Questions from September 2012
I have decided to purchase a new Audi Q3 Automatic Diesel 177bhp SE and wondered what the cheapest way to purchase would be. I have the option to trade in my 2008 VW EOS or sell that privately and I also...
Does the cam belt on a Saab 93 Vector Sport need to be replced when the car is 8 years old, with 40,000 miles on the clock?
I purchased a used 04 SASB 93 Aero Petrol from an established family dealership some 8 weeks ago. I paid £4800, with 37k, backed up by MOT history. After 4 weeks, the water top up light came on, and I...
Toyota Yaris Multidrive 1.3 5 door just approaching first service after 5,600 miles since October 2011. Does it need a full change of engine oil, it looks quite clean?
Experienced this issue when driving an almost new Giulietta in very wet weather with "Allroads" selected on the DNA switch. On entering a multi-storey car park with steep ramps and tight right hand corners,...
I have placed a deposit down on a used car that I am going to collect from the dealer on either the 13th or 14th October - a weekend. The road tax is not included, and the seller has asked that I provide...
Surprised to find the maps on my new Range Rover's factory sat nav are more than three years out of date. New roads, changes to junctions etc in last few years are not reflected. Is this normal or reasonable?
I stripped down the brakes on the front of my Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 2004 reg to clean up and replace the sensor. Ever since this on the drivers side front every time I break it clunks/knocks more noticeable...
My recently bought 2009 Citroen C5 HDi 173 Tourer Estate with 225/55 R17 Primacy , has excessive front tyre noise as diagnosed by the dealer who says it is a characteristic of the model, a diagonal tyre...
I have looked at a Mondeo Titanium auto, I think they call it dualtronic. Are Ford autos trustworthy?
I purchased a car from a dealer 5 weeks ago. At the time he had said he had replaced all the plugs but if had problems to bring the car back. 2.5 weeks later thecar broke down and I had it towed back to...
I have just had my injectors replaced as part of a recall by Audi. They replaced the injectors but not the looms. Since getting the car back - when left overnight it is then difficult to start or starts...
I have an 07 plate petrol Octavia VRS with 72k on the clock. Recently it has begun to run roughly when the engine is cold. At idle it is probably best described as a slight misfire that can be felt from...
I live in Thailand and want to buy a new largeish vehicle such as Toyota Fortuner, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Pajero, Chevvy Captiva. I need something to seat 5 minimum and really prefer diesel. Do you think...
New rules come into effect in Nov 2012 ref pre 1960 car MOTs. My wife has a 1954 A30 which belonged to her late mother, but it has not been on the road for many years and has no MOT - and it would cost...
My mother, who is 70, is looking for a new (second hand) car. She currently drives a Mitsubishi. She needs a fully automatic and something relatively small. She considered a Honda Jazz based on one of...
I'm 6'5" tall and require a comfortable family car for longer journeys. I prefer petrol over diesel as I drive about 6,000 miles a year (occasional long journeys, not frequent short ones). I'm considering...
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) light is coming on in the dash but there appears to no DPF fitted. Why is DPF light coming on?
I have a 10 year old Alfa 147 2.0 petrol owned from new, now with 64k miles on the clock and am thinking of changing for a Skoda Yeti 4X4 to make it easier for me to get to work in the winter - I run a...
I would like to buy two spare steel wheels to fit to the front 2 wheels of my Volkswagen Bora in order to fit winter tyres. Can you advise whether this is safe and legal and suggest a preferred wheel and...
My Ford focus Zetec 1.6 TDCI 110 (DPF) (2008, 58 plate, 47500 miles) company car is at the end of its lease. It has been faultless so far and I can buy it for £6900. However, I have read about turbo...
I have a Toyota Yaris and have done only 35,000 miles. Someone knocked my car at the back of the bumper and my insurance company wants to write it off. Toyota Garage confirmed car is safe to drive yet...
Honda are refusing to help me with my Jazz Gearbox problem on a 54 plate at 80,000, a known issue on Jazzes. I was wondering if you can offer any advice on how to put pressure on them or shame them into...
I have a 2006 E-Class 280 diesel estate with 120k miles which has proved an extremely reliable and comfortable car for our family use and annual long drive to south of france. Due to house move the car...
My wife's motability vehicle is coming up for change. There are only three cars on the scheme that she can easily get in & out of, Kia Venga, Citroen C3 Picasso & the new Vauxhall Meriva. We have chosen...
