Questions from August 2010
I own a 2000 Honda HR-V three-door hatchback which I purchased in 2002 from our local dealer. At the beginning of this year the alarm started going off randomly when I used the key fob or when I started...
I know you're not necessarily a banking/finance expert, but how or why is it that a payment made from a foreign bank can be recalled months or even years later? That doesn't make any sense!
I own a W-reg Mercedes-Benz 320 E-Class diesel. I have some oil, Castrol Magnatec 10w-40 A3/B3 MB 229.1, but it does not say diesel on the can. Can I use this oil?
I have an 02 Renault Megane Coupe and had the mis-pleasure of the cam belt snapping on me two years ago. The car had done 75,000 miles. This, I understand, was very good going for the first belt. But two...
I posted a question last Monday 9 Aug 2010 but as yet has had no response. My Chrysler Voyager is completely immobilised at the moment. The red light is permanently on and there is no ticking over of the...
I am looking to buy a new Nissan Qashqai and I wondered if it's better to buy a diesel or petrol version. My average mileage is 13,000 per year.
My 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis 2.0 diesel (Volkswagen engine) starts fine in the mornings and when cold. However, when I drive a few miles then stop, wait a few minutes and then try to start again the engine...
I purchased a secondhand 51-plate Mercedes-Benz A-Class from a main dealer 10 months ago. I have only done 1300 miles in it since then. I have taken it for an MoT today and they have informed me the car's...
I bought a brand new Subaru Outback Boxer diesel in June this year. I have returned the car on two occasions for niggly problems and the steering wheel wobbles at 70 to 75mph. The dealer has balanced the...
I will, in the very near future, be getting a job with a company car, which leaves me with the issue of selling my current car and not being able to part-ex. I have a Volkswagen Jetta, 56 reg with 57,000...
My 2000 ST24 Ford Mondeo estate ST24 has just failed its MOT. It requires a lower rear suspension arm. How much should this part cost and how much should i expect to pay to have it fitted?
Is this table still accurate? www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tax/porsche/cayenne-2003
According to the DVLA website below, band K includes cars that have a CO2 figure over 225g/km but were registered before...
I'm thinking of buying a Citroen Picasso diesel. I would like the version that has the most powerful and reliable engine out of the 1.6HDI and 2.0HDI. The 1.6HDI has a 16v engine, and the 2.0HDI is 8v....
I recently had a turbo failure (as assessed by Renault mechanics) which has caused the potential for a replacement engine on my Megane CC. I have made some investigations on the web and have found that...
I have a 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser LC5 3.0 diesel manual D4D with 29,000 miles. This week it suffered what appears to be clutch failure. I recovered the car to my local independent garage (the nearest Toyata...
I have a nine-inch scratch on the bumper of my Metallic Silver Toyota Avensis. Can you advise what the best way to repair this will be? I plan to sell the car in the next 6-12 months and wonder if it is...
My wife has an 05 Citroen C3 which we are very pleased with. However, it has just been diagnosed with 'corroded fuel injectors' due to leaking from the windscreen washer jets! This will cost us £500 to...
I have a 2002 Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol and it has three faults. The front fog lamps don't work. They are fitted and plugged in. Also, the rear fog lamps don't work - I have checked and replaced the bulbs....
I'm buying a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI sport and have read your review of it. I am a little concerned about the oil pump failure you mention. I have asked the dealer to check it, as the car has done...
I bought a 2005 Vauxhall Astra 1.7CDTI from a dealer on 3 June 2010. About two weeks ago I was driving home and had a temporary loss of power at 60 mph, but this rectified itself after about one second....
I have no drive in fifth gear. It goes in but the engine just revs. There are no other problems with any other gear and it drives well.
What is the difference between Mazda 6 models eg. TS, TS2 and Sport?
I'm looking at buying an Audi soon but I don't know what engine to get. I only do approximately 50 miles during the week and, on some weekends, 100 or more. I'm thinking of the 1.9 TDI or 2.0TDI, but which...
I have just purchased a car and found that there are three MOT certificates missing. Is this important?
I have recently purchased a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SXI three-door on an 03 plate. I put two new tyres on the front of the car in May and the front passenger tyre has worn illegal already! I haven't done more...
