Questions from June 2010
I am thinking of buying a FIAT 500 with the diesel engine. I recall that some time ago you said that there had been problems with the diesel engine but I can't remember what they were. Also, the diesel...
When I took delivery of my new BMW X1 I was given a hard sell in respect of this "Shortfall Insurance". If the vehicle is a total loss in the 4 years of the cover, it pays up to £10k of any shortfall between...
About twice a week I join a two-lane dual carriageway from a single carriageway road that joins it at right angles at a roundabout. Several times over the years I have nearly been hit by a car from the...
Yesterday was a very sad day, when we were told that the end was in sight for our trusty old Volvo 240 estate, which has done 344,000 miles and which we have owned for 16years. If the model was still made,...
A conundrum. It’s time to part with my nearly 8-year-old super Mazda 626 GSI SE that’s been faultless and consider a replacement. Any ideas? I’m 6’, 65 years old, active, want a bit of ‘class’ but not...
I live in the London Borough Of Ealing and received a parking ticket for parking my motorbike on the pavement against a big U shaped bracket for locking bikes to, whilst I went into the bank. I received...
Could you recommend someone who refurbishes engines who could fix my 2006 KIA Sorento 2.5 diesel auto, or supply a reconditioned replacement? The engine overheated and has scored the bores.
I am hearing a rumble and gurgling noise through the front of my 1999 Renault Espace 2.0 automatic when driving. It doesn’t happen when stationery. It still changes up and down through the gears, and drives...
Please can you explain to me where I am going wrong? Yesterday, whilst driving around a roundabout, a car came from my off side, (I was travelling around on the left hand lane) and attempted to access...
My mother-in-law has a Y reg Ford Fiesta 1,600 16v S and she is looking to replace it with something similar but more up to date (not brand new). She has road tested a 2006 of same model and finds it very...
I have a 10 year old L/H drive VW Passat TDI Trendline estate car. Low mileage had since new. Superb car and do not wish to sell but import into UK. Having problems converting speedo to mph from km....
My wife who, at eighty two, is soon to take an Advanced Driving Test with the Institute of Advanced Driving, plans to change her manual Jazz for an auto. We understand, however, that the new Jazz auto...
A while back you gave some advice on how to detect if the boot of a car was leaking. I can’t remember what it was. I seem to recall you said something about rubbing grease on the seal and closing it? Please...
I am really pleased with my Bentley Continental GT, but sadly the satellite navigation is poor, even compared to a basic Tom Tom. Please could you suggest companies that can help with an upgrade?
Can you still drive a 3-wheeler on provisional licence, as was rumoured long ago? I want to get a cheap secondhand microcar or even a 3-wheeler for my partner. Ideally we'd get her a scooter but she had...
My 2002 Vauxhall Corsa's dashboard lights suddenly cut out several times during each journey. I have had the radio and head unit thoroughly checked and also the car's electrics thoroughly checked by my...
I've found a Jaguar XJ V8 SE 4.2 SE SWB 4-door saloon in green. It's a 2004 model with 50,000 miles on the clock from a franchised Jaguar dealer. Is this a good deal?
I bought a 2007 Vauxhall Combo van from a dealer in June 2007. Two weeks later it was towed back to them as it had the engine management light on and had lost all power. When I collected the van after...
An excellent and willing garage. Had a front coil spring break on Friday 3pm just prior to Bank Holiday weekend. Called in unnanounced. They put a guy on it straight away. Sourced parts and fitted them,...
My daughter and husband have baby and run a Honda Civic 1600 SE Auto and T reg Escort on last legs. They need two cars as she is a medic and he is to start teacher training shortly. They are moving to...
Excellent independent BMW specialist - Steve, who worked for many years at the Reading main BMW dealer. Very pleasant, helpful, knowledgeable and much cheaper than a main dealer.
My second car runabout, a very tatty H-reg Peugeot 309, has just suffered a cylinder head gasket failure (clouds of steam and drops of water from the exhaust). It's probably not worth even considering...
Having saved diligently for a few years my 22 yr old son finally bought himself, last October, a ‘decent’ car (Astra Diesel Hatch 1.9 CDTi 16V Sri 3 door - 2005) for about £7000 from a reputable garage....
I need a cheap large family car for general use (Asda trips) and longer road trips with lots of baggage. I only have about £1500 for the purchase. I would prefer a diesel automatic and preferably an estate...
