Trending topics in November 2009
Questions from November 2009
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 have about £12,000 to spend on a small open top job. I quite like the MINI Cooper cabriolet 2nd hand, pre 2007, but also quite fancy the panache of the new FIAT 500 open top. MINIs seem two a penny and...
I spend a lot of time in the South of Spain each year and, instead of car hire, have been considering purchasing a good used car instead. The problem is the cost of purchasing a vehicle. A Mondeo selling...
I'm currently living in Turkey and Slovenia and need sometimes to go off road in addition to normal driving. I'm therefore reluctantly looking at SUVs. I've test driven those easily available and it has...
I read with interest (as I always do) your piece in the Saturday Telegraph, this week particularly your comment regarding the BMW 530d turbo overheating problem. I am considering changing my Peugeot 4007...
Having picked up 6 speeding points in 6 days I am anxious to stay within the law. Is there any technology (sat nav or otherwise) that will warn me if I am exceeding the limit whatever it is where I am?...
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...
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...
On 10 August 2009 I signed up for a scrappage deal for my Ford Fiesta and paid a deposit of £250 for a new VW. The dealer photocopied my Tax disc and MOT, both valid on that date. Unfortunately, The Fiesta’s...
I am looking for an MPV for a family of four. Something around 3-4 years old. Looked at Zafira so far. Would like to look at Verso but no luck finding one close by at moment. There don't seem to be many...
My 2005 Mazda 2 Capella automatic "died" after going a few yards. The AA couldn't fix it so towed it to my trusted garage. They tried 2 different diagnostic machines but got "locked" out each time. They...
What do you think of the Opel Astra Convertible and Opel Tigra for a woman? Are they good cars?
My 2004 Honda Civic 1.6SE suffers intermittently from a disturbing oscillation which seems to suddenly build up from low intensity to a noise which fills the cabin making conversation and concentration...
Given how our incompetent political masters treat us; I would advise readers to return the Section 9 form of V5C to the DVLA using special or recorded delivery, followed by sending a letter to the DVLA...
Last Friday afternoon I did my usual weekly shop at the local ASDA. I returned home without noticing any damage but when using the car in the evening I saw a note under the windscreen wiper. This was from...
Any detailed analysis on 2002 Corsa Comfort C front coil spring breakage? My N/S front has just failed, done less than 25k. I’m very surprised to see the number of posts/ issues on the web. I'm awaiting...
What advise would you give to my parents who are replacing their 02 RAV-4? Following an accident their RAV-4 is unfortunately a write off. Mum loved the car, the higher ride, comfort, everything. Only...
What cars are you now recommending with low tailgate level suitable to accommodate disability scooter, battery driven and automatic gear. A high seat position with as much comfort for driver and passenger...
I have just had a nightmare situation. I went out and bought a Vauxhall Vectra 2.0DI. 3 weeks later the diesel pump has gone and the car is on its way to the scrapyard. In four weeks time I will have £500...
My wife has a FIAT 500 diesel (which she loves) and we took it in for a first service at £149. I didn’t check the oil after the service to ensure it had been changed. (It was a FIAT dealer and I automatically...
I am considering buying an Audi Q5. However, the wheel sizes range from 17x8J (235/65) to 20x8J (255/45). I am looking at the SE model which has as standard 18x8J (235/60) wheels and tyres. I would welcome...
I have a 2004 VW Golf 1.6FSI SE. The ESP light came on recently. I took it to a VW approved workshop that carried out a computer based diagnostic check. They have told me that I need a new component VAG...
On the outskirts of Grimsby lies a large commuter belt village with a long straight dual carriage by-pass with a 70 mph speed limit. The exit from the village towards Grimsby has an acceleration lane that...
We need an MPV with 3 individual seats across the back, to carry our twin grandsons in child seats and their mother, any alternative to the FIAT Multipla?
Regarding speed camera locators, I was bought a Novus GPS Rider for my birthday. This is advertised at about £95 and comes with free updates for life and a three-year guarantee. The unit, which is very...
We run two cars, an old Honda Shuttle for our family of six, and a two-year-old Peugeot 107 that my husband uses to get to work Monday to Friday and we both use at weekends for running the children around....
I read with interest your page on the 407 and it being prone to the lower hub joints failing. This has happened to my car, a 407 HDi X line Auto that I purchased pre registered from the Peugeot dealer...
After reading all the glowing reports about the new 2009 VW Polo with the 1.2 TSI engine fitted with the 7-speed DSG box it seems that this model is not available at launch. Makes you wonder why most road...
At present we are looking at the Hyundai i30 as a good new buy. However I am not too sure if the 1.4 petrol engine would have sufficient power for long distance or Motorway driving. We took it for a test...
Following our previous email discussion on lunacy of speed cushions, I've also been following the discussions in your website discussions area. You may be interested to know that I have now reported to...
Spurred on by your comment about DVLA's rules in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph I wonder if you can suggest how I could resolve my problem with them? Long ago I passed my driving test in Guildford on 19th...
I bought a Mercedes E-Class estate from an eBay trader that also advertised the car on its website with 44k miles on the clock. It is very clean inside and I got it for just over £7,000. I bought an HPI...
I am due to take my old car to a dealer in the next few weeks (under the government scrappage scheme) and until seeing a letter from a reader had assumed the unused tax disc amount could be claimed by...
Further to my recent emails to you regarding Warranty Direct and its rejection of my recent claim, I have today received a phone call from the company to advise me that after your e-mail to the MD they...
I am considering whether to buy a 1963 1,592cc Humber Sceptre and wondered if there might be a "Road Test" available to help me decide whether I should go ahead, please? I'm particularly interested to...
As you are the owner of a FIAT 500, what are your views on the effect on resale values of FIAT 500s in the future now that we are seeing flocks of them on the road with BSM emblazoned large across the...
I have a 2005 BMW 535D M Sport Touring with standard 235/40R18 wheels and tyres. 6 months ago, when planning a routine 4-wheel tyre change at Micheldever Tyres, they informed me that both rear wheels had...
I own a Toyota Corolla T3 1600cc. I've had it since new in July 2004. Recently I've noticed that the boot has started to retain water. I cannot find where it is coming from, everything regarding the felt...
My 27-year-old son has just landed a new job that will entail daily travel around the Middlesex area. With occasional trips to Cornwall and Manchester we think the mileage will be in the 20,000-30,000...
I wrote to you some time ago, perhaps a year ago, about my E46 BMW 320d Sport I imported from Hamburg in 2002. The car is serviced by my local BMW dealer (Woodman, Blackpool) and I retain all the service...
With the rising cost of fuel and increase in VED, I am after a small diesel car. I am not looking to spend much and have seen a 55 plate Ford Fiesta 1.6 (90bhp) TDCi for sale. It has done almost 70,000...
I am looking to buy a new or nearly new estate car to replace a Vauxhall Omega. I am considering the Toyota Avensis, the Ford Mondeo and the Vauxhall Insignia. I will buy a 2.0 diesel version of the car...
I have decided to buy a CC - convertible with a metal folding roof. Having owned a 3 Series BMW convertible in the past, I find their servicing costs, cost of oil changes, batteries and other parts to...
I own a 1953 Ford Anglia 494A car (Upright), which has never been restored and is regarded as being a fine example of the original production model, although not concourse standard. Recently my wife and...
I have owned a 1997 Nissan Micra 1.0 5-door for nine years and 92,000 miles. As a part-exchange it is worth pennies. I am wanting to use the scrappage scheme. From the test drives undertaken I really...
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