Questions from June 2013
I purchased a 2004 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi five weeks ago from used car dealer. From the moment I got the car, it has had intermittent starting problems. I have returned to the garage five times now and...
I live in deepest, darkest Wales and need to replace my diesel Volkswagen Golf. It will not pass the next MoT and I'm looking for a used (or possibly new) hatchback within a budget of £12,000.
I drive...
A broker on AutoeBid is offering me a car sourced from a dealer, but first registered with another company. They have invoiced me in the name of this company and not the dealer. Is this correct? Should...
My 2011 Lexus GS is fitted with Dunlop SP Sport 2030 245/40 R18 93Y radials. What is the best tyre to fit for a comfortable (not sporty) ride? Thank you
I am retiring in a few weeks and want to change my car. I currently own a Volkswagen Passat diesel, but want something completely different after a run of horrific repair bills.
I need something reasonably...
What's the best first five door car to buy? I want one that doesn't look too old or unattractive, but isn't extremely expensive to run.
My distributor type fuel pump on my Renault Kangoo van has failed at 98,000 miles. The fault has been put down to ultra-low-sulfur diesel - apparently it lacks the lubricity these pumps need.
Unlike...
My Lexus has no spare tyre and is equipped instead with a pump and some Dunlop sealant for use in the case of non-catastrophic tyre deflation.
I've seen a product called 'Tyre Magic' which claims to be,...
I'm thinking of buying a Jaguar XK8 convertible, but can't stretch to the 5.0-litre, which model/year would be best and what should I look out for?
I am buying a car for my dad as I get a Ford discount through work and he has a bad credit rating. My dad will be the main driver and we will both drive the car equally, is this fronting?
Age, economics and common sense has prompted us to cut down from two cars to one. Our present cars are a 2009 Honda Jazz 1.4 EX (20,000 miles) and a 2005 Mercedes SLK 200, which has covered 18,000 miles.
A...
I asked earlier what would be a good attractive first car to buy and you guys recommended a Dacia Sandero Ambiance. I spoke to a friend who said the Dacia is for old people, can you recommend any more...
I had a car insurance policy with my son being a named driver. My son had a no fault accident and a fault accident - this insurance policy is now cancelled.
I have now been advised by the insurance company...
I have read with interest over recent months your readers' comments on the issues surrounding ANPR cameras operated by local authorities. We at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal often receive appeals from motorists...
I have a 2002 BMW 320d SE Tourer, E46 I think, now with 147,000 miles. I bought it in Nov 2007. After a £1500 bill to get it though its MoT my wife was driving the car and just 50 miles later she heard...
We have a 2008 Toyota Yaris SR VVT Auto (1296cc). We soon noticed there was always a sudden power loss immediately after a gear change, causing a momentary "lurch" until the power returned. I was interested...
We currently run a C-Class Mercedes on lease hire and the car has to be returned shortly. We are in the market for a replacement and have about £20,000 to spend on a nearly new car. We like the new model...
My soft-top BMW is garaged in an open car port (no doors, plenty of air circulating, but dusty, and bird droppings from nests, etc, and part of the back exposed to weather). Do you have any recommendations...
I'd like to give some praise to Honda. My wife bought her Honda Jazz CVT-7 a full six years ago, when it was one year old. It has been an excellent car, with no problems until 3 months ago when we noticed...
We have a 2012 KIA Sorento, bought new from Border Cars. The car has a permanent drift to the left. There is rarely a moment when it runs straight, even in the outside lanes of motorways where the trucks...
My Audi A3 1.4TFSI, bought new from Ridgeway Oxford Audi in 2010, was booked for its third service at 52,000 miles. Just before the service it developed a nasty noise when lifting off the accelerator in...
My noisy Jazz has been diagnosed with a worn bearing, which I am advised necessitates a replacement of all four bearings at a £1000 price tag. My car is a 2005 with 55,000 miles. I saw on your website...
I bought my Fiat Ducato 2.3-litre campervan three years ago when it was two years old with just over 5000 miles on the clock. Last October we came back from a holiday in France at a mileage of 20,000....
I have a 2000 Alfa Romeo 156 1.8 Twin Spark, which I bought three years ago. It seems to be an excellent example, as the only problem I have had with it was the expiration of the original Alfa battery...
I have just bought the latest (2007 edition) Highway Code for guidance on overtaking on the left and find Rules 267 and 268 confusing and conflicting. 267 says overtake only on the right, 268 says don't...
