Trending topics in March 2011
Questions from March 2011
Just purchased a 2001 Renault Scenic 1.6 auto sport. What's the difference between this and the non sport model?
I have a 2000-reg Bora with 149,000 miles on the clock, and its MOT is due at the end of month
It requires a replacement 2nd gear selector fork. Garage has looked at the clutch and flywheel and have reported...
Any suggestions as to why my VW GOLF MK3 has failed its MOT on emissions?
It had new plug and air/fuel/oil filters 11 months ago.
It has only done 77,000 miles.
The reasons for failure are:
Exhaust...
Could you confirm email address for VW UK Customer Services (due to 059B Brake Pressure Sensor elec fault in circuit on 2004 Touran 44K)
I bought a new E Class Mercedes in September and a month ago the engine cut out for no reason.
Mercedes have taken it back in but found no problem.
Four days ago the same thing happened and the car is...
Looking for two vehicles, one small and in the lowest insurance category, to add 18-year-old provisional driver. I also need to replace Honda CR-V executive at end of year with a 4x4.
I'm not badge conscious...
Please advise on a nearly new second hand hatchback, must be auto, chain cam engine, width incl mirrors maximum 1.9m, reliable, quiet, with air con, to replace an 8 year old VW Polo. Can pay up to £12,000.
I should very much like a used Nissan X-trail 173 diesel, but I only cover a few thousand miles a year, so the DPF problems mean I should have to go for the 2 litre petrol Trek; sadly, the Trek is very...
Ford recommend the cam belt be changed at 100,000 miles. As this seemed alot, I had it done today at 81,109 miles. I asked for the cambelt, tensioners, auxiliary belt and water pump to be changed as it...
Looking for a car to replace our Astra Convertible AND Peugeot Partner! In other words looking for a car that is comfortable to drive, easy to deal with in town centers, BUT can be used to get rid of garden...
Hi. We bought a car from a dealer 19 Oct 09. The dealer did a HPI on the car 11 Sept 09 and it was totally clear. Now we have gone to part ex the car and it is appearing as a Cat D. It had the accident...
I have somehow got some pretty bad scraches on the rear window of my C-Max.
Is this a stick-on film or is it darkened glass? Is there anything I can do to make them less obvious?
Where would be the best way place to sell an as new Hyundai i30 1.4 classic 2010 with only 53 miles on the clock?
My wife has been a named driver on my car insurance for 15 years. She has been driving for 35 years.
She had full no claims discount on her previous car 15 years ago. This has now lapsed, will any insurance...
I am in dispute with a dealer.
I returned a used Mazda to them on the grounds that on three occasions the engine management light came on, the car lost power on acceleration and downchanges on the auto...
We have a BMW 318 (2003 model) that drives really well but is getting a bit tight for us with 2 small children in the back. We are keen to get a 4x4 that would accommodate a possible 3rd child.
I like...
I have a March 2010 320i coupe (new shape) I ordered BMW Sat Nav Professional which is fitted.
The problem is that this will only accept five digit postcodes, after reading one of your replies in the...
I am replacing a 2003 Mondeo Ghia diesel estate with over eleven months MoT and 175,000 miles on the clock which has been an excellent car, owned by myself since it was three months old.
Motorpoint are...
After 13 trouble-free years of owning a Mazda 323, my wife has decided she needs a new car.
She went for a test drive in a Mini One 1.6 (Chilli Red) at a main dealer on Saturday and liked it very much.
After...
I purchased a 2003 (03 plate) Ford Fusion semi-auto from a small dealer (working from home) in Oxfordshire last October with just over 31K on the clock.
I declined an extended warranty because of where...
I have a Nissan X-trail 2005 (05 reg).
It has done £40k miles and is in good condition with FNSH and will have new MOT.
I have asked about trading in for a new VW Eos and the dealer has given an indicative...
I am thinking of buying a Skoda but I'm aware from reading Honest John's column regularly that the issue of timing belts/cams is important. Before I buy, does the model I prefer have a chain cam engine?
What does Honest John think of a Peugeot 407 1.6 HDI 2005? Would the 1.6 lack in power? What would it be like on fuel? Any particular problems to look out for?
We are considering replacing an 8-year-old Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI estate but will also consider taking out an extended warranty to cover future repairs. Would you recommend this?
