citroen C3 is stuck on, even after I turn the ignition off. The coolant levels are fine and I was forced to disconnect the large multi plug fitted on the cooling fan housing. I reconnect...
I bought a reconditioned engine last week from a specialist supplier. However, after my local mechanic fitted the engine, it was diagnosed with a leaking head gasket.
The engine supplier is offering to...
My 2006 Kia Sportage diesel has 70,000 miles on the clock and is due for its major service, which will cost around £1000. Should I pay for the maintenance or sell and buy something else?
I am getting on in years and am not as flexible as I was. As a result I need to get a newer car with a higher riding position for access and egress. Will the SEAT Altea XL fulfil these requirements?
Is the Citroen/Peugeot Blue HDi 120 S&S worth the extra £850 over the older e-HDi 115 S&S engine in, say, the 2008?
In your opinion, is the 125PS engine in the Ford Fiesta 1.0 worth the extra over the 100PS version? I had a test drive of the 100 Titanium today and the salesman tried to steer me away from the 125 versions....
The bonnet of my 2013 Ford Fiesta isn't big, but it drops away and makes it difficult to estimate where the front end is. Any recommendations on suppliers, makes and fitting of aftermarket parking sensors...
I am interested in buying a Volkswagen Polo Match with low mileage but first registered in 2008. It currently has 3500 miles and has been used by an elderly lady. It has a full service history and all...
I haven't owned a diesel car before, but last week bought a 2014 Audi A5 2.0 TDI. A friend advises that I should let this car (with 1200 miles on the clock) idle for five minutes on the drive after using...
I was looking at your Real MPG section and checked my 2007 Nissan Qashqai; it shows a Real MPG of 47mpg which is not that great really I think. I drive the car like how it's supposed to be driven, change...
After 220,000 miles, I've decided to get rid of my Mk3 Ford Mondeo TDCi estate. What offers similar handling and comfort? I need a car that will last 10 years and suit up to 20,000 miles a year. I have...
I'm thinking about changing my 2006 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI for a Rover 75 2.5 V6 Automatic 2001, is this a good idea or am I mad to buy an older car?
I bought a Peugeot 308 four months ago and have clocked up 1000 miles. My average fuel consumption has been 33mpg at an average speed of 20mph. Is this really the best the car can achieve for town driving?...
I'm thinking of selling or trading my 2008 MINI Convertible with 13,000 miles and a full service history. Would I get better price by trading or private sale?
My wife has owned her 2011 MINI One D from new. The other day the car started making a rattle from the rear driver's side. Upon closer inspection the bolt holding the bracket supporting the fuel tank to...
I cannot find the air conditioning pollen filter (nor can any body else) on my 2006 Nissan X-Trail. Can you help because the unit is starting to smell!
I have seen a Ford Puma for sale. The car is a 2000 model with a 1.7 petrol engine with 46,000 miles on the clock. The seller wants £750, which seems quite cheap. Do you think this is a good buy? Is there...
My mother is looking to buy a Toyota Auris 1.8 VVTi Hybrid T4 CVT Auto (2011 model) with 43,000 miles on the clock. What are the pros and cons of a hybrid this age?
She mainly drives around town on short...
My three year old Nissan Qashqai was serviced several days ago at a local dealer. The following day a warning light came on. I checked the oil level and found that it has been overfilled by 5mm, do you...
The repayment deal on my existing Honda Jazz Will finish in September 2015 and the dealers are obviously desperate to sell new cars because I've been made a rather good deal on a new car. The offer is...
My Mazda 3 has gone into limp home mode twice and diagnostics indicate it is a damaged injector. The injector has been changed by Mazda but the car went into limp home mode again today.
The issue happens...
I recently had my car stolen and accepted an insurance settlement. However, while waiting for the payment, my car was found. But I do not want it back as it would have a stolen/recovered on its record....
My Skoda Octavia is currently on Continental Sport Contact 2, 205/55 R16 91V tyres, which seem very noisy on rougher tarmac. Is there an economical 'quieter' alternative?
We returned from a two week holiday to find our car missing. We told the police and they recorded it as stolen. An hour later they phoned to say the electric company had moved it for emergency work. The...
I want to buy a new car and have narrowed my shortlist down to the Audi A3 Sportback SE and the Volkswagen Golf Match - both five-door, petrol 1.4 (manual). The Golf comes with all the extras I want,...