My Volkswagen Polo 2006 is uneconomical to repair and I must replace it. My garage has recommended a Honda HR-V or a Toyota RAV4. I am a horse owner who travels 24 miles (round trip 48) to look after my...
My BMW Z4 factory warranty is due to expire. I have received a letter from BMW Warranty offering me an extended warranty. My car has done 33,000 and has a full BMWSH. For comprehensive cover for 12 months...
I have an M reg Audi A4 which has a problem starting and then just dying. I start it again and give it some throttle and rev it for a half a minute and it keeps going and drives ok until the next time...
Been driving an X Reg Ford Focus Zetec for last five weeks. No problems until now. It seems to be missing or losing power a little and slight knocking when at standstill. Is this a cylinder problem or...
We currently have a Mercedes A 170 but would like to change to a new Honda Jazz, but which model to buy for best value for money and most comfort economical driving? Quite interested in the hybrid model...
I am thinking of getting a new company car - C4 Grand Picasso. Depending on trim level , the supplied wheels are 16" or 17" Does the larger wheel have any effect on ride quality? I have read many times...
I have an 03 old-type Subaru Outback 3.0. I need new rear tyres (size 215/60/R16). The front wheels have mud and snow tyres and the back has a Dunlop on one side and a Yokohama Geolandar on the other...
My daughter has a Land Rover Freelander which is one month out of warranty. The car has suffered a satnav failure and after testing the dealer declared the whole unit kaput. The dealer has quoted her...
Three days ago I had two new tyres fitted to my Focus, front passenger was worn to 2mm and rear drivers had sidewall damage. The new tyres were both put on the front axle and the existing two tyres on...
When were particulate filters introduced? Does it vary acceding to Manufacturer?
Regarding ECU tune-ups. Do they increase the power/ torque/ mpg as stated? Are they worth the investment?
Many thanks for your suggestion of a Swift, Agila or i10 for an automatic. We've bought a Swift and are picking up on Thursday. We've been offered £299 gap insurance (which we'll get independently after...
I am thinking of buying a C220 Estate to tow a caravan (approx 1500kg) and to accommodate 2 large black labradors. I usually keep my cars for 8 to 10 years. I have been looking at the Mercedes C220 2.1...
I attended a wedding reception at the Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey last Saturday (8th September), On arrival we realised that the car park was pay and display, and because we did not have any change...
I want to buy a new Audi A6 Avant with a 2.0 or 3.0 litre engine. Which is the best engine and gearbox? Is the 3-litre worth the extra money?
My daughter wants to change her C3 which is now 7 years old. She would like something around the same size or smaller. The Hyundai i10 looks good as does the Picanto with perhaps the larger engine. Any...
One week before a non-fault accident I spent £700 on a service which included 4x new brake discs and 4x new brake pads. Diamond insurance has written off my car (they did not confirm whether this is...
My garage, who are just in the process of doing the annual service and MOT on my Fiat 500, tell me that the water pump on my Fiat 500 has a leak and needs replacing. Apparently this happens alongside...
I need to change my 1 series BMW as I now need something slightly larger and am considering buying a nearly new F30 3 Series. I do less than 10000 miles per year, mainly through my daily 16 mile round...
I have a BMW 120d that has suffered a serious internal mechanical failure, as yet not fully diagnosed. The car is full BMWSH and at 140,000 miles. I bought it a few weeks ago and the garage I bought it...
Engine fault codes P0251, P1211, P2288 showed up when my Mondeo diesel 2.0TDCI cut out a couple of months ago, three times within a mile after I had left the cross-channel ferry coming back from France....
My daughter and I were involved in a side on accident in my Berlingo multispace 1.6 and it's looking likely the car will be written off. The other driver has admitted full responsibility and my car is...
I have just bought a brand new Hyundai i20 1.1 75PS Active. The marketing documentation claims that the car will achieve 61.4 mpg (urban) 83.1 mpg (extra urban) or 74.3 (combined). If the car does not...
I was thinking of selling my Galaxy and going back to a super duper Mondeo estate. My only concern is the back seat - the Galaxy sort of has three separate seats. Do you think the bench seat in the Mondeo...
I bought a new C4 Grand Picasso diesel car in 2009 and have now done 59000 miles. Every year I had got it serviced by authorised dealers but exceeded the mileage intervals (should have been every 12500...
 

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