Running the gauntless

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...

Non-stop Golf

My daughter purchased from a VW dealer an 06 plate Golf 1.6 FSI That was still under warranty. The warranty expired in June this year. The car has been serviced regularly and MOT'd in June by a family...

A legend in its own lurchtime

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...

Crushing blow

What happens when the £300,000,000 earmarked for scrappage suns out?

Disco fervour

I have a 4-year-old Toyota Corolla 1.6 auto that I love to bits. I have done only 26,000 miles from new. The car is garaged overnight. The car is currently in for its 4-year service. I have been told that...

The heart of the matter

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...

Diesenfranchised

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...

Date protected fact

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...

Hire purchased

Last month I purchased an 18-month-old Avensis Tourer TR 2.2 D-4D from a Toyota Dealership after reading your car-by-car details about them and also your own road tests reports. The salesman told me the...

False economy?

I am hoping to swap my 54 plate 1.8 auto Almera for a new car that will be cheaper to run. I have looked at the Chevrolet Aveo and ruled that out due to poor crash testing and very high depreciation. I...

Spinning plates

I'm thinking of buying an Audi A4 convertible from a friend. It was first registered March 2005, petrol automatic with additional Sport pack, satnav and heated seats. Are there any common faults? I have...

Wrongs and Rights

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...

Nicked and tucked

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...

The outer limit

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...

Familyer territory

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...

Automated mangler

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...

Telling tails

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...

Big banger theory

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...

Diesing out the dirt

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...

Carp on footprint

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...

Closing the stability door

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...

More dangerous, but safer

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...

Two down, three across

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?

Cameravan Club

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...

Transvestright

What do you think of the Opel Astra Convertible and Opel Tigra for a woman? Are they good cars?

Flawed angular?

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....

Harmonicar

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...

Conditional suspender

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...

Notifining

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...

Unengined species?

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...

Enough puff?

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...

Humpering progress

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...

Castorway

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...

Winter spring summer and fall

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...

Recycled RAV

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...

Test question

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...

Buckler’s hard

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...

Leaks united

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...

Milomatter

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...

A tax, then retreats

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...

Wrong righter

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...

Humber Sceptical

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...

One learner owner

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...

Distance relation

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...

Bah, Hamburg!

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...

A Fordable?

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...

Vaux all?

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...

Daytime Running Frights

My new Mazda 6 TS2 has daytime running lights and since buying the car 3 months ago I have had four scary encounters where cars joining from side roads have pulled out right in front of me forcing me to...

Handle bores

I was travelling on the M6, at approximately 60 - 65 mph, and was on the bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal, and intended leaving the motorway at the next Junction. As I was about to change to the nearside...

Old folks honed

I am over 70 and seek a car about Focus size. A Citroen C4 Picasso does not iron out the shocking road surfaces we have here, and the Focus, although better, does not have speed-sensitive steering, which...