My Mercedes-Benz C-Class has cracked the oil pipes on the gearbox. I ran out of oil and broke down. Will this have coursed damage to the gearbox?
I currently drive a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 automatic and find it struggles for performance on the motorway. As a result, I would like to trade it in for something a bit more powerful.
I like the Audi A3...
I own a Fiat 500S with the TwinAir 105PS engine. However, when I accelerate above 4000 revs, the car hits a flat spot in the power band. The power does recover, but the car is hopeless for overtaking and...
I would be grateful for your advice on buying a car on a budget of £2000 for mainly city driving but also the odd long-distance motorway journey.
I would like a car that is cheap to run and maintain but...
My 1986 Porsche 944 has been standing all through the winter. I reconnected a fully charged battery and tried to start it but the revs drop and then the engine cuts out. Do you know what the problem may...
On the subject of DPF removal, which you covered recently, how would I know if the DPF is still intact on my car, a Citroen C6 2.7HDi? I read that it can be removed and everything welded back so as to...
I am considering buying a 2002 (Japanese) imported Honda Insight. The garage tells me the road tax is around £130 even though the CO2 emission is less than 100g/km. Is there anything I can do to get this...
My five year old Ford Kuga with 48,000 miles on the clock requires a new engine. Ford doesn't think this is unreasonable and refuses to pay for the repairs.
It has been serviced according to the manufacturer's...
I have a 2012 Lexus GS300h with 18-inch wheels. If I have 17-inch wheels fitted,would the ride be significantly better and worth the cost? Will it impact the warranty?
I have a 2002 Hyundai Getz 1.1 petrol. Recently since filling up I’ve noticed some differences. Although I rate the fuel to the issue, it didn’t happen at roughly the same time. Recently the vehicle has...
Is it wise to buy a Ford Mondeo (2010 model) with 155,000 miles on the clock?
I have paid the deposit on a new Skoda Fabia 2015 but have been asked by the dealer to take out insurance by the end of this month, so they can put the sale thru their books and meet sales targets. I do...
I've just ordered a new Hyundai i10 Premium which comes with 14-inch alloy wheels that look very small. I wanted to specify Hyundai's 15-inch alloys that appear in most brochure pictures for the car -...
I have been looking for a large estate or SUV - I have seen a 2007 Lexus RX 400h advertised with 45,000 on the clock for £14,600 by a Lexus dealer - full history with services having been carried out annually....
I have recently bought a four year old Volkswagen Touran 1.6 TDi with 17,000 miles on the clock and a full service history.
The issue of DPF comes up on your site often and this is raising concerns.
1)...
I have a 2003 Ford Focus 1.8 diesel 115 and a few weeks ago the turbo went on it. I had a recon turbo fitted by my local mechanic, he also cleaned out the intercooler, pipes, sump etc. However, upon starting...
Has my 2002 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI blown a head gasket? There is water build up in the tray at the front driver's/coolant tank side of engine. The car doesn't overheat, nor is there any milky oil or excessive...
I have a SEAT Ibiza (2010 model) and the heater doesn't warm up. I turned the heat up to 28 and it blows out cold air. I have been in the car 30 minutes and it still continues to do this. Can you help?
We need to buy our daughter's first car. Can you recommend something that's compact, but well screwed together?
What setting is it on new cars that allows them to drive with their front head lights on, but no rear lights? I have noticed this a lot, especially in the fog and rain. I assume it some kind of automatic...
In June I am taking delivery of a new BMW X4, which will cost around £43,000. My existing BMW is insured with a company that's recommended by the dealer. My question is: do I also need to take out GAP...
I have bought an 11 month old BMW 1 Series from a main dealer. It was advertised as having front and rear parking sensors, but when I got home I discovered that the front sensors were missing.
I have...
I need to replace my 2003 Citroen Berlingo Multispace. the car is used for town driving, with the occasional long trip. I've looked at the new Berlingo, but it has poor petrol options. I've also considered...
I own a low-mileage 2011 Mercedes-Benz E500 convertible that has a full service history. It has a front wind-deflector at the top of the windscreen - activated via a push-button in the centre console -...
My Toyota Urban Cruiser has done 51,000 miles, is on a 2009 plate and the joint between the back box and the remainder of the system has corroded through and is now detached. Should I have expected it...
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