Questions from March 2010
I have recently experienced 2 timing belt failures, both within the 40,000 / 4 years limits. The 1st in August 09 on a 1995 Astra 1.6 petrol. The 2nd in December 09 on a 1999 Zafira 1.8 petrol, which occurred...
I have made a New Year resolution to never fill my tank more than half full. My thinking is that I will be making a smaller interest-free loan of tax to the treasury and if everyone did the same the tax...
The heater of my 5yr old Diesel 2.2 Nissan X-Trail T-Spec has never been much good and only starts to give out heat when the engine has warmed up after 10-15mins of driving. This is a real nuisance in...
I wonder if you can help. Last summer I bought a second-hand 2006/56 Ford Ranger Supercab from a dealer with the remainder of the three-year warranty. Before the warranty ran out one of the rear windows...
I would confirm that carbuyers can consider themselves lucky to be given any sort of spare wheel at all. Looking at various used cars before buying, I noticed many did not have a spare wheel. Do you think...
I purchased a 2006 SAAB 9-3 1.9tdi 150bhp almost two years ago with 19,000 miles on the clock and have now done 50,000 miles, but have had nothing but problems with it. As I use the car for work, I am...
I recently decided to trade-in my 30,000 mile 2003 Ford Focus1.6 Ghia Auto for an 09 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Auto in Moondust Silver. But I was slightly surprised to find that its mileage since first registration...
I own a 2005/55 VW GTI with 22,428 miles on the clock. At 21,500 miles the ESP light came on. I called my local ex VAG service technician to undertake a diagnostics check, which confirmed the ABS unit...
I'm writing to raise awareness of motorists who fail to use their warning triangles in the event of a breakdown. After my car broke down following an electrical failure, the attending vehicle rescue patrol...
I have just retired and would like to buy a new car that will last me at least 15 years in the price range £17,000 to £22,000 and wondered what your recommendations would be. I have been looking at Mercedes...
I need a practical beast that will comfortably tow a 1,500kg caravan for about 3,000 miles a year, and carry 4 adults and accommodate 2 Labradors and walking gear in the boot for probably another 4,000....
Some of my neighbours, angry that visitors to our town use our residential road as a free "Park & Walk", have petitioned for single yellow lines on both sides of the road which will prevent daytime on-road...
I own a Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1.9PD Elegance that has low profile Bridgstone tyres, tread depth 3.5mm. I live in a cul-de-sac untreated by grit that is on a slight hill that I am unable to climb despite...
Further to the information that you gave to the Mazda owner last week, I would like to add the following in your defence. The owner did not state what mileage he had covered. Generally, engines tend to...
The Government/DVLA is scamming motorists. In 2008 my wife sold her Vauxhall Corsa to the daughter of friend of a friend. The necessary slip on the V5C was completed and posted to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BD....
I wish to replace my 2001reg BMW Compact automatic, fitted with push/pull type hand controls and a steering wheel peg. Ideally I am looking for a front wheel drive car of similar reliability, size and...
I'm ready to replace my current car (a great old workhorse - Peugeot 405 Executive TD) and I'm tempted by the relatively low prices of luxury cars due to the massive depreciation we're all seeing in this...
I am looking to upgrade my car and can't decide between a Toyota Verso, a Vauxhall Zafira or a Mazda 5. I have a 2 year old and an 11month old so safety is a must. What would you recommend?
We are looking to change our aging 3 Series BMW in the next couple of months and have been following with interest your views on the merits of the KIA cee’d and the Hyundai i30. Both cars seem to fit...
I am sending a photo of one of the front tyres from my Getz. The front ones both had the same wear pattern. I blame this wear wholly on our local speed cushions that have to be traversed every time I go...
A truck in front had a blowout and I hit the tyre on the road. I got the 3rd party details and have put a claim through my insurance. My insurance company put a claim against the 3rd party insurance. However,...
You must be tired of questions to do with parking fines but I would appreciate your advice. In January I parked in a Premier Parking Solutions car park near Exeter station to go to London. On my return...
A few weeks ago you named a tyre supply/tyre fitting firm who impressed you with their service/costs. I live in Surrey.
I have recently received a Parking Charge Notice from Parking Eye relating to the Sandbanks Hotel in Poole where I parked for approximately one hour whilst in the hotel for coffee. The charge is £90, but...
My problem is probably not uncommon. Some 5 years ago I suffered a series of strokes, which left me with an insubordinate left leg. I was advised by our local assessment centre to switch to automatic transmission....
