Questions from June 2011
I have water leaking into the battery compartment of a 2006 BMW 525D. This caused a breakdown and major electrical problems which will cost me about £1,000.
BMW have not identified the cause of the...
I'd like to check when my DSG oil filter was last changed (if ever), is there a date-code on the filter casing? If so, how do I de-code it, mine shows PA66-GF30. I suspect this is just a mold code rather...
As the new Mondeos do not need a key to start, only a fob, if the fob is outside the car will it still start? I believe some people found that it does, others that it does not.
I have seen a 2004 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi for sale that I am interested in. It is VERY high milage (360,000) but it has been serviced four times a year (24 stamps in the book) and it is only (just over)...
I am planning a three-week trip to the States next spring and I am in a quandry about whether to go for a convertible (the ideal), a standard car or even some type of RV.
There will be three adults...
A friend’s daughter and her family were sitting in her car in a public car park when they were hit by a reversing vehicle. The lady driver said that she was extremely sorry and full of apologies and details...
I have a Renault Kangoo Expression, which we needed for my recently deceased partner in order to get a mobility scooter on a hoist in the back. It is just one year old with a trade value of £6,000, I am...
A couple of weeks ago, as my wife drove to work in our 2000 Citroen Xsara 1.9 diesel estate, the car simply stopped and turned itself off with the engine warning light illuminating on the dash. With our...
I've got a 2005 Focus 1.6TDCI with 149,000 on the clock. It's been a great car, but is now feeling its age. The 90 mile round trip I do for work is about to end, reducing to a 25 miles round trip three...
My brother in law (who I’d better not name) is due to appear at the Sheriff Court on very soon on two separate drink drive charges in June 2010 and April 2011. He drives a 2009 Hyundai coupe, which still...
I know that wet footwells in pre-2005 Volkswagen Passats come up time and again, but can you please remind me of the possible causes? From memory, I gather that the seal on the pollen filter, if faulty,...
I have been looking at the range of small SUVs, as we live in a rural area and the likes of Honda CR-V, Freelander and the Skoda Yeti, etc., appear to fit the bill. In regards to the Yeti I seem to recall...
I have been driving a Volkswagen Lupo for 10 trouble free years. However, with the recent birth of twins to my daughter-in-law I now need a car that has Isofix tethers installed so that I can put in child...
I just tried to buy a used car from a main Citroen dealer, but the salesman told me the price included a £99 charge for a status check and he could not sell me the car without it. I thought that a check...
I bought a used Volvo S60 which appears to have an oil leak - is the dealer liable for repairing it?
On Friday 3 June I purchased a 2002 Volvo S60 D5 SE for which I paid the trader £2,900 cash. The following day my dad noticed an oil leak coming from the 'tray' under the radiator. On Monday 6 June our...
If any motoring or other bod, or indeed any individual, wants to oppose the proposal by the BPA in the Protection of Freedoms Bill to make vehicle keepers liable for private parking penalties, time is...
I live in rural North Yorkshire and travel to York every day on B-roads, a return journey of about 50 miles. Additionally I travel about 150 miles each weekend. The last two winters have been very severe...
I have a 1994 Jaguar XJS 4.0 manual convertible which I have owned since new. Although the total mileage is 117,000, over the last 10 years it has only averaged 2,500-3,000 miles a year. I have decided...
I am contacting you as I have exhausted all lines of reasonable negotiation over the past six months with both the dealer and also Vauxhall themselves. My 60-registered Astra 1.7CDTI achieves the following:...
I write to draw your and others attention to fraudulent whiplash claims. On 14 April, in a queue of walking pace traffic, I had a sneezing fit and touched the car in front of me. No damage was sustained...
I believe that your advice to L.C. of Trowbridge is seriously flawed. In insurance law a "material fact" is any factor that might cause the insurer to increase premium or restrict cover. Failure to advise...
A friend of mine is thinking of selling his 1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo. It has done about 15,000 miles and has been kept in a garage for the last six years on a SORN. He bought it nearly new and has had it...
Congratulations on launching a table to reflect true average fuel consumption figures (www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg). You cannot really blame the manufacturers. They know that in many vehicle classes,...
I am a regular reader of your excellent columns in the Telegraph, however, the following points do not seem to have been covered. Nothing appears to have been said in the media about the effect of operating...
