Questions from December 2012
My daughter and her 16 month old son returned this evening to Cockfosters Tube Station to find her legally parked car had gone. She thought it had been stolen.
A kind local church goer saw her distress...
I've been looking at Citroen C5 diesels. A few 2008-2009 cars, with 30-50k on clock, sell for £7000-8000. All three variants, 1.6D, 2.0D and 2.2D are available at this price, with or without sat-nav, mostly...
I am looking to buy a Mercedes-Benz C-Class C220 Diesel Coupe for my first car. Can anyone let me know if they are a good car, and are there any key faults/features that I should look out for?
A colleague at work has had problems with his 1 series BMW (manual) jolting back in first gear. After breaking heavily due to a car pulling out at a roundabout he took the car out of gear, then back into...
My Mercedes-Benz 190E is very heavy on petrol. For 10 litres of fuel, I get 60km. It does not smoke, what can l do to solve this? It's been recently serviced.
I'm tempted by a Volvo C30 or an S40 to do 8000-10,000 miles per year. But it has to be automatic. Pity they don't do a 1.8 or 2.0 petrol auto. The choice seems to narrow down to a 2.0D Powershitft or...
Am about to order a new Audi A6 2.0 TDI Auto on contract hire. Really prefer the look of the S Line to the SE, and it is only an extra £8 per month. I note that you ran an A6 S Line as a long term test....
Our vehicle was recorded at 70mph on the A14 at Catforth on 31/10/12. I subsequently supplied a copy of the vehicle V5 showing that its taxation class is 'Diesel Car', and vehicle catagory is 'M1'.
It...
I recently purchased a 2006 Audi A4 Avant quattro £8500. It was 34 days ago, and as of two days ago, the DPF light has come on and won't go off. And now the glow plug lights are flashing, and the car...
I received a parking charge due to unknowingly parking in a resident's bay. Charge notice details shows wrong make of car (registration is correct), parking attendant number - also fine amounts have overprinted...
I want to buy a second-hand car for 25 mile commute (busy roads) & longish runs. £4500 budget or thereabouts. High reliability is a must; high fuel economy ideal. Nothing else matters. What would you recommend?
Thanks
I own a Toyota Carina with 147,000 miles, which has been very reliable and going well. Of course there are some age related issues on it, but it passed its MoT recently. But I have started a new job and...
I parked my car in a Borough of Newham car park and inserted £4 in mixed change into the ticket machine for payment for a three hour stay, when I went to display the ticket I noticed that the ticket expired...
I've just bought a 2006 Panda Multijet. It replaced a Peugeot 106 1.5 Diesel. The peugeot was slightly bigger, a bit heavier, had an older design indirect injection mechanically controlled diesel, and...
The particulate filter warning light came on two days ago. I read the manual which suggested running the car in fourth or fifth above 2000rpm for 15 minutes and the light should clear. Tried this with...
I have a 2009 Hyundai i20, and would like to change for something similar to the Citroen C3 - but would also like low emission around 110g/km, low road tax and better mpg.
I would also like to be able...
I am considering a Mercedes CLK (2008/09) and have up to 15,000 to spend. I am looking to buy it more for comfort rather than speed. I drive less than 10,000 miles per year, and I have read your comments...
I have a 2005 Diesel Renault Modus. The battery appeared to be flat (i.e. central locking not responding, car not starting). I charged the battery overnight and it started. I ran it for 10 mins. Charge...
My Freelander went in for a warranty repair through Landrover Assist. I was given a hire car from a major hire firm (Enterprise) arranged by Land Rover. I've now been contacted by the hire company to say...
My car was hit whilst parked outside my house. The driver was traced after two independent witnesses came forward (she did a runner). The Police prosecuted her (three points and a fine). My insurance...
I recently purchased second hand car and the car dealer asked if I wanted to buy a warranty. I said 'no', since in the past they have rarely paid out for faults.
He replied 'well we have to ask, and...
In April this year I bought a 61-plate Hyundai ix35 2.0-litre diesel Style from Milton Keynes Hyundai. The car was seven months old when I bought it, and it was Hyundai 'approved used'.
It became clear...
I was involved in a minor accident in the evening. I have a witness who is known to me, and said that the other driver was driving without lights. My insurance company says that this is not adequate for...
The 17-inch rims and 225/45 tyres on my Skoda Superb are giving me a hard ride. A tyre fitter has suggested replacing the tyres, when worn - soon, apparently - with 225/50 tyres on the same 17" wheels.
