Questions from January 2011
I have a Saab 9-3 convertible TTiD, which is 2008 registered and has covered 52,000 miles, trouble-free, mainly on motorways over long distances at steady speeds.
I am considering buying an extended...
Warning message has come up saying blocked fuel filter. I've changed the filter already, yet still receiving message. Any ideas on how to cure it?
Is it possible to replace the front seats in a brand new Mazda 6 with something more comfortable? I find the base a bit narrow to sit on. I could use a cushion, but I'd prefer a more luxurious seat. Age...
I wanted to ask you a favor, I have read few 2012 Ford Focus reviews and everyone say it's comfortable and the build quality is fantastic, but almost everyone say that old car was more engaging to drive.
I...
A silly question, but could you please tell me if the Kia Sportage 1.7 two-wheel drive can go into four-wheel drive by the press of a switch? I'm going to buy one of these cars, but not quite sure which...
I got a parking charge notice from a private company called 'Town and City Parking Ltd' at an Asda pay and display car park. I parked for 23 minutes there. A parking charge of £60 now due.
A parking...
I have a Renault Laguna 1.9 dCi on a 53-plate. It has been well looked after, but recently it started juddering. I got it onto diagnostics and it came back with three errors: heater plugs, MAF sensor and...
I have received a parking fine for £75, reduced to £50 if paid promptly for overstaying my limit in a retail park. I have read numerous posts regarding this stating to ignore the letter. Are you aware...
In relation to advice posted last year regarding parking fines received from private companies, my wife and I received a Parking Charge of £60 in the post shortly before Christmas for a parking contravention...
I prefer the styling or a saloon car (i.e. a car with a boot), but like the practicality of a hatchback. Are there any saloon cars that have fold down rear seat so as to gain access to the boot compartment...
How much could I expect to get from a dealer for a 2001 model Citroen Xsara Picasso SX 1.8 diesel in good condition?
I follow your column in The Telegraph and due to your advice I was able to get £450 back from Citroen UK - so thank you.
My wife's four-year-old Citroen C3 started misbehaving and was diagnosed that all...
I would like to buy a Hyundai i30 1.6-litre diesel for a about £8000, but cannot seem to find one. What is a similar car?
I do not want to go bigger as I have parking problems. I thought about a Cee'd.
Are...
I viewed a five-month old 2010 Vauxhall Zafira Ecoflex Elite at a Vauxhall dealer. During a test drive the salesman informed me that the car had "traction control". I agreed to buy the car and to collect...
I have just been clamped outside a bankrupt shop.
I had been away fron the car for 10 minutes. The paperwork demand stuck on the window was for £125 + VAT = £150. I refused this, pointing to a (smalll)...
I purchased a Second-handa Mazda 6 2004 in October 2010 and have had to take it back to the dealer on three separate occasions, mainly due to noisy engine and excessive fuel consumption.
As we were given...
I have just paid a deposit on an unseen 2001 C5 2.2 HDI exclusive. I have been told by the dealer that the gearbox mounting is very worn and causes the vehicle to clunk when pulling away and during gear...
I would like to get a new-shape Toyota Avensis 09-reg. What diesel engine should I go for: 2.2 or 2.0?
I bought a Volkswagen Golf MKIV GT PDI 130 from my brother-in-law who owned the car for years and bought it with 30k on it. It's now done 174k, mainly motorway miles by a very considerate driver who has...
Do you know which small cars offer the best legroom for drivers, something suitable for around town, odd trip on the A roads, and as a second family car?
The Mini has fantastic front legroom, but doesn't...
What is an acceptable mileage on the clock for a new car? At what point should one consider rejecting it on the basis that the mileage is too high?
(Clearly I'm excluding situations where one is fully...
My Volkswagen Passat (2002) has water inside the boot on the left and right hand sides in a recess built into the floor where the jack and tools are stored. I suspect the rear sunroof drain has come off...
You have in the past recommended quiet-running tyres. I find the 17-inch Pirelli P7 (which I run from April to October) produces a noticeable amount of noise on most surfaces. Do you have an up-to-date...
I have noticed that when driving up long inclines, the temperature (according to the guage) starts to creep up rapidly from 90 degrees towards 130. It returns to 90 once I level off or start going downhill....
