Questions from October 2011
I've just got a parking ticket for parking on double yellow lines, fair enough, my fault. But on the ticket it says the offence was to be "parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours" (there's...
If dealer gives me 3 month warranty but parts only (labour I pay) will my signature to this warranty preclude me from using the Sale of Goods cover - assuming you say it is still current?
I'm torn between the three main tyre choices for my i10 - Continental Eco Contact 3, Goodyear Duragrip and Michelin Energy E3B. Which would you recommend and why?
I'm looking to bid farewell to my trusty 1997 Audi A4 2.6 Estate which has 200k on the clock. I'm looking for something just as solid and the same size but with much better fuel economy. I will be buying...
I am being pursued for what now is £120 for overstaying my allotted time in Roadchef's car park at Maidstone. I was tired and needed a break after a 420 mile journey through France, a ferry crossing and...
I am planning to buy a used car and I would like to ask for some advice. Here are the main constraints:
- has to accommodate 2 adults (I am 6'3'') and 2 children and gear (large boot) comfortably
- 2x15...
I drive 20k miles a year, on a good mix of motorway and urban routes. I commute in heavy traffic and need a car that meets lots of criteria:
Comfortable (cruise control, heated seats / wing mirrors, good...
Last week I took my car for a service at a BMW main dealer. The dealer damaged the car while it was being serviced (slammed the bonnet onto a spanner apparently), and held onto it for an extra couple of...
I have a 2009 Audi A5 2.0 S-Line. It has done 14,000 miles and I bought it second hand with 7000 miles on the clock. The car has been serviced in accordance with the schedule.
The oil consumption seems...
In January 2011 I bought a Ford Fusion Titanium with a 1.6 petrol engine from Ford Direct, with about 300 miles on the clock. Although an old model, I bought it because its high seating position is excellent...
A parking fine story with a difference. I have just received a parking ticket from Premier Parking for leaving a car park on foot. I parked in a general car park and visited Staples, which was one of several...
I am confused over the issue of winter tyres for my car. I have a 2007 Mercedes CLK fitted with AMG wheels. The tyres are 225/40 ZR 18 on the front and 255/35 ZR18 on the rear. Mercedes does not supply...
We had the misfortune to break down on the way north on holiday, we had travelled for about two hours and as usual we stopped for a break at Wetherby Services and on entering the services I heard strange...
I have recently had to return my company Mercedes Benz Vito Dualiner (6-seater), which was a fantastic family vehicle with masses of space. I now have a Vauxhall Insignia and a Ford Mondeo estate on the...
What must I do to become a classic car and motorcycle valuer? I absolutely love all cars and motorcycles but haven't got an in depth knowledge of them all. Where do I begin? It's a catch 22, too, because...
My wife's 53,000 mile, 2006 Toyota Landcruiser LC5 has made a squeaking / rubbing noise when starting from cold for the past couple of years. (The noise stops within about 2 minutes of driving it). At...
After reading many letters from your readers about dubious practices insurers, I would like to give credit where I think it is due. My wife and I are both insured with Aviva, she with a Honda CRV and I...
My wife wants to buy a vehicle with the following attributes: 5 doors, comfortable enough for 4 people on a long journey, preferably standard or optional 4x4, not an SUV but something that is a little...
After two years on non-driving due to medical problems, I have had my licence returned and I am now considering buying a car. It will only be used for doing the shopping and short journeys; therefore a...
There has been plenty of mention in your column over the past few months of the IAM and the excellent work it does to promote advanced motoring. Please can you also give a shout to the RoSPA Advanced Drivers...
Could you please remind of the advisability of leaving winter tyres on the car all year? I have a Volvo XC70 with the two fronts coming up for replacement (the rears only around half worn). Would it sensible...
I had a 3-year old VW Passat estate fitted with 235/55 R17 tyres. I bought a spare set of steel wheels fitted with winter tyres marked 205/55 R16 for this car from my local VW dealer. I have just changed...
I recently called a well-known breakdown assistance service for help. My car had been left with lights on which had flattened the battery. The patrolman quickly started the car with a battery booster,...
Recently my Ford Mondeo was written off in a hit and run accident. To lower my insurance I purchased an older Renault Clio 1.2. To my astonishment, my insurance company, eSure, quoted very little difference...
I have received a summons alleging 34mph in a 30 zone on a quiet country road in West Mercia, recorded by a mobile camera. Within the consideration period, I wrote and asked for 3 things, being a copy...
