Trending topics in July 2011
Questions from July 2011
My Focus auto slips out of gear when, say, between 2nd and 3rd, and as i still have my foot on the accelerator it over revs and then kicks into gear again.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Following being involved in a collision deemed as my fault my insurance is about to rocket. I am still within my first year of driving and am so worried about what to get.
I drive a lot and really...
I drove a Citroen C4 Picasso (2007reg) with the EGS gearbox and subsequently an Octavia (2008reg) with the 6-speed DSG - The DSG wins by a country mile! But a recent conversation with a salesperson suggests...
Had aircon problems not cooling, checked gas by specialist aircon company but was full to capacity.
Centre vents, cool. Nearside vents warmer. Offside vents warmer still.
On a hot day setting on "lo"...
Back in 2009 I took out car insurance with 6 years of NCD. That year I then had an accident which was my fault.
I am now ending my second year with that company (no accidents in this last year) and they...
I recently purchased a used E280 with 45k on the clock , the steering does not feel right. It is not very precise and I have to work at keeping the car in a straight line (I understand it will not be as...
I took an insurance policy with eCar for myself and two sons. I was asked to provide copies of driving licences (both parts) for all named drivers. I have provided everything except elder son's photocard,...
Can an insurance company stipulate a garage for accidental repairs? I have used my garage (Honest John recommended) for years.
Recently retired and want to buy a used car that has a very comfortable ride.
I have considered a Jaguar XF or Lexus IS250 but would welcome your opinion and/or further recommendations.
Budget £25-28K,...
My 24 year old daughter needs to pass her driving test to enable her to progress her career. In order that she might get additional experience we are thinking of getting a small car for her to practice...
I own a Mercedes ML 2004 and I want something smaller, preferably an estate or hatch back as I have 2 small dogs.
I live down an unmade road with 2 cattle grids, so something with a bit more ground clearance...
One of my glow plug tips has broken off inside the engine, how do i get it out?
I have a Volvo S80 auto 2006 model with 84,000 miles. It may be imagination, but I find that the ride quality is worse than it used to be. Also, the car feels unsteady when breaking downhill. (Not much,...
What is the trade in value for privately owned May 2005 Mercedes 320CDI Avantgarde 4 dr saloon, 7 speed autobox. 85,000 miles, paintwork A1, full main dealer service history, top spec low profile tyres...
Hi, I am trying to find out what is a fair value for a Y Reg metallic Black 2.0 Selespeed 3 Door Alfa Romeo 147. The car has done 64,000 miles, had the cam belt changed, and got a FSH up to last year....
My 2003 (53) Volvo S60 is due for its 8-year service shortly. I have owned the car since new and it has covered only 8,045 miles (not short runs!). The car has a FSH with my local Volvo main dealership.
I...
I need a large capacity, very economical car/estate to replace my Vectra lpg conversion. I do 30-35K miles a year with a lot of motorway driving, and need space to carry equipment. I've been looking at...
I have a 2006 SEAT Ibiza 1.4 Sport, the little spanner symbol has just appeared next to the mileage clock along with the word "oil" flashing. I have checked the oil level and it is fine. The car was only...
I am interested in buying one of the Addison Lee Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCI 6-speed automatics that the cab firm disposes of at 3 years old. However, i am wary of how much mileage these cars have done in such...
I wonder whether it's a general rule or Honda specific that the MPG indicator reading in the car is a little on the generous side. After a trip of 397 mainly motorway miles, the car indicator registered...
I have an Audi A4 Avant and am looking to replace it. Would you go for an 12 - 8 month SEAT Exeo or a three year old Audi which seem to be similiar cost. Any other suggestions welcome but must be front...
My daughter hired a car in Portugal last week. After only a few miles the exhaust dropped off. She called the rental company who came out to get the car ,and charged her €900 for excess before they would...
I have a Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI DSG (18 months old/16k mls) which needs suspension modification to rectify noise. Skoda will fit new tyres to rear only and of a different make but will not renew front tyres....
I have been looking at a 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.4 for sale by a private seller. It has 59,000 miles and hasn't had anything go wrong with it, still has original timing belt etc. I took it for a test drive...
I am looking to buy an estate car that is 4x4 and diesel, I have somewhere between £10000 and £13000 to spend. I seem to be looking at either a Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer or Outback or Skoda Octavia Estate...
I am due a change of car in September/October as my PCP on my Mazda 3 is up and I don't want to buy it outright. I've had it 3 years. I live in Scotland, we've had harsh cold winters and it was absolutely...
