Trending topics in September 2010
Questions from September 2010
I have a high mileage (147,000) 2008 Volkswagen Passat estate and since February this year all injectors have needed replacing. Is there a problem with injectors on this model?
I've owned my 03-plate Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 Kompressor for five years. It was supplied by a Mercedes-Benz dealer but I have chosen to have it serviced by a non-franchised company with Mercedes-Benz experience....
Our new Toyota Verso has a speed limiter, which I have used quite a lot particularly for motorway contraflows. I used to use the cruise control for this, but with the speed limiter, you can quickly decelerate...
My 2003 Vauxhall Corsa's dipped lights won't come on. All the other lights are working. Is it just new bulbs I need?
I have a 2002 Ford Focus 1.6i. I lost the original coded key, and have another ignition with one code key and another normal key, but the car doesn't start. Do I need to reprogram the key? How do I do...
Some years ago I saved a considerable sum by importing a highly specced Mercedes-Benz from Holland. I am now looking at buying the new S-Class with the new diesel engine and wondered whether it was still...
I write with reference to an incident that occurred whilst driving a brand new MINI. I was driving on the M1 and whilst changing lanes the car lost stability. It felt as if somebody had grabbed hold of...
Lots of arrogant persistent lawbreakers (speeders) often complain that speed cameras are a revenue stream for the government. With our huge deficit needing paying back somehow, I'd far rather see these...
I have got an eight-year-old Smart Passion convertible, semi automatic that has done approx 45,000 miles. So far so good. But it is beginning to cost me money. I have just spent nearly £1,000 on having...
I recently ordered a new Audi A3 from an Audi dealer. I added several options and negotiated a reasonable discount, bringing the purchase price to £23,000. I waited 10 weeks for the car; it arrived at...
I was wondering whether there is anything I need to do if leaving a car unused (garaged) for about 4 weeks? Or anything to do when back before starting up? It's a petrol engine and starts first time thanks...
I am considering buying a used car, first a 2004 Suzuki Wagon R + GL, 41,000 miles at £3,400; second a 2003 Fiat Punto Active 1,242cc manual, 71,000 miles at £ 2,700. Which is best? What do you think?
The...
I have a 4-year-old VW Touran TDI that I bought new. Recently, after 62,000 carefully driven miles and no rough motoring, the car fractured a rear coil spring, about one wind up from the base. The engineer...
On July 25th last year you published a letter from PM of Kineton regarding his experience at a branch of McDonalds, where he was sent a penalty charge for overstaying his visit - while he was giving them...
Your response to PB's letter on 19 June states that "in an automatic, left-foot braking is the only way to remain in full control of the vehicle at all times". As we manual drivers brake with our right...
I have a 2001/51 Mondeo TDDI 115 diesel estate. Should I change the clutch in Scotland or in Portsmouth? Mr Clutch (in Portsmouth) total charge for clutch, dual mass flywheel and some other parts (everything...
I drive a MINI Cooper 2006 and as my family is growing I am looking for Nissan Qashqai + 2 2.0DCI or Ford S-Max 2.0TDCI. I am finding it difficult to make decision. Please could you advise? My maximum...
My three-year-old BMW 320i SE Touring has just encountered a DSC unit failure and I have been quoted £425 for the repair by the local dealer. The car is three months out of warranty and has only done 18,000...
Let me state straight away that I'm not a Nissan salesman and have no connection with them, other than having owned my Pathfinder for just under 3 years and 62,000miles. I just wanted to let you know my...
I know that skidpan-training courses are two a penny, but they all involve cars with manual gearboxes. Are there any courses / places that offer cars with automatic gearboxes for those who cannot drive...
I currently have a 6-year-old Subaru Forester 2.0iX with which I have been very happy but am thinking about a replacement. My budget is £20,000 plus part exchange and I am looking at another Forester or...
I have often thought that the mileage taken for the fuel gauge to noticeably drop below the 'Full mark', after filling the tank, can be quite variable - suggesting that the nozzles on the pumps are not...
We have been looking to buy a 2-3 year old Mercedes A170SE auto for £10,000 - £13,000. As we want a light coloured interior and they are as rare as hen's teeth we have been offered a brand new A180 elegance...
On a couple of occasions recently you have said that the design life of today's cars is 7 years. I find this a bit depressing having run a Mercedes 190D for a dozen years after buying it at 35,000 miles,...
I am going to be in Scotland for the next 10 or 11 weeks. The cheapest car rental I could find is over £1,500. Should I try to buy and re-sell, or are there places that rent older cars more cheaply? I...
