Questions from October 2011
I currently drive an Astra 1.6SXi, covering approx 10,000 miles pa, mostly motorway. The only problem is that the rear seats do not fold flat (I need a fairly large flat platform, but not too big a car)....
Car starts, but no acceleration, pedal seems okay, but no response/revs when applying the accelerator pedal, stuck doing 1 mph.
I have a Ford Focus TD saloon on a T reg. The central locking works fine on the key and the remote and when you drive off the central locking locks all doors, which is ok because it always has.
The problem...
I've copied an extract from an email thread I've had with a potential seller of an Audi A4, and am concerned that this appears to be a scam to extort the money, with the seller never to be heard of again....
I have bought a car online from a motor dealer in London and two days later carried out an odometer check to realise the car has finance outstanding and the finance company (Blackhorse) are currently refusing...
My 2007 Volkswagen Caravelle TDI has covered 37000 miles and has developed a partially blocked DPF following and oil overfill at the last main dealer VW service.
It has taken 6 months and 5 separate...
I'm considering buying an accident (black box)video recording system, e.g. Roadhawk, to provide evidence, if applicable, of my not being at fault in any accident which I might be involved in.
Do you think...
Last year (in September) I purchased a second hand Audi A6 2.7 TD Le Mans S Line quattro that is on a 57 plate.
I stipulated that I did not want to have the cost of a service for the next six months....
We run a dualogic 1.2 Panda for my mother. It was new in December 2006 and has done only 5300 miles. The dealer is saying the cam belt needs changing before five years of age. Is this correct?
Why do cars these days have loose wheel bolts instead of fixed studs and loose nuts? It is much more difficult to change a wheel nowadays because it is not easy to align the holes in the hubs with those...
I cannot find a valuation for my car anywhere, they all seem to vary so much. It is a BMW 330d m sport saloon 55 plate with 105000 miles. FSH. Profesional Nav and leather. Good condition.
My local BMW...
My present tyres are 205/55/r16 91v Pirelli p7, but they seem noisy. Could you suggest a tyre with better ride quality and less noise, ideally budget or midrange prices?
I've got a Fiesta Zetec 1.4 and it seems to be using some water. It has not overheated as of yet but I have not been in any major traffic. The fan seems to only cut in after the car has been switched off,...
I pranged a colleague's car at work, Nissan Micra, dented behind driver door. Do I have to inform my insurer as I think it would be cheaper just for me to have it repaired for her.
I own a Ford Ka 1.3 2002 with a Dura Tec engine. The car was misfiring and it has now been fixed by my father in law and the problem is solved, however I do not know how to reset the engine light and turn...
My Ford Mondeo diesel 05 ghia x has now got 198,000 on the clock, in the last year in spent £2000 on the steering starter motor and a few smaller bits and pieces. Now the clutch is failing and the ford...
I have a Nissan Micra 2003 and it must be time to change the anti freeze but where should I dispose of the old stuff?
My 1998 1.8 Ford Fiesta diesel has just clocked 200k miles. Sadly, the bodywork is now starting to corrode and I’d like to change it for another small 5-door diesel hatchback before the winter sets in....
Outside the remit of cars, but your comments would be appreciated, please. We own a 2001 VW Transporter van, which we use almost weekly to visit our children in Sutton, Surrey, although we live in East...
I'm thinking of fitting a K&N air filter to my Toyota Auris 1.6 petrol manual 2008. Would it improve performance, affect fuel economy, or affect my insurance?
My brother was on holiday from Canada and borrowed my car for a few days, and he was caught speeding on camera. I can identify him as the driver, but his Canadian address will be of no use to the police,...
I'm helping a friend replace her car, she's a mum with two primary-school-aged children, doing average mileage, but mainly short local distances (1 to 5 miles). Currently drives W/2000 BMW 318, which...
I have an issue with my motor trade insurance policy, underwritten by QBE. I was with Equity red star prior I had no problems with them, what happened was that I failed to declare 2 non-fault accidents...
When smoothly accelerating, my 2003 Mercedes Benz E-Class Estate 'shudders' and vibrates! There was no fault shown when plugged in to diagnostic computer, and it doesn't happen when accelerator is not...
I was involved in a crash through no fault of my own, my car was parked up and a van crashed into it. My insurance company wrote off the car and is offering me £2100 when the closest match is around £2700...
