Questions from June 2012
I received a Parking Charge from Parking Eye. Parking Eye claimed that my car entered the Associated British Ports Town Quay (Short stay) Car Park in Southampton at 12:39:07 on 7 March and left at 17:32:59...
Large trucks are road trains and the damage they can do is catastrophic. Do you think is time for trucks to be fitted with video cameras, so they can see behind them?
In response to GJ, the thing to remember is that most vehicle crime is provable and clearly defined. The evidence is usually indisputable. Other crimes, however, are not. Police have to think whether there...
We purchased a new Ford Ka 1.2 Studio from our Ford dealer in February 2010 in a good deal which included scrappage. On collecting the car after its second service - its first by a non-Ford dealer - we...
I have a quick query about our second car, a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI saloon. After a fault-free three years we have now had an alternator fail and, more recently, it is very slow to start, but only...
My Renault Scenic dCI has a dual mass flywheel. With nearly 120,000 miles on the clock, what symptoms of impending DMF failure should I be looking or listening for?
My factory-fitted alarm recently started going off randomly. Toyota Cardiff checked the battery and it all seems ok. It tends to happen in the evening or during the night, perhaps with cooler temperatures....
We need a large estate car - perhaps a Volvo - as we are a family of five with lots of clobber. I don’t mind a car with high mileage, as long as it is safe and reliable. Our budget is £1000, however I...
A friend of mine recently hit a deer, which caused minor damage to the car and none to the deer. Should all accidents, no matter how minor, be reported to the insurance company even if the cost is below...
I agree with you that government economy figures for new cars are often deceiving, as they are here in the US. But surely anyone with a modicum of sense must realise that a fuel economy is relative to...
Once again, thanks for your great 'column' in the Saturday's Motoring Section. I appreciate all your comments, and especially those on big tyres and small wheels giving a better ride, and liked your yesterday's...
I have a 2009 Mazda 3 1.6 petrol (Mark II) which is coming up to three years old and thus the expiry of its warranty. I have been very happy with its reliability and would rather keep it for a few years...
In answer to the email 'Mane road', The British Horse Society (BHS) would always recommend any rider to wear a hi-viz tabard or jacket when they ride out. This gives motorists up to three seconds' more...
I have a Honda Civic Hybrid automatic. On two occasions the Honda has lurched forward from starting and I haven't had time to react before hitting something just ahead, on the last occasion a brick wall....
I have been offered a 1999 Jaguar S-Type Jaguar. It is a 3-litre V6 automatic. It appears to be the basic model with cloth interior, in good condition, with air-conditioning but not climate control. The...
What is the best way to sell my 2004 Audi A4 2.4 V6 Cabriolet with just under 50,000 miles on the clock? I have the full service history and in the past you've mentioned an auction where you can put on...
My AA membership renewal has just arrived at double last years fee. I intend to cancel. Would you please recommend the best alternative?
I was very concerned by the email from ES of Newton Abbot published 10 March 2012 who claimed to have been clocked at 54mph in the 50mph section of the M4 in Wales. I have caused the records to be checked...
We would like to buy either a Ford Focus hatchback or estate or a 2008 Ford C-Max from British Car Auctions, where we have purchased several cars in the past. The car will serve as an all purpose workhorse...
I was delighted to read your recommendation of a Volvo in answer to DH of Herne Bay, headed "Invisible Touch". You rarely mention Volvos but I have driven them since 1969, have two at the moment, and my...
What would you say is a fairly typical lifespan of a catalytic converter? Is using cheaper quality fuel likely to reduce the life of a cat? And are there any other factors (apart from misfiring) that can...
Please give me your interpretations about Ford 1.0 Ecoboost 125hp and Renault 1.2 115hp. Which one is more effective and attractive for driving, especially what about engine noise?
Should I buy the Renault Megane 1.2 TCE 115hp or the Volkswagen Jetta 1.2 TSI 105hp? Which one is better particularly for engine noise and performance?
I am insured with LV and after, a no-fault accident last June, they paid a realistic amount less my excess of £350 for my Saab which was written off. After many calls to LV, who have in turn chased Aviva...
I have been having trouble getting the Bluetooth hands-free kit on my Skoda to accept my iPhone. Skoda confirmed that it wasn't compatible. I wasn't happy and persevered, speaking to a chap who rang as...
