Questions from May 2010
My daughter recently had a low speed bump while changing lanes in stationary traffic. Both cars were relatively old and low value; damage was superficial – scratches, etc - and she hoped to sort it out...
In August 2009 I sold my car to a main dealer. They took the logbook, MOT, etc. and they signed the V5 slip along with me and I sent this using the Royal Mail. In November 2009 I had a letter from the...
On 20th January, our son, who now lives in Switzerland, agreed to purchase a 2006 Land Rover Discovery advertised by a Trade Seller in Auto Trader. A price of £ 14,500 was agreed and a deposit of £500...
Apparently, BMW E46 2.0 litre turbo diesels are prone to turbo trouble. Could you kindly elaborate upon this by stating what these are, how they manifest themselves and under what circumstances they would...
I was reading through one of your website posts about traffic lights as I have a concern myself. I've been told not to worry but as I have only been driving for a year not worrying is very hard to do....
This should be passed to as many people as possible! When VAT was temporarily reduced to 15%, the Chancellor added 2% duty to fuel to offset the reduction in tax collected from motorists. Now that VAT...
I have a Passat estate three years old. There is a drumming noise possibly from the rear of the car, mainly at speeds between 50 and 60 mph. My service mechanic does not think its a bearing, could be tyres,...
My regularly serviced 2005 1600cc Ford Focus automatic has never given a high mileage per gallon - usually about 28-31mpg for short and medium journeys although better on a long journey. Lately this has...
I'm trying to decide between two cars for sale at the same price; one is light, fast, uncomplicated and uncomfortable, the other is heavy, fast, complicated and comfortable. I know about Morgan +8s but...
I spent £4,000 at an Alfa dealer in 2009 fixing problems with my car. The gearbox was whining and needed replacing, so it was suggested I replace the clutch at the same time. When I received the car back...
I was driving along the road and I needed to pull over after a junction. I was always told that you must indicate when you pull over so I started to indicate as I was passing the junction and another driver...
I have a 2002 Volvo V70 estate. This week my wife was driving the children to school in the morning and had the heated seats on to combat the cold. Suddenly and without warning the car started to fill...
I have a 2005 Kia Picanto and need to get the passenger airbag deactivated. I have three toddlers and cannot get three car seats across the back of the car so have no choice but to put one in the passenger...
I am thinking of buying a convertible. Can you tell me which cars might be the best value for money, also considering design, price of service and repairs, etc. I would be paying under £30,000, more like...
My daughter bought new an 04 Nissan Terrano from Motorpoint of Derby. She was recently cold-called by the AA who asked to give her an insurance quote. When she mentioned that the car might be an import...
Thank you for your recent advice on a used Renault Laguna diesel. I have had it now for a week and it seems to be returning good millage so far. I now need to sell my old car. It is uninsured currently....
Is there any way to find out if my first car is still going strong? It was a teal blue MGB roadster WRS 860L
Ten days ago whilst travelling down the A11, south of Newmarket, in my Citroen Berlingo I hit one of several very deep holes in the centre of the dual carriageway. All power ceased, hazard lights operated...
I'd appreciate your advice on the markedly different lengths of life of cam-belts quoted by various manufacturers. Ford seem to suggest that those fitted to the petrol Fiesta and Focus models should last...
We're in our late 60s and not getting any more nimble. My 05 E46 BMW 320d Touring with 40k miles on the clock has always been dealer-serviced since new. We both find it less easy to get into such a low-slung...
My daughter has a 2003/53 Citroen C8 with 55,000 miles. The cambelt snapped with resultant engine damage. The handbook advises cambelt change at 100,000 miles or 10 yrs. The car was inspected at the Citroen...
I wonder if you can help? We have a Suzuki Wagon R, 2003. We've had her since February 2008. About 8/9 times we've had to take her back to the garage because the 'Malfunction Indicator Light' has come...
Please help a damsel in distress. My Golf gets locked up in my community carpark. It seems its indicators start flashing of their own free will intermittently. No horn, just indicators. It seems it can...
I would appreciate your opinion on the following: We are buying a used camper van from a small company both VWT5. We have a choice of two, identical inside, both diesel. The dearer one is a 1.9TDI 102PS...
I am told that a rattle in my 1997 Passat 1.9TDI automatic estate is likely to be a cracked torque converter drive plate and the repair will cost £350. I do not wish to scrap the vehicle. I get the rattle...
My car was involved in an accident (not my fault) on 8th Dec 2009, I had a courtesy car until 5th February 2010, and they just collected that evening with no explanation. It took my insurer until 10th...
