Questions from May 2010
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...
Is it safe to buy a friend's daughter's car which was on finance? It has been stood for the last year. The parents say they have paid the finance and they don't want any more to do with the car. Will it...
Having hired a vehicle, I subsequently damaged it whilst still in the forecourt of the hiring company. Am I still fully liable for the damage caused?
I'm setting up an ironing service and want a vehicle that is economical to run and reliable. I will be picking up baskets and delivering ironed laundry. Ideally the vehicle should have space to allow me...
I am considering buying a 2007 Mazda 6 2.0 TS Auto. It is an ex-Motability car with one previous owner. It's being sold by the original supplying Mazda dealership. I am told that Mazda servicing data is...
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...
I was extremely concerned to read about the problems with the Mazda 6 Diesel as I have a TS2 Diesel Estate with a 56 plate. I check the oil every fortnight, but on reading your column last night I checked...
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...
We bought a 2003 Peugeot 307 SW in May 2004 via the Peugeot Direct scheme through the Peugeot dealership in Devizes. In June 2005 the car broke down due to a failure of the clutch and flywheel, which was...
I am looking to buy a BMW 535d M Sport Touring and wanted your general comments and thoughts on the car, as well as key areas to check on the car and its history. I am buying it from a BMW main dealer...
Can I get a PCO license despite being banned for drink-driving two years ago?
When insuring an imported vehicle, do I use the manufacture date or the date of first UK registration?
I recently purchased an '09 plate Toyota Yaris. It's a 1.4 D4D SR. When browsing it the dealer, they stated it has Toyota Optimal Drive/stop-start. There is a sticker on the rear window that states it...
I am selling my Jaguar XJ Sovereign but, to date, have had limited response from my Auto Trader ad. I have been contacted by a specialist company in Bristol who are offering to take my car and sell it...
I need to sell an 1997 Jaguar XK8 platinum grey coupe 4-litre in fair condition with 125,000 miles. What could I expect to get selling at auction, privately or trading in for a small family car e.g. Fiesta?
I want to buy a used car. My budget is £6000. Could you please tell me the choice of cars I could have with the following specifications? Fuel economy of 45- 50mpg, automatic gearbox, cruise control and...
I am 24 years old with only named driver insurance and am now in the position to purchase my first car. I am looking for a car which is fun to drive, safe, with acceptable insurance and economical. I have...
I have a 2006 Honda Accord which I find has a very hard ride. Any rough surface or small potholes cause discomfort, particularly for my wife who has a back problem. We are both in our 70s and only drive...
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?
A Renault main dealer is suggesting that my daughter's 2006 Clio (1.4 petrol) needs a coolant and brake fluid change (mileage is about 13,000) - they are pushing the "special offer" at £50 each. Should...
My son currently lives in Bern and runs a Swiss-registered Volkswagen Multivan. He intends to return with his family to the UK in July, although will remain resident himself in Switzerland, commuting to...
I need to replace a Cayenne S as we have three small kids. Should we get a Q7, XC90 or Discovery? I am very confused. Could buy new or secondhand with less than 10,000 on the clock. Any ideas?
I have seen a MINI Cooper 1.6 2003 with only 11,000 miles and one owner. The asking price is £6495 - is this a fair price for this car in immaculate condition with 12 months MoT?
Wind noise (can't be 100 per cent sure - but it sounds like someone blowing over the top of milk bottle) is coming from the underside of my 57-plate MINI Cooper auto, 13,500 miles, once I get above 60mph....
Why are some central reservations grassed and others not? Surely concrete zones are better, as lanes do not have to be closed for grass cutting, plus less maintenance is needed and therefore they're cheaper...
Where can I find a well established LPG converter using reliable products?
I had the fuel pump on my 2004 Ford Focus 1.8TDCi replaced under warranty by the garage I bought it from. It took them five weeks. Now there a problem with the dual mass flywheel. They are saying that...
Several weeks ago I was parked in a secure car park when a council vehicle collided with my car. They immediately admitted liability. I arranged for vehicle repair and a hire car at no charge. Trying to...
I wonder if there is now support for the ending of the exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty for cars registered before 1973? It cannot be right that these vehicles, often marques such as Rolls Royce, Ferrari...
My father bought a secondhand 1935 Talbot 75, reg BXY334, in 1946/47 and it was scrapped in 1962. I know it was virtually impossible to buy new cars immediately post-war, and secondhand cars carried a...
My insurer is charging me £30 for a protected no-claims bonus. Is this worth having? I understand that premiums rise anyway if you have an accident.
Good service is hard to find and they looked after me.
I’m interested in purchasing a new Skoda Octavia Estate with the 1.6 CR diesel engine, but I'm concerned whether my daily drive to work is suited to a DPF. One way, my journey is rural and about seven...
I purchased car on 28/10/09 for £6999 from a trader. Since then I have found out that the car has done 117,000 miles, dated 24/6/09. When I got it, it read 30,000 and now done 35,000. It came with a full...
My neighbour has a very large unroadworthy van parked right next to our access road. No fence is between the properties and the van now has four flat tyres, and is rusting and leaking fluid. As this thing...
I live in a council house in West Yorkshire and have been given permission to make a footpath to my house, as the one that is there now is not wide enough for a twin buggy. We don't have a car or a driveway...
I am thinking of buying a speed camera detector for my Nissan Note 1.6SE. Does it have an athermic windscreen? If so, a camera detector will not work properly through it.
About 10 years ago my car was stolen and unfortunately the insurance had lapsed, so I could not put in a claim. Having recently moved house, I found some old documents and wondered who actually owns the...
We have a Renault Laguna 150dCi as we currently do some long journeys in Europe. This will cease soon and we want something else with lower tax, better economy, lower insurance, and suitable for normal...
I'm hoping to retire to France in the near future. At this point, there should be sufficient cash to purchase a new vehicle. I am looking at a Volkswagen Sharan or Tiguan or similar. Do I buy one here...
On Friday 21st May I took delivery of my new red non-metallic paint Skoda Yeti and, later that day, was told by a Volkswagen-trained mechanic that there was evidence of "fallout" from rail dust or industry...
I was recently caught speeding by a forward-facing GATSO camera. I have read in various places that GATSO's were never type-approved by the Home Office to be used forward facing, and may only be used when...
I have heard that the Honda Civic 2012 model replacing the MK8 is to be introduced later next year. Do you know whether this is likely and, if so, will it be a completely redesigned Civic and not just...
I have been given a Morgan Plus 8 as a gift and don't know if I should sell or keep it a while longer, if it will get me better money. It is a mint condition 1988 Plus 8 in cream with red leather, fully...
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Golf TDI. I'm trying desperately to find out which model it is for insurance. It has the full electric pack if that helps.
My brother was caught speeding by about 10mph over the limit. He is a new driver, so our Dad took the fine and points for him and our Dad lied to the judge, saying it was him that was speeding not my brother....
Elsewhere on 
