Trending topics in September 2012
Questions from September 2012
I would like to buy a battered (but mechanically sound and roadworthy) old-style Land Rover for jaunts round the country lanes of the Gower peninsula. My impression is that Land Rovers are expensive to...
March 2010 saw a third party make a fraudulent claim against my car insurance policy. In spite of my concerns and instructions to my insurer they paid out £731. More than two years later, in June 2012,...
I read that it's not wise to use the cruise control when driving in wet weather, of which there's plenty about at the moment. Can you elaborate on this, as I am unable to get it across to family and friends?
I want a 4x4 that will tow an Ifor Williams 505 trailer with two 500kg horses, and carry a large buggy and equipment for two babies. I currently tow with a Mitsubishi Pajero which is used as a spare car,...
I need some advice on tyre choice for my 1998 Nissan Elgrand MPV. The standard tyre is 215/65 R15 96 S and it has been suggested that I use reinforced tyres because of the Elgrand's weight. I will only...
I took your advice on using BCA’s Sure Sell to sell my beloved, owned-from-new Audi A8. It was a great experience right from the first phone call, and throughout the pick-up, the follow-up calls, and the...
I have a 2009 Renault Scenic 1.5 dCi Privilege 106 with 36,000 miles on the clock and I wish to replace it with something similar. I have reservations about a straight replacement as I feel the engine...
I need some guidance on the expected life of the rear brake discs on my Lexus LS600hL. The car is three years old, has just completed 30,000 miles and is under extended warranty. On the 20,000 mile service...
I am thinking of purchasing an Audi A1 Sportback SE. What extras do you think I should have?
I drive a Volvo XC70. Nobody warned me about the cost of replacement of Bi-Xenon headlight bulbs, and in fact I had no idea it had them. For replacing a dipped headlight bulb I have been quoted the amazing...
How do I get rid of the car with a spanner in the middle symbol?
I currently own a 2002 Renault Laguna II which I've found to be an excellent car to drive and is extremely comfortable, particularly on long journeys. However, I no longer need such a large car and need...
I recently bought a BMW 1M which I really love, but I guess it will be useless in the winter without winter tyres. I think a new set of wheels and tyres will be around £2000. For that money would I be...
My 76-year old wife was driving along a street when the driver of a parked car flung the door open, causing considerable damage to both cars. There was a witness, a local policeman who helped my wife to...
I bought a BMW from a Tyneside used car dealer with only one key. I spoke to the previous owner, who said there were two keys but the dealer says there was only one key. Does he have to provide two keys?...
I read that the annual slaughter on our roads has bottomed out at fewer than 2000 lives per year. This still represents a cull in human life somewhere between terrorism and full-scale war. Doctors, welders,...
I have a 2003 Honda Jazz. When it was seven years old, I had reason to call at the service department of Brayley Honda, Hemel Hempstead, where the service manager drove my car about 10 yards and informed...
I commute 150 miles a day, mainly on the M25. I need a car that is very economical on fuel, with minimal annual tax, petrol or diesel costs, for my use only. What would you recommend?
I've noticed that today, most mid to large petrol cars now have turbo assistance for better fuel economy. I need such a car to replace my Mondeo, but would I encounter problems with an annual mileage of...
A friend has sent me an article suggesting that ‘swirl flaps’ can fail on post-2003 BMW 530d models and cause serious damage. What are swirl flaps? Does this apply to my 2010 F10 model and, if so, should...
I think Hammersmith and Fulham Council must get the prize for the most financially lucrative yellow box in Britain. At the junction of Harwood Road and the New Kings Road it is virtually impossible not...
The power steering pump of my Citroen C4 1.6HDI EGS has failed. Although only a year out of warranty, Citroen is totally disinterested, stating that it has not been serviced by a Citroen dealer which is...
I have a friend who currently drives a three-door Toyota Auris. He is a double amputee and likes to load his folded wheelchair behind the driver seat. He also requires an automatic. A new Auris is due...
My wife & I both have personalised number plates & for the 3rd time I have lost out with DVLA when changing the registration to a new car. The total of the money involved is now approaching £350. We have...
I need to replace my Vauxhall Zafira and am unsure what to replace it with. Only use the boot space for camping but am happy to tow a trailer instead so would need at least a 1.6. Just want to replace...
