Trending topics in November 2009
Questions from November 2009
A year ago I started to experience slow deflation of the tyres on my then 4 year old Freelander which has 18” alloys. My local tyre dealer (ATS Euromaster) found a slow puncture in one tyre but they...
Our second son (22) has not yet passed his practical driving test, although he is a fairly competent driver and has now let his theory pass lapse. Getting him on the insurance of either of our cars (both...
I wonder if you could spare the time to help us select our next car please. I am 75 and my wife is 62. We have previously owned a 3 Series BMW, and Audi A3 but currently have a 5 year old Audi A2 petrol...
What is the way to get a clean windscreen - inside and out. None of the sprays and cloths etc around really give a smear-clear result
I totally agree with the comments of N.A., Darlington that caravans should be subject to road tax. Although it is not a mechanically propelled vehicle, in most cases, it does take up more road space than...
Please may I ask your opinion? If I have £10, 000 to spend, want an automatic MPV (for children, bikes etc) should I get a second hand Ford C-Max or a Renault Scenic?
I was wondering if you had heard of many cases of car dealerships offering special promotion cars for sale then, after taking your deposit, tell you they cannot get that model which was on offer but then...
I am debating whether to buy either a VW Tiguan, SE 2WD 2 litre TDI, or a Ford Kuga 2WD Zetec 2 litre TDI. I intend to keep it long term so re-sale value is not too important. I am told the VW is better...
I am thinking of purchasing a sat nav and wonder if you are 'allowed ' to suggest a particular model. I just want a simple unit, easy to read, giving me Great Britain and one that I can plug into the cigarette...
I e-mailed you some time ago asking for advice as to where I could receive instruction to learn how to drive my newly acquired Porsche Cayman better to make the most of the ‘B’ roads of this country within...
I have a 1.3 Multijet diesel, Lounge spec and took delivery of my cherished car in April 2008. It has done less than 3,000 miles and its annual service was carried out in February 2009 by Souls of Bletchley...
My son-in-law’s Peugeot 307SW has a light flashing saying the particulate filter wants servicing. He contacted his local Peugeot dealer who wants £400 plus to rectify this. Surely this is a monumental...
I'm leaving London for the country and want to buy a tax-free car to pootle around in locally. I'm not overly-mechanically skilled, though can do the basics; cannot afford mega-repair bills; would buy...
I’m thinking of buying a 06/06 plate Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4 auto with 16,000 on clock for £5,995. What do you think and what would compare? I can go up to £8,000.
I have purchased a new 58 plate Honda Civic Type R. And am very keen on making sure that I can maintain the bodywork in the best way possible. The car gets washed every couple of weeks and polished about...
Hi John, I have a Rover 214is from 1998, which I am thinking of adding to the government scrap heap even though it has only done 78,000 miles and has been reliable. I was considering the FIAT Panda 100HP...
Regarding the letter about a Penalty Charge Notice for a vehicle not parking according to the required order. What is not mentioned is that selfishly parking over another bay removes that bay from use...
I wondered if what your views are on the merits of the Avensis, Insignia, Mondeo and Mazda 6, probably diesel and to keep for several years. I had a Mazda Xedos9 and loved it but is it worth the higher...
On 1st September I took delivery of a new Fiesta Zetec 5-dr from Vospers of Truro - supplied under the scrappage scheme. I pointed out that unlike any of the showroom or forecourt models my car appeared...
We have just been sent a "Consultation" document regarding the proposed traffic calming measures for an area of about three quarters of a square mile round my house. This is absolutely appalling, a sledgehammer...
Regarding the Scrappage Scheme, I notice, in the link you provided, that "the new car must be delivered within 16 weeks of the date of order". I ordered a VW Golf under the Scrappage Scheme 14 weeks ago,...
I have a bad back and took your advice seven years ago to buy a Renault Vel Satis at a discount. The only V6 diesel sold in England I would think. A wonderful car for me. For shopping I use my second Smart...
We have a young son (15 months) and are expecting twins (slightly more than we bargained for), so will need a car capable of taking 3 baby seats - ideally Isofix - and associated peripherals. I am not...
We currently have a Passat estate and a BMW Coupe which is becoming too small as the children grow and their bikes get bigger etc but we don't want to have two estate cars and I am allergic to MPVs. Budget...
I have been offered a demonstrator Honda Jazz EX I-Shift at an attractive part exchange price. It will be available on 1st November. However, I have since heard that this model is about to be replaced...
