Questions from May 2012
I read with interest PH's email regarding getting only 20,000 miles out of the front tyres of his Mondeo. I've just changed the front tyres on my 2008 Mazda 6 Estate and the car has done 40,000 miles on...
My wife I are now in our 80s and we have a 9-year-old Focus and a 5-year-old Fiesta. I am no longer allowed to drive due to poor eyesight so we propose to sell both cars and buy a new Fiesta as my wife...
I had intended to sell my car using BCA Sure-sell but I may have a private buyer in a friend of a friend. How do I ensure he doesn't get the car before I get my money? I've heard bankers drafts aren't...
I own a 2007 5 Series BMW diesel automatic. The car has a full service history, but is high mileage at 85,000. The DPF light came on and the message said that the car was safe to continue driving, however...
I took delivery of a Hyundai Santa Fe auto a couple of weeks ago. All went exactly to plan and the registration documents landed a few days ago. Based on my transaction I can recommend Drivethedeal. The...
I can endorse your recommendation of Pirelli Scorpion STRs. I had them fitted to my 2004 Volvo XC70 when I bought it used. I have never had a moment's problem with them even on quite snowy roads over the...
I’ve just finished reading a long-term wrap-up test of a BMW 535i. One of the points the raised was with respect to the wheels and tires. During the course of the test, over 40,000 miles in two years,...
I'm 69 years old and drive a RAV4, insured with LV. My renewal quote was 7.5 per cent lower than last year's premium. Prior to renewal I rang LV to inform them of an SP30 I collected in March last year....
Is there a law which says speedos are not to under-read?
I have owned since new a 1996 automatic two-door RAV4. After 15 years and nearly 100,000 miles I want to replace it with a small car for ease of parking. I'd like a 4x4 to cope with winter conditions at...
In December 2010 I parked outside a shop very early in the snow and ice. When I came out the car park was empty. I reversed back, but could not see properly with ice on my rear window. I heard a noise,...
I've been a longstanding and loyal Direct Line customer for many years with two cars currently insured with them. As my children became of age, they were added to one car or another as named drivers, without...
From 1 January 2012 the MOT changed, requiring airbags to be present and working if fitted as standard. So what will the police do, as they remove front air bags from motorway patrol cars? I have also...
I decided to enter my car in a well-known car auction in Newcastle. The car is a 2003 2.0-litre diesel, 86,000 miles, one previous owner, in excellent condition with a full service history, and current...
Every three years my wife purchases a brand new car. She saves each month from her hard-earned salary and trades her car in to make up the total amount. Every three years we have the anxiety of trying...
It seems Swindon is piloting the Spanish system of speed sensitive traffic lights, which you have often championed in your column.
One day I am going to write an article about how car design is wholly wrong in environmental terms. We are scrapping cars at 7 to 10 years old when the vast number of components would last at least 20....
I've had a Shogun for a couple of years and it’s been faultless as a family runabout. I love the size, the 4x4 capability, comfort and the fact that everything works perfectly and always has. However,...
The time has come for me to part with my 2003 Rover 75 CDTi Tourer, probably the best car I've ever owned, and I'd be very grateful for your opinions on a suitable replacement. Occasionally I need a capacious...
A friend has got into trouble with a 2008 Focus 2.0 diesel powershift. It's the usual things you write about - DPF failing, very expensive to get repaired (only by a Ford dealer), plus auto problems, with...
I bought a second hand BMW 320D E92 coupe with 140KM in December last year. It came with a full BMW service history. Unfortunately the timing belt snapped on the motorway six weeks ago resulting in the...
A warning about particle filter failure has started to show up intermittently. My garage tells me it needs replacing but there is possible chance that BMW might make a small goodwill contribution to the...
I have a 2008 (08) Citroen C4 Grand Picasso which has 45,000 miles on the clock.
Due to Turbo and Engine failure it has just been fitted with a completely new Turbo and Engine from a Citroen Main Dealer...
Someone clipped my drivers side mirror and badly damaged it - is there a way to get it replaced cheaper. It could be well over £200 from a Ford dealer for a replacement & fitting which is a rip off. You...
To whom do I complain?
I had a very minor collisions in a supermarket car park. The owner of what might politely be referred to as a rusty car reversed across my rear bumper. The damage to my car was...
I'm glad to see the DT taking up the cause for improving the completely unrealistic 'Official' consumption figures. As you say, manufacturers are simply designing to the test. I wrote to my MP and DfT...
You have steered me away from the higher powered versions of this engine and so (bearing in mind the requirement for more space than a Golf Plus), which would you suggest as the most successful application...
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