The manufacturers three-year warranty runs out shortly. BMW have offered to renew it(£427 inc. emergency service), but so have Warranty Direct (£300) & Warranty Wise (£531).
Can you suggest which would...
I would like to buy a saloon car which is automatic and has the option to engage 4 wheel drive mode for bad weather. I am looking at mid range price.
The engine on my Meriva is making a tapping/clicking noise. Any ideas what this could be? Cam belt tensioner?
We have an apartment in Spain. Rather than the expense of hiring a car each visit, we intend to take our UK car out to use for the four visits (each of one month) that we shall make during the year.
We...
I thought I should bring to your attention the latest money making scheme from Glasgow District Council. For many years I have attended concerts at the SECC and the Armadillo and have parked over on the...
I was recently hit on the rear nearside wheel of my Ford Mondeo. I notified my insurer, Lloyds TSB, who instructed me to contact Green Flag. The tow truck duly arrived after I had asked for the vehicle...
Looking for a new/nearly new car. Do you have any recommendations on both make/model and places to find it.
Ideally I'd like something small that will be easy to nip around town in but I also want something...
Where can I find the location of my fuel pump relay? Does it sound as if it needs changing? I can drive the car for as long as I want when I start it up but when it needs fuel or iv reached my destination...
Considering nearly new petrol auto A3 Sport cabriolet. Test drove a 1.8 TFSI which was excellent but wrong spec, I am fussy when it comes to spec and colour.
I note that mostly 2.0 TFSI examples are...
We are looking at buying a used Citroen Grand Picasso 2.0 hdi. Apart from the school run and work commitments we intend to use it for towing our caravan, which weighs 1000kg, two or three times a year....
We are moving to New Zealand. Most used cars there are imported with low mileage from Japan.
Can you please recommend a used, reliable 5 door automatic with cruise control and high entry seating. Our...
I need to replace my car. At the moment I drive an MG ZS but it's getting on a bit now, and is bigger than I need, so I want to get another one. I don't know much about cars so I would really appreciate...
The air conditioning on our Vauxhall Meriva is playing up (making a strange noise at times), we cannot afford to get it fixed at the moment but have a long journey coming up (holiday).
Will it be ok to...
I find yourself website very informative and useful. It helped me purchase a Mondeo MkIII, unfortunately the Mondeo needs replacing.
I have a budget of around £1800. I notice my budget could stretch...
I paid £4300 when buying a Peugeot 1007 from a main dealer in Preston. I have had persistent and regular problems with both electric doors and it has been back to the dealer 8 times in 8 months, they...
3000 miles and 2 months ago, I had the rear lower arm bushes replaced on my Skoda Fabia front suspension. I asked at the time whether any other work could or should be done while the suspension was disassembled.
I...
My Clio radio has started to turn itself off after 20-25 mins. Beeps twice, display flashes, then switches off. You can turn it straight back on fine. Also, now when you turn the ignition off/remove the...
I am looking to buy a VW Passat estate. I heard the 2.0 tdi 140 bhp are the best, but after searching on the net and reading blogs I am confused about which one to buy. Would it also be dodgy to buy private?...
I recently bought an ex-Jaguar UK XJ Portfolio 3.0d from the local Jaguar dealer. On the day I bought it I had to take it back as the aircon did not work, the front wheels weren't balanced, and rear interior...
My partner and I bought an 05 Skoda Octavia back in Feb 2010, since having it we have had over £1000 worth of problems. As it's on finance what can we do? We can't sell it as it's on finance, we have contacted...
I have a 2002 C220 Coupe which has been rusting/bubbling at the arches for a few years now but I never took it up with my local MB dealer (Southampton) until now, only to have it refused due to 1 being...
We purchased a new Chrysler PT Cruiser CRD in June 2007. On its third service at a Chrysler main dealer the front bushes were replaced under warranty in June 2010 at 32K.
On its fourth service in May...
I have a BMW 520D (2009) which averages 54mpg at 70 mph+.
However I am looking to replace it, ideally with a 4x4. Budget up to £25k, either new or up to 6 months Old.
Looking for good consumption and...
I drive 100miles round trip to work each day and am thinking of changing my diesel car to a hybrid car. Do you think hybrid cars are good and if so which ones would you recommend?
Elsewhere on 
