Questions from August 2011
Whilst having a business meeting with a colleague at Leigh Delamere service area (westbound) on the M4, we had a nice cup of coffee and a cinnamon swirl, and sat down in comfortable chairs in the cafe....
In early July a friend who has a five year old Ford Focus noticed a "dank drain-like" smell in the car. The intervening eight weeks has not seen it diminish. In fact it has got worse, even permeating into...
I live on a hill and my drive is very steep. I did have a BMW X3 which was great, but I foolishly sold it last year for a 1 Series thinking I did not need such a big car. With the big freeze the 1 Series...
I recently went to a local branch of a national tyre chain to have two front tyres replaced and the front alignment checked.
After a time the mechanic came to me and said they could not do the work...
One of your readers couldn't get his 1962 Mini's master cylinder replaced. You suggested changing the anterior running gear with that from a later Mini series. An easy and safe way to repair an obsolete...
My American buddy asks if this British ‘Woody’ is a Triumph Dolomite?
During the 1960s I was studying metallurgy and one of our senior lecturers was called as an expert witness at an inquest of a mechanic who had been killed, when a fan blade of a car he was tuning up had...
After fitting a new battery, my little Morgan 4/4 started ok after hibernation. But it's not running sweetly and I put it down to tired petrol; 3/4 full and at least nine months old. What shall I do?
I have a 1973 Triumph Stag that is in need of some restoration work. Can you recommend anyone who specialises in restoring Stags, preferably in the Midlands?
12 years ago I bought the private registration plate 'PDF 25' for £2500. I now wish to sell it and have only been offered £1200. I do not know whether to advertise privately for a higher price, or if that...
My son recently sold his car and had trouble because the purchaser had discovered from a history check that the mileage was 70,000 more than on the odometer in the car. The odometer reading was correct....
I had been procrastinating over the disposal of my old BMW for some time, fearing DVLC bureaucracy, dodgy car breakers and other barriers to the whole operation. Having become exasperated by my lack of...
Each year the Road Safety team at Torbay Council organise a Seminar and Exhibition for senior drivers. This event has stands that include the Institute of Advanced Motorists, eyesight tests, reaction testing,...
James May's eulogistic comments about the late-lamented Renault 4 in July 9 Telegraph Motoring raised many nostalgic memories about this excellent little car, of which we owned five different examples...
Rover fitted a selectable free wheel device to its ‘Aunty’ models in the 1960s. I recollect my father using it for most of his driving. Why has something like it not been resurrected as fuel prices have...
Today I had to fold my rear seats down in my 2005 Vectra in order to transport a wardrobe but now I've put the seats back up the centre seat belt has no slack and you can't pull any out.
Also when I've...
I have a real heartache over my newly purchased 07 plate Berlingo van and really hope you could point me in the right direction!
On 6th of June this year I bought this van from a dealer near Sheffield....
I've been trying to sort out car insurance for my Mum using internet insurance companies.
I completed the information with my Mum present, but when I went to buy a policy the site (Swift Cover) said...
Our parents have bought an A-Class Mercedes but mum is having trouble with engaging reverse gear. It's a 6-speed box with R in top left postion so the driver has to pull the stick up and push it away to...
I have recently visited BCA car Auctions to get the feel of the place with a view to buy soon, but some vehicles do not have a V5 document. Is it safe to buy such a vehicle at an auction especially as...
Yesterday in Lincoln I saw a 54 plate car wearing Bentley wheel inserts and a Bentley motif on it's rear number plate but with just a letter B on it's boot (could not see the front before it moved off)....
We currently run a second generation MINI Cooper with 16" wheels on 195/55 runflat tyres. What tyres would you recommend for good grip in wet, cold and icy conditions, better ride and more positive handling?...
I pulled out of a carpark and bumped the wing of a passing car. Their damage is slight and they do not wish to claim, but I have already reported it to my insurer and am awaiting an estimate for the work...
I have been told by Swiftcover that an accident I had was my fault, but they will not see my point of view and will pay out, then hit me with a premium increase at renewal.
It all stems from an accident...
At the end of June we bought a Jaguar XF 3-litre petrol on an 08 plate from a Jaguar main dealer.
