Trending topics in December 2009
Questions from December 2009
Can you advise me whether cruise control on a long motorway journey is more fuel-efficient than the right foot? I thought that as the fuel is being constantly monitored to maintain speed, then the computer...
Surprisingly, it looks as if my son's September 2003 BMW 320td ES Compact Auto could be written off following a slow speed shunt with a 4x4 equipped with heavy duty bull-bars. The BMW's done 48,000 miles,...
Recently my wife and I were driving from Aberdeenshire to Edinburgh to catch a plane from Edinburgh to Dubrovnik (one flight a week). To our dismay we hit a pothole that we could not avoid because of an...
I read ‘Autocar’ and, as a reasonable enthusiast with three cars, I take some interest in cars. I remember some time ago you did list small cars with REAL autos, but I cannot find any reference to this....
I have a two year old current model Honda CR-V and Honda insists that the front brake discs require changing due to them being worn and rounded on a car which has only done 17,500 miles and rarely carries...
I am a 48-year-old single mother of 4 and have just qualified as a nurse. I have got a job as a community staff nurse, which involves a lot of travelling. My present car is a 2000X Polo (bought 2nd hand...
There has been a lot of airtime spent on the subject of large rises being imposed by the insurance industry on UK car owners. All the usual excuses have been aired from increases in young driver claims,...
For the past 2 years I've been running a Volvo XC70. This car has given me all the comfort that I could wish for with its fantastic seats and long travel suspension. In addition, over the last winter the...
Twelve days after I had renewed my insurance in good time I was stopped by the police at eleven o'clock at night. After professing themselves satisfied at my answers to various questions, they asserted...
In March this year I bought a Volvo through a company in Scotland. The car was delivered direct from a main dealer. The car was pre registered and when I asked about the V5C document I was told it would...
My son recently bought an imported Toyota people carrier. The vehicle is shown as first registered (abroad) in 2000 but not registered in the UK until 2008. The DVLA has issued it with a date related...
Some while ago I believe you wrote that driving less than 6,000 miles per year did not warrant purchasing a diesel car. Could you please give me your reasons for stating this? I have a petrol engine Volvo...
Can you recommend any paint treatments or companies that do it?
I was told by my Honda dealer that my Jazz will be made in Japan. It
Now appears that it will be made here. Do I need to be concerned about...
I have owned a 2005 VW Touran 1.9TDI for about 3 years, with no problems so far. Fairly low mileage-about 33,000. The ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program) warning light is now permanently on which means...
Just over a year ago I bought a new (pre-reg) FIAT 500 1.25 diesel (I mean the type of fuel, not the confusingly ‘Diesel’ branded car). I used it as a 'town car'. The reason we bought it was so as to stop...
My wife's 2005/55 BMW 120d manual is now four years old and has covered 42k miles. She has been delighted with it until now. However about 4 months ago the engine cut out without warning whilst she was...
My friend bought a V reg Ford Ka on 2nd March this year that had a current MOT dated from January 2009. A garage has told her that the car would not pass an MOT now, only 8 months later as -
1. the chassis...
I am writing to ask for some advice regarding our brand new VW Polo that we bought 2 months ago as part of the scrappage scheme. I also
have an 05 plate Golf TDI with 100k miles and never any problems.
With...
I have arranged a test drive of the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo as I like the versatility of a hatchback but I also want comfort. Is there any other high quality hatchback that you can recommend because...
Some months ago you answered a readers enquiry about a car that was comfortable for sleeping in whilst touring but cheaper to run then a conventional type camper van. At the time I didn't need the information...
My father recently passed away and my mother (aged 80) now lives alone in an area that is prone to some snow in winter (maybe 4 to 6 inches). She does not drive and I visit her daily, I currently drive...
I read with interest your reply to BP in Saturday's Telegraph. Are you suggesting for Swindon production of the Honda Jazz there is a possibility that they might change the auto in the Jazz from I-Shift...
My VW Passat V5 is registered Dec 1999. It's a V registration. I have had it for 7 years now. I bought it in 1992 and it had 2 previous owners and 10000 miles on the clock. Apparently it had a bump in...
I am looking for the best place to buy a 7-seater LHD Land Rover
Discovery or Range Rover at about 2 years old. I live in Lancashire but do not see any problem in buying one anywhere in the UK as it will...
I am about to purchase my 8th Volvo and it will be my first diesel powered car. The model is a V50 2.0D with Powershift transmission. I drive between 18,000 and 20,000 miles of mixed motoring per annum....
