Questions from April 2012
I had cam belt replaced by a garage and since then I keep getting a knocking noise. Today I checked under the car and the nearside drive shaft moves freely and knocks when pushed. The mechanic has been...
I have had a Leon Ecomotive for a few month and i'm averaging 42mpg. SEAT can't see the problem and as far as they are concerned it's working perfectly but the mpg is 33 to 50% lower then their published...
The manufacturer's warranty on my 2008 1.6 petrol Ford Focus ends in a few months. It's got roughly 30,000 miles on the clock. As I see it I can trade it in or keep it and run it into the ground. Problem...
I bought my Audi A3 TDI from a garage in January 2012 and paid in cash. I got pulled over by the police who informed me that I wasn't the registered keeper, I rang up DVLA who confirmed it was registered...
I currently have a Daihatsu Materia which is a great car but I'm due to change it for a new car. What would you recommend? I'm after something funky looking with great space that drives like a small car...
I have a Vauxhall Combo Van 1st registered March 2011 with 13,800 miles. It came with a 60,000 3 years manufacturers warantee. I bought it as an ex demo from the dealer in Aug 2011. The wiper mechanism...
My car was recently broken into and various items in the glove box etc. were stolen. The car was parked on my drive and locked. When I discovered the theft (my neighbour suffered the same situation and...
Could anybody tell me if a Fiat Doblo 1.9 MultiJet 06 plate van has a turbo in it. If this was to break would it have these symptoms - lack of power, makes a racket.
I'm looking to buy a new automatic (CVT) 5 dr small or medium car. It must have a low sill and must also be able to be adapted for hand controls which I will use while my husband will use the normal pedals....
My ex partner bought me a car for my bday/xmas in December and we put the logbook in his name because the insurance would be cheaper. However I am the registered keeper on insurance and the main driver....
I am looking to replace my 2002 diesel Mazda 323 which I have had for 3 years and has been excellent in terms of reliabilty. I would like a similar sized car that is economical and reliable. I travel about...
I purchased a brand new Golf 1.4 TSI 5dr in Sept 2011 and have been very happy with it. When it was parked at home 2 days ago I noticed that both front windows were completely open (I had left them closed)....
I have always owned Nissan Micras but have just had my latest car written off. I need to replace this with something of a similar size. I commute each day - 40 miles each way, so need something comfortable...
My wife currently drives a Suzuki Alto manual bought in 2005 with 45,000 on the clock. It has been a great little car and ideal for her then short commute and general running around. She now works at Reading...
We bought a new car on finance in January 2012. After 5 weeks all the lights on the dashboard came on and the car went into the garage. They "fixed" the car after 2 weeks and I picked it up on the Friday....
The temperature gauge in my Fiesta reads 'normal' but the water in the coolant reservoir keeps boiling. I was advised to change the thermostat which i did but it made no differance, I since noticed the...
I've had a letter advising me to have my 60 Astra's air conditioning serviced - is it really necessary after only 18 months and 10000 miles? I don't recollect my 05 Astra ever having an air conditioning...
I work as a building control surveyor, and currenly drive a SEAT Leon. I am thinking of changing car. I need a car that can cope with a continuous start stop regime perhaps only doing 200 miles a week,...
I need to buy a 7 seat MPV that can cope with 3 kids and associated kit without breaking the bank or buying something that will need major expenditure shortly after purchase? I see that you recommend the...
Have compared new C-MAX 2.0 diesel and current Scenic and found C-MAX seats uncomfortable therefore thinking of choosing Scenic automatic. Have test driven 11 reg 1.5 dCi auto which we were surprised to...
I purchased the above used car from the Lookers Renault Dealership in Stockport on the 12/05/11. On the 25/03/12, I went to my car and it was full of smoke, The next day I rang up the dealership where...
I bought a Volkswagen Touran from an Arnold Clark superstore over a year ago. The car has had many problems during my ownership the most recent being a failed DSG box. Luckily I'd bought a warranty from...
Hi John , have you tested the latest corsa with 100 bhp, i do fancy the diesel but dpf put me off unless i go for the early versions, it supposed to have a longer top gear too? I like your review of the...
The central locking system seems to click open and locked when driving and there has been occasions that when using the key to lock the door the drivers side door will become unlocked?