I have been a FIAT owner for a number of years now, but it has come to my attention that my 2006 Panda with 70,000 miles on the clock now needs work for a power assisted steering failure which my dealer...
You have highlighted a problem with Teves ABS/ESP modules, especially in VAG cars many times. Are you able to confirm that this warning does not apply to brand new production of the Golf or Polo as I am...
I have owned a Jaguar S Type from new since October 2003 and am now considering changing to a new XF Premium Luxury 3.0 diesel. I have never thought Diesel before but a salesman tells me that 9 out of...
www.w124.co.uk offers retrofitted 7-seater conversions for W124 estates. But I am looking to purchase a 2006 or newer E-class estate and clearly the 7-seaters are in short supply with the other options...
I was pleasantly surprised at reading about Renault's intention of developing 'quick drop stations' to swap batteries in their electric cars. For the past two or more years I have been banging on about...
Just to add to the previous advice you gave about notifying the DVLA when you sell/part-ex a vehicle. I recently did a part-ex and the dealer kindly offered to send my Part 9 of the V5C registration document...
Could you please make a comment on why my 1999 Mercedes 250 Turbo Diesel Estate engine has become extremely noisy since a faulty glow plug has been replaced? I have owned this car from new and it has only...
My wife is nagging me about the mpg of our 2009 Qashqai 2.0dci. I told Nissan we were disappointed compared with our 2001 Scenic 1.9dci, but got a non-committal response. The computer is indicating 36.7,...
Time after time I read you comments about problems with DPFs and todays' copy of the Telegraph was no exception. I personally had my first problem after approximately one year with my new Nissan X-Trail...
I have a 2008 model Volvo V70 D5 SE, and I recently received a recall notice from Volvo regarding diesel fuel getting into the sump oil during a DPF regeneration event, and possibly causing the engine...
You probably think I'm paranoid but based on the DVLA's propensity to fine everyone for everything whenever possible I thought I'd better check with you to see if can offer any advice (other than to get...
My 2005 Audi A3 Sportback 1.6FSI was fitted with Michelin XSE 225/45R17 91Y tyres when I bought it new. At 29,000 miles it was re-shod with Michelin Pilot Sport SP2. Now at 42,000 miles I am advised that...
My son has recently purchased a SAAB 1.9 diesel. When taking a journey shortly afterwards he noticed a sound from the rear, which he thought was a bearing fault. I advised him to return to the dealer but...
I have a FIAT 500 1.3 Multijet Diesel. About two weeks ago I had the problem, exactly as described in your column. I towed the car to the FIAT dealership and got from them the answer that there were 2.5...
I read the emails about Credit Hire and would broadly agree with you and the insurance expert: better deal with insurers yourself and the good ones sort it out quicker and more easily than ‘Accident Management’...
I have my MOT coming up and my passenger seat handle has broken (the handle that pulls the seat forward so passengers can get in and out of the back). Will I fail my MOT because of this? Where can I get...
I have a Nissan Micra K11 and the reverse light will not come on. I have tried changing the bulb, with no luck. I've been told that this is probably the switch in the gearbox. Can anyone give me step-by-step...
I have a 1996 Ford Festa 1.25. I had the speed sensor changed, but it's still over-revving. Any ideas as to what to do next?
I have a 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier turbodiesel with a 1700cc Isuzu engine fitted. It has just passed the MOT but I have been having problems with the power. It pulls ok on the straight but when I go up any...
My garage suggests I should replace the timing belt on my 2003 diesel Toyota Carina Verso, which has covered 32,000 miles. Toyota's service booklet recommends replacement after 60,000 miles, but no age...
Last year my 1996 Peugeot 106's horn stopped working. It was fixed free of charge when having some other work done as it was just a loose wire. It stopped working again recently, but this time i took it...
I have a Kia Shuma and noticed the other day, when I switched the air conditioning off, that a noise came from the engine. I have had the AA out to look at it and they say the bearing for the air conditioning...
I have a 2.5-year-old Volkswagen Golf. It's only done 26,000 miles and the clutch is starting to go. I have spoken to the Volkswagen garage, who informed me that the clutch isn’t covered due to wear and...
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=85270
I looked at the above thread and I have suffered the same problem with my car. Is Volkswagen liable for this?
My son owns a Peugeot 106 1.1 Independence and is soon to go to university. His insurer will only allow him to cancel his insurance and get about £350 back from an annual policy premium of £940. Would...
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