Questions from August 2012
I am thinking of ordering a new Yeti S 1.2 DSG from an online car trader as the list price is discounted by 13 per cent. They told me that they hold the V5 for up to six weeks before its release and that...
At a recent visit to ATS Tyres they suggested that I inflate the tyres on my Land Cruiser with nitrogen saying that this leads to better handling of the vehicle, less pressure loss and less corrosion to...
Various companies are advertising diesel particulate filter removal services with associated re-programming of the ECU to stop the CEL lighting up. My understanding is it is only an EU requirement to have...
When moving forward at low speed in my Nissan Note with a lot of steering lock applied, I can hear and feel a 'knocking' from the front. Could this be from the steering or suspension? Should I be worried?...
I took my 1993 Mazda MX5 for a service and got a phone call to say that the left front brake caliper was leaking brake fluid and needed to be replaced at a cost of £130, so I went ahead with the repair....
Further to your (always) good advice I would endorse your comments about insurance companies being prepared to negotiate. Indeed, I would go a stage further and take the initiative. When any of my insurance...
I'm a bit confused as to which is currently the best fuel to use in my Volkswagen group 2.0 TDI CR engine. Could you please confirm which is now the best diesel fuel, or is there really no difference?...
I was interested in the letter from MG re problems with his Skoda with 1.2TSI and DSG box. Having bought a Roomster in December 2010 with the same engine and gearbox, I can understand his problem with...
I’m retired, my mileage is only 5000-6000 per year and am considering buying a Jaguar XF. I wondered if you would advise the diesel or petrol version, as I vaguely remember you saying (ages ago) that diesel...
My wife and I are looking for a smallish four-door car. Could you recommend one please? We do only about 6000 miles a year and, being pensioners, are looking for an economical and reliable car.
Having obtained a car quote from 'Drivethedeal' I offered my large local dealer the opportunity to give me a price too, if they wanted to (I disclosed the DtD figure). They opted to do so but couldn't...
Following a rear-end shunt over 18 months ago (not my fault), my insurance company covered a major repair. The work was good, but a couple of problems related to the incident surfaced this summer, which...
I'm about to change my 2007 Audi A6 Avant Quattro 3.0 TDI SE for the new model. As some roads are often poorly surfaced these days it has been suggested that adaptive air suspension would provide a smoother,...
I am puzzled by your response to CD of Swansea’s query. Surely the speed awareness course is offered as an alternative to penalty points. It is not a course forgiving the conviction. CD broke the law and...
My wife has just bought a three-year-old Mini Cooper S Convertible and today received an email from Mini offering a set of winter tyres and wheels from £560 per set. They also offer to store the summer...
I have an old-school 2.0DTI in a Vauxhall Zafira. I have had issues with the EGR valve for about three years. Instead of having it replaced my local friendly garage "cleans" it and all is well, or was...
12 years ago I was in permanent pain whether sitting, standing or lying down. My chiropractor told me he could no longer help me after 20 years of successful treatment. The only place I could avoid pain...
Last year my car insurance, with a highly rated mutual, suffered a substantial increase. It was fortuitous therefore that they rang me this year just before renewal to try to sell household insurance....
I would like your thoughts on the TyrePal. Are they worth the money?
I own an Jaguar XF 3-litre diesel which is two and a half years old. Both my front tyres still have 4mm of wear left on except for 50mm on the very inside of both wheels, where they're totally bald. The...
What is your opinion of the Renault six-speed dual clutch (EDC) transmission that I understand is currently an option on various models and, next year, will be standard fitment on the new 1.2 TCe Mk4 Clio?
Can you please advise if a Mazda 2 1.3TS2 has a chain cam and also if it has a dual mass flywheel?
I have just agreed to purchase a Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, which is four years old and in spotless condition, from a local Ford main dealer. The dealer has recommended that the car is given a protective...
After 60 years of blame-free motoring, I've been caught doing 36mph on a quiet Sunday afternoon in a 30mph limit. I have the choice of a speed awareness course (which costs £90) or three points on my unblemished...
The p/ex value of my Freelander 2 via a dealer makes the economics of selling unappealing, given its low utility of 27,800 miles. Following a substantial bill to repair the rear differential last week...
I have a two-year old Hyundai i30 automatic which has behaved impeccably on a 70-mile daily commute (mainly motorway). Do I keep it for the term of the 5-year warranty or trade in before any potential...
