Questions from August 2010
Internet dealers quote keen prices but most are "pre-reg" meaning no V5C for several months. With £20,000 or more sent in advance of seeing car and then no document, is this wise or safe?
I have a Rover City Sprite 2004 and am looking for a suitable replacement clutch. Can you advise what cars are using the same part? The official Rover replacement is very expensive.
How do I check if a Citroen Picasso I may purchase has the better Bosch ECU injector system or the Siemens one?
A few months ago I received a cold call. The caller said he wanted to confirm that a car registered at my address had been involved in a "minor accident". He would not provide details of who he was nor...
I currently run a Mazda 6 2.0 TS2 estate (56 plate) - a previous recommendation of yours - and cannot decide whether to stay with Mazda or switch to something like a Mondeo or Insignia. My annual mileage...
I am thinking of buying a people carrier for my taxi trade. I have a choice between the Nissan Primastar or the Peugeot Expert Tepee
My Volvo S80 has about 114,000 miles on the clock. Recently the cruise control started dropping out for no apparent reason. The "Cruise" indicator light comes on and stays on whenever the system is turned...
I have a knocking from the front end of my 2005 Renault Megane CC when I take my foot off the accelerator. I don't think it's the CV joint because turning makes the noise go away. Braking also seems to...
I have a persistent problem with the tracking on my Ford Ka (56 reg, 1.3l). I've had the tracking done by three different companies, including one independent garage (who also gave the car a look over)....
Nissan have advised me that they recommend a fuel system clean every six months and will carry one out automatically when they service my car, unless I request otherwise when I book the service. Is such...
With retirement and a move to the Highlands coming soon, I have placed a factory order for a new Skoda Yeti Elegance 140bhp DSG, expected delivery in November/December. The dealer wants to take my 2006...
In February 2009 I bought a 2005 55 Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0TDI SE from a dealer with 70,000 miles on the clock. I do about 20-25,000 miles a year and I thought this would be a great car, but I have...
I have received a NIP for apparently doing 38 in a 30mph zone. However, the alleged offence was 78 days ago. The NIP was issued 78 days after the event. I simply cannot remember if it was me or my wife...
I have a Peugeot 2-litre turbo diesel estate. It is a 2002 model and has clocked 58,000 miles. When should the timing chain be replaced?
What is the best buy - a post-2000 Jaguar XK8 or a later model Mercedes-Benz C- or E-Class?
I want to buy a new engine from the US to replace my own Jaguar X-Type engine which has blown. I would like to know the pros and cons, as the price from the US is one third of the price here in the UK....
I have a 58-reg Toyota Avensis and I found rust in a couple of areas. Toyota have agreed to replace all four doors. The areas round the doors will be sprayed to blend the colour in. What is the likelihood...
I have put 55 litres of unleaded petrol with five litres of diesel in my car. I have had it drained into five-gallon drums. Would I be able to use this in a P-reg Citroen?
We currently own a 2003 Fiat Multipla. It's been very good but is getting old now, and last year we bought a 2008 Saab 9-5 estate to replace it but found it too useful to let go. We now want to replace...
I recently bought a Ford Ka, registered in March 2008, from a well known Ford dealership. I was told during the sale that there was the remainder of the Ford extended warranty still remaining on the vehicle...
I have an Audi A4 S-Line on a 55 plate. The heater is now blowing out cool air. Can you help? I've had the air conditioning on most of the summer.
I have a 1.8 Astra Elite. I find it very uncomfortable and am looking for new, smaller car. The back seats need to fold flat for a greyhound, and it needs to be comfortable! I want similar acceleration,...
My 1997 Ford Fiesta Ghia's tailgate release no longer works. The red alarm light stays on constantly, but the door open indication light on the dash does not work. My husband has checked the fuses, which...
There's a smell of damp inside my Volkswagen Golf V. It's becoming quite noticeable.
I have a 05 Ford Mondeo TDCI. I have fitted some 18-inch ST Focus alloy wheels to it and on the rear I needed to add some 6mm spacers whilst doing nothing to the front. Due to adding the spacers the wheel...
There's a knocking noise coming from under the rear of my Ford Fiesta at low speeds. If you speed up it goes away.
I have a 1995 Ford Galaxy automatic. Recently I've had a problem with the brake lights and not able to select drive when running. I have managed to temporarily fix the old brake light switch while a new...
Following retirement, my wife and I intend to stay in Spain for a few months each year, involving stays of up to three months. We'll be driving there and back via France probably three times annually....
I am planning to change my 2007 Mercedes-Benz C200CDI automatic as I have now done 65,000 miles. I am considering a 2009 Jag X-Type Sovereign auto or a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C220 auto with satellite navigation....
My car came with 185 tires. If I exchange them for wider tires such as 205s, will I be able to achieve shorter stopping distances? What about road holding? Will I sacrifice fuel consumption?
I have a 2009 Kia Cee'd 1.6CRDI, and am generally pleased with it. The spacesaver spare wheel is marked 50mph and 70 miles, and is not to be used while towing, and the same advice is in the user handbook....
I assigned a number plate to my vehicle on 20 August and was given the new MOT and tax disc on that day, as I did it at my local DVLA office. Today I have received another MOT certificate with my new number...
I have read the FAQ about DPF problems, but are they fitted to every diesel car including my 2002 Citroen C2?
Can you recommend a tyre fitter in the Surrey area? I'm in Epsom. I need four new tyres for my Mercedes-Benz and don't want the alloys spoiled like last time.
I popped in to visit a friend and was there for 10 minutes. When I left the house, I got into my car, checked my rear view mirror and side mirrors and continued to check for cars and persons as I backed...
Please can you advise how to replenish my Citroen C5's DPF additive, and where is the tank located?
I have narrowed my search for what is possibly my last car to the Ford Kuga Zetec, Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage. I know that the Hyundai and Kia have long warranty periods but found the Kuga seemingly...
The sidelights on my Vauxhall Zafira come on when the engine is off and the key is out of the car, but when the engine is running the lights are fine and work ok.
My 51-plate Ford Mondeo's air conditioning seems to be on all the time. Can I disarm it from the engine? It seems to be using a lot of diesel.
I have a problem opening my Nissan Primera's boot with the central locking. I can open it with the key when pushing in and turning to the right. All the other doors open no problem. The problem lies in...
How do I turn the passenger side airbag off while I have a child seat in the front seat of my 2000 Vauxhall Vectra LS?
Following a recent service and MoT of my 10-year-old Mitsubishi Galant estate, my trusted mechanic suggested it was entering its final year of reliable motoring. It has been a very safe, comfortable and...
One month ago I bought a 2007 Vauxhall Zafira and the garage gave me three months' warranty. I noticed that the gear change was a bit stiff, so I took it back for them to check. After inspection they told...
I was involved in a car accident where the third party went into the back of me at a junction. The third party admits fault and their insurance contacted me to get it all repaired. I used my own choice...
When trying to start my Nissan Primera P12 it won't rev, it just splutters and then cuts out after a while. When turning it over it will start but won't rev, and when I drive off it just splutters and...
My 2001 Renault Megane (69,851 miles) has lost compression. It appears the timing belt has not snapped but has possibly lost teeth. I have been led to believe that the repair could exceed £1000. Does the...
I bought a used 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe with piston ring problems - should the dealer replace the car?
I bought a used 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe from a dealer. After four months I started to get white smoke from the exhaust - nothing major, but enough for me to take it to the local Hyundai dealership. They...
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