Do you think it would be worthwhile spending about £300 for normal type tyres to replace the current run-flat equivalents on a BMW 3 Series Tourer in an endeavour to obtain a softer ride? We are now in...
My son and daughter-in-law have two children under five and a BMW X5 equipped with car seats to transport them. They will soon have three children under five and they have been advised that three car seats...
I own a BMW 528i first registered in January 2000. It has done nearly 230,000 miles and has never let me down. For the past two or three years I have been considering buying a younger model (in fact possibly...
I currently run a 2006 Nissan 1.2 Spirita automatic. It has only done 28,000 miles and has always been properly serviced but I am worried about possible age-related expensive repairs. Would I be better...
I read with interest your replies about the diesel/petrol question and your recommendation of the Ford EcoBoost engines. I find the idea of these very attractive, especially the 1.0 EcoBoost in the Ford...
Our half mile dirt road drive (with various sizes of potholes) has finally got the better of our Ford Ka, which we use as a second car for commuting to the local railway station and as a general runabout....
My mum had a minor stroke recently, and wants to return to driving ASAP - she is 81 years old. I think the DVLA says you have to wait a minimum of a month, and I'm going to ask her GP to assess her first,...
Over many years I have averaged 50,000 miles per year and in later years in Mercedes E350 estates, both diesel and petrol. I currently have a 12-year-old Mercedes E350 Estate (petrol) and my wife has a...
My 6-year-old Daihatsu Terios (47,000 miles on the clock) has just had an annual service and MoT test. During this I was informed that the front brake pads needed replacing and agreed to this being done...
I could do with a little help regarding my brother’s 2007 Hyundai Tucson. He bought the car less than year ago from a franchised dealer in Norfolk and there is a problem with the automatic gearbox, which,...
I'm about to purchase a new Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre Venture with electric folding hardtop. I have been offered £11,500 for my August 2011 Ford Kuga (good condition), 23,000 miles. There is so much 'helpful'...
Is there such thing as a stylish and well designed car for a wheelchair passenger? We have glanced at the Fiat Qubo, Toyota Auris (with swivel seat), Skoda Roomster and Mercedes-Benz Vaneo. Have you any...
The time has arrived when I would like to treat myself to a bit of luxurious motoring. I want a comfortable, quiet, reliable saloon car, up to £25,000. Fuel economy is not an issue as I do not do many...
We have two fuel containers for emergency use in our cars, my husband’s being petrol and mine diesel. Is there any way of knowing which is which? We think they have been switched over after cleaning the...
I have a 2003 BMW that has for some time been showing a warning sign for the airbag. I called BMW but the price of having this examined to get a quote (not actually a repair) is almost as much as the...
I have owned a Fiat 500 1.2 Sport since 2008 – bought as an ex-demo and have been very happy with it. I like the way it looks and drives. However, due to being pregnant with our first child I have accepted...
I need a family hatchback for under £4000. I'm thinking that an Octavia is slightly too big for my needs and the Fabia doesn't get as good reviews. Is it worth considering a KIA cee’d 1.6 CRDi or a SEAT...
I am thinking of replacing my 89,000 mile 2004 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI with a similar car. I do about 9000 miles a year, mostly short runs. In view of your warnings about DPFs can you tell me at what point...
What are the pros and cons of different wheel sizes?
I am looking at a 2008 BMW 320d with 15,000 miles. The trouble is, it only has one stamp in the service book. Should engine oil be changed every year, regardless of miles done?
Last Friday I collected a 2006 motorhome based on a Renault Master 2.5 with 25,000 miles from a reputable dealer. From paying the deposit to collecting the vehicle took six weeks because I noticed when...
The 'start/stop' system on my new Volkswagen Golf TSI is operating very smoothly and presumably contributing to its relatively good urban fuel consumption. However, I recall some discussion about the risk...
My new Zafira Tourer comes on 17-inch wheels rather than 16-inch as on my Zafira B. If I wanted a softer ride, would 16-inch be ok on the Tourer? On the web seems it seems they are available but not in...
I have owned a Honda CRX for 24 years. It is due for some rust treatment and a respray later this month. However I am now 55 and my wife and friends feel that I should get a car more suitable for a middle...
I have the advantages of pure nitrogen in tyres from a leaflet from a tyre fitting centre. What in your view are the disadvantages? At £2.50 per wheel it seem at first to be a no-brainer but your view...
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