Trending topics in January 2010
Questions from January 2010
We have always thought it best to go to a dealer we trust rather than one offering 'the best deals'. Having bought Rover cars from our trusted local dealer we were naturally saddened when Rover ceased...
I was interested to see the recent article on the problems dyspraxics face in learning to drive. My 18-yr old son was diagnosed with dyspraxia several years ago.
He is keen to learn to learn to drive...
I am tempted by the 20% “VAT” equivalent savings on offer by Skoda on petrol engined Skoda Octavias and I am considering changing my current car a 2006 Skoda Octavia L&K Estate 105 PDI owned by me from...
Faced with repeated failure of the Bluetooth in my Scirocco with my Blackberry 8520, I devised my own shortcut to 're-booting' the cars cranky software and system. When the connection first fails (or does...
What I want is a car that looks like a Honda CR-V - chunky with high seating - but is not 4x4. Is there such a thing? Also, I hear on the radio today that Carcraft is offering a £2,000 scrappage deal against...
For the last three years or so I have been running a Peugeot 407 and have been very pleased with it. It recently developed a fault with a dash display warning that ABS and ESP were disabled. As it was...
As you may remember, Gowrings Mobility is now back in business and has some new products that fulfil specific needs of the disabled. The Gowrings Vauxhall Combo Tour is the best-value wheelchair-carrying...
I own a 2001 Honda Accord V-type 2.3L which is really a Rolls with another badge. However, the neatly fitted integral sat-nav system is now antiquated and needs new data. Honda very politely told me all...
I bought a 55 plate Skoda Octavia in March 2009, 52,000 miles, with a three-month warranty. On 12th September 2009 the hydraulic pipe between the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder failed. As I...
I am looking to replace the 1-litre V Reg Corsa I have had since being a student with a good family car now that I am married with a son. I think the Corsa's small engine is the main reason my license...
In 2010 I ordered a 2.0 petrol Nissan Qashqai Tekna CVT 2WD. This was to replace a car of the same specification as I had been very pleased with the first. Delivery was quoted at 14 weeks and I went to...
Is it reasonable to assume that a Honda i-shift is similar to the VW DSG system, which I have acquired on a new 1.4 Polo and have not found it easy to get used to, despite having driven a number of automatic...
I am shortly to take delivery of a new VW Polo, and have decided against my better judgement to order flash red paintwork. The last car I had with red paint was a Peugeot some 20 years ago, but it suffered...
Sometime ago you recommended a portable steering wheel lock. What would be suitable for a Mercedes SLK200 kompressor that I have recently purchased?
My wife found last year’s snow particularly challenging for her much-loved Honda Jazz CVT. She would appreciate your advice regarding a small automatic 4x4.
I have just bought a 2003 Jaguar XK8. I was told I would get a 12-month warranty with the car and when it was delivered by the salesman, I was asked to sign the warranty form that was then placed in a...
My son is looking to renew his car insurance. He will be 18 in February. He passed his test 6 months ago, and got his car when he was 17, so now has 1 year no claims. He also took his Pass Plus test, but...
I purchased a car from a BMW dealer. Problems occurred and the car needed invasive work that was covered under warranty. However, we discovered that the engine had been changed one month before purchase...
The Mrs and I are looking to buy a new car and we went to look at the new Lexus models. The salesman was very nice and informative and we got chatting, when a guy in trainers and tracksuit and dripping...
Why don't they make sure that all the batteries, in every electric car, are the same and all easily removable and replaceable (maybe in a large sliding tray underneath.) Motorway service stations and garages...
We will soon need to replace an 8year old 2 litre diesel Zafira Elegance after 120,000 satisfactory miles. Requirements are: estate type vehicle for ease of loading/dog transport. Reasonable power/handling/economy....
In June Liverpool Volkswagen (Derby Road, Liverpool) carried out what it described as a '2nd variable service' on my 4-year-old VW Golf. I was charged nearly £300, which included the service charge (£156)...
If you had a 17 year old grand-daughter who lived out in the country (in Northumberland actually) and who had just passed her test and was hell-bent on buying a small used car with a budget of say £3,000...
I was hoping you could help me. I am looking to buy a new to 1-year old small car for myself and my partner after my Punto Active was hit, and will most likely be a write-off. I am looking at either a...
