Trending topics in September 2012
Questions from September 2012
I'm a devotee of regular oil and filter changes. 20,000-mile service intervals are clearly aimed at fleet operators keeping maintenance costs down and are irrelevant to many of us. I bought my 1.2-litre...
My 18-year-old daughter was on holiday in Cornwall last week and received a parking charge notice. When she parked she tried to purchase a ticket, but both machines had a digital display showing 'out of...
Recently I was a passenger in a car being driven in the outside lane, during rush hour, on a Friday evening. All three lanes of the motorway were busy with traffic moving at about 40mph. I looked across...
I have a 2006 Toyota Yaris and was disappointed to read that Toyota has since abandoned the digital speedo. It is so easy to read and, when driving abroad, you can just set it to kilometres. It's much...
I am often dismayed at the selfish drivers who park up to half a car length from the start or end of a parking bay, thus taking up two parking spaces. If I left a note under their wiper blade saying, "In...
My Vauxhall Vectra’s power steering pump broke down and we were towed to Tustain Motors in Berwick-upon-Tweed by an RAC contractor. Unfortunately, they were unable to obtain a replacement pump before we...
We own a 2004 Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDI automatic that has now done almost 100,000 miles. So far it has been relatively trouble-free, although it recently needed a new alternator and battery. Would you advise...
I purchased a Volkswagen Touran new from Dane Motor Company in Chester just under six years ago. The warranty has, of course, long since expired. Dane has serviced the vehicle for me. Recently the ESP...
You're quite right that the CPS (also known as the Criminal Protection Society) is useless at pursuing fraudulent insurance claims. I suspect one reason for this is that a hugely disproportionate number...
I have been told by my local Mercedes-Benz garage that the air-conditioning unit in my 2010 B-Class doesn't work because the condenser was damaged by a stone thrown up from the road. The original repair...
In 2009 I bought a new Renault Laguna 2.0dCi 150 Initiale 50 diesel automatic. Can you tell me whether it has a diesel particulate filter, dual mass flywheel or an exhaust gas recirculation valve fitted...
Do you know if Volkswagen has any plans to bring out a new model of the Golf Plus? I think I read somewhere that a new model of the Golf was being introduced later this year and, if this is correct, I...
Sadly, we feel we may have to replace our 55 reg (bought new Feb 2006) Discovery 3 due to increasing repair bills. My husband feels we ought to economise and although I would love to have another Discovery...
Can't take my Nissan on holiday to France!
My 2011 Qashqai has built in satnav and speed camera locations. Possession of such equipment is illegal in France. Nissan tells me they are currently unable to...
The windscreen on my Honda S2000 has the residue from using Diamondbright on the screen, plus pine sap from parking under pine trees.
All the preparitory cleaners from Auto Glym, downwards have failed...
I've helped my disabled 78 year old neighbour buy new cars every four years because previously she could not negotiate a sensible price. We've bought three Nissan Micra autos which have served her well....
My 18 year old son is thinking about buying a SEAT Ibiza - what do you recommend and are there any issues with them to look out for? He is looking for 2005 05 plate.
My wife is thinking of buying a 2002 Ford Fiesta, 60,000mls for £2500, any possible problems to lookout for?
I bought a 13 month old 20,000 mile Peugeot 3008 from Peugeot dealer 4 weeks ago. There were about 7 or 8 issues needing attention when I picked car up including small stuff like needing new wiper blades...
Would the VW Up with the automatic gearbox be a suitable car to tow behind a Motorhome for a sustained journey, ie not just for a limited period or very low mph?
My 3 Series had its MOT today and showed a problem with the emissions test. 1st fast idle test it failed with twice the limit. The car display showed engine managment system in "limp home" mode. So they...
My engine coolant light has been coming on. It does not come on every time I start my car it only does it when I use my car first thing in the morning and it goes off once I start driving. It only started...
I have a leak in my boot, no leaks when car stands still and dry. Wet after driving in rain, my garage checked it out but no look so far solving problem. Are you aware of any problems due to manufacture...
Who is at fault if a car reverses from a parking bay into another car passing it.
Bought Nissan Juke two weeks ago after heavy rain found water under back seat. Can I reject outright and ask for reund or new replacement? Or do I have to allow dealer to repair? Paid for car by Visa debit...
