Trending topics in January 2012
Questions from January 2012
We have recently changed from a 4x4 to a Toyota Auris Hybrid and, given your advocacy of winter tyres, are looking to have them fitted. The dealer has recommended Yokohama 215/45 R17 91V, at a cost each...
For the first time in 40 years I simply do not know which car I should go for. Two years ago my third Berlingo blew two turbos in quick succession (Iatterly I discovered it was a fault with the model)....
I have a 2007 Citroen C1 with 22,000 miles and the clutch has become a little 'sticky'. I mentioned this at the annual service and was told that it had been lubricated, but that if it persists then the...
I am just about to come into my final year before my GCSEs, after which I will be entering VI Form and hopefully be learning how to drive as I am September-born. I live about 25 miles away from the school...
Now that the EU has decreed that all drivers are hermaphrodites, could you recommend some non-EU insurance companies who would quote women the premiums appropriate to their lower risks?
Our dilemma is what SUV do we go for? We are contracting to one car as from early next year. My husband and I have a "must have" list which includes safe seating for four adults or two adults and three...
It recently came as a shock to find that my four-year-old A6 2.0 TDI Avant failed its MOT and that the cost of the recommended remedial work was almost £1000. I consider myself both thoughtful and careful...
My 31-year-old son (who currently drives a Fiesta) has been told that his company car for his new job starting next month will be an Aston Martin Vantage. Lucky sod. Can you recommend a suitable course...
I am considering purchasing a 1997 Toyota Previa for my daughter to enable her to take out her five children at the same time. The vehicle has 147,000 miles on the clock but seems in pretty good condition....
On your website it says that the new model Santa Fe can come with a petrol engine. However there is no mention of one on the Hyundai website? I fancy having a 4x4 but am avoiding looking at any diesels...
Four of us are flying to Spain for a cycling weekend and are taking our bikes in rigid bike boxes measuring 105cm x 90cm x 30cm (see: www.bikeboxalan.co.uk). I've looked into hiring a Mercedes-Benz Vito...
A cautionary note to visitors to Cornwall and in particular to those using car parks controlled by Cornwall Council parking services. If the ticket machine issues you with a ticket perforated down the...
I have a superb BMW 3 Series convertible, manual, 2.0-litre diesel, E93, registered September 2008, purchased from a BMW dealer at two years old with 17,000 odd miles (now four years old at 37,000 miles,...
I am retired and want to buy my last car. I do not want to pay for extras that I will hardly ever use such as air conditioning or electric wing mirrors. Is there such a thing as a basic motor without the...
I am retired and thinking of buying a very large American motor home. I made enquiries at several sellers of RVs (Stingray RV, Itchyfeet and a several others) of whom some say you can drive them on a UK...
My wife has agreed to buy a Skoda Citigo Elegance ex-demo and has paid a deposit of £500. The car was advertised on an official Volkswagen / Skoda site as available on 11 October, but the dealer says this...
My wife and I are looking after elderly relatives and now have to provide transport for them. They struggle to get into our cars so my much loved 2007 Subaru Legacy looks like it will have to be replaced...
BJW originally wrote: Just received a letter from Shoal Enforcement dated 11 Oct stating I have to pay the fine, bearing in mind that my car was parked for just three minutes on the slip road to rear of...
My daughter is changing her 12-year-old Corsa and wants a similar 5-door manual hatchback, petrol, for mainly short journeys. Reliability is the key thing. She has about £4,000 to spend. What would...
I recently negotiated a deal for a recent, used (17000 miles) 2011 Corsa. The car is in good condition.
However I just found the exact same car but brand new for a little over a £1000 more. Do you think...
I am about to change from a 30 mile per week commute to a 400 mile per week commute and am looking to change my Honda Jazz (2004) for a newer and more comfortable car for the journey. My budget is £15,000.00....
I reverse my CR-V to the top of a 25 yard 1 in 8 slope at least once a day. On most occasions I am on the verge of juddering.
If I use higher revs I get the smell of burning clutch. I have to reverse...
I am writing to ask for advice and suggestions regarding a challenge that my team and I are taking part in this year. The event is the 2012 Banger Run, which is in support of Help for Heroes.
It is essentially...
I am looking to change my car and have one main criteria! It needs to have 3 distinct rear seats. I currently have a Ford S-Max which has this feature, and the only alternative that I have found so far...
I have a 2002 Volvo V70 T5 Automatic. I bought it in 2005 for over £10,000 with 60,000 miles. It now has done 187,000 miles.
Lots of history, but for the last year I have changed the oil, filters & plugs...
