Questions from September 2011
I would like to replace my 2004 XC90 D5 SE (82,000 miles FVSH). Despite the 4-wheel-drive failing (repaired under warranty by Warranty Direct - thanks for your recommendation) the car has been a great...
I hired a car at an Irish airport last week and found that the excess protection insurance was greater than the cost of hiring the vehicle. Is there an insurance company that covered the excess and is...
I have 1998 Volkswagen Passat diesel estate. Although it has 125,000 miles on the clock it does 50mpg on long journeys. Last week, on returning from a local shopping expedition at Reigate only 10 miles...
I'm getting a Honda Jazz for my mother (1-2 years old). She can only drive automatics, but I've heard there were problems with the Jazz automatic transmission in the newer 2008-10 models. Is this true?...
I have a 2009 (09) Toyota Aygo Black 37,000 miles - have owned from new FTSH - Toyota dealer has offered me £4750 px against a pre reg Aygo Ice 5dr which he has on offer at £8530. Does this sound about...
We are about to buy a Mini Cooper S, and part-exchanging a Ford Ka. The Ka is not worth very much, has rust and the driver door lock is dodgy. We have informed the dealer of this.
How can we cover ourselves...
The Ford web site http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Fiesta/Enginesandtechnology gives the 1.6 diesel engine as available with or without a DPF. I would like to purchase a Fiesta without a DPF, as I will be reducing...
Just about time (if not overdue) to change my good 6 year old Laguna Tourer, but is it me or are Renault dealerships no longer stocking these 'larger' cars? Fair enough I can order but I seem to recall...
I am retired, so motoring costs matter. I like basic, and favourite cars have been 2CVs and Renault 4s. I need a small pick-up, like the VW Rabbit/Caddy. All the current pick-ups seem like monster trucks,...
Following JF of Eastbourne’s email about the Honda Jazz, I bought a second hand CVT recently and have managed to push the mpg up to 51.5 average. I previously ran a Mitsubishi Colt DI-D auto that did 50...
What is your opinion on buying second-hand petrol turbocharged cars? My current car is a Skoda Octavia vRS (2001, 106,000 miles) and when stopping at a service station etc.,on a motorway journey I always...
I purchased a used Ford Ka 2009 from a Vauxhall dealer, less than 2 months ago. I am a relatively inexperienced/new driver so perhaps I am not as aware of how a car should feel. My mum drove the car for...
I recently had a heart-stopping moment with my 2007 Passat TDi 170 DSG. Coming up to a major road I braked from about 55 to a stop and because there was an acceptable gap tried to accelerate away. There...
I recently received a (parking charge notice) from Total Parking Solutions (WD6 4ZL) for £70 for over staying my welcome at St Peters Retail Park, Burton-on-Trent, which includes their kind and generous...
I recently met a client at McDonalds in Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He bought me a couple of coffees and a muffin and we had a meeting. At the end of our meeting we got into our cars, he left and I...
I refer to a question from AR and your response as I have a similar question. On 9th August, I met a friend for breakfast at 8am at McDonald's on the A12 at Boreham Interchange near Chelmsford. Unbeknownst...
My car broke down (clutch problem) as I entered the M1 in Derbyshire. I let it roll to the barrier and waited there to be rescued which took only 20 minutes. I was then taken to a garage where arrangements...
We are planning on buying a used MPV or minivan up to £10,000. Bearing this in mind, which MPV has the most boot space with all seven seats up (excluding the Chrysler Grand Voyager), or could you recommend...
I have been told by my local Volvo dealer that I do not need four winter tyres for my V50 2.0-litre petrol car, just two, as it is front wheel drive. I understood you had to have four. Please advise.
My wife drives a 2003 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Twist. In October 2007 at 11,900 miles cam belt and tensioners were replaced by a Volkswagen dealer. We have now been advised by the same dealer that this apparently...
Thank you for helping me out with my previous question. If the 1.2TSI models on a Polo are good what's your opinion on the 1.2 TSI 85 engine in a 3-door Golf? Would it be underpowered to the point where...
For your files, the company exposed by the Sunday Times on 25th September was Shoal Enforcement. The story was essentially about a motorist, Nick Raymond, who owns a classic Sunbeam Alpine. He had a permit...
I'd never owned a diesel-engined car before I bought my pre-registered 2005/55 Volvo V70 in March 2006. It's a delight to drive: a real mile-eater, and very comfortable. But at the time I bought it I'd...
