Questions from September 2011
Three and four year free servicing is often mentioned by Mike Rutherford in his Mr Money column. What I have not seen mentioned is whether this actually includes oils and filters, etc. Can you kindly clarify?
My son (who lives in Switzerland) recently purchased a Jaguar XF 3.0 diesel, having read all the glowing reports about it. Twice now he has had a potentially disastrous problem on his 20 mile runs to work....
I received this message from Volkswagen and would like your advice as to whether this is a good thing for me to consider, would this be £50 well spent? <<Welcome to Ensurance - an official Volkswagen Insurance...
I have driven my 2004 Daihatsu Terios Sport from almost new and would buy another one if I could. It still has only about 44,000 miles on the clock but may need some repairs fairly soon for example the...
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 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...
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 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...
I have £3000 max to spend.
Would like 50+ mpg combined.
Insurance group 7 or less.
Tax £150 or less.
9O bhp or more (though I know the Yaris is less) so it doesnt strain at 80mph on the motorway.
Diesel.
5...
My son has a Y plate 1 litre 3cyl Corsa which has been noisy since we purchased it a year ago. We were told this was usual for this model. Weve just got it through an mot (£125 damper, brakes and cost...
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...
We have a 56 reg Skoda Roomster 1.9 tdi fitted with 205/45 R16 Bridgestone tyres on alloy wheels.
We are looking to buy and fit a set of winter tyres, also on alloy wheels, but wonder whether it is possible...
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 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.
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...
I am the second owner of a 1997 Vauxhall Astra 1.6, which is still a good car but has become very expensive to run, especially as I have reached my 80th year. I am unsure whether to go for old, like 12...
Regarding Mazda and a leaflet advising they will handle all aspects of accident repair claims for Mazda owners. We also have a Mazda and received one of these leaflets after a service. We chose to ignore...
I bought a new Honda Jazz in September 2010. It comes with Honda Happiness accident management cover. I am insured with Churchills. So if I have an accident, do I call Honda Happiness rather than Churchills....
l have received a PCN from Poole Council for exceeding my parking time. The ticket has my correct registration number on it but incorrectly states that my car is a Volvo when it is actually a VW Golf....
Please forward to all people you know who operate an older vehicle. This is a petition to reinstate the rolling tax exemption for vehicles over 25 years old: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/2622...
I am just about to start a new job with a 50-mile daily commute, mainly on dual carriageway. My daughter is also keen to start learning to drive when she is 17 in April, so I am looking for something economical...
Park Direct Ltd has now issued another Parking Charge Notice claiming a parking charge for £150. It seems my son parked for 2/3 minutes in a 'private' parking bay near Ealing Broadway station. Perhaps...
A follow up to the speed hump situation at Ellington, Morpeth. Although the public response to the questionnaire was poor (the council requires 70% in favour of removal and only 50.6% was attained), the...
I’m considering a two-year-old Astra Hatchback 1.6i 16v VVT, ECOTEC 4 with 23,249 miles on the clock and an asking price of £11,995. I would be grateful for your views on the overall reliability of this...
I would be greatly obliged if you could tell me what is the current amount of road tax due annually on a Peugeot 307 year 2007 1589cc petrol hatchback. The reason I ask is my renewal cost is £245 per annum...
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