Owners of classic and vintage cars are being advised that new fuels with ethanol are incompatible with some materials used pre-1960. We are informed that Esso 97 unleaded does not contain ethanol. Is this...
The accelerator was no longer responding on our Espace and it was still picking up speed. I switched the engine off and then on again, and the car started revving itself.
I need a spare key cut for my Fiat 500. I currently have the electronic fob and key so just need an extra key cut.
I have been told that only the Fiat dealerships themselves can do this because the key...
I'm considering an X-Type Jaguar estate diesel. It's an 04 plate and costs around£4000. Is it a sensible buy as a family car?
It does appeal as spec is very high - ie leather etc. Or am i likely to encounter...
Recently, a crack appeared in the glass panaramic roof of my 2009 Honda. I booked the car in at the local Honda dealer who took pictures and agreed there was no sign of impact near the crack. I rang them...
I am restoring a 1965 Morris Minor. All brake cylinders have been replaced due to corrosion. Should I use this opportunity to change to silicone based DOT 5? The car won't be used much and will be garaged.
My wife has just had an articulated lorry rip the side off her car on a roundabout and, of course, we are now in the usual insurance tangle.
The car is a Citreon Berlingo Multispace HDi VTR 1.6 Diesel,...
I am looking at buying a Mondeo Titanium X 2.0 TDCI 130bhp on a 58 plate - but it has 90000 miles on the clock.
The car looks mint and in very good condition, and has a full Ford service history. Is the...
I am retired, 70yrs old, and drive a Berlingo van.
I have bad knee joints and keep a fold up cycle in the back of the van. I rely on this to get around - it is essential kit.
I now want to do a 'Grand...
We purchased a brand new Vauxhall Astra at the end of last year (2011).
The combined economy figure quoted was 51mpg. Upon driving the car the average has been around 25mpg. Comparing this to other cars...
The windows on our Octavia open when the car is locked and left. This has happened several times and we have had a sat nav stolen as a result. Is this a common intermittent problem with Octavias?
I have bought a 2009 Hyundai i10 auto 1.2-litre
I am 72 years old drive very carefully (advanced driver) no mater how careful I am the range of the i10 is in the region of 260 - 290miles on 35L of petrol.
What...
I was wondering whether there is any legislation to force manufacturers to build cars that allow the 'ordinary' motorist to change a light bulb.
I have just bought a 2007 Vauxhall Vectra and when I returned...
I do about 4000miles in short trips around town and 4000 in France on two holidays a year.I need some pointers for another car to do the following--automatic,boot large enough for golf gear and trips to...
Happy New Year and good health to you all at HJ
Do you know if there are any reliability issues with the 2.0dci engines fitted to the Renault Koleos and whether they suffer badly with their DPFs?
I'm...
I ordered A Skoda Yeti (1.8 TSI 4x4 SE+) back in Sept and was told to expect delivery in 3 to 4 months (late Dec to Jan). Today (9th Jan) on visiting my dealer I was told build week has moved from week...
My 6 year old Golf started to lose power going uphill on a long drive today, that is to say I was pressing the pedal but no acceleration was forthcoming.
Thereafter, it became a problem on the flat as...
I would like some advice about the 2.7 HDI Peugeot 407 SW. I'm looking to buy one and would like to be advised about any faults or problems I may find.
I've had two Peugeot cars before - the 405 GLX...
Some time ago you rightly pointed out that, approaching a green light, you should expect that it would change. Although theoretically it shouldn't happen, sometimes, in a flow of traffic, it is too dangerous...
Among the myriad of gadgets in modern vehicles, I wonder why there is no "Speed Limit Reminder". As you enter the speed limit you would press the appropriate one of a row of buttons on the steering wheel,...
I note that on April 7 you printed a letter from JMS who reported he'd been driving 55 years and never claimed on insurance or had a claim against him. He'd just renewed a fully comprehensive policy for...
My son fell victim to the freak hailstones yesterday that caused much damage to the roof and bonnet of his car. Many of his friends came off even worse with cracked windscreens and light cluster damage....
I have been delighted with the comfort and wear rate on my 2008 BMW 320D Touring 17 inch runflats. However, following replacement I experienced low-pressure warnings, which, on checking all four tyres,...
Recently, I helped my lady-pensioner cousin with a claim on her car insurance. She had been a customer for several years with Co-op Insurance Services (CIS), based in Manchester. She flew back from holiday...
Is this a record? My email to Bridgend CBC to fix my road about a deepening pothole was timed at 11.15 on 29/6/12. I drove past the site at 16.15 and it had already been repaired.
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