I have just purchaced a Rover 216 SLI left-hand drive to go to Italy next year. It has the Honda engine and it will stand in Italy for a few months of the year, but we are concerned about the immobiliser...
I have bought a stolen car and the police have taken the car from me. However, I have not got any proof from the police that the car is stolen. The logbook came from the DVLA originally and my name is...
I took my car to a garage I've been using for many years for a standard MOT. On the whole, I'm happy with the service they provide and have not had any complaints. Today, I went to collect my car and paid...
I bought my BMW convertible 320 CI on a 56 plate a few months ago. There was a noise coming from the car within the first month and the windows seemed to have a mind of their own. The garage where the...
I bought a secondhand 2001 Fiat Punto from a local small independent car dealer. The car came with a one-month warranty covering mechanical problems. Soon after buying the car, I started having issues...
I was caught doing 105mph in a 60mp limit two days ago. I have a clean licence but have just passed my test four weeks ago. Can I quickly exchange my licence for a irish one and avoid a ban? I'm a lorry...
I have a 2007 Mazda 6 2-litre TS with 44,000 on the clock, which has developed an erratic idle speed when first coming onto idle from higher revs. This then smooths out to a constant level and stays level...
I have a 2002 Fiat Punto on which I have replaced the head gasket and timing belt. I aligned the belt to the specified marks in the book but the engine won't fire. It's just popping through the carb. Is...
Can you tell me the size of the brake calliper bolts on the front brakes of a 2006 Toyota Yaris 1.0L T3? I have tried an 11mm and 12mm socket but the bolt does not appear to be moving out of the thread....
I would be really grateful if you could confirm the interval to change the cam belt for both the old style (pre-2008) Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner, giving mileage and years, whichever is the earliest....
I bought in November 2009 (privately) a Volkswagen Golf GTI (January 2008) with 9300 miles and a full Volkswagen dealer service history. I noticed, only a month after major servicing at my local Volkswagen...
i am currently looking for a new car and came across a 2003 Ford Focus 1.8 TDDI Zetec three-door with 92,000 miles. The asking price is around £2800. Is this a reasonable price and are there any problems...
The lease on my company car comes to an end in November and, due to the poor choice on offer, I am coming out of the lease option and taking a cash allowance with which I intend to buy a car. I have a...
I believe I have a problem with my Audi A4 Avant B8's start-stop system. Whatever I do, including switching everything including radio, lights and climate control off, I cannot achieve more than 25 seconds....
The car I want to buy says that the finance register for the car was agreed on the 15/03/2007 and the term of the agreement was 43 months, which would mean there is two months left from today. Does that...
I just bought a W-reg Volkswagen Transporter 1.9TD. It runs really well and starts every time, except if I drive for longer that an hour and turn off the engine. Then it will not start again for at least...
My friend is looking to buy a new car with a smallish engine. She has been looking at a 2003 Daihatsu YRV 1.3 F-Speed. What are your thoughts on this car? She needs an automatic and her budget is up to...
I bought a 2003 Hyundai Coupe 2.7 privately. The car was described as having an occasional misfire but still driving fine. When I collected the car all seemed well, the seller agreed to meet me at the...
My wife and I are working in the same town so basically we just need one car for commuting, as we're currently driving a 57-reg Mazda 3. Now she's pregnant. Basically we need a bigger car for carrying...
My 2004 Grand Cherokee's heating system has packed up. It all sounds fine, the fan makes loud noise as usual but nothing comes out (as if something is blocked). Plus there is a blast of cold air on the...
What would be the best advertising medium to sell my 1964 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series 1 Coupe? I'm asking£34,995. The engine has been rebuilt, and the body restored and resprayed original Sand Gold. I'm not...
I'm looking at a BMW 840 with 120,000 miles, selling for £3500.00 What are the main faults with this model?
What would be a recommended 2008 saloon car to purchase that will fulfil these requirements: diesel engine 1.9l to 2.2l, low C02 emission (<140 g/km, maximum of 155g/km), 130-150bhp, six-speed gearbox...
In your column in the Daily Telegraph recently you were replying to a guy with a Laguna Sports Tourer with problems with the air conditioning compressor, and the reply almost read like you were going to...
i have a Ford Mondeo estate 1.8 LX on an 02 plate with 112,000 miles. I am using about one litre of oil every 100 miles, but otherwise the car runs fine. Does anyone have any idea why this is?
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