Questions from September 2011
With a budget of £10k I'm looking for a fun car that's spacious enough for golf clubs. I like the quirkiness of the Nissan Juke. What do you recommend.
The new Ford Focus Powershift presently comes only with a Diesel engine.
Is the diesel problem RECTIFIED on this new model or do they still come with DPF?
If they still have DPF would 20 miles on the...
I am considering purchasing two cars, one for myself and one for my wife. The dilemma is what to choose.
I am torn between the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line TDI and Audi A3 Black Edition TDI for myself, and...
I asked you about a replacement for my BMW X3 3.0 Diesel 35 Sport, which is now over three years old. You replied, “You can now get a 3.0 litre diesel motor in the new F25 X3, which is vastly better than...
My husband and I are both now retired and are considering the most suitable car for our retirement. We would like to travel in the UK and Europe, taking our dog with us, so are thinking about an estate...
Can you possibly advise as to the best, and cheapest, way to obtain a spare ignition key for my wife's 2002 Corsa? I would be quite happy with a key that just opens the doors manually, after they have...
In Honest John in August a reader mentioned that his Astra space saver spare wheel was two inches smaller in diameter than the road wheels. My BMW Compact has 16-inch wheels, while the space saver has...
Later next month I will be driving to Germany. The trip will also include visits to Belgium, Holland and France. To comply with the European driving requirements that I know of, I will be purchasing a...
I read the letter ‘Pane Relief’ about Autoglass. Whilst I am not in a position to comment on their charging, I am able to commend them on their service. A year or so ago my car was broken into in the car...
With reference to your answer to PS regarding options for small SUVs: I was in the same predicament, needing higher seating for ease of access, particularly on the nearside where kerb heights come into...
In January this year my partner took delivery of a new 1 Series BMW convertible. She is delighted with the car but was surprised when a few weeks ago, after only 4000 miles, the low oil warning came up....
I have a BMW X1 XDrive 20D SE bought new in August 2010 with BMW service inclusive. After a year I have only done 7000 miles, mostly on long trips but with periods of short local ones. The Service Department...
Please advise on the benefits, if any, of buying a KIA Venga or cee’d diesel based on an annual mileage of 10,000-11,000 with at least two trips per month of 350 miles and the balance made up of local...
My father-in-law died in June and, amongst other things, left my wife, as his Executor, a car to dispose of. In compliance with the current DVLA rules we completed the SORN and took the uninsured car off...
Owners of Rover 75 and MG ZT equivalents, who may be tiring of their service garages unable to diagnose or misdiagnosing problems, should be made aware of JMA Cars of Colwyn Bay North Wales who provide...
I have been contacted on three occasions by a company asking for payment for a private parking fine. They are threatening to take a court order against me, and name and shame me on their website for non-payment....
I live on a hill and my drive is very steep. I did have a BMW X3 which was great in the snow but I foolishly sold it last year for a BMW 1 Series thinking I did not need such a big car. With the big freeze,...
In March we bought a 2007 Fiesta with 46,000 miles on the clock. It seemed ideal, but in August a coolant pipe burst and the engine overheated. It was out of the 3-month warranty so I had it fixed at my...
We have a 2007 Citroen C1 diesel and the mileage is 2100. We bought the car new from the Citroen dealer in Perth and we have had, throughout its life, occasional problems when, after say 50 miles, the...
I recently read a small article concerning fears associated with new legislation from the EU and subsequently the UK, on increased use of biofuel content and consequent reduction of sulphur content in...
I will take delivery of my new Skoda Octavia 1.8TSI in about 3 weeks time. Following your advice on winter motoring I have ordered a set of 4 steel wheels from Skoda, which I will have shod with winter...
I have a 54-registered Honda Accord with built in Satnav. I travel to Spain, via France, every year and have found that the system does not take into account the many new roads and changes. The Navtech...
I have in the past read various references you have made to "particulate filters" in diesel cars. I purchased a Volvo D3 S60 diesel manual in December. Within six months the warning light came on indicating...
