Questions from May 2010
I'm thinking of buying a new 1.6 diesel hatchback which I will keep for five or more years. Firstly, with annual mileage at 12,000 miles, is this the right choice? Secondly, is the Octavia likely to be...
I'm looking at buying a used car that will ideally be economical, fun to drive and (hopfully) last 5-6 years. In your opinion, what is the best diesel car to buy for under £8000 with less than 30,000 on...
I bought an 56 Audi A3 1.9TDi with 80,000 miles last week from a reputable dealer. On the test drive we commented that it sounds like a police car siren. There was a noise coming from the turbo which the...
On 22 Jan 2010 I was hit from behind whilst parked about six cars back at a red light. At the scene the other driver apologised, admitted it was his fault, gave me his details and, as neither I nor he...
I'm looking at buying a medium-sized car either new or a couple of years old. I travel 70 miles per day (half on motorway). I'm currently driving an Audi A4 1.9TDI, so I want something that can accelerate...
I am thinking of buying a Volkswagen Polo coupe 3-door and it has a dent in the boot door. Should I buy the car and how would I be able to get rid of the dent?
I bought a Polo on the Volkswagen Options scheme (which means that every 30,000 miles or three years, whichever comes first, I can put down a deposit of say £1000 and get a brand new car, and continue...
I've read your review of the 147. I had a 156 and gave you feedback for that, which you incorporated. I bought one of the last 147s imported, new from a dealer at the end of last year. I've done 1500 miles...
My girlfriend drives a 5-year-old BMW Z4. She only does about 3000 miles a year and she was wondering about whether or not she should get the car serviced annually. One BMW dealership said 'Yes, bring...
12 months ago I got rid of an old Nissan that I had been driving sporadically for the previous year. Obviously in getting rid of the car I cancelled the insurance and received written confirmation as such....
I have a 5-year-old Jaguar X-Type 2.0-litre diesel that has done 80,000 miles. I like its economy, comfort and load capacity. My main mileage is on country roads and there are regular scrapes with hedges...
I bought a Citroen Berlingo 1.9 Diesel van on a 52-plate (2002) with 89,200 miles from a local garage on the 30th March 2010. Within the first week, the auxiliary fan belt shredded itself. The garage replaced...
I traded in a car to a motor trader. I serviced this vehicle via my limited company and stamped the book with date and mileage. We're not qualified mechanics and don't have workshop facilities, but the...
My 1999 Toyota Avensis estate (2.0-litre petrol) has, after 170,000 trouble-free miles, expired due to a burst radiator and subsequent cracked cylinder head. I would like to replace it with a similar large...
I was wondering if you knew what info the keyfobs hold, as I have been told they hold info like the mileage, the last time the car was driven, when it was last unlocked and any faults with the car. I just...
I would very much welcome your advice on a continuing problem I have with my BMW 320d M Sport Coupe which I purchased brand new in February 2008. On hill starts, my BMW judders with what appears to be...
I am in the very fortunate position to buy whatever car I want within reason, but realistically I am not that interested in cars other than in the need to get from A to B. Whichever car I choose needs...
I would like to recommend Eric Jude and Son (Cambridge - aka Arbury Road Garage). They are small but very reasonably priced (e.g. £5 to clean idle control valve, £40 to read fault codes, £100 to replace...
I am about to buy a new Fiat Panda but I read earlier in the year that the new model was to be launched later this year - is this correct and, if so, do you have any advice as to where I can obtain pictures...
I phoned my local Volkswagen dealer for a quote to get a second year service done on my GTI. They quoted £280 and I thought this sounded a bit steep so phoned Mann Egerton (Exeter) and they quoted me £175....
Arriving in the small village of Wheaton Aston by narrowboat, I was shocked to find that the garage there had stopped selling petrol at the turn of the year. His reasoning and that of several other small...
Is it wise to travel abroad without a V5 and can one be got quickly?
We are a family of 5 looking for a safe car that will last at least 10 very economical years and which can be serviced by our fantastic local backstreet garage. We need to get four of us in it regularly,...
Please can you tell what the symbol is which shows a man with seat belt on with a ball on his lap? It's situated on the left hand side of my Berlingo Multispace's instrument cluster and is yellow.
I can't find the option to post a new thread on the forum, could you let me know where to go so i can post my problem please?
