Questions from March 2012
I have an Alfa 156 which was running sweet except a bit tappy on cold start up. The noise lasts about 10 secs then is fine. I have replaced the cambelt as the car had 55,000 on the clock and nobody could...
I am about to purchase either an Optima 2Tech or a ex-demo Mondeo Titanium 1.8 TDCi. What effect will the new model Mondeo have on the deprecation of the TDCi, secondly which one would you choose?
I have an April 05 C220 CDI with sports pack and it stalled on me about 5 miles after filling up at Morrisons, with no discernible damage noise. All electrics appeared fine. Tried to restart immediately...
I have an 06 Vaxuhall Vivaro 1.9 cdti.
Ive had this problem for a coulpe of years now - it's lacking in power. It is grand on the motorway but if going up a hill in 1st gear and reach 3000 revs and put...
My Focus will not start at all and displays the error code P0251. Changed the fuel pump and a diesel specialist checked injectors. Confirmed in good condition. Fuel Metering Valve checked, found ok.
Run...
For the past 3 1/2 years I've been driving a 1.6HDi Citroen Xsara Picasso. At the time of purchase I had a 40 mile round trip commute on top of holidays etc and was averaging around 15,000 miles/year.
Unfortunately...
I have a 2003/53 Nissan Micra SE 1.4 that I have owned from new, and which has been entirely trouble-free after more than 90,000 miles.
I now need to exchange the Micra for something more comfortable...
For my sons information can you confirm that average speed cameras take the average speed done between two cameras and all the way along where they are and NOT the speed you do as you pass them in turn.
After 35,000 miles and four years I have had to replace my catalytic converter. I think this part should have lasted longer but Peugeot don't seem interested, it is out of warranty, so 'tough luck' seems...
I have been quoted £8994 as a price for a Skoda Fabia 1.6 TDI CR 90 elegance. The car was registered in May 2010 and has done 5000 miles. Is this a good price and what do you think about this model of...
I'm thinking of spoiling myself and spending about £40K or more on a retirement present.
I currently run a 1999 Mercedes-Benz 320 CLK Elegance and have done so since 2001. Just had a new mass air sensor...
I want more mpg from my Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI - is a bolt on chip the way to go? Some manufacturers say they improve mpg by 20% but is it true?
We have just sold our beloved old Land Cruiser after three years of trouble free driving as it was just too juicy but I am terrified at re-entering the world of car buying. We have £3000 to spend and after...
A friend has an Audi A3 1.9tdi with full service history. She is second owner, it was an HSBC company car first.
The cylinder head has cracked with no overheating history. Would there be any point in...
My friend is looking to change his car and wants it to be turbocharged or supercharged as he likes the low down torque and mainly the surge of power. He has £7,000 to spend and wants the car to have a...
I recently bought a Roomster with a factory fitted towbar, which is not actually fitted but removable. To fit it involves unlocking it and I simply - despite exactly following of the instructions - cannot...
I have a Ford Fusion 1.4 TDCI diesel, 2009 model. Can you confirm how often the cam belt will need changing, and whether this is mileage or age dependent?
I have recently (4 weeks ago) purchased a 03 plate Mercedes C220 CDI coupe. On picking up the car (which I did test drive but didnt notice at the time) there are several things which I'm unhappy about....
Back in 2005, you recommended a Mondeo ST220 to replace my company car. I have been really pleased with it, but it is now nearly 7 years old, the grandsons are bigger, and I feel the need for a change....
I have recently returned from Australia where I was driving a hired car. I have now received two speeding fines in the post relating to being caught on camera.
As I drove over 3600 miles in four weeks...
I have been offered an engine and oil flush for my 2007 Focus ST3. It has done 40k. It is the 65k service. Do I need it?
We have an Audi Q5 S line 09 reg and a VW Golf CL estate N (96). Thinking of changing both for a new Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Tekna and a ex demo Pixo. We would need to use one car as transport for our beagle...
I want to buy 1.6 HDi C3 Picasso, 10 plate. I do under 5K per year. Is that going to be a problem?
I bought a 19,800 mile 09 plate Volvo S40 1.6 SE D.
Within price paid the dealer agreed to fit new tyres, provide a years road tax, rear park assist and 3 year service.
Collected Wednesday and only...
I have just had my Volkswagen Polo E serviced and I have been back at the garage twice because my service indicator comes on, indicating 600 miles countdown to the next service! Any ideas? My mechanic...