When I purchased my Mercedes B200 CDI the dealer recommended joining an Accident Management Scheme approved by the manufacturers. They said, in case of an accident, the car would be towed away and my worries...
I wonder if you could publish an article about the possible hidden hazards of car air-con systems. I have just been made quite ill with breathing problems by a heavy scented smell in my Ford C-Max, which,...
As you may have guessed I can be a persistent individual. After our protracted correspondence, I would like to let you know that the Prudential Insurance Company has finally agreed that its stance on fitting...
Car insurance companies that deserve praise must be in the minority, so here goes. I was hit by a driver insured by Admiral last Thursday. On Friday, I received a call from them in which they accepted...
I am thinking of changing my car, a 2007/57 Honda Civic type R GT, 31,500 miles, for a BMW 320d SE saloon. My budget runs to about £18,500 depending on the value of my car. My daily commute may increase...
A month ago I visited East Sussex and picked up a £60 fine and three points for doing 36mph in a 30mph zone. Pretty much the first blemish on my licence in 35 years. Then again in East Sussex a camera...
I was at a party last Saturday, and I was trapped in a corner by a very well juiced council officer. The more drinks the guy had the more he was spilling the beans about his council’s parking activities....
My company car is due for replacement later this year and with fuel price increases due to continue I need a vehicle that is frugal. My annual mileage is approximately 30,000, which is split 80% motorway...
After more correspondence with Met Parking and their escalation of penalty charges for ‘overstaying’ at MacDonalds, I have now received a Notice of Proposed Litigation from Debt Recovery Plus.
I have...
I have a Mercedes C200 Kompressor, purchased new and registered April 2001. I have a problem with the square centre panel not lighting up immediately. This should show the mileage, trip mileage and time....
I've been talking to Silverdale Cars in Oxfordshire about a 2.0 Diesel Mondeo Zetec. They have been completely open with me and told me the car I'm interested in is ex Enterprise Rent-a-Car (ERAC on the...
Renewal premium from my insurers, NatWest, has increased by 78%. Do you have views on the advisability of including ‘No Claims Discount Protection’. My quote includes 9 years + no claim discount. I used...
I bought a Mercedes Benz C220CDI in December 2010 from Mercedes-Benz Bridgend in Wales. So far I've done about 4,600 miles but I have an irritating fault. The engine management warning light came on about...
I drive a VW Jetta 1.9 diesel automatic as a company lease car. I have had this from new since January 2008. The car has 60,000 on the clock and the majority of my journeys are on motorway - for a minimum...
I read with interest the email about Mercedes lease terminations. I have just returned a CLS AMG after 4 years and was charged over £1,200 for damage to bodywork, wheels and front screen. Like your correspondent...
I have owned a 1973 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow I from new. Now it has 80,000 miles. But it is an old car and I am an old man with not much money to throw away. I was told by my garage that the car needs...
My needs are 1 person 1 small dog, long business travels, and the requirement to collect wood every now and then. Suggested is Jeep Cherokee, my budget is £20,000 plus a trade-in of a 2002/52 BMW 325Ci...
I recently bought a Citroen C5 SatNav Estate. At no time during the test drive did the dealer tell me that the satnav would not access full UK postcodes. It will not accept the last two letters, which...
For 5 years the local Toyota Main Dealer has serviced my 150,000 mile 2001 Lexus RX300. I took it in with a slipping automatic transmission. He told me the gearbox was scrap, and offered a replacement...
I have a 2005/55 SAAB 9-3, which at 45,000 miles suffered a broken front spring. A neighbour and fellow 9-3 owner has just had a similar problem and drew my attention to SAAB website Forum which had a...
I refer to the letter from DH, Bridgend regarding a 2005 VW Golf with "an array of warning lights that have been coming on together, intermittently". The discussion was around possible faulty sensors or...
I was intrigued by your reply to PC, Portishead over the problem of a speed hump installed by their neighbours on a Private Road. I would suggest they certainly need to consult both their property deeds...
I'm writing to you as a 'last resort' but also because my local MP, Julian Brazier suggested I do so (I have copied him into this emaiI). I hope you will be able to help me. We have been in dispute with...
I think you are being over generous to VW. I bought a new 57 plate Audi TT 2 litre DSG which had the same problem from new. Despite a software upgrade it did not improve and I sold it after 12 months....
Your taxi-driving correspondent may be pleased to know that Valeo does a solid flywheel/clutch replacement for VW Passats and some Fords. I paid £550 to have one fitted, including parts and have had no...
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