We have a Ford C-Max Zetec 2.0TDCI and are going to obtain a newer car with a smaller engine. We both have mobility problems affecting getting in and out of vehicles and find the C-Max comfortable to use....
I have been reading with interest and shock that Transport for London is looking at the idea of Speed curbing - also known as intelligent speed adaptation (ISA). Bar the obvious reduction in speed camera...
More than 5 years ago I emailed you about changing my car. You recommended a Toyota Corolla Verso. I bought one and have been very happy with it. However it is time to change, and Toyota no longer makes...
Our children having 'flown the nest', we would like to replace our trusty (350,000 mile) but thirsty Volvo 745 GLT estate with something smaller and more economical. A local garage is offering a 2000 'W'...
I am in a dilemma as to where to start looking for a car that will take up to seven people. I am looking at the shape/size of the older Espace. But now, looking into it a bit more, I really like the idea...
My mother's 1996N Fiesta has after lots of work passed MOT but there is much rust underneath and she has been told it won't be economical to get through next year MOT. It only has about 37,000 miles. She...
Could you please explain to your readers why we have to put up with the ramblings of James May? We find him on both the front and rear pages of the Saturday edition of the motoring edition, you switch...
Your comment "It's a bright spot on the horizon when the other half announces you've got one in the net, your two-seater has to go and she fancies one of those 4x4 thingummys. She can have her 4x4 and...
I have a 2001/51 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's been a brilliant work horse but sadly is getting more and more expensive to keep on the road and the heating/air con's totally gone and I'm not sure I can bear...
We have a new baby arriving at the beginning of November. We've been used to driving round in our 3-door Corsa for the past few years, or me on my motorbike, but now obviously have to change to accommodate...
I am hoping to change my car. I drive a 1.2 V.W. Polo and am looking for a new car similar to this. I only drive short distances i.e. around town and journeys of no more than 100 miles infrequently. ...
I purchased a new Range Rover Vogue TDV8 in November 2008. It has had one service, covered 19,000 not exciting or speedy miles, and has nearly scrubbed through a set of tyres. More worryingly there are...
Having had a few near misses when reversing out of a parking space in a crowded car park, I thought it would improve safety by arranging the parking slots in a herringbone pattern instead of the usual...
6 years ago we purchased a 3-year-old Vauxhall Corsa 1.7 Diesel with 14.5k miles for £3,500. It has now come up for replacement with 103k miles after it failed its MOT. Looking around it appears that an...
A survey amongst my friends and acquaintances revealed that none of us are aware of anybody receiving a fine for exceeding the speed limit in an average speed camera zone. Unless we only mix in law-abiding...
In July, I scrapped my Rover 216 automatic for a new Toyota Yaris with multimode transmission. I was amazed by the lack of power it seemed to have and by the gear changes that seemed to be out of line...
Sorry for the lack of technical terminology here - but the oil light on my 1.7 turbo diesel Astra (Isuzu engine) began flickering (not on constantly) a few weeks ago. The oil level was fine, and there...
I am writing to you hoping to get some advice regarding a situation that I am currently in with my Audi A3 2.0TDi DSG Automatic. I am a 47-year-old mother of two and an exceptionally careful and responsible...
I recently bought a 1999 Mercedes CLK 320 AMG from a local garage. All the paperwork was there, and the car was HPI clear. There were a couple of small issues with the car and I got it for £4,500 rather...
Two years ago I gave up my car as, at 81, I felt I was getting dangerous because of my two gammy feet. I feel that a mobility scooter is sufficient for me. But Nottingham City Council have taken a dislike...
I have a 15,000-mile Vauxhall Combo 1.3 diesel that has blown up its engine because the particulate filter was supposedly not regenerated. Vauxhall will not cover the cost under warranty citing driver...
As an insurance broker for 30 years I can confirm that the practice of 'loading' the premium after a claim when you have a protected bonus is becoming more common and it needs to be challenged by the masses....
I recall your recent strictures in respect of Vauxhall’s lack of consideration in the matter of rusted brake discs and have a worse experience to relate. My Vectra Elite was pre-registered by Vauxhall...
I don’t know if you can advise me here or just warn others about this. On 14th August this year I hired a car in Glasgow airport for a one-way trip to Reading. I was quoted £84, which included the one-way...
I have just clobbered a 69 mph speeding fine on the A303 not far from Exeter. I was overtaking a lorry - two lanes my side - single carriageway the other side - and didn't think other than that the limit...
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