Trending topics in March 2011
Questions from March 2011
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...
On Sunday my car was backed into in the church car park. The driver of the other car left a note on the windscreen giving her phone number saying she was sorry and would pay for the damage. I rang her...
I currently have Bridgestone tyres fitted to my VW Touareg and I now need to replace them.
What would you recommend for mostly road use? A good combo of wear and low noise etc.
I am looking to trade in my 2003 Seat Leon Tdi and am in the market for a used mid / large sized family car.
My commute equates to around 300 miles a week and we also travel longer distances at weekends...
Every now and again my car battery discharges completely, sometimes after a long run of 150 miles.
When I jump start it, the battery will function perfectly for several days or weeks until it discharges...
I currently have a Skoda Octavia 1.9 Tdi Elegance which will soon need four new tyres and timing belt change, so decision time looms.
Should I keep it for years and run it until repairs become uneconomical...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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.
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 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...
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...
I purchased a Nissan Note two and a half years ago following your recommendation. I am extremely pleased with it as a versatile, comfortable and economic car. However whenever there is a sniff of rain...
My Volvo V40 2001 is due for insurance renewal and like any wise fellow I checked first on price comparison websites. But as I had reversed over a Caterham last June in a petrol station (easily done) I...
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...
I have run my Volkswagen Golf Mark III 1.4 into the ground and am looking to replace it with a Golf mark VI. What model should I go for and where could I get a good deal on the internet for a new model?
My wife and I drive between West Cornwall and Ealing, 570 miles return with all but 10 miles on motorways and dual carriageways, cruising at an indicated 75 mph in an Audi A4 3.0 litre diesel Quattro Tiptronic,...
Is it too much to ask the tyre companies to make a tyre that is perfect for winter and summer driving? The tyres for my BMW cost over £200 each. That's a fortune and I expect better technology than having...
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...
My son has at 31 just taken and passed his driving test and is proceeding to take Pass Plus. He needs to buy a car for use in city centre (Birmingham) with motorway driving at weekends to London and Cambridgeshire.
Safety,...
I have about £5000 to spend on a new car. I was originally looking at a Ford Fiesta 1.4 diesel, but have recently become interested in the Toyota Aygo 1.4 Diesel. However, someone recently suggested to...
My daughter has been rear shunted twice in the last few days. On each occasion she banged her head on the steering wheel resulting in two black eyes. She does not sit near the steering wheel, so I am concerned...
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...
I just took a Skoda Fabia to 'webuyanycar' in Newhaven and the dealer made a check on the NMR website which showed the following discrepancies in the mileage.
DVLC Feb 2008 44000
NMR 31st July 2008...
Apologies if this comes across as a rather long winded one... The decision isn't an easy one, hence a simple bit of advice would be most gratefully received!
My growing family, currently myself, wife,...
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