Questions from October 2012
Please clarify two points for me. Exactly what is a dual mass flywheel, and is it something to be regarded as a potential future bill, like belt driven cams?
Secondly, what does the term 'common rail...
I've just bought a new Hyundai i10 Active auto for £8527. But the salesman wanted me to pay an extra £395 for glass coat paint protection and interior Scotchguard protection and also £395 guaranteed asset...
Earlier this year I purchased a 2003 BMW 320d. Today I was driving to work and it started shaking the steering wheel as if the front discs were warped, so I pulled over and checked every wheel for loose...
I’m contacting you from Bridgestone’s PR agency, Smarts. Please see the press release below from Bridgestone about their A001 All-Weather tyre range and how it can benefit drivers in the UK who may experience...
I am owner of Honda Jazz. In the event of an accident to whom should I report: Honda Happiness Accident Assistance or my car insurance company?
We bought a 2004 1.0 Life Vauxhall Corsa a couple of years ago and it now has 54,000 miles now on the clock. It has a timing chain instead of a belt. It recently passed its MOT, but there was a comment...
My partner drives a 2006 Audi A4 2.0-litre diesel and the DPF light is now appearing on every weekend. The light very rarely appeared on whilst it was under warranty and the first time it did after the...
I would like to buy a compact MPV which is comfortable and practical with some luxury. I have been looking at the Citroen C3 Picasso, Ford C-Max, Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Peugeot 3008, Renault Scenic and...
At present I am a 72-year-old Motability customer and am shortly due to hand back my Volvo XC90 after three years. I am now considering buying my own vehicle as I only do 5000 miles a year. The two vehicles...
I’m thinking of buying a new car through a broker if I can’t get the same deal from a main dealer. Which of the numerous discount car brokers are reputable and trusted?
Will you please comment on the new Toyota Yaris automatic hybrid from the point of view of a Motability lease, its reliability and whether the quoted mpg figures are realistic? I have a Yaris 2009 semi-auto...
Following knee replacements, I find getting in and out of my Lexus IS250 with its low headroom rather awkward. Can you recommend a more accessible ‘sit up and beg’ type vehicle, of similar comfort and...
My garden, at 15 acres with some steepish slopes, is big enough for me to need a vehicle to help with gardening. I had been using a garden tractor with a trailer but when that died, I began to wonder whether...
I hope this may be useful to older readers who are still driving. To help older drivers to maintain confidence in their driving, the Institute of Advanced Motorists offers a refresher session. It is an...
I recently bought a 2007 BMW X3 M Sport from a BMW dealer. The car was sold to me with non-BMW approved tyres fitted, although they were of correct size and profile. There were knocks and clunks when pulling...
I just bought a secondhand BMW and the timing chain needs replacing. I wondered if you have ever looked into this at all?
What evidence enables you to recommend certain fuels to your readers who are worried about supermarket fuels?
There is not a month goes by without someone telling me how they have inadvertently filled their vehicle with the incorrect fuel, and the resultant eye-watering costs to fix.
Why couldn't the fuel companies...
I am considering the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, but now I have just seen the New Clio (Wow) in dCI mode, which is the better car
I've e-mailed you a few times about buying my next car and narrowed it down to a nearly new (6k miles, 1yr old) BMW 118d SE, a Hyundai i30 Style (126 hp), Kia Cee'd 4 (same engine as the Hyundai).
After...
I have just received a speeding fine from France whilst driving a hire car. 80kph in a 70kph zone apparently. I thought I was generally driving very carefully but this is only 6mph over the limit.
The...
I have as the owner been served with the above notice with a demand for the full amount £50 as it was not paid within 14 days.
Reason - Not displaying a valid ticket, Time of Contravention – 19:09pm....
I want to buy this used Peugeot: Special Eds £1,795 1999 (S reg), Hatchback Trade seller, distance: 34 miles 62,000 miles Manual 1.9L Diesel, only 62,000 miles with full Peugeot service history 12 stamps...
My Tyre Size is:
Front 215/40/R18
Rear 245/35/R18
I put Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme 225/40/R18 on the rear last year but want to put some of the same tyre on the front this year (because it's OK getting...
I have recently ordered a Volkswagen Up (your review was very informative) and was wondering what fuel (brand, RON etc) would you recommend?
The model is a Take Up with the petrol 60PS engine.
