Questions from August 2010
Which one do you recommend? The BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz C250 CGI?
The central locking and alarm system of my 2002 BMW 318i Touring has started to malfunction. Sometimes the system will operate normally, other times not unlocking any doors and on occasion, only releasing...
I recently took part in a couple of community clean up days in villages in my area. Much of the litter along the verges appeared to come from cars. Cars have glove compartments, cigarette lighters and...
I have a Kuga 2.0 Titanium diesel and it’d brand new. However my pride and joy has been in the garage for the last month because of engine malfunction. The AA believe it is particulate fuel filter issues,...
In 1971 I was working as a car salesman. It was a Saturday and I had just filled the tank of my demonstration car. I was in the countryside and I had to stop for a cow on the road. However I was on the...
Could you advise on a used car for my daughter approx £2,000 - £2,500. Model and age info would be helpful and any advice as to professional check on vehicle before purchase,
It’s decision time. I am about to retire soon on a reasonable pension.
I want to buy a high quality car to last me 15 years or more. My neighbour runs the first Lexus model ever brought out in this country....
Could you please help? I have to decide on the best model of executive type car for very high mileage all year round use, and it must be German. Use includes 4am early morning starts and late return from...
Can you advise me from where my garage may be able to order a spare part for my Fiat Bis 126 purchased 31st August l989, one owner, mileage 26,682? At the last MOT my previous garage gave me an Advisory...
We purchased a new Meriva Design in 2004 and have covered only 30,000 miles. As the steering failed, the main Vauxhall agent has stated we need a new steering column at the cost of £620. Vauxhall will...
I have just received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute from Essex Police. This states that I have exceeded a temporary limit of 50 miles an hour on a motorway road works section on the M25, which was...
I've just bought a 51-plate Citroen Xsara Picasso from auction. There have been some strange messages coming up on the dash, such as an 'overspeed inactive' warning as well as an 'electrical immobiliser...
Could you tell me if the water pump on a 1998 Ford Escort Finesse 1.6 is cam belt-driven? I am no mechanic, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have been looking at buying a Hyundai i30 estate - the premium version. The target price on another website is £15,164 and the list price is £17,150. However, Hyundai have the 'trade-in, trade-up' deal...
I've seen and test driven a Volkswagen Polo 1.4S 52 with 48,000 miles. It's up for £3495, has a full service history, one owner and is HPI clear. Is £3300 reasonable? I've also seen a Volkswagen Polo 1.4SW...
I've just had my 54 plate D22 Nissan Navara written off by another driver. I'm hoping I can get maybe £7000 from the insurance and now find myself with an issue. Do I spent the £7000 on another similar...
I received a recall letter last Wednesday for a potential problem with my Audi A4's plenum chamber. Ironically my car broke down on Saturday and, according to the AA, it was caused by water corrosion in...
I am a trustee of a small UK charity working to improve primary education in Uganda. We are trying to find a suitable secondhand vehicle for use in our charity's work in a rural area of Uganda. One possibility...
The car is a 2007 Renault Laguna 150 DCI. The windscreen is developing spots, about 3mm in diameter, like semi-transparent watermarks which are inside the screen, perhaps between the laminate layers. They...
We are looking at a 1.4 Fiesta Titanium in Sea Grey. The dealer is offering it at £12,000 plus our Y-reg Puma valued at £1200. I'd like reversing sensors and mud flaps included but the dealer won't budge....
I use a Tom Tom Go 370 Navigator in conjunction with an RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver aerial also by Tom Tom. Recently I noticed, what looked like deep scratch marks on the dashboard of my car. It was only...
My sister-in-law purchased a Hyundai i10 under the Scappage Scheme 12 months ago and is highly delighted with the car. During the recent hot spell she has been using the air conditioning but insists on...
You seem to be stressing the use of left foot braking whilst manoeuvring only, where I can see your point if you have to use
the accelerator. However, all my automatics over thirty years have engaged drive...
I purchased my third Mercedes C Class in February, a 220 CDI Sport (I have never had any problems with any of the others). After 4 days practically every warning light on the dashboard lit up and it was...
