Questions from June 2011
We purchased a used Jeep Commander from a main dealer about 6 weeks ago. We asked at the time how many owners it had and were told that they had just collected it from another dealer who had taken it as...
The main agent serviced my C30 under warranty. There is a whirring sound which has been diagnosed by two mechanics as coming from the gearbox. They say a new gearbox is required. Mileage is less than...
I have recently bought a 1998 S reg Corsa Breeze 1.7 diesel. The car has been absolutely fine, however whilst driving it there was a sudden jerk and lost all speed. Naturally I pulled over immediately...
I bought Ford Fiesta 1.4 2002 from an auction. When I tried to service the car the spark plug snapped, which I removed with an appropriate extractor. Then I serviced the car and took it for an MOT...
I am looking to buy a car that will be used 5 days a week, 115 miles a day. Pretty much straight run: motorway and major A roads (very few/infrequent stoppages). The main criteria I have are: - High MPG -...
I own a Peugeot 307 HDI 110 2002. Management light on permanently (message comes as: antipolution fault & ESP no function). I plugged it on computer and it comes up with: P0246 Turbo Pressure, P0401...
I own a March 08 VW Golf 1.4 TSi GT 170 which is now just over 3 years old, has covered 24,000 miles and been maintained on the VW three year maintenance plan. Earlier this week the car ground to a halt...
I parked at Birmingham Airport on the 21 May 2011 at the end of a parking row between a fence and the last marked parking bay, I did not feel I was damaging property or obstructing or inconveniencing any...
I was initially planning to buy a new 508 saloon, but my father is driving a Mazda 6 (version 1 from 2009 - not the facelifted version). So we went to try out a new 2011 Mazda 6 sport and I have to say...
I might buy an Audi A4 1.8T or 2.0T, or an A6 2.7 diesel. There seem to be a bewildering array of auto boxes available! Am I right in saying the Multironic is CVT type box with good economy and performance...
I need to pump up the (standard) front tyres on my 2007 VW Golf every couple of weeks. The tyres and valves have been replaced but the problem persists. Kwik-Fit were stumped. I don't do may miles but...
My uncle who is a car salesman recommended this site for someone who knows very little about how to acquire the cheapest insurance and car for my age (17). I'm just looking for overall advice on getting...
Am I mad? I am considering buying a BMW Compact for my son as a first car. We have explored all the normal ones, Fiesta, Ka, etc. and the insurance is not much more (£40-£150) as he has 2 years driving...
I have just bought a Vectra from a dealer, the dealer provided it with a third party warranty covering up to £500 parts and labour. Within 6 days of ownership and less than 200 miles the water pump has...
My wife was in the third car of a five car accident over a year ago. Our car was written off. We believe that the car at the back was responsible for the accident and evidence points to that. However,...
In March 2010 we ordered a Qashqai 2.0 petrol auto/cvt. 15 months on we are still waiting. Our dealer here in Spain now wants us to negotiate to upgrade to the diesel as he says he can get us a delivery...
I purchased the Mondeo on your recommendation new in 2004. I have been very pleased overall with the car. It's reasonably ecomomical, fast enough, comfortable and spacious for its size and I want to...
I recently bought a mesh infill for the grille on my S Type Jag; all above board - reputable specialist supplier etc. I thought I should tell my insurer of the 'modification' rather than have it come back...
I was driving off a small private car park (which serves a Blockbuster Video store, to which I had just returned dvds) when a large, steel security gate at the end of the building, (which is supposed to...
Finally I have made my mind up to go for a used Mondeo estate, about 1 year old. I have discovered about possible problems with the DPF, as I would only be doing approx 3,000 to 4,000 miles per year, mostly...
It seems that I have been taken for a ride. I bought a car off the internet with the advert stating it had a new MOT. I spoke to the guy, who said the clutch went on his way home after he MOT'd the van....
Back in March this year I placed an order for a Mazda 6 with a specification that meant that the car would have to be built. At that time a 4 month lead time was mentioned. This has subsequently become...
I've been following the Clause 56 of The Protection of Freedoms Bill here and in the DT with interest. Since the riots and subsequent e-petition showing that for once the British People seem to be able...
I have recently purchased, for a bargain price, a Ford F350 American pick-up truck. It has a 7.3 litre turbocharged diesel engine. I use the truck for hauling horseboxes and other heavy trailers. I find...
