Questions from August 2010
My son bought a new car almost three years ago and paid for GAP insurance at the time, to cover the difference in the insurance settlement and the cost of a replacement car should the car be stolen. The...
I currently own a Nissan Qashqai 2.0 Acenta 2008, which I bought secondhand in November 2009. Currently we get about 35mpg. We mostly use the car at weekends for longish journeys, with the occasional short...
My wife and I have identical Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec diesels, one four and one two years old, and we often swap. The tyres are the same make and same pressure, and both are fully serviced. After extensive...
11 months ago I bought a new Fiat Multijet and as it is nearing its 12-month service I have received a letter from the dealer recommending all sorts of extras they say I need. For example, do I need to...
The car alarm sounded one night in my Toyota Avensis with no sign of external disturbance. The same happened the following night, and as I used the remote to silence the system I noticed a large moth fluttering...
My BMW 325d Touring 09 has developed a fault. The indicators come on now and then of their own volition. Has this happened before?
My wife's nearly three-year-old 1 Series BMW needs four new tyres in the next few weeks. At the moment it is fitted with the original Bridgestone Turanza runflat tyres (205 55 r16 91v). Would you advise...
I have just bought a T-reg Peugeot 306 and I am finding that there is not a lot of power for a 1.6 petrol engine. What could be the problem and what can I do to correct it?
I have recently lost the last key of my 2007 SEAT Leon Reference Sport and have been quoted by my local SEAT dealership, who did a job exactly the same a few weeks ago, a price of £1500. That seems to...
My 1992 Vauxhall Calibra has the brake system light and the alternator light coming on, and the worn pads light as well. The brake light and alternator light started intermittently and dimly, and now they're...
Can someone offer advice about my Peugeot 306TD? The car starts first time and runs well, with no misfiring or whistles, but there is no turbo effect whatsoever. When you floor the throttle the motor gradually...
When I change to second gear or third gear in my Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, there doesn't seem to be any power at around 30 to 40mph, so I have to rev the engine until the power returns. What do you think...
I had a bit of trouble changing my 2002 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6's timing belt as I didn't know to use a timing locking pin, but after putting in new valves, replacing the head and timing belt, the car starts...
My 2002 Citroen C3 1.4 HDI is running slow, suffers a loss of power, and won't go above 3000rpm. It starts easily but it won't tick over straight away. I have to hold the revs a little higher for a minute...
My 2003 Ford Focus' sump nut has rounded off. Is there a tool to get the sump nut off so I can replace it?
I have a friend of the family who is on the closer side of 50. Last year he decided to start taking driving lessons, but due to various reasons he could no longer continue to do so. Unfortunately he bought...
I have shortlisted two cars - a 2007 Ford Fiesta Zetec with 18,000 miles and a 2007 Nisan Tiida with 35,000 miles. Both are the same price. Which one is the best buy?
I have a 2008 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue. Which tyres can I fit that are suitable for offroad use in mud and snow, whilst at shoot meets?
What are the best small and most economical cars with automatic transmission?
Have you any info regarding "What's Bad" about the Peugeot RCZ? I imagine the lack of rear seat space is the biggest snag. Also which engine would you go for?
I was driving my Ford Galaxy diesel on the motorway at around 70mph when it just lost power, and now there is loads of white smoke and maybe a slight bit of blue smoke mixed in with it on start-up. When...
I own a 2003 Volvo XC90 D5. Sadly it's not the most reliable of cars, and it does seem to suffer from frequent annoying little faults. I'm seeking an independent Volvo specialist who won't charge the earth....
I 'm thinking of downsizing from my Toyota RAV4 (01/2004) diesel and quite like the Toyota Urban Cruiser. I do about 6000 miles pa and you say the diesel is the better model, so if I give it a 25 mile...
On Wednesday I went to a well-known workshop to get my 2007 Volkswagen Polo's tyres replaced. They said I only need to replace the front offside tyre. I remembered that last time my tracking went straight...
What is the specified automatic transmission fluid for a 2001 Ford Galaxy Ghia 2.8 V6?
I've just done a diagnostic test on a 1994 Nissan Micra and it came up with fault code 12. Could you tell me what this means?
