Questions from July 2010
Why is my Citroen's heater/cooler fan always blowing hot even when set to cold?
A year ago we purchased a Citroen C3 Rhythm 1.4 petrol. It was first registered in July 2008 and has now done 20,000 miles. On three occasions we have queried with the dealership the sharpness of the brakes....
I was informed by a garage representative that our Volkswagen T5 Transporter van requires a new engine and turbo due to metal contamination in the oil (an unknown internal problem) and a new manifold due...
We are experience a continuing groaning noise when bringing our 2004 KIA Sedona automatic to a stop. We have been back and forth to our local dealership with no joy. We have had the front discs and pads...
My 2006 Ford Focus 2.0TDCI has recently developed a juddering/vibration when I reach speeds above 40mph and is worse around the 60mph area. My throttle pedal also vibrating. My local garage has checked...
Recently I asked you whether it was legal for someone to park opposite a solid white line on a main road. I was grateful for your advice which advised me that it was not legal if passing cars have to cross...
My Citroen Xsara has an intermittent 'Stop' warning and temperature light coming on. This only seems to happen when I'm driving in town. When driving on the motorway, there's no problem. I notice the temperature...
I purchased a classic car privately, based upon the description provided by the seller. Following the purchase, I had the car transferred to a specialist who has indicated that there is severe rust on...
We recently purchased a Ford Fiesta 1.4 diesel and had an AA check done on it. We now find that it needs a new fuel injector and two new alloy wheels, neither of which are apparently covered by the expensive...
Just noticed when pulling away and changing up the gears in my 2009 Hyundai i20 that, as I try to accelerate in second gear, there is a knock from the engine when driving up a gradient. Is this normal...
My partner is replacing her 5-year-old Skoda Fabia Classic with either a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Match 5-door or an Audi Sportback 1.6TDI SE. Both of these are similarly priced, however the Golf is more...
I'm not sure if I missed it, but you did a report on the KIA Sportage 2010 at their test track. I recall you also saying you would do a report on the KIA/Hyundai setup. As a potential Hyundai ix35/KIA...
Would the 2006 Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE have the refined oil pump? I am thinking of buying one with high mileage because of my budget and I'm going to use it as a taxi. Obviously it's got to be reliable and...
I'm looking at buying a 2003 Focus 1.6 Ghia with 79,000 miles on the clock. When should we change the cam belt, or should it have been changed by now?
I have a 2-litre petrol Hyundai Tucson due a 50,000-mile service. The schedule recommends replacement of the timing belt, which the main dealer will fit. However, a non-franchised dealer recommends a full...
Is it possible to claim for an increase in premium as a result of non-fault accidents? My car was involved in two non-fault accidents, one in December 2008 and one in February 2009. In both situations...
Like many other law abiding drivers I'm often overtaken by other cars and, more often than not, LGVs, on motorways that have average speed cameras. Most of them are travelling at least 10 or 15 mph more...
I recently almost bought a silver 2006 BMW 330i M Sport coupe for £9400, but I pulled out because of the mileage - it had covered 91,000 miles. What do you think of such a purchase, of a fairly young car...
When my daughter took her N-reg Fiesta to university I put an extra gloss protection on the bonnet expecting her (correctly!) to never wash the car. She is now home for the summer and the bonnet is a mess!...
I was parked in a local retail park but overstayed. A notice was left on my car to advise but I have now received a parking notice for £70.00 to be paid in the next 28 days, but if I pay earlier the fee...
Five weeks ago I bought a 2009 Volvo XC70 from a Volvo garage. I was told it had two years of Volvo guarantee. However I found, after a week, that the service had not been done on time. Today I heard from...
Can you recommend a first car for my son please? We have a budget of up to £2000, but are trying to match low insurance with street cred.
I bought a Ford S-Max 1.8 TDCi from Ford Direct. I have done 80,000 miles in the car and the dual mass flywheel has failed. It is just out of the Ford Direct warranty but still in the manufacturer 3-year...
My wife is disabled, and we use a Motability car. She is due to change her car early next year, and must order later this year. We have shortlisted two cars as being very suitable for her needs; the Skoda...
I want to export cars from your country to Lithuania. The cars have to be without tax and I want to find a dealer who can to sell to me.