My 56 Reg (Nov 2006) Volkswagen Eos has developed a fault with the ABS and my local Volkswagen dealership has quoted me £1300 to replace the unit, although they have offered a "goodwill" price of £680....
My local tyre dealer says that we don't need to fit higher than a T82-rated tyre to our average family cars (Astra hatchback 1.4, Primera hatchback 1.8 and Rover 200 1.4) as long as we don't go above the...
My partner's car requires two new tyres (the ones to be replaced are on the rear). As it is front wheel drive, the garage recommends putting the new tyres on the front - I would prefer them to go on the...
I am getting rid of my car for a Mitsubishi Chariot. I do not know much about Mitsubishi are they good cars or am I walking into a headache?
My son has a 1996 V6 Auto Omega, bought for a nominal sum from a friend of mine. It has given him 10 months' excellent service, and for about £500 it has just got through another MOT and been serviced....
One year ago I part-exchanged a 2006 Citroen C3 for a new Citroen C3 1.6 HDi (April 2009) with the same engine. The previous 1.6 HDi engine gave me very good fuel economy, 60mpg with mixed driving and...
I purchased a Renault Grand Scenic four years ago when it was nearly new. I did lots of research, noted your comments, and still have the copy of your test report. We have enjoyed plenty of both UK and...
We have all seen insurers gradually remove features that used to be part of "Fully Comprehensive" policies but one insurer has placed a formidable restriction on where you have your car repaired. All their...
Can you suggest the top three cars for a penniless student? Budget £2000, low insurance and reliability are important, but space would be useful as I carry a lot of kit around. C1, 106 etc seem so small....
I have a Grande Punto Dynamic 2006 but registered as a January 2007, 5-door hatch, 10,500 miles, 1.4, metallic, spanking condition. Glasses can give me an automatic value only and my car is a manual. What,...
What, in your view, is the best pre-1999 diesel estate?
I have recently received a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class on a 3-year contract hire. The small print states that I should get the car serviced at an 'Official Workshop'. I know that the warranty is not dependent...
I'd like to buy an ex-BSM FIAT 500, but neither FIAT nor BSM will tell me how the vehicles are disposed of. I read in the press that the cars would be channelled thought a FIAT main dealer for selling...
My parents, both fit and strong, though of a late 1920s and 1930s vintage, cannot apply the handbrake of their Honda Jazz sufficiently hard to stop it rolling on steep hills. I just accompanied them to...
I have been using this garage for over a year now, and they maintain my old and fairly reliable BMW 3 Series. Pricing is good, service is excellent - very friendly and helpful - and they think ahead to...
We purchased a Vauxhall Astra Twin Top 1.8i new in September 2006. Four months ago we had a major part (engine timing kit) break on the car. The cost of this should have been £800 but Vauxhall charged...
Drivearchive.co.uk cannot find even the vehicles that I am driving today! The DVLA vehicle search is much more accurate and complete.
Have you had any other complaints about the ABS unit fitted to the Vauxhall Zafira. I have a 49,000-mile car and I am trying to get a contribution from Vauxhall. At the moment they will not contribute....
I currently own a Toyota Auris T180 with the 2.2 D-Cat diesel. It is a great engine but the cabin is disappointing and, having recently become a grandfather, I need more boot/closed hatch space. I am tempted...
I have purchased a 2006 BMW 520D Auto with normal tyres, not runflats. There is a cigarette lighter-powered compressor and a can of gunk in the boot, but I broke my cigarette lighter trying to get the...
What would you recommend for my mother who has just had a knee op and has trouble lifting her legs up over a ledge to get into a car. My wife's Scenic is ideal in this respect, but is too big for my mother....
I bought a VW Eos 1.4 160bhp Sport last summer. It rides on 18-inch alloys with sport suspension set up (factory standard for that model). Tyres are Continental 235/40 R18. Its ride has become too firm...
I wish to buy a small car/supermini that is not too noisy (in comparison to similar small cars) which has a high specification. Ideally with some of the specs as standard, unlike the Mini where nothing...
I have a 30,000 mile Land Rover Discovery 3. It's 30 months old and was supplied and serviced by the main dealer, the last time in November 2009. It recently developed a horrible squealing noise from the...
My girlfriend is in the market to replace a ratty old Metro with something with space enough to put a folded massage table (approx 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches folded up) in the back. Max budget...
If I need a UK address to change the ownership to my name, what is the criteria for this? And are there any other restrictions for a foreigner visiting the UK owning a vehicle? There are motorhome dealers...
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