I want to buy a new or nearly new 4x4 estate/SUV. Not to go off road but to use on skiing trips and the like. I need a good sized boot for largish dog cage and luggage and have identified the KIA Sportage,...
My car insurance is due for renewal. I am currently with Norwich Union, which, of course, has just changed to Aviva. I have heard rumours that in the event of a claim, Aviva personnel are not the easiest...
I’m looking at a BMW 3 series convertible. List price with extras is £35k. What sort of discount should I aim to get?
Not only are speed cushions a menace to vehicles, they are a menace to pedestrians. Last week I looked left, looked right, stepped out and fell full length, having tripped over one of these ‘safety’ devices....
Could I have the benefit of your advice please? I have owned a Honda CR-V VTEC Sport since new and now, at just over 3 years old and 27,000 miles, it will shortly need a new set of tyres all round. The...
You may remember I wrote to you about starting and running problems with my recently purchased 2006/56 Focus 1.6 automatic. You recommended Shell V-Power petrol. I said I would let you know I got on and,...
Recently I was charged £55 by Grasmere Skoda of Macclesfield, a former Skoda dealer who sold me the car new, to rectify rear alloy road wheels that could not be removed at home because they were corroded...
In early September I visited Guy Salmon my local Land Rover dealer in Knutsford having read a good review of the new Discovery 4. There was a very nice example in the showroom and I requested literature...
I think the main benefit of average speed cameras is protection of construction workers. It is most unpleasant to be working at the side of the road with traffic roaring past at 70 or 80. However, for...
Further to the email in Saturday 7th January Telegraph Motoring, I have a plastic clip on the right hand side of my 9-year-old Citroen C5 that I use to hold parking tickets. When I got the car I asked...
I would welcome your advice on which 4x4 to choose. I intend to purchase new and keep the car for 10 years during which time I estimate I will drive 150,000 miles. I want a diesel engine and automatic...
Last year I bought a new Suzuki Swift and the accompanying literature recommended that if I had an accident I contact Suzuki, rather than my insurance company. Suzuki would then do everything (recover...
Having driven quite often in South Africa, I realise the value of being able legally to overtake on either side on 3 or more lane roads. It makes lane hogging pointless and means much better use of road...
Thanks John, for the links you sent me about the Plymouth Prowler that I found very interesting. I think I will hang on to my £25,000 at the moment and treat it as rainy day money. We live in quite a wealthy...
We are told that there are several million vehicles on the road which are untaxed, uninsured, do not have a current MoT certificate and are probably being driven by an unlicensed driver. Yet every year,...
I had an accident in icy conditions almost 2 years ago on a freezing evening when I stopped at the scene of another accident where a car had overturned due to black ice. Then, a few seconds later, a third...
There have been several letters in your column complaining about the Honda Jazz i-shift. I have owned two Jazz autos in the past and it was with some trepidation that I tried a test drive in a Jazz i-shift....
Recently there have been press articles about the Organ Donation Register and the DVLA. Some months ago I had to apply for a new driving licence. This was attended to very promptly. However, late Nov I...
Who has priority at a motorway junction involving an entry slip road? I had long believed that the pecked or dashed line where an entry slip comes onto the nearside lane of a dual carriageway or motorway...
I have checked on your website as to whether you have covered the topic of dealing with potholes as well as snow and ice with a 4x4. People seem mainly concerned with ice and snow. I want to ask if a 4x4...
My son and daughter in law need a second car and have a budget of £4,000 to spend. The car will be used mainly for local runs but will undertake occasional longer runs to see family, etc. It needs to accommodate...
I recently bought a car from a car dealer some distance from home. Before leaving the car lot I pointed out that the coolant level was way below the minimum line but the dealer assured me that topping...
I wish to change my car and would appreciate your advice as to what I should buy. I would be prepared to spend up to £9,000. I currently drive a 54 plate Peugeot 206S, 1,360cc, 5 door with 32,000 miles...
I am having trouble with my 2006 VW Golf TDI and wondered if you might have any thoughts. I am not technologically literate, but I understand that the engine has a turbo so that when you press the accelerator...
I read your advice about buying a personal registration to avoid cloning. I cannot understand how that will stop someone either stealing my number plate or using my number on a stolen car and me getting...
My wife wants a cute second car to bomb around in. I on the other hand would like a classic. We have agreed (compromised) that a late 1960s Wolseley Hornet or Riley Elf would suit our weekend inner city...
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