We decided that our 04 VW Golf needed replacing whilst it still had some value, but VW was not able to offer a reasonable deal, so I remembered your recommendations of Hyundai. It was easy for me to remember...
I am concerned about the previous ownership of my car after reading a recent newspaper report (Daily Telegraph article by Jon Swaine 15th September 2009). I assume that you are aware of this article? In...
Please would you clarify the gearbox difference (if any) between a Toyota Verso Petrol 1.8 litre (called Multidrive S) and a Toyota Verso 2.2 Diesel Automatic. I have spoken to a Toyota Dealer who assures...
I've bought another vehicle, and need to sell the old one, but I need temporary insurance to cover taking the prospective buyers for a test drive, etc. It will not be used on a daily basis, merely for...
I have been reading your column for many years and have noted the frequency with which the problem of poor quality European components crops up, particularly with respect to front suspension and speed...
I had an Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport on a company car scheme through Leaseplan. At the end of 3 problem-free years, it was available to buy for what seemed a very reasonable price considering it had only done...
I have a BMW 335i with 255/40 (rear) and 225/45 (front) run-flats. Both sets are original fit and have 23k miles on them. I still have 4mm plus on the rears and 5mm plus on fronts. I will change the rears...
We want to replace our from new 'T' reg automatic Rover 400 because of rust spots - roof, wheel arches and bonnet. Our daughter has mobility difficulties and we need to carry a wheelchair from time to...
I have just bought a second -hand 08 reg. Nissan Note from a branch of Evans Halshaw. After it had been to various branches of the company, and having completed all the paperwork and paid for it etc I...
Are Turbo-Chargers in petrol engines anymore reliable than those fitted in diesel engines?
I currently own a 2005 SAAB 9-5 saloon 2.2 TID Auto. It has just over 43,000 miles on the clock and has been reasonably reliable, except for the boot release that failed twice. Would you be kind enough...
We are reducing our two cars to one. I have a BMW 1 Series, three years old; my wife a Peugeot 205, five years old. Can you advise of any car about the size of the 205, but of the same quality of the BMW....
Over the years I have read your columns with interest and enthusiasm, but I always felt uncomfortable with your negative stance over speed cameras. Feeling that I am nearing the end of my life, I took...
My parked RAV-4 was hit by a car that did not stop. Fortunately the incident was witnessed and on being confronted the driver admitted responsibility. I wished to take my vehicle to my local Toyota dealer,...
A question you were asked the other day was: Could a man drive his wife's car after her insurance policy lapsed, using his own policy which allowed him to drive any car not owned or hired to him. You said...
I have read your column for some years to gain some insight into the motor world. I just thought that I might amuse you, and possibly your readers with my new car purchase. I am approaching the magic 60...
We live overseas, but intend coming to UK (mainly Scotland) each summer for 3-4 months and possibly a further 2 weeks later in the year. A car is essential, but is there a more cost effective way other...
My parents (73 yrs and 69 yrs) would like to buy a small automatic diesel car or small 4wd with up to £7,500. They used to have a Suzuki Vitara (diesel auto) - something perhaps a little smaller would...
There seems to have been a lot of hype over the new Golf R. Probably justified hype. However, with a starter price of £28,930, it will be at least £3,000 more than a discounted Audi S3, which was itself...
I would be grateful for your thoughts on the following. I have a 2004 Corolla Verso. It had a main dealer service and oil change at 90,000 miles 7 weeks ago and 2,000 miles ago. Today, after driving locally...
My Peugeot 406 HD90, now 5 years old is fitted with factory satnav. I have not used it a great deal locally but now, about to go away, I find it unreadable. The main dealer states that it has to be returned...
Is there a good reason why cars do not have a grab handle above the drivers door? I've moved one such handle from the rear of my Colt to the drivers side as the fittings were already in place but am unable...
I purchased a new Citroen C4 Cool edition in July 2007. It was due its first service in July for 2 year's use or 20,000 miles. I had only done 10,000 miles but the service went ahead at a Citroen garage....
Your reader who was recently found liable for the fines of the driver of his previous car, even though he had written to the DVLA advising them of the sale, might find it useful to try the DVLA's website...
I am restricted due to a disability to driving automatics. I am looking for better mpg than is usual from the older automatics and am trying to locate all those cars with Direct Shift Gearboxes. Obviously...
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