I am thinking of upgrading my 159 to a 4x4 (possibly an Alfa Romeo 159 Q4 if I can find one) as it is useless in the winter weather! I wonder whether I would be better just buying some winter tyres (and...
I have a Kia Picanto 2004, the automatic gear box needs replacement and I've been trying to source one and the only one I found cost more that the car itself. Please could you recommend where I can get...
I have a 1999 Peugeot 306 HDI2.0 The high pressure fuel pump has packed up, do you have any idea how much these are to replace? Cheapest way possible, as unfortunately I spent all my money on buying my...
Following your previous advice I have purchased a petrol 4.2 S type May 2004, 74,000 miles in very good condition and a pleasure to own and drive.
However, after 2 weeks or so a red light came on with...
I do a lot of motorway driving from Midlands to London at least twice a month, and back and fourth from Birmingham to Leicester.
Have seen two golfs, one is petrol 7,000 miles one owner, the other is...
I have started filling my 2007 diesel Passat Estate (2.0 140ps) with Total Excellium - currently on my third fill, and have noticed a bit better pickup when 'flooring' the accelerator and it is also a...
I have just brought a Fiat Punto 06 from a dealer for £3000. On the drive home I noticed some rattling noise ,but thought it may be because of the way I was driving it, due to it being a different car.
The...
My Renault Kangoo 1598 cc, 2007 automatic van, has done over 80K miles. Is it time to change the timing belt? How much should it cost and do you know any garages in the north east London area?
I have been driving for over 30 years, but would like to take an advanced driving course. Could you make a recommendation that isn't too expensive? I live in Pembrokeshire, and not close to any major town...
I've just bought a 2008 Honda Jazz 1.4 i-DSi SE with 22k miles. Very nice little car apart from the steering which is slightly heavy at higher speeds, and doesn't self center that well either.
When I...
We live up a very steep country lane and have been snowed in despite autosocks the last few winters because of the ice and compacted snow. For our next car we are trying to find cars which have a switch...
I've just had an accident that I'm confident is 3rd parties fault - she pulled out from a side road hitting my car. I've informed my insurer, who have said that Enterprise Hire will contact me regarding...
I cannot get the bonnet on my Ford Mondeo to open past the first turn of the key, when I turn the key to the right there is no change and the bonnet remains locked.
The turbo failed on my September 2004 BMW 530D auto at 112,000 miles and was replaced and since the new turbo was fitted, the driving characteristic feels different. The automatic gearbox now changes up...
The timing belt on my Ford Fiesta has snapped and engine is knackered. I would say the resale value of the car a few weeks ago would have been £1,500. (120,000 miles, some minor bodywork damage)
The local...
I have a four year old Mercedes S-class, I would like to replace it with a smaller and more economical car but with comfort good seats and and room to move in.
I'm thinking to LPG convert my 1598cc, 2007 Renault Kangoo Automatic Van. Can you recommend a good reliable garage in the North East London area. Also, would it be congestion charge exempt once the conversion...
Am thinking of fitting winter tyres from mid-November. Is fitting them to the front (drive) wheels only a safe and sensible option or should I fit them to the rear (non-drive) wheels as well?
The battery on my Renault Megane is being drained, and mechanics confirmed that there were no faults with the car or battery. Could the problem be due to the radio, should it still be lit when I take the...
Our Hyundai i30 key holder recently broke. On requesting a repair for the broken pin that holds the key insert in place we were advised that the key came as an entire unit from Hyundai and duly paid the...
Shortly after having our Hyundai i30 estate serviced we received an invitation on the garages letterheading for an additional ‘fuel efficiency’ service. (Unfortunately I threw the letter away in disgust...
We wish to replace our 2009 Mercedes A Class 1.8 diesel CVT with a similar, non-Mercedes CVT about the same size and power. What cars are available? We are having problems establishing which cars have...
In the new year I will be starting a 160 round mile commute daily, so over 3k miles a month. Approx 30 miles of this will be motorway, the rest fast A roads. I need a super-economical sub £2k car that...
I've a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec 2002 and I drive 5-6000 miles a year. With the hard winter ahead, any advice on best winter tyres to fit? Also your thoughts on reduced insurance premiums.
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