Questions from February 2012
I bought an Audi A5 in May for my wife's special birthday. I paid £1600 extra for the Sat Nav system. She needed to use the Sat Nav a few months later and found she could only input five digits of the...
As an older reader, over the past few years, I've bought my cars from friends and relatives. This time none of them have a car for me so I have to seek one elsewhere. I know there are companies who can...
I am looking at a metallic silver 2008 58-plate Alfa Romeo Spider 2.4JTDM 210, in standard spec with 30,000 miles. They are asking £11,995. Is that too much from a dealer?
My daughter has a 57-reg Clio Musique and the other day could not get the key out of ignition or start the car. Eventually, she got it started. The Renault main dealer cut a new key but that got stuck...
You gave me sound advice recently about a problem with my second hand S-Type Jaguar. Having purchased the vehicle from a Jaguar dealer some 130 miles away (as they had the model I wanted) I have paid £298...
Would speed activated traffic lights at the approach to a village centre need to be installed on both sides of the road? (I believe they are used in Spain but do not go there). Some local people here have...
With reference to the Government’s plans to install extra speed limit signs. I can see the logic as to why this should be thought necessary. My wife and I recently toured an unfamiliar area using ordinary...
Now we are in the grip of winter, can I remind drivers to properly check their bonnet catches with a quick tug upwards. In the cold of last winter and probably in a bit of a rush, I topped up the screen...
I read with interest your comments about problems with dual mass flywheels used on modern diesel engines. Can you please clarify if these are also fitted to diesel-engined cars with automatic transmission?
In the last week or two, a section of the A413 between Buckingham and Maids Moreton has had the speed limit dropped from 40mph to 30mph. There have been no obvious roadside warnings to this effect except...
Some 2-3 weeks ago you ran a letter about problems with diesel fuel blockage caused by the addition of biodiesel to standard diesel and lack of use of the vehicle. I have a smallholding and two tractors...
We are a retired couple who own two cars, both of which have been insured by Direct Line for many years. I am the named driver on my husband's policy, and he is the named driver on mine. I recently received...
I bought a 1149cc 2006 Renault Clio Extreme two years ago with only 11,500 miles, and in the main really like the car. However, a problem developed after owning it for four months and the garage we bought...
Can any one help, i've replaced the bulb... nothing, I've checked the connector plug and that's fine still nothing, all the other sidelights work.
Can anyone give any pointers on what it could be?
I have a 59 reg old shape Subaru Legacy Boxer diesel, the 5 speed model.
It's done 80,000 miles but has started, when cold, shuddering when moving off in first gear.
It also is a bit jerky and shudders...
Looking at buying a Volkswagen Polo 1.2, are there any common faults?
My wife and I test drove a 2 year old Prius today. Lovely car but very bad smell coming from passenger side, where my wife sat.
Neither I nor the salesman could smell anything. We bought another Prius,...
Does the 1998 2.1 engine have an interference head.
On tests on this site the overhanging engine design at Volkswagen/Audi is criticised. How does it affect driving?
My daughter had her bag stolen from her local gym. Her car keys were in the bag and the car was subsequently stolen. It is a 51 plate Toyota Yaris previously owbed by her grandmother in excellent condition...
Do you know if there are any legal restrictions to fitting, and using, hydrogen generating devices to private vehicles?
If not - do you know if there any Government grants or promotions?
I'm buying a car with a budget of £2,500 - Advice has been to buy Japanese in this price range do you agree? What do think of the Nissan Primera?
They look good value for money and there are some excellent...
I am interested in buying a second hand car - a Ford Focus 2004 automatic with 90,000 miles on the clock. What problems or issues should I be aware of?
Thinking of selling my 15k 2009 (09) Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge for £7k to help with my finances.
Should I buy a small car around the £2k mark, or should I lease a similar car (engine size, mpg etc.) for 3 years,...
I have 2010 Honda CR-V auto and would like to change to something similar but with 6/7 seats. I am retired and tow a caravan MTPLM 1500kg.
My Audi A6 has done 62k miles. Registered April 2007. I'm just about to have it serviced and the Audi specialist garage says at 5 years or 75k I should have my timing belt changed. Should I? In the service...
