Questions from August 2011
Just in case you've not heard, this time last year Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight (A Grade II listed structure) was closed to all road traffic as a more-sensitive-than-usual examination of the iron struts...
My wife is looking to replace her Nissan Note after three years of reliable service. Her only problem with it is that she struggles with a lack of comfort over a 4-hour journey. Whilst this may be part...
I have driven a Mitsubishi Galant 2.2 automatic for 11 years. The steering mechanism is leaking oil, so we need a new car. I am in my eighties, drive on the motorway about twenty miles or drive to the...
I recently bought a 1994 Mercedes 280SL at Barons Auctions, Sandown Park, Esher. The car did not reach its reserve and when the auction was over I approached the office and said that I was interested....
I'm confused with all the data one reads in the newspaper regarding battery driven cars. These are the facts that I have read. Are they correct?
1.Price £20,000 to £30,000
2.To renew batteries £8,000...
The time is approaching to replace our 10-year-old Mondeo Estate that has been brilliant. With kids grown up, 95% of the time we only need a 2-seater but must have room in back for large dog with easy...
Thanks to one of your reader's letter in last Saturday's column, I checked the wording on my insurance coverage, which actually did not include travel between home and work. I immediately phoned my insurers,...
My husband insures his 2 cars (one, a "workhorse" and the other for smarter occasions) with Liverpool and Victoria, and I insure my Ford Focus with Direct Line. We are both named drivers on the other's...
Regarding motoring and the Magna Carta, I was looking at the court reports in our local paper this week and saw people receiving what amounts to warnings in the shape of suspended sentences for crimes...
Regrettably, I ignored your advice a couple of years ago and was talked into trading in my E39 525d for an E60 520d. Although it has sufficient power I notice the lack of smooth delivery and am now considering...
My 8-year old 2003/52 Honda Civic Coupe 'died' quite dramatically on the M62 when the no. 4 conrod pierced the block. Regularly serviced throughout its short life, the last occasion being July 1st. and...
I know you like to keep up with the experience of us motorists so here is a bit of good news. A couple of months ago a car ploughed into the back of my car whilst I was stationary at traffic lights. The...
Some time ago you recommended 24cover.co.uk for legal cover for car insurance. However, their website seems to have 'stalled' and no one answers the telephone. Has this company gone bust?
I know very little about cars and have absolutely no interest in them but I do, however, read your column. We are all quick off the mark to criticise the DVLA, and indeed most government departments but...
I am in dispute with Audi UK over the failure of a piston in the engine of my 2007/57 Audi S3. I asked for an RAC inspection as I did not trust the garage when they said the car needed a new engine at...
I have had VW Polo 1.4 automatics for the past 12 years, new each time and have been very happy with them. Mainly I commute to work in and out of central London, with longer distances (up to 300 miles)...
A company is advertising in Volkswagen Driver magazine a diesel particulate filter removal service. It seems to me that if the claims made are genuine, then the diesel engine manufacturers worldwide should...
My five year old 56,000 mile Porsche C4S recently had a routine service at the local official Porsche centre, where it has always been serviced. In the course of replacing spark plugs, a heat shield needed...
Recently I was passenger in a car with stop/start. On the open road the trip was unremarkable but then traffic in town was heavy and I found the continual restarting made for a very uncomfortable journey....
Apologies for asking a question you answered (for someone else) a few years ago, but I can't remember it all. We have a 5-year-old Vauxhall Meriva. There is almost no visibility looking to the right oblique,...
Your response to SK lacked any mention of the fitting of winter tyres. We live in a hilly area and were able to use a VW Golf fitted with winter tyres in conditions that prevented the use of the car with...
Having owned a Mercedes C220CDi previously, I am on the point of purchasing a twelve to eighteen month automatic estate. I would prefer the Elegance model for the level of trim but there are comparatively...
Have you received any reports of Skoda Octavia windows opening for no apparent reason? I left my 59 reg car in front of my garage, fully locked. When I returned to it several hours later, all the windows...
To counterbalance the negative feedback on VW I am pleased to report that I am a happy owner of a VW Passat. I bought my first Passat, a V5 automatic, in 2002. This I traded in against my current car,...