I have driven Jaguars for the last fifteen years, but would like to downsize for my next car. What models should I be looking at to replace my S-Type that will still give the comfort, quality, pace and...
My present car is a 2007 Audi A3 SE 2.0 litre TDI automatic that I have had from new. I do limited mileage (total 25,000 currently) and have much enjoyed the solidity and the luxury (metallic paint, leather...
We're planning to replace our Ford C-Max, a 3-year-old 2-litre diesel, in the near future. It has great performance and economy and a good seating position, but we'd like less road noise and a smoother...
I wonder if you are able to recommend suitable contacts (magazines, websites or auctions) to sell a Ford Transit-based 2-berth camper. We are in our late 60’s and my wife’s health has deteriorated so we...
I would welcome your advice regarding my Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark. It was registered in 2000 and has now covered just over 50,000 fairly trouble-free miles. It has been regularly serviced by an independent...
I’m retired and drive a maximum of 6000 miles a year. It may be only my perception but it appears to be getting increasingly difficult to find large secondhand cars that have both petrol engines and automatic...
Regarding PD's letter about speccing a new BMW F25 X3, I have owned a new 2.0D F25 X3 since May 2011 and what a fantastic car it is. I have done 10,000 miles including towing a caravan (1475kg MTPLM) in...
I bought Skoda Octavia to use as a taxi in 2008 and I know this ‘Dynamic Shift Gearbox’ better than someone who designed it. Soon after I received my car I felt the problems, but Skoda never admitted to...
My wife drives a 1990 Volkswagen Polo C with 88,000 miles on the clock. It has no servo, no power steering, a stiff clutch and a grinding gearbox. It still keeps passing the MoT, however. She is coming...
What's the catch with the Lexus IS250? Servicing cost? Realistic MPG?
I understand that the French Authorities have banned the use of speed camera detectors and can impose fines up to £1250. I have recently become the owner of a Nissan Note with its fitted Nissan Connect...
I would just like to comment on the email subheaded ‘Unfair Cop’. It is a common misconception that a police caution means being let off. Nothing could be further from the truth. A police caution forms...
I am about to change my car. I can spend in the region of £20,000 plus whatever I can get for my 2004 Mondeo Ghia X 2.0TDCI with 46,000 miles. I tow a small caravan occasionally and my current annual mileage...
I currently have a BMW Z4 and have been shocked by its depreciation. I'm looking to change to a more practical car - either the A1 Sportback or the new A3. Which would you suggest, given the depreciation...
I currently have a Focus (51 reg) as we are a family of 4. It is coming to an end and I am looking for a similar sized car, that is reliable and economical to run. Any advice would be much appreciated.
My daughter has changed jobs and needs a car for her commute. Her allowance allows for a 1600cc engine and she has a budget of £4-5000. She is 27 years old but has had no previous insurance. She lives...
I supplied a £7000 1996 Mazda Bongo campervan to a lady who happily test drove it along with her nurse friend on the day of delivery. It was a tad slow to start, so I advised, and paid for a new set of...
When the engine is cold the gear selection seems perfect. But when I have been in slow moving traffic for a while I cannot engage the lower gears and have to pull over to side of road till it cools down....
Do you know of some online help in removing and replacing the fuel pump on a 2000 Ford Focus 1.8 diesel? Not in the tank - right by the engine.
I have a Vauxhall Combo LPG (factory converted) van - 2005 reg - 1 owner - immaculate condition.
There was a slight drop of water near the engine (I belive this to be a gasket - Not the head gasket) anyway...
I live in Turkey and run a Toyota Auris.
The service intervals are given as 10,000km whilst for the same model in the UK is 10,000 miles.
As the car is now out of warrenty would I be safe to leave...
Last weekend I loaned my car to a client who was visiting the UK and this morning I got a notice of intended prosecution. What should I do?
I have an 08 plate Mazda 2 1.5 Sport. I bought it about 14 months ago from a Mazda dealership. It has a full Mazda service history and has now covered 35000 miles from new. The ABS warning light came...
What would be the best Yeti to buy for doing 8000/10000 miles per annum out of 1.6tdi CR 105 SE Greenline 2 5dr and 1.2 Tsi SE 2WD 5dr?
I currently drive a Renault Scenic 1.9 Dci but will need to replace...
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