Questions from July 2010
I purchased a new Toyota Yaris TR 1.4 D4D January 2009 and after approximately 125 miles the gearbox output shaft rear bearing shattered, resulting in a vehicle recovery. My request for a replacement gearbox...
I have a BMW X5 '05 plate with 77,000 on the clock. Last night there was black smoke coming from the car, which then resulted in a scary scenario where the engine was running off its own oil at full revs...
I have received a renewal application for my photocard driving licence which has now expired. However, my paper licence does not expire until 2015. Am I legally allowed to drive on this paper licence or...
I recently bought a Honda Accord 2007 2.2 CDTi Sport and cannot use the hands-free telephone, as it says the system is locked. I tried contacting the previous owner but it turns out it was a lease vehicle...
I'm considering selling my W-reg Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed (owned from new and a sheer joy) for a new Giulietta. There's a firm on the web which is offering more than £2000 off dealer list price, and although...
Returning on Saturday from shopping in our 55-reg Golf Plus (46,000 miles), I noticed the ESP light was on. Ironically, on returning home, I opened the Telegraph Motoring section and the very first thing...
I am contemplating the purchase of a 2008 Honda Civic 1.8 iVTEC EX fitted with an iShift gearbox. This does not have a torque converter but a clutch, as fitted to the 1.4 manual where the changes are made...
I own a Freelander 2, bought new in August 2007 and am considering purchasing a new Freelander 2 TD4 HSE. Under the Land Rover Finance agreement on the existing car, the final payment will be £13,482....
I drive approximately 12,000 miles per year in a 2004 diesel Astra, 30 per cent motorway miles and the rest on country roads and lanes. The tyres are due for replacement in September at MOT. I am thinking...
Volkswagen agreed in the end, under their goodwill scheme, to repair my car after a lot of argument. That was a couple of weeks ago, however I have since noticed a dent on the passenger side under the...
I'm looking at purchasing a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 16v SE, 5-door with 46,000 miles on the clock. I am wondering what you think would generally be a good price. I am not really looking to spend more than...
Can you start a car which is in first gear without engaging the clutch?
I have recently had a test drive of the new BMW 5 Series saloon and was very impressed. I have few reservations about the car, but one is that runflat tyres come as standard with no other option. For UK...
Please can you tell me how I calculate the wheel and tyre size for a 2005 Volvo V70? I want to put winter tyres on steel wheels for the coming winter. Clearly, the wheels will be a smaller diameter than...
I have a Mercedes-Benz C180 which I bought from new in late 2002. It has a full Mercedes-Benz service record. Despite its age, the car only has 17,000 miles on the clock. I had the car serviced recently...
A short time ago I asked you about the relative merits of two cars my wife was considering as her next Motability car. These were the Skoda Roomster SE 1.2 TSI DSG and the KIA Soul 2 1.6 CRDI automatic....
I took delivery of a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class and have only just read your article. The car is a C180 Elegance and is dated 11/08/2000 in the EEC certificate of conformity. Initial registration 16/1/01....
My wife needs to replace her Peugeot 206 automatic. It suits her because, due to arthritis, she is unable to press the button on the gear lever used to unlock the park mode. Instead, the brake pedal has...
My daughter bough a Ford Fiesta Zetec just over a year ago. It's in very good condition and quite fast. She hadn't noticed that the oil was running low. She had a major service about two months ago. They...
I did fancy an Audi A4 diesel or a Volkswagen equivalent but I am finding the used prices very high. Can you recommend an equally reliable and worthy diesel of this size for £2000 - £3000? I assume there...
I have the chance to purchase my company car which is a BMW 2006 5 Series 2.0D SE Tourer. The car has 84,500 miles on the clock and I would like your advice on whether this would be a sensible purchase,...
The other day I found that all three of my brake lights have stopped working. I've done the usual checks - fuse, bulbs. No other lights are affected - the indicators, reverse, fog and side lights all work....
I am considering purchasing a new Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI automatic for my wife. I understand that they will be available in a few months time. Could you please advise me of the technical specification and...
My grandson is in the motor trade (a qualified technician) and is of the opinion that sole use of top grade fuel, eg Shell V-Power diesel, is damaging to the engine. Is there any truth in this?
I've changed the catalyst, charcoal canister, lambda senser, map senser, also checked the rubber tubes in the engine bay. Is there anything I can do to solve this? I've just failed an MOT.