Is there any website available where I can find out what is the most popular specification for any particular car I might be interested in buying? For instance colour, engine, (diesel or petrol) engine...
I am in the process of buying a pre-registered Hyundai i30 from an authorised dealer. The salesman says that they have to keep the 'log book' for the first three months for accounting purposes. Is this...
My local Renault dealer failed to diagnose why my cabrio roof mechanism has failed and wants hundreds to pull it apart and do a physical check!
Is there a specialist company in the south west that could...
I need a reliable seven seater which will tow my caravan, 1300kg. I have 6-7k to spend. You've always come up with winners in the past, what would you recommend?
1) Is the 1.4T Zafira engine likely to be more troublesome than the Zafira 1.8i engine?.Can the 1.4T cope with the Welsh hills?
Also-
2) My present W reg Vectra 1.8i with 90k miles seems to 'hunt' when...
My Son in Law has been experiencing a loss of power when turning the lights on in his A3, the engine recovers in about 30 seconds? A duff alternator, or an intermittent fault with a regulator, or a smart...
I want to buy a used car and the VED is a consideration that will influence my final decision of which make/model.
Is there a website that lists the tax rating for all cars since 2001 that I can use as...
A few months ago, in your Daily Telegraph column, you were very complimentary about the comfortable ride in the Honda CRV. You also advised the wheel/tyre combination which was helped make that comfort.
Can...
I need a used family hatchback, key features for me would be safe, reliable and economical, but with a decent sized engine and low miles - budget £5,000.
I bought a car at auction today (BCA Manchester) - An Audi A3 2.0 TDI (140).
The auction catalogue, web description and screen description all said air conditioning. Sadly the car is a far-from normal...
Audi Q7 2013 3.0T (with no air suspension) offers wheel size of 255/55/18-inch, 265/50/19-inch, 275/45/20-inch and 21-inch. I cannot decide whether I should pick 19 or 20. 20s look so nice on a large SUV...
I want to buy a new car that will be mainly used for journeys of about 10 miles each way with the occasional longer journey of 150 miles each way. Should I buy a petrol or diesel engined car as I want...
In August 2007 the bonnet of my Volvo XC70 was written off by a large tree branch brought down by a high lorry travelling in the other direction. My insurer, More Than, eventually agreed to settle the...
Does the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3-litre diesel engine have a chain cam? Can't find a definitive answer? This is the new Italian built 3 ltr engine.
I'm looking to change our 55-plate 2.2 CTDI Honda CR-V. Looking at a smaller crossover. We do about 6000 miles a year, mostly short trips, but some of 20 miles per week and monthly trips of 150 miles....
I have a Citroen C4 1.6 HDI+EGS done 15000miles at 5 years old, do I keep it or swap for a C4 petrol model? Car mainly used for short journeys (once a week occasional long runs every 3 months.
My Audi A6 has now reached the time to be replaced, 200000 good miles. The replaced falls between Honda CR-V or Suzuki Grand Vitara, as my future mileage will be 8000 miles per year the choice would be...
I purchased my second hand Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDi 170 in December 2009. Have had no problems with the DPF until last week.
DPF totally clogged - despite weekly long distance dual-carriageway driving....
I'm driving a Focus 2.0l TDCI averaging 44-47mpg on a 55 mile daily commute (25miles each way) mainly on dual carriageway and fast A roads. Plus shorter trips of 4 - 10 miles each way on fast A roads to...
Yesterday I opened a letter from Enfield council alleging that I parked my car in contravention of the parking regulations on 7 July. This was the first I had heard of the contravention, not having seen...
I bought a Volkswagen Polo 2006 (06) 1.2s in April 2012 from a main dealer.
The car is under a years warranty and since purchase I have had to have both window regulator replaced on the front windows.
Recently...
A few weeks ago my central locking stopped working , i have checked the batteries and it affects both fobs. I have also noticed that the radio does not receive any channels. Can you advise what the problem...
We currently own a Renault Scenic Grand, 2.0l petrol Automatic 55 plate
We would like to buy and younger, more economical car but are limited by need to put 3 child seats (2 high back, 1 booster) for our...
I want to replace my 2004 Jaguar X-type 2.0 diesel Sport Premium estate. It has done 140,000 miles with very few problems. It is probably the best car I've owned in terms of driving enjoyment, performance,...
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