My manual Vauxhall Astra pops out of gear when I put it into second or reverse. It occasionally happens in fourth as well, and it's getting worse. What could it be?
I have an old car which has a loan secured against it. The engine has blown up and the car is really only fit for scrap. However the outstanding loan amount is greater than the car is worth as scrap, and...
I would like to know what is the most reliable middle class car with a petrol engine since 2004? Is there any reliable research?
I am looking to replace our 57-plate Mercedes-Benz in the next six months. I would like a comfortable and economical estate which is also an enjoyable drive. We have been slightly disappointed with the...
I have a 2008 BMW 325i coupe with 19,000 miles. I told by Sytners that all four tyres have worn on the inside. The readings are O/S 5, middle 5, I/S 0. On questioning them they say this is a fault with...
Is this a good time to buy secondhand or new as a cash buyer? We want to buy a decent 7-seater and have narrowed it down to a Vauxhall Zafira or Ford S-Max. Ideally we want a high spec one (leather seats...
I bought a 2004 Volkswagen Golf GT MkV 2004 with 42,000 miles on the clock. Volkswagen advises a cam belt change at 65,000 miles or four years, whichever is earlier. This car is six years old and has no...
I have had a tow bar fitted to my Corsa, and when I attach the cycle carrier base to the tow bar it partially obscures the bottom of the year of registration mark. When I am carrying my bicycle I have...
I am after a 4x4 and I've got around £4000 to spend. I've being doing a lot of research on the net and have looked at, and test driven, a few, including the Nissan Patrol, Daihatsu Fourtrak and Mitshubshi...
Could you repeat for me the position re being fined for overstaying on a supermarket carpark?
My Golf 1.4 TSI (09) is an excellent car, with only one flaw - the steering. Your website review identifies its lack of enthusiasm in turning corners and failure to track a straight line accurately. My...
I have an old Mercedes-Benz ML 270 with alloy wheels taking tyres size 255/60 R17. I use it in the winter to pull a little trailer with the horse manure from a very muddy park. Last winter, I planted it...
At 31,907 miles on the clock, the clutch on my Alfa Romeo 147 JTD 1.9 seems to have failed. The dealer has said that if, on examination, it is clutch failure, then I am responsible. The car is within manufacturers'...
A thrown-up stone caused a chip on the base of my Honda CR-V's windscreen and apparently it's too small to be repaired. Would say clear nail varnish provide an adequate repair?
My brother bought a brand new Renault Megane from a Renault dealership in March 2008. Unbeknown to him this car was first registered on 1 August 2007 in Cyprus and was brought back to the UK, then sold...
I am thinking of buying a Honda Civic Hybrid or a Volvo C30. Why is the Honda so cheap (and with this week's offers even cheaper)? A local Honda dealer is offering me a Civic Hybrid 2009 SE with 4700 miles...
Can you please tell me where the speedo pick-up is on a 2008 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi?
Last week a car drove into the back of my daughter's Fiat Cinquecento. The driver, whose details we have, stated that he would pay the cost of repairs, estimated at about £350. The driver has now decided...
In your opinion, what do you think is the worst ever car to roll off the production line? I personally think it is the horrendous Perodua Kenari or Reva G-Wiz, but what do you think personally is the worst...
I am bewilderd by the choice of small MPVs (capable of carrying five plus two). I'm considering the Ford S-Max, Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, Peugeot 5008 or Volkswagen Touran. All seem to fit in the £20-25,000...
I just bought a 2002 Peugeot 307 1.6 GLX petrol with service stamps in the book, but no record of a timing belt change. The car is coming up for 75,000 miles and I am unsure whether the belt has been changed....
Every year I try and buy my car insurance online. Problem is, when it comes to the specifics of my car it never appears on their drop-down list. Who creates this information, and how can I have my cars...
As a parent-to-be, I have found out that the boot of my BMW 320d Touring is not going to be big enough to accommodate anything other than a small pram. I'm therefore looking for something with more boot...
I note that Volvo have announced their 2011 range and have made their 2.0 and 2.4 diesel engines Euro 5 compliant, ie D3 (2.0), D4 (163bhp) and D5 (205bhp), but have left their 1.6D Drive as Euro 4 compliant....
I recently had an accident in a works van so my boss accordingly made a claim to cover the cost of the damage. Do I have to declare this when I renew my own private insurance, as the claim was made on...
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