Questions from June 2010
I'm just in the process of purchasing an Audi A4 Avant with climate control, the first time I've had any sort of air con in a car. Do I need to do anything special to keep the system up and running in...
I've had first class service from my local garage, Gainsborough Corner Garage of Grantham, Lincolnshire. Can you add them to the Good Garage Guide?
I own a 2000 1.4 Renault Clio with about 114,000 on the clock. The head gasket recently went so I took it to a local garage recommended by a work colleague. After inspection, it also needed a new exhaust...
I have between £2000 -£3000 to spend on a secondhand car. It's actually for my fiancee who used to drive a Clio, but that has just died. Can you recommend a car which would be a good buy in that price...
My wife has sold her car and is a named driver on my insurance. Can she legally drive anyone's car with their permission? Also what about driving rented cars? She is over 70 years of age.
Would the 530 BMW E60 be more fuel efficient than a Jaguar X-type 2.5 petrol ?
The joystick/enter button on my satellite navigation works sometimes and not others. I have tried removing the four screws on the back of the lid but the cover still remains tight. Are there any more screws...
My KIA Sorento is cutting out after about five miles. Vehicle has covered 35,000 miles approx and has regular services.
Have you had any reports of new Accords having an uncomfortable judder or jolt which travels through the car each time the engine is turned on and off? Honda says it is a trait of the car.
Can I add Porsche Service Centre Byfleet to your Good Garage Guide, following excellent service after my Cayman S suffered a blowout on the M40?
My daughter lives in Long Ditton and is learning to drive. She will purchase a small used car up to around £5000, and to give her some idea of what is available I will take her round the Available Car...
We purchased our current Volkswagen Polo from a main dealer four years ago and at the same time bought an annual service cover for £14/month for three years. This expired and our first full service for...
I read with interest your answer to a gentlemen who had advertised his car via Amazon. It was surprising to read that the bank drafts and cheques were not 100 per cent reliable in securing your money even...
You used to recommend a used car inspection company (not the RAC or AA). I can't find anything on your current site about car inspections, have you gone off them?
I have just sold my car for £21,500. The purchaser banks at the same bank as I do (HSBC) and has suggested making an electronic transfer, which I was happy to accept until I read your article on receiving...
I have recently purchased a 1989 Range Rover with the 3.5 EFI V8 engine. The car is in lovely condition and has covered only 46,000 miles. I plan to keep it for a very long time. The car had a service...
I see you have a listing of track days. There is a very comprehensive website which has a search engine and lists all UK events at: www.trackdaylist.com. Have you seen it or thought about including a link?
I have been a keen follower of your column and am writing to you as I am now finally in a position to buy my first sports car, having saved up for many years. I am looking at secondhand cars and am looking...
You have mentioned in the CBCB a problem with the Toyota Avensis VVT-i engine suffering high oil consumption due to a bore liner problem and/or being fitted with slightly undersize pistons. Do you know...
My insurer of 23 years recently sent me my formal car renewal notice only a few days before it was due, despite my requests a month prior. In that time, they also refused to produce proof of no-claims...
I am retired on the Isle of Wight and cover a small mileage. Petrol consumption is not an issue and I am not short of a bob or two. I am thinking of purchasing a 2000 S500 Mercedes-Benz, one owner, 49,000...
My 2004 Ford Fiesta 1.4-litre cuts out every time I slow down, say at a traffic light. It starts again, but if I do not keep moving and revving then it cuts out again. One garage said this could be a speed...
Is the 75,000-mile/10-year timing belt change interval specified by Citroen under 'normal' operating conditions reasonable? Does this engine, like some Fords, have a good reputation for belt reliability?...
There does not seem to be a specific reference in the service schedule to changing the antifreeze in my 2006 Citroen 1.6-litre 16v. It is always checked at the service for concentration but does this take...
I read an answer in Sunday's paper referring to a scam involving post-sale cancellation of BACS transfer payments, and new rules for cheque payments. I've lost the paper so I can't find the link. Can you...
Do you know what the bad points of the Peugeot 406 Coupe 3-litre 6v are and what to watch out for?
I need to replace the front tyres on my 2006 Honda CR-V. Do I replace them with the original Bridgestone Dueler 215/65 R16 98H or go for another premium brand? I do not drive off road and cover 12,000...
