Questions from April 2009
I would much appreciate your advice. I bought a 2003 BMW E46 M3 from a Honda dealership a few weeks ago. A "safety check", including a brake inspection, (agreed as part of the sale) was performed prior...
I bought a second-hand (2004) Audi A4 Avant 2.5tdi just over a year ago. It was bought on HP over a 3 year period. The dealer said at the time that if I wanted to hand it back, I could do this after 18...
I note that one of your correspondents recently described his/her Honda Jazz as “a heap of unreliable junk”. Can I add my name to the list of dissatisfied owners? My 1.4 Jazz, first registered in May 2005,...
I have recently been informed from Essex Trading Standards that the car dealer from whom I bought my car is under investigation for tampering with car mileage and that my car is one of the vehicles under...
I have decided on a MINI Cooper. Hopefully fun, but more practical than a Mazda MX5. There are two or three 2005 to 2006 Electric Blue and Hyper Blue examples at pretty much the same price depending on...
I have been actively considering swapping my elderly 1998 Volvo 940 2.3Lpt Celebration Estate (only 73kmiles) for something newer as the time is supposedly better than ever to buy a new car. I’m a lifelong...
I am looking for a medium sized car that is comfortable to drive. Most makes have stiff suspension, sports seats and the like. Why? I drive a 2004 Ford Focus and the suspension is stiff, giving a bumpy...
I remember some discussion in your column of the tendency of a certain era of Mercedes to be extremely rust prone. In our extended family we have an 18 year old Volvo 760 estate, a 14 year old Peugeot...
I purchased a demonstrator Mercedes A180CDI auto with 9,500 miles in late June from a main dealer and have put on a further 6,000 miles. The fuel economy has always been disappointing, averaging 41.2mpg,...
Seeing you refer to the Hyundai i20 returning "more than 50mpg" I wondered if it has the same 1,248cc engine as our recently purchased i10. Our only disappointment with this excellent little car is the...
Like your recent correspondent I too have been offered a Speed Awareness course for doing 38mph on a recently reduced speed section of dual carriageway. The offer has been made by our euphemistically named...
A couple of colleagues reckon that there is a wide variation in the margin of error allowed in the despatching of pump fuel. One colleague reckons that he does not get as much Shell per litre as he does...
I own a 2002, 8,000 mile 3 door Honda Civic 1.4 Vision (bought privately from a "one lady owner). It’s fully serviced, timing belt changed etc., and body in perfect condition). The electric power assistance...
Earlier this week a BT van ran into the back of my two year old BMW 525. I immediately contacted Footman James my brokers who then handed the matter over to Helphire. They have sent me hiring agreements,...
The bottom line is I spent £32,000 on a Porsche 997 that after 3 months ownership and 2,000 miles now needs £8,700 spent on it for an engine rebuild. Porsche is saying "nothing to do with me", and the...
I write to beg your help and advice on the tyre noise and harshness problem with my otherwise perfect Mercedes C320 CDI estate. The tranquillity in this car is utterly ruined by this idiotic tyre fit,...
I have been trying to trade in my 2004 Ford Focus 1.6 auto Ghia estate with 19,000 on the clock in A1 condition for a used C Max but only get offers around £3,000. I got a better quote from www.webuyanycar.com...
I got rid of a rusty 2001 Merc and have a new 2009 Ford. Can you advise me on a polish/paint protector as I leave the car out in the elements quite a lot? You have mentioned in your Telegraph motoring...
H.M. Swindon is another brain dead driver. I bet he shops at Asda every week a mile down the road. If only people like him would take more interest in what is happening they would realise just what this...
A couple of years ago I bought a top of the range RAC boxed and branded 220 Satnav unit. I bought it for the large screen, high quality build and very easy operation. I now find that it was produced on...
I have the opportunity to trade in my 2008 Mondeo Ghia estate for an 2008 Titanium X estate. I note these come with 18-inch wheels but I am concerned about the ride quality. Should I be? Also, the version...
I am a district nurse and looking to renew my work supplied lease car. I currently have a Toyota Verso. I still need a moderately sized car with the option of seven seats for additional family/friends....
I read your column and noticed your reply to D.O. of Barnsley. I accept that the current 'regime' uses motorists as cash cows, yet I'm unable to find any policy difference of the opposition with regard...
We are looking to trade in our old SAAB and get a double cab pick-up. We will be using it for collecting wood, round hay bales, travelling across fields, towing an open trailer and going up and down the...
I recently tried the latest version of the automatic Jazz and was extremely disappointed with the resultant delays between the gears - nowhere near as smooth as the old type. I note you mentioned that...