I am going to test drive a 2011 Honda Jazz ( 1.4 manual ) next week. How can I be sure that it is the very latest model with the suspension mods introduced for the Hybrid ?
You have previously suggested having two sets of tyres, Winter and Summer. I accept that winter tyres will not last as long as summer tyres, but as I am a low mileage driver could I just replace my Summer...
I ordered a tax disc online a few days ago and it still hasn't arrived. In the meantime the car has had to be towed by the RAC. It was towed to my home as it was sunday and the garage was closed. They...
I'm looking for a (nearly) new car, preferably five-door, that can fit a dog in the boot, with quick acceleration and some 'pizazz!' (I can't get excited by the undoubtedly brilliant VW Golf or Ford Focus)
I've...
I received a call on my home phone from an "international" number. The caller asked for me by name and said that she believed I had been involved in an accident. I have not so I terminated the call.
On...
How much could I expect to get for a June 2007 Audi Q7 3.0 S Line Quattro TDI Tiptronic?
No part exchange as I've already bought another vehicle and can either sell to garage, privately, or through...
Could you help me again please.
I am 50 years old and I have had an interest in high end cars for many years.
I've owned a fair few and turned them over frequently. I have bought 18 month old Porsches...
I need a diesel car for towing a caravan, and have been considering a 2010 XC70 with the 205ps Geartronic D5 engine. I don't use the car for really short journeys, but I am concerned that with such a high...
I am selling an Audi 1.8 A4 X reg. It has only 64,000 miles, but the trip computer display is just pixels AND there are lots of small parking dents and scratches. The interior is good, there is no rust...
I'm just going thought the process of becoming a taxi driver so as soon as I am licensed I will need to buy a car.
I'm looking at spending around £3500-£4000 on a car to start with. I have been looking...
I have put new wheels on my car, and the front right wheel leans out slightly. Could this be the result of the wishbone being damage or the suspension?
I know I had a little knock when the roads were...
I'm thinking of buying a used automatic diesel version of the Hyundai i30 or Kia C'eed.
We're told they're virtually identical, but built in different parts of the world. As far as I can see the external...
I took delivery of new Fiat 500 1.3-litre diesel at the end of Oct 2010. Within a couple of weeks problem with warning triangle and stop/start unavailable lights coming up. Car went back to dealership....
I have just bought a newer second hand car and still have my old car which is taxed for another six months and I am no hurry to sell or scrap it.
I cannot drive it under my new car comprehensive insurance...
My Nissan Primastar has just stopped. The red engine management light is flashing "stop". It will turn over, but won't start. No fault found on computer.
I have read your general advice.
Can you advise how the regeneration of the DPF in a Freelander 2 works? Does it regenerate anyway when one goes on a long drive or will it wait until it is partly clogged...
My Mazda 3 Tamura is approaching the end of the manufacturer's three-year warranty. It has done 27,000 miles. Hence, is it worth buying an extended warranty, since Mazda have a good reliability record?...
I'm trying to locate the crankshaft sensor on a Volkswagen Transport van 56-plate 1.9TD.
I traded in my A3 2.0 petrol turbo manual (emissions 186 g/km) for a 3.0 3-Series BMW auto (emissions 170 g/km). The BMW seems to use more petrol, significantly so in London. I had imagined it would use...
My mate has offered his 07-plate Vauxhall Vectra 1800 Life with 40,000 miles for £3000.
I know the car and he has had it for two years with no problems. Should I buy? Any big problems you know of with...
I am looking to sell my Reliant Scimitar SE5 GTE and have considered selling its plates separately as they are quite unique and could fetch a good deal.
However, I don't want to ruin the classic car...
Looking to replace our second car (2004 Nissan Almera) with a neat city car. Both the Panda and Aygo have received good reviews by reviewers and owners. Out of the two, which would you recommend as the...
We bought a '55' plate C3 diesel on 11 May 2010. The clutch failed at Christmas at a cost of some £600 inc VAT. The dealer who supplied the car also carried out the repair. The clutch plates were not at...
Just bought my third Toyota Verso, which comes without a spare wheel. Thinking of buying four steel wheels with winter tyres. Can I put a steel wheel and tyre in the boot during the summer, and conversely,...
I put £10 into a ticket machine at P&O Ferries, run by PPS. When I returned to my car two days later there was a 'penalty notice' for £30, rising to £100 if not paid within a certain time. The ticket showed...
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