Questions from April 2009
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 would like to make everybody aware of the hassle that can evolve from accepting a credit hire car after an accident. My first advice is, don't. Mine was delivered a day later than asked for, came with...
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,...
You are, it would appear, always right. "Smug of Suffolk" here has just been snapped doing 54mph in a 40mph zone - I have been driving 35 years without an incident of any sort. I was keeping up with...
I recently purchased a Ford Ranger pick-up truck from a dealer for £7k + VAT. It is a 2006 model with 44,000 miles on the clock and I am pleased with the condition, etc. However, the bill of sale states...
I'm thinking of moving on from my much-loved 120,000 mile Volvo 480. I live in inner London and mainly use a car for quick trips to and from North Wales with quite a bit of driving on country roads and...
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...
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'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...
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,...
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...
What do you think of the Nissan Note? Can you tell me the best car: the Nissan Note, or Citroen Picasso?
I have just had my Citroen C5 MoTd. As always my neighbour is a mechanic and we go over all the MoT requirements before the test. Today it failed on excessive play in the lower ball joint. Yesterday we...
I've had VWs and a SEAT in recent years and, enjoying the cricket commentary on the radio, have been frustrated that their radios do not receive LW. I presume that applies to all VAG cars. I have discovered...
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 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 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...
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 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...
My son has purchased an 08 reg Ford Fiesta Zetec. It came with just one remote key, plus the coded 'master'. I would be happier if we had a spare key in the house, but was quoted approx £160 by Ford -...
Can you recommend an upholstery cleaner for my 03 Toyota
Avensis? I have tried using household detergent on the fabric seats and seem to have caused a worse mess than when I started. Many
I heard from a Dutch mate that in Germany the government is giving those blessed with old motors a tidy €2500 for a newer set of wheels. Nice. Some folk I have talked with here (in England) are saying...
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...
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