Yesterday, my wife hit a pothole in a road. Her car now requires a new alloy wheel and tyre. How do we go about making a claim against the Council responsible for maintaining the road and what evidence/documentation...
Do you have any views on, or feedback from members concerning best driving technique with Honda’s I-Shift? I currently have a perfectly satisfactory 2006 Jazz 'Sport' with the superb CVT transmission and...
I have a Vauxhall Corsa Design 1.2 which is 5 years old, 25k mileage. There seems to be a judder on the clutch, which I mentioned to the Vauxhall dealership that services my car. They have said it could...
Does hi-vis clothing have to be a jacket with sleeves or is a waistcoat OK in France?
Yesterday I made the stupid mistake of putting petrol in my 2007 diesel car. I realised immediately and did not start the engine. We had a garage tow it and drain it. When we went to pick it up they said...
I have a 1996 Volkswagen Sharan 1.8 petrol and when it gets warm it starts juddering. It does not do it when cold, only when warm. Someone told us it could be the temperature sensor. Please could you tell...
I purchased a ‘nearly new’ Honda Jazz 1.4EX with manual transmission in December 2009. The model has an official fuel consumption of between 42.8 (urban) and 58.9 (extra urban), but in reality, I am getting...
I'm thinking of buying a 57-reg 2008 Focus CC but have heard so much about roof problems. Can you tell me if it's covered by a 3-year warranty, or just a year for the roof leaking?
I have a business where I need to transport grandfather clocks which may be over seven feet in length. I currently use a Peugeot 406 estate which takes almost anything, but want to change to a newer vehicle....
I have been considering purchasing a 2002 C220 Mercedes-Benz CDI Avantgarde Estate. It has FSH, has completed 89,000 miles and is being sold by a reputable dealer for £6495. I have just retired and do...
My 2006 Santa Fe CRTD CDX has 71,000 miles and had been parked a little earlier on my driveway, but would not move off. It was possible to engage all gears but there was no drive. The vehicle was towed...
Which car would you recommend as good, solid, reliable family estate that is comfortable and will go on forever? I have in mind Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. I am looking at secondhand with a maximum £10,000...
We're thinking of buying a Volkswagen Golf or SEAT Leon automatic - are the DSG automatics any good?
We want an automatic, economical diesel. The Volkswagen Golf 1.6 105bhp and the similar new SEAT Leon are of interest, because the i30 Hyundai do not have the essential cruise control. What comments do...
I have £8000 to spend on a mid-size estate. I have narrowed it down to the Mondeo, Passat or Vectra. I will get more for my money with Ford or Vauxhall, but will I get better reliability? Should it be...
I have a 1998 BMW 323i SE Touring but it's heavy on juice and my partner can't drive manuals yet. I have seen a 1998 Mercedes-Benz 250 TD Classic with 126,000 miles on the clock on Autotrader. Also, I...
David Thomas Garage, Codicote, Herts. Excellent service, encyclopedic knowledge of all makes but especially Alfas, very friendly and personable. I won't use anyone else and I'm very fussy. http://www.davidthomasgarages.co.uk/
I have just bought an Alfa 159, and I want to keep its bodywork in tip top condition. I've heard about finishes that can be applied after external valeting that protect the finished surface and keep the...
I'm looking for a nice looking car for around the £2000 mark? Any ideas of what's a good buy and what to look out for in terms of mileage, etc?
My daughter bought a Smart Fortwo Cabriolet (used) which was said to have been serviced and MoT'd before she picked it up. They gave it an advisory saying that they couldn't MoT it properly because of...
I recently had a bad experience with runflat tyres as a passenger in a friend's 2009 BMW 525 diesel. After the message saying 'check pressures', all tyres were inspected. All appeared okay with no obvious...
I am torn between buying a nearly-new Kuga or a nearly-new Skoda Yeti. I have a Ford Focus to trade in that will get about £10,000 at the Skoda garage, and about a grand more with Ford. A nearly new Yeti...
Could you give me a list of family sized hatchbacks and estates which have 4WD? My Subaru Impreza Sport is due for replacement but my wife loves the security of 4WD in winter. She's not so keen on 'big'...
I passed my practical driving test on 10/10/1996 and my theory test (as it had just come in then) on the 18/02/1997, and have recently noticed that, even though I am sure I had every category (grandfather...
I am UK born but emigrated to South Africa in the 1970s. I now want to return to the UK for short summer holidays and want to keep a car over in the UK. I tried to get car insurance but so far all the...
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