Trending topics in March 2009
Questions from March 2009
I have a Y reg Rover 75 2 litre diesel with 81,000 miles. I like the car and want to keep it. I am 77 and only do about 5,000 – 6,000 miles a year with the car standing idle for sometimes five or six days...
At a fuel station, a customer filling with fuel at one pump could give the cashier an alternate pump reading (if he assumed it be less than his own) and get away with paying less.
We bought a new Mk IV Golf in October 1988. At a service in early 2001 at 40,000 miles the VW garage said all 4 discs were worn and wanted lots of money for replacements. The pads were ok. We argued that...
I currently drive a company BMW120d that is coming to the end of its lease. To be honest, I have not been that impressed. There has been an element of politeness on the road for a BMW and the power is...
A couple of months ago I made a round trip from Stansted to Croydon and back. I passed over Tower Bridge at 01.00am on the return journey. Shortly after, I received notification that I was to be prosecuted...
I have read some articles on your website with regard to car warranties and note that you recommend Warranty Direct from whom I have had a quote. I have now compared it to Tesco's car warranty and to me...
Having read your car-by-car breakdown I think you’re bang on the money about the two cars we currently have. I would appreciate some advice over a new car. My requirements are: I am quite tall at 6ft and...
My wife purchased a Toyota Yaris T Sport in May 2002 and since then we seem to have had nothing but trouble with the front and rear discs and pads. We have always used the Toyota main agent and when we...
A nearby town has a bus lane that operates on weekdays between the hours of 7am and 7pm. I often drive through after 7pm and on Sundays. During these off-peak times I cannot understand why motorists insist...
I am considering buying a Honda S2000 pre-registered with 50 miles.
Looking on Autotrader I see a 2008/58 S2000, 6 delivery miles at £24,989, and then I see S2000s ranging down to 2009/58 5 delivery miles...
I need to insure three cars and a motorbike, to be driven by both my wife and me. You have recommended Primo plc in the past. Do you know of anybody else who might cover such a combination of vehicles...
My car is fitted with 245/40R18 Goodyear run-flat tyres and the wheels have cracked. They came as a basic BMW option. The car is a 525d with standard suspension. A very comfortable family car. Definitely...
I’ve just written off my 2004/54 Ford C-Max with floodwater. I’m waiting for an insurance offer. I found the C-Max good because of excellent mpg, but would have liked a bigger boot area for business goods....
I've read stories before about McDonald's fining people for taking too long over their meal, but I've just found a new variation. I went to a McDonald's on February 4th; two days ago they sent me a £50...
Without a doubt switching on dipped lights in poor light conditions is a good safety feature. However it seems more and more people persist in having fog lights on as well. In daylight hours do drivers...
I own a year 2000 Volvo V70 Estate, and am having trouble starting. Sometimes the engine will fire and run for about two seconds and then cut out as though it was starved of fuel. At this point if I lock...
My ceiling partially fell down and damaged many items. I am still waiting to hear what and if they will pay me out on these items. BUT they are not paying me to have the ceiling replaced because I cannot...
I've been looking for an auto diesel estate to use as a family hack and occasional load lugger to the south of France. There are two contenders that are available, both from non-specialist dealers. One...
I presently drive a 12-year-old Vauxhall Corsa Vegas (mine from new), which has yet to reach 26,000 miles on the clock. However I suspect that despite its low mileage it will need to be replaced in the...
I bought 2 year old a Nissan Micra from Nissan last April. It had just had its M2 service. Within a month or so I took it back as the brake warning light kept coming on. The head of service said it’s just...
The email from BK (Smack, the knife, 21 February 2009) prompted me to relate my experience of the all-too-common supermarket carpark shunt. When another party backed into my car, they freely admitted liability,...
I have a deadly serious problem with the EPS on my 2003/53 Vauxhall Meriva. The power steering cuts out as I'm driving along. This has happened many times. This is DEADLY. There should be a factory recall...
I currently own a Ford Mondeo 2.5 Ghia X 5-door hatchback (March 04), which I purchased as a Ford Direct Car in Feb 2005. The car was a Ford management car and has sat nav, sunroof, rear park assist, plus...
You regard speeding fixed penalties as bribes. I see them as alternatives to those who admit the offence to have their case settled without having to go to court. Rarely is there greater evidence of guilt...
A friend came to help us prepare for a big party and went to the local M&S to pick up some pre-ordered food (£200 worth). She unthinkingly parked in their disabled space and went to collect the food. She...