I want to buy a low cost 4x4 for occasional use and have seen a low mileage Freelander TD4 with BMW diesel engine at what seems like a fair price. I decided to do some research as to what for example a...
I bought a 2007 BMW 335i reg 2007 12 days ago from a dealer as a trade sale from a dealer my company has dealings with. It was sold as seen, and out of its 3-year warranty. I took out a full BMW warranty...
I’m moving to Belgium and want to buy a car in this country before I go. You advised me of LHD dealers such as The Left Hand Drive Place at Daneshill, near Basingstoke, but the cars are still quite expensive...
I met a colleague at Rothwell Services on the A14 recently, as it was equi-distant travelling for both of us. We parked in McDonalds car
Park and had several coffees whilst we discussed a project. We...
You are mention runflat tyres to avoid the danger of changing a wheel on a dangerous road or motorway hard shoulder. But I have not heard you mention the product "Puncturesafe" that instantly repairs all...
Eight years ago I contacted you on behalf of my wife. She wanted a small, new, 5-door hatchback with aircon for under £10k. Your reply consisted of two words, fortunately these were "Toyota Yaris". We...
I have got a Toyota Camry VVT automatic 2004 that tends to have a misfire. I have changed the plugs and tested the coil packs and found the number two piston to be the reason for that. Is the problem electrical...
The handling on my 59-plate Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 is really solid on the sports low profile tyres and wheels. Can I fit the standard SLK wheels and tyres? Any snags or warranty issues, and will it make...
My car crashed into a barrier in Scotland. The barrier is bent and the car is a complete write-off. I want to cancel my insurance as it is only third party, but who is liable for the barrier damage?
Could you give me information on popular makes of estate diesels and hatchbacks which have cam chains please?
I have a 1999 Citroen Saxo. Which of the three relays above the fusebox is the one for the heated rear window?
I am about to trade in my old Ford Focus for a year-old Focus. I've just noticed an item on the quote listed as "Documentation and Taxation" with a value of £74.73 plus VAT. I don't recall this being...
I have jut obtained a quote for repairing the clutch in my V-reg Volkswagen 1.4 Polo. It had a clutch repair six months ago, but for the last 10-15 days the car is not very smooth. The garage said that...
My wife has a Merecedes-Benz A-Class bought just over a year ago from one of the car supermarkets. It still has outstanding warranty on it and runs well. It is low mileage, but has been used daily by ourselves....
I am looking to spend up to £15,000 on a secondhand car for my wife, who only will do 4000 miles per year so I'm looking at one or two year-old car. I would like either front wheel drive or 4X4, as we're...
How much am I looking at paying for a new clutch on a 2002 Ford Mondeo?
The button on the handbrake in my 2003 BMW 325Ci is stuck pushed in, and as such I can no longer get it to grab when I pull it up. Is there a way I can fix this myself?
Which is the cheapest country in Europe to buy a left-hand drive car from?
I have a 2006 Skoda Fabia 1.9TDI PD. After driving for about 10 minutes the ESP light comes on and stays on. Once you stop and turn the ignition off, the light goes off but comes back on after another...
I'm looking for an interesting car to buy for six months as I'm looking to come back to the UK to work for six months next year. My requirements are fairly relaxed; a good fun four-seater car which can...
My son-in-law has purchased, two months ago, a 2005 Vauxhall Astra CDTI (1.7-litre turbo diesel). The car is a saloon hatchback with only 31,000 miles on the clock. My son-in-law uses the car daily, but...
I am looking for a car with three Isofix fittings to take three child seats on the second row. I would rather not have a very large car like a Galaxy. I have looked at the Citroen C4 Picasso but the semi-automatic...
Do you know what the equivalent spring rates are for the Citroen Xantia front suspension? Is there any way I can alter the pounds per inch rate of these units?
I have a 1996 Peugeot 106. The immobiliser has locked itself. The red and green light are on together and the dashboard lights are on too, but it wont start. Is there a way to override this?
I thought you might like to comment on the way the 2007 Lexus IS250 cruise control operates when resuming from a speed below that saved in the system. Rather than accelerating steadily (cruising?) back...
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