Questions from October 2012
I have been looking at a 2004 Skoda Octavia Superb 1.9-litre diesel automatic. It has 90,000 miles on the clock. The original owner appears to have been a Skoda executive, since when there have been two...
Having owned several Lotus Elans in the 1970s and 1980s I am aware that they are 'Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious', but am nevertheless tempted at the thought of owning an Esprit. Am I barking mad? What...
For nine years we drove a Skoda Octavia 1.9TDIs. We downsized to a Fabia 1.6TDI expecting to get increased mpg but have been sadly disappointed. The Octavia usually averaged 52-54mpg and sometimes almost...
My daughter, who runs a childminding business, is looking for an economical seven or eight-seat people carrier, up to three years old and used mainly for short journeys, to take up to six children in a...
I have a 2004 1.6 Honda Civic manual which I've owned from new. It has only just passed 31,000 miles. My local Honda dealer has always serviced the car. To date, it's performed without any problems and...
I am considering changing one of my driving school cars. Ideally, I would like to purchase a comfortable, quiet diesel car with a cam chain engine and without a DPF. My budget is £9000 plus the old car,...
A charity worker had his car clamped at Shoreham Airport, despite displaying a valid voucher, he says. Julian Urbacz, who works for the Worthing branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, had taken a client for...
I'm emailing following a speeding ticket I acquired on the M4 in Wales. I was timed at 4mph over the 50mph limit and received a ticket. I was told I could either attend a course in Wales, saving me points,...
I buy most of my diesel at a Shell garage on the A30 here in Cornwall. Last week the petrol price fell to 130.9p, whilst the diesel price is 140.9p. What is going on?
BMW 320d Sport Steptronic - is the fuel economy as good as they say? I'm looking at one tomorrow.
Here in the UK my wife is looking for something like a Polo petrol auto. VW agents do not always seem over helpful and autos seem rare. Could you please advise good alternatives?
Also, could you please...
I recently test-drove a Lexus IS250C. It's no sports car and could do with one extra litre, but it's very refined and superbly built. I'm being offered an ex-Lexus management car, a 2011 model with very...
We have a new Honda Civic with Honda Happiness cover but the car is insured with LV. I asked LV who we should contact first in the event of an accident and they said that if we used the Honda cover they...
I have heard that the Zafira's 1.9-litre diesel engine can be a disaster zone. I am now worried as I bought a 20-month-old 1.9CDTI automatic one year ago from a local Vauxhall dealer. It had covered 24,000...
I bought a 2007 Audi A4 TDI ten months ago with 25,000 on the clock and a 12-month Audi warranty. When setting off in first gear it intermittently judders, particularly when the engine is cold and on hill...
My daughter is planning to replace her 2003 SEAT Ibiza next year and has a shortlist including the Fiesta 1.4 Zetec, Mazda 2 1.5 Sport and Renault Clio 1.2 Dynamique. I note that the Mazda has a chain...
The turbo recently failed on my Rover 75 diesel. It failed at 90,000 miles, resulting in the fitting of a new turbo. The garage advised that I let the engine idle for 30 seconds before turning it off....
I need to change my manual Mazda 1.6TS for an automatic because of a knee problem, which puts me in pain when using the clutch. I fancy the Mazda 3 TS2 2.0 automatic petrol. Is this a good idea? I don't...
I was surprised that my daughter's car, having been parked up for more than four weeks, outside her home, on the street started first time. It's a three-cylinder 1.0-litre Vauxhall Corsa and the original...
I drive an Audi A3 1.6TDI, driving 20,000 per year with fuel economy on motorways between 58mpg and 64mpg depending on weather, temperature and traffic conditions. After 38,000 miles I replaced all four...
My mother recently had her reliable old Ford Fiesta written off after a car hit her. She has replaced it with an S-reg 1.6 Volkswagen Golf, but is only getting 26mpg. She bought it from a recommended local...
After 45,000 miles I am looking into replacing the noisy Hankook tyres on my Hyundai i30. I would appreciate any advice you have on a quieter choice of tyre.
I gave my faithful Audi A4 Avant SE to my daughter earlier this year after buying myself a Toyota Verso. The Audi is a 1998 model and the handbook says that the airbags have to be replaced after 14 years....
I write to inform your readers of a potential major problem when organising Breakdown cover when taking your own vehicle across to Europe. Earlier this year, I planned a 5-week trip travelling around four...
As my car does not have daytime running lights do you recommend the use of side lights instead?
We will shortly be moving back to the UK from the US and need to purchase a family car. We would like a car with a raised seating position, a large boot, space for two children's car seats and space for...
At the end of August I purchased a 2002 Mazda MX5 (SJ52 MLK) from IS Cars Ltd in Hertfordshire. The car was sold to me in 'Good Condition'. The car came with a three month warranty.
The MOT was due two...
I drive the Suzuki SX4 top of range 2-litre diesel. Bought from new, it is almost exactly 12 months old and has done 15,000 miles. I drive a 65 mile round trip commuting to work each day; the car does...
I had a tinkling noise coming from the engine when under load. The main agent diagnosed the alternator belt tensioner and replaced it, along with the belt, for £230, which cured it. Now, just over 6 months...
Is there an ESSO product that is equivalent for Shell V-Power for both petrol and diesel?
I need a 2-3yr old small automatic to replace my trusty old X reg Micra. Can spend up to £6500. You have mentioned a jerky ride with some of the auto gearboxes - I am 78 and don't want to have to relearn...
I recently suffered a senior moment and put 7 litres of unleaded petrol in my 2009 2.2 diesel X Type Jaguar automatic with DPF. I have had the car for over 3 years and it is first, and hopefully the last...
Grateful for your advice on what make of winter tyres I should buy, for Mercedes C-class estate. I have some spare 16" rims, so was looking to fit them to these.
I bought this used car (Premier model) a few months ago. I'm very pleased with it, except for the harshness of the ride. I presume this is the result of its low profile tyres (225/45R17).
Once the current...
I am seeking a small family car for a taller driver. At present I own a Fabia, but many small family cars are difficult to get into (seat too low/ not enough leg room).
If I pay a storage company to park my motorhome on their land and the company goes bust, can the vehicle be sold by the administrators as an asset of the company or can I just reclaim my vehicle and lose...
I've bought a Honda CR-v which has the adaptive (turn round corners) High Intensity Discharge headlamps. As I do holiday on mainland Europe I asked the dealer what do I do regarding the headlamps when...
My car will give a jerk (one time jerk) each time it is coming to a standstill. The jerk is coming from the rear portion.
It is also giving a vibration sound in the rear when the speed reaches 140km/h...
Water is leaking into the passenger footwell of a 2003 K11 model Nissan Micra. Cannot locate source.
I own an X Reg Subaru Impreza Sti version 6 JDM. This summer there was a minor but irreparable leak in the radiator. There was steam but there was no apparent overheating or smoke. I had the car towed...
I have a brand new car, manufactured to order, and wondered if I should wait several months before polishing it to wait for the paint to fully harden? I seem to remember many years ago this was the advice...
I have been issued a parking ticket for parking in a private car park. It was for parking over a white line in an end bay. I have contested it because I was not causing any obstruction to any vehicles...
Wifey has a Mazda 6, she loves it to bits. So do I - it's a comfy drive, and we have (until now) no complaints. She uses the 6 changer CD ALL the time. In the last month or so it stopped ejecting. There...
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