After having a foul smell appear in my '08 1.8 diesel C-Max I have taken it to a Ford dealer for inspection. I have learnt tonight that it may be the clutch. It has only done 24,000 miles and is not used...
The water pump on my 2.2 petrol Vectra C 2003 model was replaced by my local Vauxhall dealer at 56,000 miles due to a water leak. The first replacement was noisy, with a high-pitched sound when revving...
I've just had the passenger side suspension spring changed on my 2003 Mondeo Zetec S with 43,000 miles, after it snapped following the bearing mount failing, and a 'clunking' noise happens whenever I turn...
Is the BMW 5 Series diesel E60 reliable, and what sort of trouble might it give?
I bought a 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Anniversary secondhand in March 2006 when it had done 8000 miles. I've had it serviced as required at the main dealers ever since. It has now done 29,500 miles....
I have a Corsa SXI. For the last six weeks it has had a intermittent problem - sometimes it would start and sometimes it wouldn't. My mechanic has spent hours trying to find out what is causing it. Fuel...
I have noticed on your forums that the recomended mileage for changing the timing belt on a Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI is 100,000 miles. I have a Spanish Focus that is on approx 100,000km (61,000 miles) and my...
My daughter has a 55-plate Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Twinport, petrol engine. It recently suffered catastrophic engine failure at relatively low speed, having done just 38,000 miles. The engineer on behalf of...
I have a 1993 K-reg Saab 900 Turbo and it needs new tyres. There are many to choose from, so I wondered if you had any knowledge for some objective reviews or opinions on which ones may be the best ones?...
I seem to have a problem with my recent Volkswagen Jetta purchase. When engaging first gear and reverse there seems to be a judder. Volkswagen has fitted a new clutch under warranty but it seems to have...
I have a 2001 Vauxhall Astra Estate 1.6i which is about due for a change. I like the look of the Peugeot Partner Tepee and other vehicles which are like vans but have side windows. I need the space to...
On Honest John's recommendation, when I bought a third car for fun for my wife and me, I contacted Paul Kirby at Primo (01702 225400, www.primoplc.com ). Primo find insurers that look at the driver rather...
I have a latest model Ford Focus 1.6 TDi and it's great apart from the road noise. I will shortly be fitting new tyres - any suggestions about which tyres might reduce the road noise?
My 2002 MINI Cooper automatic has a slight niggling problem in that the steering wheel sits slightly misaligned at about 11.55, as opposed to 12.00 o'clock. BMW told me that the steering wheel may need...
Could you advise if my 1998 BMW 840Ci Sport with 109,000 miles (with a replacement engine of approx 50,000 to 60,000 miles) - is worth keeping? Or should I get rid of it as a money-guzzling hole in my...
Can you offer any advice as to whether the above Saab convertible would be a good buy? It has full Saab service history, two owners, petrol engine and was registered in 2000 on a W plate. It's done 71,700...
My partner is very nervous when in a car, and frequently checks my speed against the speed limit, informs me when there are perfectly visible hazards ahead etc. Most of the time this is in a whispered...
I'm looking to buy a 2008 BMW X5 at auction. Should I buy now or wait - are prices likely to fall post-budget next week, and what is your view on the auction market trend currently?
I was just wondering how much a BMW 320d M Sport 2008/58 would cost at auction? Also, which are the best BCA auctions to go to? I've called BCA and the guide price seems high. From what I've read on your...
I'm looking at a 54-plate Picanto for £2995 from a local trader. Anything I should watch out for? It is to replace my wife's N-reg Metro so needs to be relatively small and OK for 3000-4000 miles per year.
I am about to buy my first car. I am a girl, not married, 26 years old and I come from a small Balkan country. My budget would allow me choose between Opel Corsa 1.2, Renault Clio III Expression 16v and...
I recently needed to see a Nissan main dealer to check the engine as a warning light had come on. After visiting one poor dealer, as I was going on to the Isle Of Wight I visited Straddlestones of Ryde...
I've got a Rover 25 1.4i L 2002 model. Just recently it started to judder - it's fine after it's been running a while, especially after a long journey. It only really happens when I change gear and start...
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