I'm sure you have had lots on this subject, but now the obsession seems to be rows of LEDs as well. Audis are especially guilty. Why are they so bright. Keep highlighting (No pun intended) the issue, as...
No question, your weekly feature in the Telegraphic Motoring section of that newspaper is always a good read regardless of what make of vehicle you drive. However, as a completely satisfied owner of a...
Whenever I fear I might risk creeping above the speed limit, especially on the M25 (when it’s moving), I activate cruise control and my worries are removed. It's a wonderful invention and I'm sure I would...
I am looking for a small car with automatic transmission for my daughter and would appreciate a short list from you based on reliability. We will probably go for a nearly new/ 1 year old model.
What is the best way to sell a 2,200 mile 2008/08 ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH 5,900 cc S V12 2+2, and what sort of price should I be looking for? The spec reads: Automatic, Oynx Black, Air Conditioning, Airbags,...
I presently have a 320i BMW Sport Touring, which I bought new in March 04. My wife is finding the ride rather hard now and also the low entry a little difficult. We do have a dog and tow a caravan (MTPLM...
I own a 2004/54 Audi TT 3.2 litre DSG, now at 40,000 miles. For some weeks I have noticed the water in the header tank is more like light brown soup with a touch of foam for good measure. A local dealer...
I was trying to buy a new Mercedes Vito Dualiner, but the dealership has sadly gone under. I have since heard that there have been a lot of problems with Vitos and I would be much better off with a VW...
I’ve just taken delivery of a 2008 BMW 535d Touring with only 600 miles on the clock. The consumption readout says 30mpg at 60-70 mph on the motorway. My previous 2007 335d Touring (pre-Efficient Dynamics)...
I thought you might want to see something from the BMW E92 forum. Quite a large percentage of owners with 19" M sport 225M wheels have suffered from cracks and BMW is denying blame. One poster on the BMW...
A friend paid a £13k deposit on a new Aston Martin DB9 and was put on the year or so long waiting list. When he went to collect his car a couple of months ago, the price had dropped by 20% but Aston are...
I need to replace the cambelt on my Audi and this work will be done in Spain. Can you tell me the Spanish name for this part? I e-mailed Audi but they replied in German with no Spanish equivalent! Many...
I was interested in your response to a reader suffering a Turbo trouble with a Nissan X-Trail. The turbo and intercooler on my 2005 X-Trail were replaced by our local main dealer in December 2007 at 42,000...
Could you remind people to check the details on their motor insurance certificates. For some years my wife has had 2 policies with Churchill in her name with me as a named driver. Up until now the details...
My SEAT Leon TD has now reached 241,000 miles and is still doing 50mpg and 1litre oil per 10,000 miles. However, although the engine remains terrific, the rest of the car is starting to disintegrate around...
We have just had our much loved Mondeo Ghia estate written off by a "sorry I didn't see you” driver - fortunately no serious injuries, but a big bang. As a result we need a replacement quite quickly. We...
My daughter is celebrating her 30th birthday soon and we were looking for an unsual gift. As she loves driving, we thought of a track day surprise and wondered if you could advise where we should start...
I need some advice on my 2004 Mondeo TDCI auto. It’s done 74,000 miles. From cold, it starts, but blue smoke fills the road and it runs roughly. When driving at any speed it will hold back and yet again...
I filled up my 2007 Mondeo TDCI with diesel as usual. Over a period of 4 days, including long distance motorway, running I experienced a number of issues. I had trouble starting, the engine would rev on...
HJ’s HAT (Highly Approved Trader) Standard is a great idea, not before time. I would like to nominate Bird & Yates, which was a traditional very old BMC franchise in Cannock but was redeveloped into a...
I have had a Jazz for nearly 6 years now and it has been consistently good as you have always said. However, with age approaching, getting into the car is more difficult as flexibility diminishes. Are...
I have just been given the highest rate of DLA mobility allowance and therefore am entitled to make use of Motability. Is it worth me doing this? At the moment my 2006 Focus 1.6 Zetec Automatic is behaving...
It’s interesting to see the re-birth of the Audi A4 B7 as a SEAT Exeo. My A4 is an 04 with Multitronic. Last month the temperature gauge went mad, reading anything from zero to 90C. Forums accessed by...
I have three cars to sort out since my husband’s recent death
1. 2005 Citroen Picasso 1.6 HDI Exclusive with glass roof. 45,000 miles. 2. 2003 Honda Jazz 1.4 SE 61,000 miles. 3. 1926 Austin Clifton 12/4...
I live within a half mile of Fawley refinery yet have to pay between 2 and 3 pence per litre MORE for petrol or diesel at nearby filling stations than the good burghers of Salisbury, some 25 miles further...
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