I was thinking of changing my 2005/05 Jazz 1.4 SE DSi 5d CVT-7 for the new Jazz. I road tested the new model and agree the performance, ride and steering have improved although I thought the dash overcomplicated....
In one of your columns you gave advice to someone who wished to buy a used LH drive car here for use on the Continent. I have friend who needs to do this, preferably a Citroen, Peugeot or Renault for use...
In the past when older motorists like me hark back and wonder none of the major manufacturers produce a less complex car than is currently on offer with the advantage of ridding them of some of the weight...
I would like to share my recent experience if Alfa Romeo. I had a three-and-a-half year old Alfa 147 1.9 MJET 16V diesel that had done 53,000 miles and was 6-months outside the standard warranty. On a...
Can you please help. We have a member of staff that has back problems and needs good lumbar support. She has so far rejected the Ford Focus and a VW Golf. Any ideas for a car that will help in the same...
I have a new model Audi A4 2.7TDI auto, which I bought new last April. I have had automatics for over 30 years, and when taking your foot of the throttle in Drive, you coast, no braking effect as in a...
I own a 2002 Yaris 1.3 auto from new, which has now done 26,000 miles. I thought should change my motor for a new Yaris. I am 77 - maybe five more road years left in me (not the car).
Whilst searching for a replacement car, I have been confused by a proliferation of terms used to describe engine power. I have seen: Brake Horsepower, PS and Kilowatts. What is the relationship between...
I have a L-reg W124 Mercedes E220 coupe which has 100k on the clock. It’s red with full black leather interior. The car has given me no problems at all during four years of daily use and it was owned...
Your recent correspondent from Uckfield who discovered that the VW dealer who performed an oil change charged him for 4.5 litres of oil when the sump capacity was 3.5 litres is not alone. My Golf was recently...
I have owned a 1966 Volvo 960 saloon for 5 years and done 40,000 miles. Total mileage is now 88,000 with full Volvo service history. The car runs well, is well-equipped and comfortable to drive. Next year...
I have a question regarding my 2002 Mercedes SLK 320 manual. Over a period of 2 years the car has failed a total of 6 times. On the first 3 occurrences the car would not start after a short break. Engine...
The Police here (Dyfed-Powys Police) are running a campaign "Get Insured or Get it Seized" which highlights their powers to seize vehicles that are on the roads unlawfully, such as when there is no valid...
Mindful of my duty to inform my motor insurer of any change of circumstances, I recently contacted Tesco Motor Insurance to notify them I had just been made redundant from my position as a customer service...
You may recall I wrote to you having purchased a Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 diesel on the mpg representations made to me. I took the case to court on 8th December 2008, Case no 8SN01238 and won the case....
Several months ago, both my personal cars suffered damage on local roads due to potholes and obstructions (granite boulder / set) in the road. I have since filled in forms and sent these off to the council...
I have a 2003 BMW 5 Series. About a year ago I had a warning that the driver's airbag was faulty. My BMW dealer checked and confirmed that the airbag was functioning properly and reset the warning light....
I ordered a new Skoda Superb SE Diesel 170HP DSG from Meadens Skoda, Sway, Hampshire for delivery 1st March 2009. They have offered to give the vehicle the "Auto Glym Treatment" for £249 including a large...
While on holiday recently in Turkey, I noticed that many city traffic lights had an additional signal giving the time in seconds to the next phase change. Our tour guide said this extra information had...
Two weeks after buying a new Subaru Legacy I was rear-ended and sustained considerable damage. Norwich Union paid for the repair on behalf of the other driver. This involved the supply, spraying and fitting...
I had the rear brake pads and discs replaced on my 2007 Vectra. Am I correct in thinking that the discs only get damaged and hence need replacing if the pads are not repaired in time? I am thinking of...
I just got my first experience of driving my C-Max 2.0 TDCI Titanium on snow-covered roads. I’ve been driving for 50 years, last 10 in a Volvo V40 and needed to change to something like the C-Max to get...
My wife's car was due for its MOT. I called the garage that we bought the car from as it had been serviced and MOTd by them since new (52 reg). Normally we have a courtesy car, but on this occasion they...
I'm emigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada, and will be looking to buy a cheapish second-hand pick up or SUV. Should I go for North American (V6, V8?) muscle and cheap parts? Or Japanese reliability and expensive...
My son and I are desperately in need of some advice and I wondered if you could please help. Two weeks ago, my son bought a used Rover 75 from a local dealer. The car is an '02' plate 75 Classic CDT SE...
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