My son purchased a car from a 'friend' several months ago and had to apply for the V5 which he duly received. The car was insured with his partner as the main driver and him as the named driver. They split...
We have been advised to change the cam belt on our Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC. It is nine years old and has done 36,000 miles. Would you advise this and would you advise using a Honda dealer at a fixed price...
We are led to believe that a shortage of drivers exists. Is this true? I've spent a lot of money gaining my Class 2 licence and hopefully my Class 1 soon, but the information I get from agencies is that...
Can you tell me if there is a problem with sensor lights on the BMW 118D? Mine is eight months out of warranty and I have the DTC and DSC light illuminated on the dashboard. I rang BMW and they say it...
I have just bought a Rover 416 (1996 N reg) automatic with a Honda engine. I noticed a strong petrol smell inside the car when I filled it up fully and now whilst I'm driving I continue to smell it. I...
I am looking to replace my Vauxhall Astra with either a Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge or a Ford Ka 1.2 Zetec. The Ka is on offer in August for £8924 otr as opposed to £10,865 for the Fiat. Is almost £2000 too much...
Last year I purchased an Alfa Romeo 159 TI from new. I was travelling 50 miles to and from work each day. Initially the car was near perfect and I certainly had no complaints. In January this year I changed...
I have a 2002 LPG-converted Subaru Impreza Saloon with 120,000 miles. It is serviced regularly. Recently, when turning left, it has started to emanate a clack-clack-clack sound which increases in rapidity...
Your review on the above suggests that non-runflat tyres are fitted. The BMW brochure states 17-inch runflats are standard. Please confirm the reality as I am interested in purchase.
My insurance renewal is due. My insurer is offering extras such as personal accident cover and legal services cover. Do I need either of these? I thought I remembered a few weeks back you writing that...
I have a 2004 Honda 2.0 CR-V SE automatic (petrol) which I purchased secondhand (one previous owner) from a Honda franchise in 2008 with 17,500 miles on the clock. I am now thinking of selling the car....
Does my 1.8 Mazda MX-5's MZR engine have a dual mass flywheel fitted?
On 23 October 2009 I purchased a 2002 Golf 130 TDI from an established dealer for £4,500. It had 97,500 miles on the clock, but single owner and FSH, main dealer to 88,000. It came with a warranty from...
A lifetime friend has just died, leaving a 2004 Brotherwood converted Mercedes Vaneo 1.9 automatic petrol with 35,000 miles. The conversion comprises lowered floor, slide sideways rear seats, a drop down...
It’s time to change our car and we finally decided on a Peugeot 308S 1.6 petrol. We are looking for a fairly new low mileage vehicle. Most of the 308s advertised on the Peugeot dealers' website are 1.4...
Regarding left foot braking of automatics, my first licence was obtained in 1939 on two wheels, then in 1940 on four. Then the next
30 years of manual followed by 20 years of manual and autos and the final...
I have spoken to VW about the failed ESP module on my Golf. They wont help me because I don’t have a full VW service history. But this is a manufacture’s defect and should be the subject of a recall on...
Now the hot weather season has descended on us, it has also brought with it idiots that leave dogs in their cars with insufficient ventilation. I witnessed this yesterday in the car park at Burnham Bridges...
If a policeman stops you and asks to see your insurance documents, and does NOT give you any written piece of paper to ask you to take them along to the local police station, but, asks you to 'pop in'...
About six weeks ago, whilst washing my two-year-old Honda CRV, I noticed that the front offside foglight measuring 8cm across was broken. I thought no more of it and replaced it at a cost of £220. Last...
I would be grateful of any thoughts you might have on this issue. The company I work for has started using "Driving Monitor" to manage staff risk when driving on company business. We are all required to...
I am about to head off to the south of France with the family in our BMW 530i Sport Touring (2003) and have seen the tyre pressure on the door saying 2.8 bar front and 3.3 bar rear - assuming heavy load,...
Since purchasing the above vehicle in May of this year, I notice that when pulling away from standing the engine almost stalls unless I increase the revs. It's difficult to balance the car and the acceleration....
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