With reference to DS Wellesbourne wondering why it took five days for misfuelling a diesel to manifest itself, it would be because of the petrol being much lighter (typical density 07300) than the diesel...
I am considering a 2-litre diesel 140 automatic Mondeo Titanium X from a large dealership. The car is on a 61 plate but the body colour has been omitted from the Ford brochure since August 2010. The car...
I am shortly going to have to put a new set of tyres on my Mitsubishi Lancer estate. I know that you recommend different tyres for winter and summer but, as a pensioner and probably like many other people,...
To realise the depths to which the ‘law’ can sink in the UK, please search for "SPEED CAMERA DEBACLE" on YouTube.
I refer to the answer you gave stating that that the 1.9 CDTi 120 in the Zafira can be a "disaster zone". Since I assume that this is the base engine that powers Vauxhall/Opel, Saab and many Fiat vehicles,...
After a few scary moments on alpine roads I bought a set of winter tyres on steel wheels for my Chrysler Grand Voyager, which I put on in December and take off in March. I invested in a three-tonne trolley...
I am 84 years of age and currently drive a Ford Fusion. I wish to find something smaller, manual, preferably a four-door, but would take a two-door if needs be. Budget is in the region of £6000. My husband...
We are looking for a new car and, living in a very rural location, we want a 4x4 but do not want a Land Rover type. We have seen a couple of secondhand 2004/2005 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Turbos for sale locally...
I have occasional need to transport my lawnmower and am now seeking to replace my 10-year-old Golf Estate. What medium-sized hatchbacks are there with a flat load area, i.e. no lip, which would serve my...
I cannot believe what I am reading in your column about two-yearly MOTs. My son is in the business and takes in many cars and vans for MOTs. He continually sees vehicles that are downright dangerous. Two...
I am about to dispose of a 2007 Octavia 2.0 TDI DSG. The toothed belt is known to cause problems and my current mileage is now down to about 7000 a year, so I am considering a new 1.4T petrol or a 1.8...
Three weeks ago I bought a 10-month-old Mercedes-Benz B160 auto from a Mercedes dealership with 10,000 miles on the clock. I have been depressed by the high fuel consumption. I am quite a conservative...
RC of Brentwood is indeed wise to idle his turbocharged engine before shut-down. He will extend the life of the turbo, and save himself a lot of expense. Any turbocharged engined engine should be run at...
I have a Mercedes C220 CDI coupe (2.1-litre), which will be six years old next month and has done just under 50,000 miles. A couple of days ago, while driving along a motorway, I felt a loss of power and...
I notice in most cars a satnav always seems to indicate a vehicle speed 2 or 3 mph less than the car speedo. I assume that the satnav should be absolutely accurate, but would appreciate your comments.
I'm just writing to say how much I agree with your views on large wheels/low profile tyres. I recently sold my 1999 Lexus LS400 which had 15-inch wheels and 65 profile tyres. I now have a 2007 Lexus GS300SE...
I have a 2005 BMW 318d Touring. Recently the airbag warning light has been coming on. BMW says the problem is a faulty passenger seat sensor and I am told that this is a failsafe system, where the fault...
Selling my car and transferring the registration to retention, prior to an operational tour to Afghanistan, I was initially dismayed to read the overly stifling conditions pertaining to the DVLA's Retention...
What is the typical lifespan of a shock absorber (to the point of MoT failure)? Most people I know have only had to replace them at high mileages, but I hear manufacturers claim they should be changed...
Is there any way to avoid the dreaded Dual Mass Flywheel problems other than by not buying a diesel? Are they affected by driving style or maintenance? I have a 2006 Focus 2.0TDCI and I'm thinking I'm...
A friend and I have recently bought our first pony. We intend to take him out on the road (narrow country lanes) where he will be either on a lead rein, being led by us or an other adult, or will be being...
I have a Peugeot Expert Tepee Leisure converted for wheelchair access by O&H Mobility. The vehicle is a 2009 model and has covered 20,000 miles. Could you please advise me as to the best way to sell this...
I'm offered a black with beige leather 2011 Lexus IS250C SE-L coupe convertible for £27,350, taxed for a year with full tank, first service, and IS250C mats, for a cash purchase. It was previously a Lexus...
I am wary of Skoda because of problems your readers have reported on Volkswagen Group engine management systems. I would appreciate your thoughts on Eco Drive engines. They are being put in large cars...
I recently I hired a Transit and damaged the nearside when I hit a post. The hire company said it would get two estimates for the damage or I could get the van repaired myself if I was able to get a more...
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