BMW was one of the Olympic sponsors, providing the only cars that could be used for official Olympic business. Do you have any idea what will happen to this fleet of BMWs after the Olympics are over, and...
We love Renault cars, have owned seven of them and have always enjoyed great reliability and good service. Our Modus is due to be replaced next year so I went to my local showroom this week to look at...
Last July my wife was caught on camera in Warrington doing 35mph in a 30mph limit. She duly received a Notice of Prosecution with the alternative of a Speed Awareness Course. At 72 years of age she did...
I have been very pleased with my 2003 Toyota Yaris and have done 93,000 miles since buying it new. My garage has told me that £1000 needs to be spent in the near future, so I am thinking of replacing it....
I was quite alarmed to read, under "Chain reaction" about what was said about the Volkswagen Golf GT 1.4 TSI 170. I have the very same model, also a 2006. I bought it in July 2009 with 22,000 on the clock;...
My insurance company gave me permission to hire a car whilst waiting for either my car to be repaired or the total loss costs paid. Because of various mistakes, the car hire has gone on for a couple of...
I recently bought an Avensis Tourer from a Toyota dealer and, when cleaning it for the first time, I noticed that the rear nearside wheel arch was dented in several places. It had not been pointed out...
I usually put manufacturers' advertising claims down to empty rhetoric designed to do little other than shift a possibly indifferent product. As a user of Shell V-Power petrol, I am aware of their heavily...
Every time I venture onto the M25 I drive at a good speed of up to 70mph from junction 21A for miles past Watford, Rickmansworth and the M40 junction without any speed restriction, amidst lots of equally...
Our 2004 Citroen C5 recently sailed through its MOT with a single advisory, noting that the Polycarbonate headlight covers had an external ‘bloom’ reducing light emission. Having spent many years in the...
My daughter is looking to change her Mercedes-Benz for a new car with side sliding doors, big enough for two children. The Mercedes-Benz Viano looks too much like a minibus so her shortlist is Chrysler...
I currently own an Audi 2.0 S Line Avant, which my wife is now having difficulty getting in and out of. I do approx 15k a year, of which 10k is motorway. My budget to replace is around £11,000 and I have...
Which car has the best autobox: Ford Fiesta, Ford B-Max or Hyundai i20?
I know you have enthused about the latest BMW X3 but wonder how you would rate, or compare, the current Honda CR-V against the Volkswagen Tiguan diesel.
I want to buy a pick-up to tow a 1700 kg caravan. Narrowed it down to Isuzu D-Max or Volswagen Amarok. Which would you recommend?
My oil light keeps coming on but there is enough oil according to the dipstick.
I've bought a used 2010 Skoda Octavia VRS.
When purchased, I purchased on the assumption that at 21,000 miles the car was on its original engine. I later found out that only one month before purchase...
I am looking to buy a small second hand car, budget up to £6000. I have test driven a petrol Mazda 2 1.5 Sport. I have also considered the 2006 onwards Honda Civic 1.8 however for my budget I would...
I'm considering buying a new Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, 1.4 turbo, petrol, auto, Elite. Fitted as standard (I understand) are 235/45R x 18 tyres. My sole concern is a comfortable ride. With this in mind...
My wife recently purchased a 2-month old Fiesta from Motorpoint Newport. When we got home we noticed a minor gouge on the rear panel.
Motorpoint asked us to bring the car back, and they repaired the...
I have recently purchased a Ford KA 2012. It has a gear change problem from 4th to 5th that is a synchro mesh mis-alignment? I have been told they are going to fit a new gearbox, but there isnt one in...
I was in a hurry to get to the airport and accidentally put 14.8 litres of Shell Fuelsave Petrol in my 2006, 56 model diesel BMW 520d SE Auto. At the advice of an old man who happened to be at the forecourt,...
We bought our family C8 from a Citroen dealer in March 2005 with a 5 year warranty. The car has been well looked after and serviced in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. We have learned recently...
I've owned by Renault Laguna 52 plate for about a year now and hubby unforutnately had a flat tyre on it this week which will result in the tyre being replaced as it has been damaged.
The tyre has been...
The wheels on my RAV4 are looking scruffy and peeling. I have looked at powder coaters in Bromsgrove area but am confused reading all the companies. Should I have them done or not bother? I am just about...
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