My uncle has died leaving his owned from new, garaged, low mileage 84 Escort 1.3 5-dr Hatch. Tax'd and MOT'd.
What is the best way of selling it please, ideally he would have wanted a real enthusiast...
I want to buy a 4/5 door, 4/5 seat automatic (hybrid?). I have about £12,000, and like the look of the Honda Insight. Is this a good option? I do not want a diesel.
May I draw readers attention to the consultation to allow articulated HGVs to become 7 feet longer? The DfT wants everyone to participate in the consultation, which is at www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2011-06/....
I was surprised by the fuel consumption claim of 40mpg combined for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 petrol model. I think the old model 320CDI was 36mpg combined (37.2mpg on 245 rear tyres). I have a 5-year-old...
My nephew had his car damaged by a Middle Eastern gentleman driving a McClaren Mercedes-Benz. The incident happened on a Saturday afternoon outside Harrods in Knightsbridge. The gentleman reversed into...
My wife has developed a nasty neck condition and now feels every road bump. This is compounded by my BMW X5 Sport's 20-inch wheels etc. We regrettably must change vehicle. We love the high vantage of the...
Have you noticed that Skoda is offering 'ELETRIC' windows on its Octavia model? (See Auto Express issue 1156 page 6.)
I bought a car in June 2010, found a problem with the inlet swirl flaps, took it back to garage and they apparently repaired it over the course of a month. I got it back in August 2010 and in December...
I ordered in November 2010 a Hyundai ix35 2.0 4WD diesel Premium. At the time of ordering the dealer in High Wycombe informed me Hyundai UK were not accepting orders from the dealerships due to back orders,...
You write, “The British Parking Association in 2011 is lobbying Parliament to make vehicle keepers liable for private parking penalties in the same way they can be held liable for road traffic offences...
I have heard a lot of complaints from friends and acquaintances who own FIAT 500 TwinAir cars. The complaint is over fuel consumption. Most people seem to get about 30mpg. I went with my daughter to the...
Can you please explain why various police forces have to purchase Mercedes-Benz and BMW cars when a Ford Mondeo Estate will do (almost) exactly the same job? They cost much less to purchase and far less...
Thanks to your suggestion, my wife bought a new Mazda 2 last November, which is the best small car either of us has ever driven, and she was a Yaris convert until then. I totally agree with you that not...
My wife's year 2000 BMW 728 E38 requires a new windscreen. We contacted our insurer, Swiftcover and were told that we could have the replacement handled completely by Auto-Glass. I phoned them a few days...
For years I have always paid to protect my no-claims discount, luckily without having to make a claim. The insurance for my MINI Cooper D is due soon but friends are telling me that this protection is...
I have been offered a 2003/53 Mercedes-Benz SL500, which is immaculate with an AMG body kit, panoramic roof etc and has only done 27,000 miles. I have known this car for the past six years. It is available...
My neighbour reversed out of his driveway on Saturday and hit my car, which was parked on the highway. He is full of remorse, admits full liability and is going to submit a claim through his insurance...
I need to replace my Peugeot Partner with an automatic diesel with a similar load capacity. What is available new up to £25,000?
Recently I had my old car for sale outside my house with a "For Sale" sign in the window. To my astonishment I was visited by a local authority officer who presented me with a notice telling me that I...
JS of Belgium wrote that her greatest car joy was when she owned a Toyota Yaris Verso and bemoaned the fact that they were no longer in production. She may do worse than add the Perodua Myvi to her list...
I have a 2004, 54 plate, Peugeot Partner Combi 2.0 HDi which has done 45,000 miles.
What is the recommended mileage or vehicle age at which the timing belt should be replaced, and should anything else...
I need to replace my Jeep Cherokee 2.5td - we use as a second car mainly for our small holding.
We want a vehicle with very good fuel economy, which can pull a medium sized trailer a couple of times...
I'm looking to purchase a small car for my short, 6 miles each way, commute each day, some motorway driving, looking to spend around £6k plus part-ex for 51 Plate Renault Scenic Privelege Plus with 80k...
Daihatsu will stop selling cars in the UK next year. If I buy a new Sirion now will it be covered for the years after they stop selling in the UK and will the spares be available?
We have two cars, Audi A4 and Corolla Verso, both 2004 and both Automatics.
We are considering consolidating to one car between us.
We would prefer automatic with cruise control and ease of access...
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