Questions from November 2012
I parked in a side road with no yellow lines, no warning signs on a dropped kerb next to a brick wall at the of the road, which was a dead-end. I received a parking ticket - is this correct?
Can Australian citizens resident and working in the UK and holding a UK Driver's Licence able to be added to a car insurance policy?
I wish to store diesel fuel in five jerry cans. How long may I store modern fuels before they become contaminated or of reduced efficiency? I would also be interested in petrol storage.
I passed my driving test in 2004. Shortly after I claimed my full licence. The DVLA say that I did not claim my licence within the 2 years and cancelled it without my knowledge.
I have no evidence that...
We're looking for a 3 to 6 year old Panda. We'd really like electric mirrors but only the Eleganza came with these and they are few and far between. Is it likely that the wiring will be in place on all...
Just bought Hyundai i10 from new. 33 miles on the clock and the brakes failed completely. An hour later they were working. I suspect the cold may in some way have contributed, but with the temperature...
My baby grandson has lost my keys, and I have been quoted £200+ by a dealer plus coding! Help! I have seen in your column that there are other possible sources, but any as far away as Devon/Cornwall?
I have been told by my local BMW dealer that my driving profile, as it appears on the car’s computer, is 'undesirable', due to too many short trips (like many of your readers have already confessed to...
I was recently in an accident on a mini roundabout, I was driving down a main road when I approached a mini roundabout; I needed to turn right so I signalled, checked other traffic, there was no one coming...
I've just picked a brand new Fiat 500, and I would like to know how to move all of the numbers around the display, as in my car, the mileage is at the bottom - and I have the clock on display. And that's...
Does the 1.0-lire petrol engine in the new Up!, Citigo and Mii chain driven or does it have a cambelt? Seems to be conflicting information out there!
I have had a parking fine for exceeding the time limit on private property. I have reciepts for the duration of shopping in the retail park, I am also a breastfeeding new mum.
Do I have grounds for appeal?...
My daughter recently re-fuelled with petrol that subsequent to the breakdown of her car turned out to contain 50% water. The filling station concerned referred her to Shell Custmer Services who have said...
I am considering buying a used Lexus RX 300 (from Lexus dealership), it looks in very good condition, has had one previous owner and has only done 58,000 miles. With the part-ex on my E320 estate I will...
How do I stop mice getting in a car which is garaged?
When driving through roadworks where there are a series of average speed cameras - 4 for example, is the average speed calculated between each camera in turn (1 to 2, 2 to 3, etc ) and so technically...
We bought a Skoda Yeti in Feb 2010 (with Sunroof), and it has been back twice (under Warranty) due to water ingress in the passenger compartment. -The source was found to be in the bulkhead where the gearbox...
I am looking to buy a five door Volkswagen Polo. Do you know of any forthcoming modifications or shape changes that Volkswagen might be introducing in the near future?
Would you recommend a diesel or...
I am unable to find the wheelnut to undo the locking wheelnut on the wheels. Do you know someone who can give me a replacement other than through Renault? We are in Somerset.
We are interested in a roughly 2 year old estate and have whittled down our choices to an A4 Avant or, failing that, a C class estate. We cover no more than 5,000 miles a year, mainly made up of short...
I bought my Honda Civic in August from a dealer with a clear HPI check and have done 4,000 miles, I took it to Honda dealer for an early service today and found out that the car was crashed by the previous...
How do you access the blower fan on a 2010 Citroen Berlingo Multispace? Do you have to take out the dashboard?
I will not be using my car for nine weeks (it will be left in the garage), and to ensure that the battery does not go flat period I want to disconnect the battery. Advice needed. Can I disconnect the neutral...
My car's starter turns on the engine won't fire up. I've had a diagnostic session, but they can't find any problems. When driving, the speedometer went to zero and car stopped in middle of road - and would...
When I start up in the morning, the coil light comes on - and the engine feels as though it is vibrating excessively. The car has had a replacement turbo and an EGR valve, and the top hose from valve to...