When they first came out, you seemed impressed with the Nissan X-Trail. Now some time has passed, do you still hold them in the same high regard? I have a steamboat which weighs about 1000kg and I want...
Any idea where I can buy just one driver's mat each for current Corsa and Zafira models? Dealers only sell a full set.
In 2007 I purchased through eBay a Ford Galaxy 1.9TDI with 98,000 miles on the clock for £4500.00. Having spent about £1500 in two years on various mechanical parts I decided to get rid of it using a well-known...
I am set on buying a used Porsche 911. While I love the classic 993, the price for a good one is approaching that of an early 997. For this reason, I have decided to look for one up to four years old,...
I ordered a Hyundai ix35 4wd model at the end of February and was given a conservative delivery date of the end of April, with a hint that they usually arrived before the date stated. In April I was advised...
Could you offer advice on a silly predicament I find myself in. I had email dialogue on 10 May 2010 with a dealer concerning a 2003 BMW 525d, with warranty, at £6445. It seemed reasonable and I showed...
We are thinking of buying a Honda Jazz and wondered if you know of any facelifts or changes coming in the near future that may be worth waiting for?
I have just purchased a 2002 Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre 115 and keep hearing about the dual mass flywheel. What should I listen out for or notice in the future to let me know that this would need replacement?...
I have a major problem with my Citroen C8. The vehicle is five years old with 83,000 miles. The injectors need to be removed as the timing is off and damage appears to have been done to the rockers, but...
My husband hit the front of another car on a mini roundabout. Because he is third party, he said he would pay for the repairs himself. The bill from the insurance company includes a charge for sundries...
I’ve recently purchased a 2001 Jaguar XK8 Coupe with about 46,000m on the clock. It has immaculate bodywork and the interior is also pretty good. It also came with four new tyres. I paid £10,350 – is that...
I have just bought a 2003 Mondeo 1.8 LX. Nice car, but what should the mpg be? It is averaging 26-28mpg and I can't get it above 30mpg even on a motorway run.
I've owned a 2003 Celica (140bhp) for two years now and fancy a bit of a change. Talking down the pub with friends, we got on to slightly older but very powerful saloons. I've since taken a fancy to a...
I am thinking of buying a BMW 320Ci SE Auto Coupe, 2.2-litre, 2004, one owner, full history, 34,500 miles, auto. It has extras including leather seats, parking sensors and approx £3000 of extras from the...
I've just bought a Vauxhall Astra 1.4 16v SXi 3dr with 7600 miles on the clock. After using it for four days, the power steering seems to fail when going round sharp corners. It just locks up and I have...
I'm enquiring about the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life. My partner informs me that we would have to pay extra tax on a car which has an engine larger than 1.6 litres. Can you please tell me if the Caddy Maxi...
I read today (16/5/10) in the Sunday Times that a new Hyundai was available for £500 on a year old "same car" basis but only a "limited number of these offers are available". I would like to find out which...
A friend of my father's claims that the Land Rover Freelander engine is due to be replaced this year. Is this true or is he confusing this with the new TD4e setup? Which car would you recommend between...
I'd like to become a registered motor trader in the UK specialising in selling affordable family compact cars (an area I feel that is not very well covered at the moment). I already have a limited company...
The camshaft of my 2005/55 Vauxhall Meriva snapped in two causing extensive damage to the engine and also nearly causing a major accident. Has anybody else had these problems?
I was very interested in your comments regarding Protected No Claims Discounts. I am in the process of renewing my insurance and my premium has increased by £90, due I assume mainly to my wife, a named...
My mother has a Peugeot 306 1,800 automatic in which she ran out of petrol a few days ago. I got petrol but ran the battery flat trying to start it. One re-charge and it finally started (it didn't really...
I am looking to change my Land Rover Freelander diesel company car for a more tax-friendly 4x4. Budget around £12,000, with a requirement for a generous boot size to carry medical supplies. Suggestions...
I'm considering buying a 2008 Jaguar XF with 2.7-litre diesel engine. Mileage is 60,000 and I would like an opinion if this high mileage might give problems over the next say 30,000 miles. It has been...
My wife recently purchased a new VW Fox and intended to sell privately her 1999 Toyota Yaris. We had read your comments about selling, pitfalls and that the prices of second-hand vehicles was improving....
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