Do you think 36mpg in city an acceptable consumption, or is it too high for a 1.9 PD TDI Volkswagen Bora six-speed, 130 bhp model?
I've just recently bought a 52-plate Peugeot 307 SW 2.0 petrol and found that the petrol gauge isn't working. Also, the anti-pollution light is on. Any help please?
My wife and I are buying a new Skoda Fabia Estate and have been offered GAP insurance for £250. What do you think about such insurance? Is it worthwhile? We're not reckless drivers, but a previous car...
My son recently purchased a secondhand car from a dealership in Dundee. When we first looked at the car we were pleasantly surprised at the condition of the vehicle and did not spot odd tyres on each wheel....
Can you modify the Hilux to be able to increase its towing capacity above 2250kg?
My local garage last week replaced the thermostat housing unit on my Peugeot 307 1.6 semi-automatic 2007 model, after I woke up one morning to find huge water loss. The car has only done just over 22,000...
We have an '02 plate SEAT Alhambra 1.9TDI. In the last month or so, my wife has lost power twice when driving it. She switched the engine off, and everything was fine again. In the first few days, we were...
I have a 2009 Citroen Dispatch 1.6-litre turbo diesel van. It's not yet due for a service on its factory oil (less than 500 miles). One of the staff topped up the oil with mineral oil 15/40 grade CC (as...
I have a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra C, 2.2DTi with 111,000 miles on the clock. When I start the car there is a squealing noise, which rises and falls with the revs for the first 10 to 15 seconds of running,...
I have been quoted £450 to have my new BMW 5 Series protected - this seems very expensive and I am doubtful that it is worth the money, as the car will be low mileage and will be kept in a garage. I recall...
I have a 2010 Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI. The rear lights mist up after washing. Volkswagen says this is normal. Turning on the lights will dry them out. The AA says it is a problem. If I wanted the lights...
My Volkswagen Passat Estate (petrol) bought new in March 2006 and now with 37,200 miles on the clock would only start intermittently. The vehicle has a full service history and always serviced by a Volkswagen...
My daughter is desperate. She has an 06 reg 2.0 TDCI Ford S-Max which intermittently takes several minutes to start from hot or cold. Her dealer has had the car several times, including whilst it was in...
I am looking for a first car, around the £1000-£2000 mark. It has to be able to carry four kayaks on the roof and seat four passengers, and possibly even sleep two in the boot. Ideally I would like an...
Just back from a week's holiday driving around Scotland in my 2002 Renault Clio II 1.5 DCI 65bhp, which ran like a sewing machine. It did nearly 1000 miles without any problems. I got up today and washed...
I have a Toyota Hilux HL3 07-reg and have been towing my trailer fine. I recently purchased an Equitrek trailer which has an unladen wight of 1400kg and gross of 2600kg. My horses weigh around 1000kg so...
As much as I love the comfort of the 520i BMW, it has a thirst greater than Dean Martin! I have decided, therefore that it has to go. I drive about 11,000 miles a year, a combination of town and motorway...
In January 2011 my wife and I are taking an extended holiday in New Zealand. We will be away from mid January until early April. We have two cars, a Mitsubishi Colt 1.0 petrol and a BMW 320d Touring. What...
I recently bought a 2003 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 and it came with no user manual. Do you know where or how I could get hold of one?
I bought a 1999 Ford Mondeo 1.8i two weeks ago for £895 from a dealer. I was told it would be serviced and, for them, safety was paramount and that I would not have a problem with this car. At first I...
We have a problem with an insurer who has revoked an insurance contract issued to us on the 16th of July. My partner, who wanted to transfer her non-claims bonus from Germany, signed up for a non-claims...
What is the best way to solve starting difficulties due to "low fuel pressure delivery" (per diagnostic machine) in my August 2000 BMW 530D SE Auto Touring?
I have always had BMW saloons or estate cars but, due to increasing hip problems, I am finding it more and more difficult and painful to get in and out of my beloved 10-year-old 530 Touring. I don't like...
I have a 2006 Ford Focus automatic estate which is red. However, I cannot find out which red - I have looked at the car registration disc as advised but can find nothing there. Somewhere I assume there...
How do I empty the water out of my 2002 Fiat Punto's radiator?
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