I have a Citroen Berlingo 1.9-litre diesel van (with the XUD engine), and have recently found that it's lacking power. I've had the fuel injector pump and cambelt replaced, and timing looked at, as recommended...
I changed fuel filter on my diesel Accord (have done numerous times!). I bled system and started car - vehicle then died - bled system again now car is cranking, but still not starting?
My son's 53-plate Volkswagen Polo 1.4-litre petrol will not start. He tells me he has been having trouble for the past three weeks. The engine was turning over fine, but slow to fire up - and once running...
We want to tour Europe with a four-berth caravan for about the next three years. So, heavy duty mileage, and possibly a heavyweight caravan. We think we need a 4x4 for the job, as it will be able to handle...
My wife had a lovely (R-1998) Audi A3 (1.8 sport), which was recently written off by the insurance due to an accident.
I'm urgently looking for a replacement with the following spec:
1.8 TFSI
...
I have an Audi A4 2.0 TDI 170 running on 245/40R/18/93Y tyres. I have been told that I can have fitted 225/40R/18/93V winter tyres on my existing alloy rims?
This is obviously a thinner tyre and at a...
I am storing my 2010 Mercedes-Benz 200CDi Blue Efficiency in my garage for six months. It's declared SORN. Should I have the engine run for 10 minutes or so every month, or does that do more harm than...
What is a good, cheap, simple second hand car to buy?
How do I replace the rear off-side light unit? Mine is cracked and misting up/filling with water...
I am a young, male (aged 26) first time driver looking to get a new car for the commute to work (a daily 200 mile round trip, between 40-50k miles a year). I am looking to get something as economical as...
The spark plug blew on my Ford Fiesta, leading to a £3000 bill. When inspected, the engine damage was extensive - number four bore was damaged, leaving the car requiring a new short engine block. The engine...
Do the Nokian winter tyres fitted to my Prius have the same pressures as the standard tyres which came with the car - the size is 215/45x17
In March last year I bought a new Toyota Avensis T4 (diesel 2.2) which has a great specification. One of the attractions for me was a top-class in-built SatNav system.
Toyota are only too pleased...
I'm looking to buy a small/medium hatchback, which I need to transport large dog. Which has biggest boot space?
I've recently found that my Mazda 6 is cutting out on me. it tends to happen in the morning - I start the car, reverse out of the garage, and as I depress the clutch, the revs drop and it cuts out on me....
My 2002 series Megane has a very noisy wiper on the driver's side. In light rain it squeaks on the up stroke only. No problem in heavy rain. I have tried new blades with no success.
I have a peculiar noise directly in front of the driver in my Honda Civic. I can only describe it as 'glass cracking'. It only occurs in cold weather and is not a rattle. My Honda dealer has had several...
I own a silver Toyota Corolla saloon, and am having trouble removing some stubborn stains from the bodywork. My mechanic tells me they were most likely caused by sun-cream from hands and that they can't...
I am looking for a small car which is stylish outside and luxurious inside. It must have fully automatic transmission. My budget is about £20,000 and I am looking for a new - or nearly new - car.
I have...
I was going to buy a Skoda Fabia Monte (Standard Red with black roof) from Drive the Deal, but when I was going through the process I noticed an option saying 'Special Solid Paint' for an additional £500....
My Fiat Punto has been into the garage to have its failed heating/ventilation fan replaced, so that I could de-mist the windscreen again. After two days, it stopped working again, and now I've had to have...
I was recently driving a 3.5-tonne Luton van in Cambridgeshire, when I was caught doing 57mph in a 60mph zone (national speed limit on a single carriageway). The problem is that this was a 50mph maximum...
I have a dipped beam headlight bulb on my 2009 Audi A6 2.0TDI SE which has blown. How can I tell whether the bulb is Halogen or Xenon?
I have a 2010 Ford Focus, and find the handling slick and parking easy - but I feel the bumps on the road and would prefer a vehicle that gave me a more comfortable and relaxing ride. Maybe I should go...
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