When we reverse out of our garage and down the fairly steep slope of our drive, the brakes make a loud...
Just bought my wife a Fiat Grande Punto 57 plate, first reg Dec 2007 and it's an auto which you can also use as a manual (like a mini tiptronic).
Its done 29,00 miles. Wife loves it, nice to drive etc....
I have trawled the topic thread already and tried numerous solutions thus far to no avail.
My car which i have had for a few years has developed this problem as described by many others.
The key fob...
Our Nissan X-Trail (02) may be on the way out. We have 2 children and a dog and live in the Brecon Beacons. We need a good reliable car that does more mpg than our current X-Trail Sport. We need something...
Hi all. I have purchased a Vauxhall Astra from Vauxhall. I only noticed today that something seemed funny with the reverse light.
The year of the car is 2009 and the reverse light is on the right and...
What deals should I reasonably expect to get from a main dealer when buying a brand new car ? For example, % reduction off the asking price, accessories thrown in for free, free servicing deals, free tank...
I like Mercedes but need to change my C180k automatic. What under 50k miles car would you suggest with as many of the features and build quality of the Mercedes but a suspension to give the most comfortable...
I have a new battery (ten months old) but am having problems turning the engine over via the starter motor. When I turn the engine over, it feels and sounds as though the battery is going flat, and it...
I appear to be receiving, daily, via email, notification of a speeding violation in New York State from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. The date of the offense was May 2011 but I was not...
How can I find out when the last Land Cruiser LC or Amazon without a DPF was sold in the UK?
You stated that you were able to return 62.3mpg on a 300 mile trip in father in laws Toyota Auris hybrid. We have had ours since September and can only manage 49mpg. We are disappointed with this return...
I purchased a Mercedes E class 220 CDI estate from my local main dealer in December 2005, at the time there was around 9,000 miles on the clock. During the following summer I noticed, when washing the...
Due to the impending arrival of a new car (this has arrived quicker than I expected) I need to sell my VW Polo Moda 1.2. It has 11k miles and a full service history in an excellent condition.
I owe £6700...
The cooling fan in the car has stopped working.
I've checked and replaced one fuse, but this has not solved that problem.
The car is overheating and I have to keep the interior fan on to try to cool...
In response to my letter to my MP, David Burrowes, I received this letter:
"I am writing on behalf of David Burrowes, who has asked me to thank you for your email of yesterday about proposals in the...
According to a news report, Mr. Allen Swift (of Springfield, MA.) received this Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Piccadilly Roadster from his father, brand new, as a graduation gift, in 1928. He drove it up until...
Firstly let me tell you that I always read your letters page and have gained a lot from it. I think you actually dealt with my problem some months ago but of course I didn’t keep the information. My daughter...
I understand that some classic/vintage car drivers when proceeding at about 40mph on an unrestricted single carriageway with a queue of traffic behind them have been stopped by the police and either cautioned...
For over 50 years I have been driving conventionally geared cars I am now 81 and considering moving to a slightly smaller car, an automatic Fiesta in place of my Toyota Auris. I drive about 14,000 miles...
I agreed with my local SAAB dealer that they would come to my home, collect my car and carry out the year 2 service for the agreed price of £336 including VAT.
Later on in the morning I received a phone...
I am considering investing in winter tyres for the coming season. Clearly the driving wheels are critical, but as it is much more costly, is it important to fit them all round? If so, can you please explain...
After exchanging my wonderful Volvo 940 Celebration for a 2008/58 V70 diesel estate last November, I took your advice and have always run it on BP Ultimate diesel (as also my wife’s Golf), and both cars...
Can you please help? The MoT on one of my cars, parked off road on our driveway, runs out on the 19th October. I will be out of the country from the 13th September until the 26th October. The car will...
I currently have a 2005 Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0 Litre diesel with DSG gearbox. Car has been faultless and I have experienced none of the reported "hesitation" with the 6-speed wet DSG box. Now time to...
My Mercedes ML320CDI has covered a relatively trouble free 165,000 miles. At its last service my local MB dealer says that there is a judder in second gear (it is the 7 speed model) that is likely to prove...
I have a 2005 Jaguar S-Type 2.7 diesel. Can you tell me if it has a cambelt or chain?
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