Earlier this year I tried a new Renault dealership. They rang me in the middle of a service and told me that Renault recommended replacing brake fluid every 3 years and quoted a separate price for this...
I have a 2 door Citroen C1 that I have been pleased with and I wish to fit a tow-bar for a cycle-rack, but I am informed that it is not possible to fit a tow-bar to a C1.
I was thinking of replacing...
My 2009 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI petrol has used a prodigious amount of engine oil - perhaps a litre every 10 days at 25,000 miles per annum - since purchase. It has now done 41,000 miles. In the past, I have...
I would appreciate your opinion on a complaint about my Renault Clio. It was purchased new in November 2006 in Southampton, where I live in a semi-rural area and park my car close to, but not directly...
I am looking for a car that is petrol, auto, under 120g/km CO2 and a 5-seater hatchback. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If not available now, are any to come in the near future?
I am driving to Italy and returning via Austria and Germany in November.
Can I use my UK tyres - Pirelli P7 (I carry snow chains) or do I have to have winter M&S (mud and slush) rated tyres after October...
I know from your column in the DT that you are an advocate of winter tyres. My wife and I have now rationalised our transport arrangements from a Landrover Defender 110 LWB (mine) and a Corsa 1.4 automatic...
Are Winter or all season tyres better in the UK in terms of performance of the car (miles per gallon), noise and tyre wear during winter months? Would all season tyres perform better?
Wheels for winter or all season tyres: Do I need to buy new wheels with my new winter or all season tyres or can I use the wheels on which my summers are fitted?
After a short break on a long run, our Zafira's cruise control sometimes won't engage until 10 to 20 minutes after setting off again.
A Vauxhall dealer just gave the car its first annual service and...
Do you think it would be OK to take summer tyres off, and put them back on again in the spring - ie swapping between winter and summer tyres? Trying to save the expense of having an extra two front wheels.
I bought a 1996 MX5 from the salesman at my local Mazda dealership (Vospers of Exeter). He made it clear he was selling it for his father but it was displayed on the forecourt. The dealership had MOT'd...
What rights do I have to reject a car purchased in June 2010?
When we purchased the car we had agreed a timescale for the main dealer to complete the work, which they did. But subsequently the car has...
My car complete turns off when I step off the accelerator. In short it does not idle, it runs only when I keep my foot on the accelerator pedal - once I take my foot off the accelerator it turns off. It...
I am 64, have a Mondeo '06 in VGC with 47000mls and I'm thinking of downgrading for economy reasons. I'm looking at a Fiat 500 Twinair. Can spend £3k - £5k plus trade in for the Mondeo.
We have bought a house in France with a garage and wish to keep a small car (about 1200cc) there which can take four adults.
We thought left-hand drive would be useful. With a budget of about £4000 what...
I have spent 12 months at my BMW dealer trying to get a problem cured on a new car. The engine resonates at about 1750 rpm in all gears. 1750 is about 70mph in top gear so motorway driving has to be done...
I am in the process of buying a VW Touran and was wondering if they are any good and if they are reliable (electrics as well)? It has a lot of extras that could go wrong. The engine is a 1.9 TDI diesel....
Hi
In the past month I have been 'surprised' by Prisuses.
On the first occasion I had filled my car at a local petrol station and was walking out of the shop, busy putting my credit card back in my wallet....
I recieved a parking fine of £90 for a 16 minute overstay in a 'euro car parks' car park on the 27/06/11. I followed Honest John's advice to appeal the fine as I had been shopping in the retail park in...
What would you recommend as a replacement for our aging Nissan Primera. A large boot is important.
We've driven automatics for 20 years but are considering, for economic reasons, changing to manual -...
I'm feeling very sick. I've had the car just over 3 months. A few days ago the car suffered dramatic power loss and was running like a tractor. Towed in to a local garage and at first the chap thought...
Yesterday my wife was driving down a dual carriageway in our 2005 Renault Megane 1.5 DCI.
When she changed to fifth there was a whistling noise and suddenly the engine lost power. We tried to move slowly...
I am looking to but a three/four year old diesel. I want leather seats and a small saloon and after some research have settled on either a Volvo S40 SE or a Saab 9-3.
Which do you recomend as a better...
I recently received a parking summons from a local authority and it is clear that my vehicle number plate has been cloned. The vehicle was never at the location cited. I hope I have cleared up this matter...
I have run a Hyundai Coupe for the last two years. It has been a good car, well specified, tough and comfortable on long journeys. Age now dictates something easier to enter and exit and suitable for mild...
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