Questions from May 2011
Had the mid section and rear box of the exhaust replaced at the beginning of March 2011.
One fault is that the exhaust whines on acceleration - I assume this is because it is a new part and needs to be...
We need a family car with a seat height of 26in/66cm for my wife with hip problem to access.
I have a 2005-plate (manufactured 2004) Ford Focus Estate, 1.8 petrol.
It has just passed its MOT but with a note to the effect that it is rusted underneath - I presume the part of the car closest to...
My car is 13-months-old and has done 11,000 miles. I noticed what I thought to be excessive scoring on the nearside rear brake discs and to a lesser extent on the offside. I took it in to the dealer to...
I'm trying to help my sister-in-law buy a car, but need your help please.
She wants an automatic 4WD with seven seats. Of the choices available the majority are diesels with DPFs and as the vehicle will...
I have reently bought a 2005 Chevrolet Luv which was an official import for some time under the Isuzu ownership of that time (Isuzu Rodeo Denver). Excellent truck, but the key fobs do not work and this...
My wife's Freelander is nearly 3-years-old and we have recently noticed a whistling noise which our local Land Rover dealer has diagnosed as a bearing in the turbo.
Land Rover have refused to repair...
I recently bought a C3 Citroen Picasso with 195/55 Michelin Energy saving tyres on 16" alloy wheels.
For winter use I intend to buy 16" steel rims and would like advice on which winter tyres to fit.
My daughter left her locked A3 (59 plate) outside her home in W London for 3 days while abroad.
On her return and on getting into the car she immediately noticed the glove box contents on the floor and...
I have an absolutely immaculate VW Gold mk2 1.6 driver. The only problem is the transistorized ignition unit (tci unit) has stopped receiving its 12 volt feed.
I bought a new ignition switch as this...
My car is nearly 3 years old and SEAT want to sell me an extended warranty; three options from £304-£202pa depending on coverage. However even the "gold" option has a very large list of exclusions. Is...
We have owned a 1989 Volvo 740 estate from new and now want to buy a relatively new used car (or a very low priced new car) to replace it. The new car must have a low fuel consumption. Medium sized, well...
Please recommend a used 4x4 for my £7,000 budget. If possible reliable, economical and good road holding!
I bought a 2001 Renault Megane Scenic 1.4 from a dealer on 19th April 2011. I paid £1,550 plus traded in my old car which he scrapped and gave me a £50 discount for.
When I looked at it it had new...
My Peugeot 306 Meridian just failed its MOT based on its high emissions despite having a new catalytic converter and lambda sensor. Any ideas what it could be? I really dont want to pay even more money...
Today's diesel fuel is low sulphur - an EU requirement for polution control - but sulphur helps lubricate the fuel system. I have been told that by adding 2 stroke oil (1 to 200) to each tank of fuel this...
I recently bought a Ford Ka "Studio" and have serious problems when trying to refuel the car, due to the design of the lockable filler cap.
The problem is that the filler cap spins continuously and...
I currently drive a 2005 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SXI, I'm looking to get a new car and I'm keen to get the best economy possible.
I'm not fussed about aesthetics. Even though I live in a City (cardiff) I commute...
I have a 2004 VW Touran TDi Sport. Recently, the boot lock has starting acting strangely. The boot will, of it's own accord, unlock itself and/or if unlocked will release itself onto the secondary catch....
My 56 reg golf plus has finally produced an ESP failure caption. It has covered 30,000 miles with full VWSH.
The main dealer diagnostic indicates a failure which requires an ABS unit repair kit, which...
I am wondering, in the event of a car accident, i.e. if I went into someone and they claimed on my insurance, would it be me who pays the excess or them?
Also, what about no claims bonuses? If someone...
Hi, I have just taken ownership of my mothers VW Lupo 1.4 Auto, W-reg with 14k on the clock.
Great little car but my dilema is this: keep it as a run about until my daughter is 17 in 18 months or trade...
I have a couple of problems with my Golf.
Firstly the front and rear washers are not working. Fluid is in the compartment and I can hear the motor trying to work but nothing comes out.
I also have...
I have approx. £13,000 to spend on a used car. I love the Ford Mondeo but I also like the Insignia, mainly because of the inside. Which one would you buy? I only do about 5,000 miles per year which includes...
I have a Fiat 500 Sport which was serviced just before its third birthday.