We decided on retirement to reduce to one car, and sold my wife's. Phoning the AA Insurance the next day to cancel, I was told that no refund was due, despite having four months to run on the policy. The...
I seem to remember a recommendation from you for a company that is able to offer replacements for lost locking wheel nut keys. I am unable to find the thread on the website. The car is a Mercedes 320...
Can you solve a mystery for our family? Our elderly aunt and uncle, run a 1983 Mercedes W123 estate, 300 TD, auto, with air con. The car is built like a tank, and is most reliable and solid. My uncle and...
I have a 2006 Subaru Legacy 3.0. It is a blast and I love it. But it will stall with no warning or fuss on the first journey of the day. Other times of day it is fine - it only happens first thing at roughly...
I have a 2001 Jaguar S-Type and have recently lost the key with the integral remote central locking code. I have another individual key and separate remote control fob. The local main agent wants about...
Six weeks ago I purchased a 2008 Mondeo Mk4, 2.2 TDCI. On occasions there is a smell of oil that permeates into the cabin of the car. On a couple of occasions after stopping the engine, grey smoke smelling...
I am writing on behalf of my relative who has just moved address from Garstang to Clitheroe in Lancashire. We have informed all parties i.e. utilities, banks, home insurance and pension regarding change...
You will not be surprised to read that in September 2010 I moved my comprehensive policy to Saga at £235. September 2011 renewal paperwork arrived at a cost now of £337, an increase of 43%, but with a...
My wife bought an Audi A1 in May 2011. We are well into our retirement ages and after reading in the manual the complicated procedure of dealing with a puncture with this jollop that one fills the tyre...
I have been asked by my in-laws to sort out what will probably be their last vehicle, to replace their trusty Nissan Almera, which they now find a bit low and awkward to get in and out of as their mobility...
May I celebrate my Polo 1.9D's tenth birthday by reporting 57,773 miles on 892 gallons, or 64.7 mpg, mainly on short journeys, travelling as fast as is legal or safe? There is a consistent 6mpg difference...
I was reading your column and noted your comments about insurance companies asking silly renewal quotes which then come down if you can be bothered to ring them. I have been with Direct Line for a while...
I recently bought a nearly new 2010 Hyundai i30. It came on Hankook tyres, and they seem to be very noisy. What would you recommend when the time comes to replace them? I'm looking for decent wear, good...
I have a Jaguar XF 2.7D. I have always used Redex Fuel System Cleaner, but wonder if it is really of any use? I only drive about 5,000 miles per year and only use the car for journeys of about 5 to 7 miles...
I follow your campaign against speed bumps, potholes and related damage to vehicles with interest and dismay at the attitude of many local authorities. When an apparently pointless and useless traffic...
In March 2010 I was offered a 10-month-old Civic EX by a Honda dealer in Bedford. Despite having an 09 plate the specification seemed to be inconsistent with a 2009 model. However, I checked the list of...
When the ignition is switched on there is a juddering noise from the engine area. This does not happen every time. Dealership has looked at starter motor, fly wheels, even replaced battery.
Car has been...
Have just taken ownership of a new Honda CR-V 2.2 Dtec from Motorpoint. At purchase Motorpoint advised that this car was an import from Gibraltar, so had only a two year manufacturers warranty. However...
I know nothing about cars. I want a car with a similar shape to the Vauxhall Agila (having written off my 2006 car). I am regularly doing the London to Brighton run so want something that is good on distance...
My wife is set on buying a convertible as a second car, probably a coupé cabrio for security reasons (when we had car with a soft electric sunroof it was slashed twice). The car will be used for a combination...
Bought this new from a via AutoEbid around June 2010. Dealer was very helpful. However Cruise Control operation was intermittant.
This was traced via forums to a software issue around the clutch switch....
I have a Suzuki SX4 4Grip.
Are a set of winter tyres worth the money (£400-£500) and if so which should I fit?
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