I have a two-year-old Mercedes A Class due for its B Service. If I go to an Independent Mercedes Garage will it invalidate my Warranty and Mobilo Life? If it is considered OK under EU law, which is what...
Can someone please explain the logic of clamping? If an obstruction or a trespass in being caused, all it does is to ensure it continues.
Last week I purchased a 2000W Vauxhall Astra 2.0 diesel estate. According to my research it was tax band G costing £155 a year. Previously the taxation class was disabled and when I came to tax it the...
I have a 2000X BMW 530D estate, which my father had owned from nearly new. Over the past 8 months it has developed an intermittent battery drain fault and I was hoping you may have some clues about what...
How do I enter the mpg results for my car? Your website appears to be a collection of adverts?
My partner has received a text offering to get her £3,750 for her recent accident. She has not had an accident. You advised your readers to report these people to casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk I did eventually...
I have noticed from time to time, that you have requested information from your readers as to the actual mileage per gallon that they have achieved, as opposed to manufacturers pie in the sky figures....
I bought a 2002 MkIV Volkswagen Golf 1.6 16v from a garage in Clacton for £1990 in June. When I bought the car, there were a few things I requested the dealer to sort out before I collected the car. The...
I have a Toyota RAV-4 SWB (3-door) 2.0 litre diesel XT3 D-4D. It has done approx 56,000 miles and it was purchased as a used vehicle from Lookers Toyota, Romford.
However, it now needs a new clutch...
Can you recommend a small diesel estate that's economical please?
We've a 2009 C4 1.6HDI which isn't suitable to needs anymore - we've adopted a large black lab who doesn't fit in the boot at all.
I currently own a 2005 2.0 TDCi Focus, I use the car for a 150 mile motorway speed round trip commute daily. I love the relaxing feel of putting the car in 6th and seeing the rev counter sit below 2000,...
Engine management light staying on, I believe it to be the exhaust sensor. Could this damage my engine?
The front suspension rattles too much on the sharper pot holes, manhole covers, etc. My 940 Volvo seems better set.
Did this series of E Class suffer problems and would I expect an improvement from replacing...
I believe there is a new PSA diesel unit, the 112 HDi. I also believe that this engine is built with BMW for the first time, and PSA no longer work with Ford to produce diesel units.
Could I ask if the...
Received a letter from company claiming my wife's car involved in accident, they obtained information on our address etc. from the DVLA. The claim is entirely bogus the named driver was a name we do not...
I've just had my car serviced on 21st May 2011 and it's needing a service inspection already in less than 2000 miles and a little over 2 months, surely this can't be right?
Should BMW serviced department...
My Lexus RX400h (2007), has recently developed a severe case of road noise which increases to a quite unbearable level by 60mph. The front tyres are new since Jan 2011. They are "Far Eastern" in origin...
Who makes a van without a dual mass flywheel that will pass the new TFL low emissions charge?
I was wandering if you knew where Sainsburys gets their petrol from? I thought it was BP, but slightly unsure. And what is the best super around to run my Civic on?
I would like to buy a Golf, however my budget is very limited at £2000.
All that seems available for this price is a late 1990s model with reasonable mileage, or an early 2000 model with 100k+ mileage....
My Cee'd SW diesel makes clonks and rattles from the transmission when warmed up. The dealer has belatedly accepted this, after a year, but says that this is normal for this model. Is this likely?
You...
I own a Nissan Micra K-12 and I have a slight egg shaped bulge in the front wheel on the drivers side. I need to replace just this one tyre. The tyres are Continental 185/50R16 81, but I can only seem...
I have just found out from my local independent garage that the timing chain needs replacing on my Zafira. In Feb 2010 the main Vauxhall dealership in York replaced the Timing kit under warranty.
Having...
Looking to buy a small, 5-door used car. Up to £3,500. High mileage not a problem as will only do about 5,000 miles p.a. Runaround for wife. Small engine is a must so economical. Any ideas?
I do not like electric windows but have had to buy a car with them in front.
Is it possible to control them without the key in, with some sort of additional button or rewire job?
It is infuriating...
Essentials are : 4WD,40+mpg, Elec sun roof option, five doors, Elec full driver seat alteration.
Petrol or diesel (annual mileage approx 24000), elevated driving position an advantage.
Due to high...
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