I've recently had my 2008 BMW 335 d M sport saloon stolen after theives broke into out house and stole the keys. My wife is now paranoid that a direct replacement could lead to the same happening but...
I brought a Vauxhall Corsa on friday for my wife. Its a 2010 vauxhall Corsa 1.0 EcoFlex 3 cylinder. When she changes gear (or me) it judders and sometimes lack power. Went back to the dealer on wednesday....
My Volvo XC90 had a cambelt tensioner fault which resulted in the cambelt breaking and the engine being wrecked. I need a new cylinder head etc. The garage quoted £4,582.50 and said that the car was...
My daughter has three children under 6 and needs a new people carrier/5-7 seater for 10,000 miles/year, shortish journeys and would prefer to lease. What would be your recommendation?
I have a Renault Modus dCi 106 purchased new May 2006. It has done 22000 miles, how urgently should I book it in for cam belt & waterpump change, immediately or can I wait until later in the year.
I need to buy a small to medium used car that is less than 3.5 years old for less than £10k and I want something that is all singing and dancing i.e. it needs to have leg room in the back for 2 adults....
I was driving along a village high street, with cars parked on the other side of the road, and I saw a very large lorry travelling quite fast towards me. I slowed, from 30mph to just under 20mph, as I...
I bought a new Fiat 500 twin air on the 18 June. With 327 miles on the clock, the car broke down, was recovered after a 2 hour wait & the stop/start sensor was duly found to be the cause of the problem...
I do 36,000 miles a year commuting (95% motorway) and have been running a 2007 1.4 diesel Fiesta to keep fuel costs low. I've already had to replace the EGR valve and there are signs of further trouble...
I have just bought a 07 Renault Laguna, when I got home I noticed that one of the wheels {OE alloy} had been swaped for one that is corroded and has been kerbed in 3 places. The original was in pristine...
In regard to your answer to the query headed "Off Beam", whilst signalling by flashing is just a warning, I have always understood that flashing, i.e. two quick bursts of headlamps, signify the intention...
We have had previous correspondence about headlight flashing. I see that in yesterday’s Telegraph you at last seem to be accepting that flashed headlights indicate ‘come on’ or ‘I am giving way’, whatever...
I own a Citroen C-Crosser 4-wheel-drive with 18-inch wheels and 225/55 R18 tyres. I will shortly need to replace them. The only criterion is I pull a caravan, off grid, which means we use ordinary fields...
PB of Rochester is most definitely missing something and I'm surprised how few drivers appreciate the importance of what you wrote in your reply. If you're that close to the lorry/coach/bus in front of...
Dear John, my boyfriend and I want a smallish van that will be reliable, economical on fuel, and compact, but big enough to extend up when needed (he is six feet tall) and possibly to have a double bed...
You are absolutely correct that a lorry driver's awareness of other drivers will affect the way he acts. Those other drivers have a duty to let the truck driver know where we are. The Highway Code states...
A couple of recent letters in your column worryingly reveal how unaware some fellow drivers are of how to drive more safely on motorways. The most common failures can all be summarised, in my view, by...
I bought an ex-demo Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro at the beginning of 2011 from Audi Beckenham. It was registered in Sep 2010 and had around 500 miles on the clock. We have now done 7500 miles, mainly my wife...
I have just renewed my insurance through Saga, and am surprised (and delighted) to find a clause that, in the event of a medical or motoring emergency, allows me to give permission to anyone to drive my...
Since having my car written off in a non-fault accident in May of this year, I have had three phone calls from ‘Claims Management’ companies wishing to manage a claim for compensation on my behalf. I see...
Your legal people are talking rubbish, frankly, in their reply on page M5 of 16th July. There is no such thing as a 200 per cent success fee and never has been. Even if there was, 200 per cent of £275...
I'm looking for a Ford Fiesta model with 'lowest overall cost of ownership' to commute 100 miles per day on mix of A & B roads (little city or motorway travel). Considering Ford Fiesta in either 1.4 TDCi...
I have extended warranty on my Jaguar XJ8 and have had it serviced purposly at main dealers at the regular intervals (give or take a couple of thousand miles) as not to endanger the policy. Although I...
Yesterday whilst stationary, waiting to join ferry at Dover my 3 month old Ford C-MAX was hit by a Polish lorry which seriously damaged and ripped the whole near side, including the wheels. As the damage...
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