My husband saw an article by you in the Telegraph a little while ago about a scam involving insurance companies and car hire costs whilst your car is being repaired. We are experiencing this with SAGA...
Regarding battery leakdowns, I have a friend who is a modern auto electrician, by which I mean he has all the latest kit code readers, etc., but for a suspect earth he does the following: Connect a multi...
I was interested to read the letter from your correspondent regarding the illness he picked up from his car's air-con. However, of far greater concern to me is the health hazards that lie within the windscreen...
I currently have a BMW Z4 coupe (57 - Dec 2007, 3.0 Sport manual, FSH, 44k), which I would like to change. I recently drove the new Z4 35i and was unimpressed. I probably will buy a Porsche Boxter S that...
My wife and I had a good chuckle over one of your readers experience with a tipsy council official. We attended an official council event once, and were quite staggered by the volume of expensive wines...
My son has recently sold his car and had trouble because the purchaser had learned from DVLA or such that the mileage was 70,000 more than the odometer in the car. The odometer reading was correct. It...
You often champion the cause about the insurance scams that are forcing up our annual premiums. Mine has risen 36% this year, so with last years increase it will double every 3rd year. Your colleague ‘Mr...
I had been procrastinating over the disposal of my old BMW for some time fearing DVLA bureaucracy, dodgy car breakers and other barriers to the whole operation. Having become exasperated by my lack of...
I drive a Mercedes CLK here in Lancashire and journey down to London. I fancy a small electric car to use in central London. I like the vehicle Andrew Marr drives around London. It looks vintage but I...
After arriving at Murcia airport recently for a family holiday to La Manga I was shocked to discover that the hire car company would charge me 100 Euros for a full tank of fuel and informed me that I could...
I have seen in your section previously a recommendation for European breakdown cover. I am driving down to Spain for a month and would like to get cover. Which company do you recommend?
I took my Mazda 6 (2.0 litre petrol) in for its annual service to the local dealer recently and was advised to include a new petrol additive called TuneUp at a cost of about £15 (when VAT is included)....
I love my 6-year-old Yaris automatic. But I need a small auto to carry my husband to hospital and a little higher seat. It must be a more comfortable ride as he has cancer is in his bones and he feels...
On a recent touring holiday in the Scotland we were unfortunate to blow a head gasket whilst on the Isle of Mull. As members of the RAC (including recovery) we thought we were fully covered. Err no. RAC...
I need some advice about my son who recently bought a second hand 2003 Ford Mondeo from a dealer. He paid about £2,000 (half cash and half credit card). The car had done about 90k miles and seemed OK....
I'd advise long-standing AA members to make sure they are getting the best price each year. I was quoted £176.56 this month for my annual roadside, homestart, relay renewal and saw £99 quoted on the web...
My wife recently took her VW 1.4 Polo in to the local VW Garage for its 4-year annual service. On collection she was told that in one months time, when the car would be exactly four years old, it would...
I was recommended to email you by a friend. I recently sold my car and sent off the green slip (V5C) to the DVLA for the logbook to be changed to the new owners name. I sent this the next day after I had...
Our 2004 Ford C-Max 1.6TDCI CVT had completed 74,000 miles when the gearbox failed whilst on the second day of a holiday in Wales. The RAC was called out to the car and after testing advised that the car...
Having recently put unleaded into a diesel car, (luckily not started it) I am interested to know if you can get any "retro fit" devices to prevent this happening again? Is there something that can be fitted...
My dad is disabled and we parked in a B&Q car park. We used his blue badge but also purchased a ticket as well as we have been told to do this by attendants. We went over by 44 minutes on the purchased...
Mazda is making a leaflet available in their dealers claiming that they will handle all aspects of insurance claims for Mazda owners if they are contacted before the insurance company. This seems an excellent...
I know from past columns you have written that you often visit Thailand and therefore you are familiar with the driving regulations. I have been on holiday there on a number of occasions but never driven....
Your letter from ES reminded me of my own experience with Helphire. My car, a C Class Merc, the cooking version, was scraped on the nearside by a bus as it pushed into a slow moving queue when the bus...
My 2009 Yaris was damaged in a doctor’s car park yesterday. The event was witnessed and the elderly disabled driver waited until I came out and gave me his insurance details, however I contacted my insurance...
I am looking to buy my first car. I'm a 21-year-old female and have had my driving licence since 2008. My budget is maximum £5000 to include insurance as well. I'm looking at the Volkswagen Urban Fox,...
 

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