Please could you give me your opinion on the following:
I was given a fixed penalty speeding ticket last week by Cambridgeshire Constabulary for doing 93 on a dual carriageway (70).
On reading the ticket...
Do red paints used on cars from say 2009, still suffer from fade over time, as seen on many old cars? If yes, what's the best treatment to prevent fade?
Would you know where I can get a remote fob for this vehicle reprogrammed (apart from a main dealer)? Live in 'remote' mid Wales so mobile services may not be appropriate.
I am considering (as a launch customer) a Ford B-MAX Titanium (1.0 EcoBoost). Is this a model which has already been on sale on the continent and is therefore "de-bugged" and are there any up-grades already?
My wife has recently purchased a pre reg Fiat 500 at a very good discount, my question regards the stop start system. Do you think it is a gimmick or does it have any real purpose. it strikes me that the...
I am told that the most fuel efficient way of driving in any gear is to drive at or nearest to the peak torque rpm for the engine, is this true? If not what is the peak torque rpm best used for?
Does a lorry driver negate his insurance policy if he drives along a lane which is signposted as "unsuitable for HGVs"? The incidence of irresponsible drivers using our single track lane (damaging the...
I am buying a new car online. The broker has told me that the car will be registered to me as first keeper, but they have to go through an administration process which involves changing address details...
I have a 2003 Peugeot 807 2.0 HDI. Every 400 miles or so, the car will suddenly lose power when driving and stutter intermittently for the next ten miles. When idling the engine will hunt between 600 and...
I recently purchased a 5000 mile 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK. After a couple of weeks whilst washing the car I noticed that the paintwork, mainly on the bonnet, had started to flake off. I got in touch with...
I garage my Mercedes-Benz SL500 each winter. This spring I noticed, to my horror, that mice had eaten some of the engine compartment insulation. We live in a rural location and, upon the crops being removed,...
I own a 2007 Citroen C6 that has Xenon dual function directional headlights. My local main dealer assures me that because of this feature, when travelling in France, I do not need to fit headlight beam...
Trade Sales and Motorpoint seem to have lots of low mileage 2012 Fiat 500s from £8200. No franchised dealer seems to do these for less than £9000. I assume these are ex-fleet or learner school. Do you...
My brother died recently and my sister-in-law has been left to sell his car. She will have to sell it privately. However, this places her in a very vulnerable position as, being on her own, she's naturally...
Vauxhall has contacted me about a free Car Accident Scheme who, should I have an accident, I am advised to call before contacting my insurer. I would value your advice please.
A friend of mine was involved in an accident last week. She was stationary in a line of traffic when an elderly gentleman ran into the back of her car, resulting in a domino effect with another three cars...
During the last few months Honda has been running a promotion on the CR-V. My dealer has a whole wedge of pre-reg 62 plate CR-V SE+ priced to go at £19,995, or chuck in the sat nav and T-spec for £20,995....
What's the best bet for a country load-lugger (estate and/or 4x4 but not a pick-up)that will cope with country roads and stand the test of time?
I have a small budget of 3,500 - 5,000 and would like to buy a small 4x4.
I have been looking around at these models: Toyota RAV4 (2003-5), Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, KIA Sportage (2005).
Two parts...
I am about to spend £6K on a four seater convertible. For this money I can get a newer shape CLK, an Audi A4 or a SAAB 9-3. Out of these which would you go for and what model? I do not do high mileage...
Good morning, there is a strange noise from my o/s front door it sounds like the central locking unit its a sort of whizzing noise it still works, but like I say . many thanks pics20
Are you aware of this case in which a man was jailed for making fraudulent claims after an accident?
You have mentioned that little, if any, actions seems to be taken against persons who make fraudulent or exaggerated claims following minor collisions. Although your opinion that the CPS shows little interest...
I am going to the United States this week and will be out of the UK when my car tax expires at the end of next month. The DVLA website details a procedure to get a tax disc early - write a letter, complete...
I am looking for a car for my family to drive with three essentials; safety, economy and reliability. I am thinking of solid SAAB-like safety rather than gizmos, and the economy should come from an optimised...
My daughter who lives in rural Aberdeenshire is looking to replace her 10-year-old Subaru Forester with a smaller, newer 4x4 with a punchy engine suitable for snowy Scottish hills. She has test driven...
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