I had reported a grumbling noise from the back and an unreliable gauge for outside temperature.
The garage reported that...
I recently had the brakes serviced on my Zafira and ended up having new discs on the front and new pads all round.
£300 later and my car was far worse and frankly dangerous to drive. Returned the car...
I get a rattle type noise from the engine when I press clutch pedal. When fully pressed the noise disappears. I have a BMW 1-series.
I've owned this car for 5 years now and just recently I've noticed a change in my temperature gauge.
Last winter, a few minutes into my journey, if I stopped at a traffic light, my gauge would go from...
I have Ford Fiesta Ghia 1600 auto. With the air con on or off, I am getting a dampish slightly soapy smell. Are you able to advise what the problem might be?
I'm planning on buying the new VW Polo 1.4 Trendline.
For me, reliability is one of the most important factors when coming to choose the right vehicle.
Upon reading your review on the "What's bad"(on...
I have a Sept 2007 Mazda 6 2.0 diesel, which has been totally reliable and trouble free for 3.5 years.
I have read your advice that diesels start costing money in years 4-6. What is likely to need doing...
My BMW 530d was purchased from Ford dealer earlier this year for £10,000.
On collection of the car it was noted the incorrect tyres (non run-flats)were fitted to the front of the car, at this stage it...
I was involved in a shunt last week in a motorway services car park. I believe the other driver to be at fault and they appeared to agree at the scene, however now that I have contacted the insurance...
A friend spends a lot of time sitting in rush hour traffic and is thinking of buying a hybrid car in order to cut down on fuel consumption and emissions.
He is impressed with the luxury and claimed fuel...
I have bought a used 206SW 1.4 HDi. On the drive home (20 miles) I felt that the engine was misfiring, but power seemed to be reasonable. On getting home wondering what might have caused this I sniffed...
My Tigra, which I've had about two weeks, has developed a fault. It drives fine, it starts fine, and it runs great until it's warm enough for the air injector pump to cut out. Then the engine becomes lumpy...
My mother in law has recently been having trouble with her turbo-diesel Corsa - it's been displaying the engine light (intermittently). Her local independent suggested the air mass sensor might be at...
I have a 54-plate 2.0-litre petrol Mondeo.
After about five miles the car dies out like I have run out of fuel. I changed the fuel pump and filter as the AA told me that was the fault, but it's still...
I will be most grateful if you can help in the resolution of a misunderstanding that has caused a bit of a rift between me and the husband of a long-time family friend. The husband took it personally when...
What is wrong with people who misfuel their cars? Do they not understand there are things you just do not do? I find it difficult to believe that such people actually are allowed on the roads. Please allay...
I have recently changed to a new C-Max 5-seat 1.6 diesel. This is my first diesel and I am grateful for several tips via your column, particularly the recent one about letting out the clutch at idle revs...
I am experiencing issues with my Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16v, which manifest themselves as 'chugging' or hesitating. This initially started on acceleration only but has got steadily worse to the point where...
In a local BMW/MINI showroom is an X-reg Mini Cooper Sports (as per badge on the boot). It is apparently one of the last original Minis to come off the production line. It has only done 26 miles from new...
The Blue Badge Scheme, a much-valued facility, is sadly abused by some. It is mal-administered with varying degrees of inefficiency and bumbledom by County Councils throughout the country. I wrote to my...
I'm writing to thank you for your column in Saturday's Telegraph and the car reviews on your website. Both have informed me with unbiased information and led me to buy the new Hyundai i10 Active Auto for...
I am looking to replace my 2003 Suzuki Liana, which has given me 63,000 miles of trouble-free motoring with a secondhand automatic. I read that some automatics have a tendency to expire after around 50,000...
I am moving to Thailand and would value your advice on selecting a vehicle. I wish to tour around the country and I like the look of the Toyota Camry, but I am not sure which model. My Thai friends think...
After reading BW of Plymouth’s email and your reply, I feel a little concerned. I too bought a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI DSG Match in November of 2010 from my local main dealer. On receiving the registration...
Thanks to Liverpool Victoria insurance for refunding part of my no-claim discount after an accident.
I was hit at slow speed on packed snow just before Christmas. That day, my insurer gave me details of the repair centre, which provided a replacement vehicle the next day. The Christmas and New Year holidays...
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