Most "damage" to 'Modern paint finishes' is caused by abrasive automatic car washes, poor hand car washes that have sprung up in all towns, and customer neglect of the paint finish, with it being viewed...
Every time we look at a new car we're told we should have the "larger wheel option". We always understood smaller wheels with deeper tyres gave a better ride and more grip in the wet. We tried a new Mercedes...
I have a new Citroen C4 which will not be used very much this winter and want to purchase a car cover to protect it. What should I purchase? Also what can I do to protect the brake discs which will rust...
A cement lorry hit the back of my car in April. All sorted out as I have fully comp insurance. Yesterday I had a letter from my insurer, LV, asking me to let them involve a solicitor to reclaim my uninsured...
I'm sure you have lots of readers who renew their AA membership automatically via direct debit each year. When they get their renewal notice they should see how much equivalent cover costs on line for...
My cousin has recently bought a 3-year old auto Colt and has complained to the garage that the gearchange is jerky changing both up and down, and that you can't hold the car on a slight hill. The car has...
In Saturdays Telegraph you gave the impression of being dismissive of a complaint about dual-mass flywheels. What are they and which cars are they fitted to? I have been through your web site and cannot...
My treasured 105,000 miles 2004 Mercedes CL600 had a major service recently at a Mercedes authorised garage, including the replacement of all 24 spark plugs per servicing schedule. On driving away, I immediately...
I have a Volvo XC60 diesel AWD and am about to change the tyres. I currently have Pirelli P Zero Rosso 230/60/18 103V I drive regularly to Scotland and Italy and pull a large caravan. I am looking for...
Which is better for mpg? A 6-year old BMW 330CI auto or a 6-year old BMW X5 Sport 3.0 petrol auto?
I was invited by Benfields VW of Dumfries to a ‘Free Vehicle Safety Check’, on 15th July. The check took about ½ hour, and I was advised that both rear parking brake motors required replacement at a cost...
I have been offered at reasonable price a 2003/53 Nissan X-Trail, 31k miles, 2.5 litre petrol, automatic. What are the pros and cons of this model?
The article by Kara Gammell in the Money Supplement in a recent Sunday Telegraph stated towards the end:- "But don't think that freewheeling down a hill will save you petrol. It won't. Not only is coasting...
We have a BMW 3-Series auto which came with standard Continental tyres (not run-flats) and all I hear is that this combination is probably not going to be too clever when the snow comes (we live Scotland)....
I have recently purchased my first diesel car and have been informed that I should put the expensive diesel in from time to time as it is a cleaner fuel and cleans the injectors etc. I understood that...
Regarding the recent article about running older and much simpler vehicles that are perfectly adequate for everyday use, one glaring omission in the list is the Series 2 or 3 LandRover. Mine is 40 this...
The turbo recently failed on my VW Touareg 2.5 diesel, which has caused severe damage to the engine. Are there any reputable engine refurbishment companies out there? Can't afford a new engine from VW...
My 2005 Jaguar XJ 3-litre petrol is wonderfully quiet, smooth and comfortable on long journeys, especially for my wife, who has a bad back. It has also been totally reliable and is reasonably economical...
My 2009 Honda Insight hybrid, bought from and serviced by the local Honda dealer (I've been buying from Honda dealers and servicing with them for over 25 years) suffered a mishap that even baffled Honda....
I have a 2-year-old Toyota Prius hybrid car and I find the road noise on tarmac is quite high. The tyres fitted are Michelin Primacy 215/45R17. Can you suggest anything that will reduce the road noise...
I have a Mercedes B-180 CDI automatic, which I bought new in January 2009. It is my third Mercedes and was chosen over a saloon because of its compactness and flexibility that were convenient when transporting...
Last year I bought a set of steel wheels for my Mercedes C-Class for some winter tyres. Bridgend Mercedes Benz made sure I have the correct size bolts and I bought some wheel trims too. This year I want...
I recently moved to Chiang Mai in Thailand from Kenya and Ethiopia where I drove a RAV-4 that was ideal for my needs and the prevailing conditions. In Thailand, I am torn between a second-hand RAV-4 and...
I have looked at the British Parking Association website and examined the appeal. As far as I can see the process is simply decorative, designed to show BPA’s 'caring' side, which we all know it does not...
I recently purchased a three year old VW Passat from the main VW main dealer. They carried out the three year service as part of the purchase contract. When I studied the service schedule the brake fluid...
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