I've had a wonderful 2002 Honda Legend from new, and see that it may be nearing the end. Modern cars seem to have hip pinching seats, and harder ride - and lack Honda reliability. Suggestions for a three...
I recently purchased a B reg Mercedes-Benz 190 2.0-litre carburetter model with only 26,000 genuine miles and have since done another 15,000. Everything is absolutely fine apart from the fuel consumption...
The mpg on Lexus 450h has dropped between 3-4mpg after fitting winter tyres. Lexus dealer says that I am the first person to mention this. Is this normal?
Six weeks ago, the turbo suddenly blew on my 2005 Volkswagen Touran 1.9 TDI 105bhp. I was shocked by this as Ive always been very regular and frequent about oil changes. I still don't know why it went,...
I own a Volvo C70. In 2010, the immobilizer and antenna ring (cost £544) were replaced due to a failure to start.
A problem has now arrived where the car will start goes to 2000rpm for three-to-five...
Just a note of caution to readers. It appears Vauxhall have started producing cars with ESP as standard but it is not possible to switch it off on basic models.
I bought a Vauxhall Zafira in October...
I have a 2010 Volkswagen Polo with a Parrot hands free system fitted from new (by myself). Last month the LCD screen the stereo started to show dead pixels, which gradually grew bigger and migrate around...
For SEAT Leon/Toledo and Volkswagen Golf/Bora Skoda Fabia/Octavia 1.9 TDI 130 engines, it is recommended that the best vintage is probably an AWX engine code from 2004.
However on checking, the only cars...
We will be away for up to three months, and will be leaving our two cars (Honda Jazz 2008 and Hyundai i30 2012) on the drive. Are there any pitfalls for leaving the cars for this length of time without...
Brake Horse Power = bhp.
My Honda Civic engine shows PS and Kw. What is PS, as I do not see other manufacturers using this measurement when I want to compare specifications.
Exeter Fiat-Alfa changed my inlet manifold and steering rack under warranty a few years ago. However they weren't interested in diagnosing what I thought was a rough running engine. They said 'if no...
You might want to add to your car by car that my 2009 Golf 1.4TSI 122bhp has just had to have its cam chain replaced at 44,000 miles.
Might be worth other readers knowing. Lucky for me it was done under...
I recently bought this car privately and if I put the heater on to clear the screen, I can smell coolant. Can you tell me if it's a potential problem please.
My windscreen is not cleaning properly. I have changed the wipers twice and I still have patches which remain unclear. I have taken advice and so far have tried to clean the windscreen with vinegar and...
In response to GW's letter regarding creaks in his trim (TW 15 December), I have found that a scattering of talcum powder in the trim gaps will cure the problem. Alternatively - test a small area first...
My 60-plate Vauxhall Insignia 1.8 went in for a service, and when I got it back, the external temperature display had started reading in Farenheit (previously it was in centigrade). Does anyone know how...
My 2005 Vauxhall Vectra's heating system only works only setting number 4. The fan resistor was replaced by Vauxhall; stil not working. Fan motor was then replaced by a second mechanic - still not working....
Just obtained a Type 110 (78AH) (700A crank) silver calcium battery replacement.
How do you remove the old one?
In this model, the battery is fitted with one half of its length tucked under the bottom...
The garage says I need a new turbocharger. It boosts through the lower gears, but when it's on an incline, it seems to hold back and stay on 2000rpm in sixth gear. There is also the smell of exhaust fumes...
I have a 2005 Peugeot 307 1.6 HDI. My problem is that when switching on the lights, I get sidelights but no headlight. Flash works okay, the two fuses under the bonnet are okay. I found a fusebox under...
I purchased a Hyundai iX20 Style with ISG as standard in January 2011. The ISG has only worked three or four times in this period. The car has been back to the dealers on a number of times without too...
Will Ford's three-year warranty be invalidated if my independent mechanic changes the engine oil before the first and between the annual services? I do about 15,000 miles a year and prefer to change the...
Living in the foothills outside Edinburgh (elevation 400ft), the temperature is below 7 degrees centigrade, for at least seven months of the year!
I have seen a good number of cars on Michelin Alpins,...
I have a Mercedes-Benz R-Class, which I love, but it is thirsty and expensive to run. I like the seven-seat mode for the grandparents, huge boot, driving position.
What are similar but cheaper cars to...
Read with interest your car review on the new Leon. See that you are still attributing the car with the 1.4TSI 122bhp engine and not the 140 bhp COD. Assuming that it is getting the latter engine I see...
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