I have a 2004 Hyundai Tucson with 33000 miles. The dealer recommends replacement of cam belt immediately. I drive mostly short distances - about 5000 miles a year (half on highways). Is it critical that...
Can you tell me which models across the group got the higher powered engine/gearbox combination? I want to change a 105PS TDI Golf Plus and want more room - I can only find Fabia VRs estate and Touran...?...
Having read your report on the car, I have recently taken delivery of a new 2012 Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC ES and so far I am absolutley delighted with it. I wasn't an avid lover of the previous design, otherwise...
I have a 56 plate Vauxhall Corsa with 40,000 miles. I have taken it to garage as it is losing water and when checked the oil and water are mixing. The garage has quoted £900 to fix and also advised me...
What engine oil does my golf 1.9 TDI 2002 use? I don't want to put the wrong stuff in
I need to replace all 4 tyres on my Volvo XC90 after about 22k miles - current ones are standard Volvo issue pirelli's 255/50/R19 103w - any suggestions?
We are shortly moving house and our 4 year old cars will no longer be parked on our driveway but in a secure undercroft car park. My wife's Astra is insured with Tesco Insurance, my Audi with LV Insurance....
My husband was involved in a minor accident on a roundabout while following the designated lane for his route. In a collision from his near side by a young driver with minor damage being dent to his front...
I am looking to buy a new car to replace my 2007 Audi A6 avant. I want to spend a lot less money, around the £5k to £7k mark, the car needs to be able to tow a caravan weighing around the 1500kg mark when...
I am looking to trade in my ix35 4wd for a smaller estate. The A3 Sportback has my wifes vote but are there any better alternatives. It would be a diesel with similar boot space and economy. Running costs...
My daughter has just had her C3 Pluriel (53 plate) written off and needs a replacement for up to £3K, what would you recommend? She liked the Citroen but is hesitant about another Pluriel. She uses the...
I am looking to buy an SUV (about Tiguan size) and want an auto box with torque converter type. Can you point me in the right direction by suggesting some with a 'proper auto box'.
For many years I have driven various Ford models; Orion, Focus, Mondeo and at the moment have a Focus Cabriolet. Over the years the streamlining has meant that the windscreens have become more raked back...
I would like to find out why water is finding it way in to the offside rear footwell, Other side and front is dry.
My brand new, two week old car was suffering from electrics problems - e.g. alarm going off for no reason, air con not working etc - which the dealer quickly agreed to sort out. They sent a transporter...
I bought my car from a trader who advertised it has he had just taken it in. car is in very good condition. i have had the car 5 weeks rang him 4 times about service records. he keeps saying he will get...
I am being offered an F25 X3 as a company car but I need it to be able to get through the snow that we get here in the peak district (6 inches on the roads for most of the winter). Can you fit off-road...
Just bought a ford focus 2001 on y plate. It is a 1.8 16valve engine. It is due for a service and I want to know if it is chain or belt driven
I am looking for a car which has an integral tow bar bike carrier as an optional extra. I know Vauxhall offer one on the Corsa and wonder which other manufacturers may also do this.
I have a 2002 LX 1.8 TDCi Ford Focus. It goes well but any improvement in performance and economy would help in these expensive times. What is your take on fitting a diesel tuning chip on my motor? AS...
When I asked you what car to buy for retirement that was as much fun to drive as my much loved Mazda MX5 one of the cars you recommended was the Mazda 2 1.3 TS2.I tried and bought a 6 month old 2011 demonstrator...
Engine management light permanently on. Dealer says it needs a new catalytic converter as a result of damage due to misfire and faulty coil pack (since replaced). This is a twin cat model so replacement...
My Skoda Fabia Ambiente estate is now nearly 6 years old and due for a service. I am very happy with it and it still runs well but fear it may start to become expensive. Would now be a good time to replace...
I want to buy a 2008/9 Clio Sport Tourer. Either a 1.2 TCe or 1.5 dCi86 if the price is right. What common problems do I need to look for with these engines? All the TCe's have a mayo like substance in...
Several years ago following your recommendation, I bought a 2007 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec. I have been looking at possible replacements and as I do a lot of city driving, (up to approx 15000 miles pa)...
I reckon I can save around £70 per month by swapping my Vectra DTi for something smaller with a low tax, high MPG diesel engine. Max spend around £2k. Would like a Corsa 1.3 CDTi but may be out of price...
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