I have a MINI but need a larger car for fishing so looked at a small van (Nemo, Vauxhall Combo) and find them nice to drive, inexpensive and convenient for other tasks.
However, when doing airport runs...
Can owners swap cars of similar value, without any cash changing hands and avoid paying tax on the transaction?
I have an immaculate 1949 Rover P3 which I have owned for over 30 years and which is insured on an agreed value basis.
The car has the original registration which has a retail value of around £4000-£5000...
I am looking to buy a car, but i can't decide to buy new or used? EVERYONE at works says buy used, 3 year old car can cost 40% less but a new car i will lose 20% of the value as soon as i drive it off...
I have been trying to buy the correct fascia to enable my broken CD/Radio to be replaced.
I had beed given a new cd/radio and installation costs as a Christmas present. Halfords (supplier) tried three...
Do you have a view regarding advertised magic 'pens' that purport to remove scratches and road chipping marks whatever the colour or type of paint your car has, or are these pens only any use for very...
I bought new a 2011 Kia Carens diesel three weeks ago. In the first week I couldn’t get fifth gear so the garage dropped the gear box to correct . Two or three weeks later the problem returned with 1st...
In your summary of the Volvo V50 you state as a 'bad point' that diesels are expensive after 3 years.
I have a 40 month old Volvo V50 2.0 diesel with 22k miles and and no problems so far. I need to decide...
My 2011 Rav 4 won't accept the last 2 characters of the postcode. It makes you choose the road from a list. If the road is unnamed you cannot get guidance. We have many unnamed roads in rural Gloucestershire...
My car looses a lot of water due to something being wrong with the seal for the box where the spark plugs are found. Water gets to the spark plugs and now there is rust all over. I was gonne let it be...
In December 2010 I bought a Polo GTI 1.4TSI 180BHP, replacing my 2008 150Bhp Polo GTi.
It was sold to me as being more economical fuel wise and having better performance. However, the original engine...
Could you please explain how and why larger wheel sizes increase CO2 output and consequently VED banding? The car still travels the same distance irrespectice of tyre size.
Is there a recall Audi vehicle for a dodgy fuel pump?
A google search would suggest so, but I can't find anywhere to search for recalls.
I need a five door hatch with reach adjustable steering for under £5k. Currently I have an 03 Fabia Comfort, 1.2, which is fine, but reliability is now essential. Any suggestions?
Flashing DPF dasboard light came on at 23400 miles on 15/02/12. Mazda dealer diagnostic check showed that they had not reset the car computer(?) after the service in July 11, no actual fault with DPF....
My Fiesta has a hole in seam of the bulk head. The car is 20 months old and water is gathering in the drivers foot well. Garage insists it's wear and tear. Why will they only honour water ingress into...
Window washer water jet not making a sound and no water comes out. What's the problem?
The fault seems to be triggered by the extreme cold weather but has lasted longer this year. The car randomly locks/unlocks when the ignition is on. The lights also randomly flash but this is now occurring...
I have been told conflicting information on this. Can I fit standard tyres to 19 inch alloys on BMW E92 3 series? Are the valves just standard? Is thare a skinny spare available?
I'm currently considering two cars - a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C200 with only 52,000 miles, absolutely immaculate, one owner, Avantgarde trim, or a 2004 2.0T Saab Vector, again, one owner 62,000 miles.
Both...
I know diesel is dearer than petrol now but I seem to be using just as much diesel with this car than I did petrol with previously owned cars.
Most of my driving is around town but each month I do a...
I'm a first time car owner and I need to replace the tyres on my Peugeot Partner. Can you recommend a few brands / tyre models for me to look for?
Obviously with a slow but comfortable car like this...
I am looking to buy a car cover for my brand-new Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (latest model). I came across a couple of suppliers on the internet, one of them told me on the phone that he could not recommend...
I have bought a 54 2004 Vauxahll Corsa 1.2 16v petrol at 54000 miles - full main delaer stamps up to 50,000 miles in March 2011 - is it a chain cam or belt and should I change the oil at 12 months since...
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