I have a Citroen C3, which I've had since new, she's a 1.4 petrol (Desire Model)
Within the first couple of years I had major issues with the fuel injectors and she was backwards and forwards to the...
Where are the glow plugs located on a 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 140bhp
I need to replace my six year old Octavia 1.6 FSI. We are also both now working locally so our annual mileage will be 6-8000 miles at most. We are considering a nearly new petrol Ocavia but I've fallen...
I have a 2008 Volvo S80 D5. Overall I'm happy with it except for the ride quality, the soft suspension may be good for absorbing bumps but it also causes the car to bounce around giving a fidgety ride....
My first experience of a stop/start car was in a hired Ypsilon Lancia. Whilst it worked well, do you think that this is another motoring disaster waiting to happen as with the dual flywheel? It seems...
My dilemma. The company is offering me a new Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI saloon or estate automatic, or a new E220 CDI manual.
I like the idea of an auto box but will I regret not going for the space and comfort...
Having been burnt by expensive replacement of a failed CVT on current car, I wish to replace with a new or used small to medium car with a reliable AND economical automatic gearbox before warranty on new...
Can I get my suspension changed to something firmer? It's as soft as that brown stuff. Always bottoming, even slowly over humps. What do I need?
Can you suggest a replacement for a SEAT Altea Freetrack 2.0TDI? We cover approx 15k miles on mixed road types per annum. Would prefer a nearly new vehicle with elevated seating and brisk performance....
Am I being unreasonable to ask the main dealer to accompany me on a short road test to discover what is causing the popping like noise at the rear when going over rough ground? They have fobbed me off...
We recently bought a 58 plate Audi A3 Quattro Sportback 170 with 73k miles. We average about 25k miles pa, nearly all on long journeys. Please could you advise when we should change the timing belt? The...
Whick car do you recommend? Volvo V60 DRIVe(powershift) or the Peugeot 508 EMG?
I have tried them both, but read so many reviews about the bad 508 EMG! Is it really that bad? Should I rather go for the...
How much fuel does each bar on the fuel gauge represent as I seem to only be getting 34mpg.
Example I have done 115 miles on half a tank (3.5 gallons) which is really bad, the car is a few weeks old and...
My late father owned an Austin 7 Ruby, many years ago. I now know it has been scrapped, I would love to own the number plate for personal reasons, is there any chance it can be issued?
I want to buy wheels and winter tyres for BMW X5 2005 E53 for UK use. What would you recommend?
How much should it cost to get the glow plugs and cam belt changed on a 2004 Ford Ranger under £650?
I'm interested in buying an Audi A5 Sportback Quattro 3-litre (245PS) Auto S Line - registered July 2012 - Colour White - 5500 miles. Advertised at £26000 ex demonstrator becoming available late October....
I bought a 12 year old BMW 330i in June and it drove beautifully until a sudden failure of the automatic gearbox a couple of weeks ago. I bought a Gold "Customer Protect" warranty for £595 through the...
I'm really keen to buy an A3 but my budget is max £5k and I've been looking for a while. There doesn't seem to be much that comes up that is worth looking at for around the 60-80,000 mileage bracket.
I've...
Thinking about buying a Berlingo as a cheap holdall and for my kids to learn to drive in. Could I run the old 1.9D diesel on filtered waste veg oil, with a separate tank and heater? I assume the later...
My local BMW dealer (Vines of Guildford - highly recommended) is getting my wife's 5 series E61 2008 520d touring's brakes looked at on a warning light. It needs new front pads and discs (lipped), cost...
Trying to sell a ten year old Ford Fusion - would you still recommend sure-sell as the best option considering their charges?
i am 26 years old and have been taking driving lessons fo aboutr 9 months, in a few months i hope to have passed my test, what small cars would you recommend and should i go for a new or a used car.
I have just been informed that my newly purchased Audi A4 probably needs a new gearbox! Basically the previous owner has done the dirty on me.
I took it in after the car popped out of 3rd and into neutral...
I own a Nov 2006 2.0 Jetta, mileage 42,000. Having had it serviced and MoT'd yesterday I was astonished to receive a phone call today saying that the auto gearbox oil should be changed at 40,000 miles...
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