Questions from December 2012
I am looking for a simple reliable car without all the electronic "bells and whistles" which cost a fortune to fix when they fail. Is there one on the market or under development?
We live at the top of a country lane which is above the winter snow line and so are looking for a capable 4x4, but one which is not too big (but big enough for the two dogs).
Subaru are selling a number...
I wish to fit a spare set of wheels and winter tyres to my 2008 Ford Fiesta Zetec Blue. The car currently has 16-inch alloys with 195/45 R16 tyres. I was considering fitting 14-inch steel wheels with deeper...
I am looking to buy a Audi A3 Sportback 2.0TDi SE S Tronic from a main Audi Dealer which was manufactured in February 2008, but registered in November 2012. The car is brand new but has been sitting in...
I currently have a 2006 Citroen Berlingo Multispace. I am after a car with a bit more refinement now, but with the same amount of boot space (I have three dogs). I also regularly carry two tall teenagers...
I have been offered an full annual service at a Citroen dealer for £300 for my four-year old C1, or a deal at £200 by the same garage for a service that mainly differs in not changing the spark plugs....
I'm looking at buying a 55-reg Volkswagen Polo 1.4 diesel with 110k miles on the clock. I've noticed that Volkswagen has dropped the 1.4 for a 1.2 and 1.6. Do we know the reason for this? Was it for reliability...
We currently have a Ford Galaxy for carrying three kids to school. It has been a very good car for clobber, although obviously uninspiring to drive, but what do you expect. We are changing school to a...
I have a 10-Plate Volkswagen Golf TDI. It's excellent, but as I am in the country, I am thinking of trading it in for a 4x4. But I don't want a huge Chelsea tractor. Something about Golf size would be...
My Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6 HDi has gone into 'limp mode' and then cut out on me twice recently, accompanied by the ESP and auto handbrake warning lights coming on. My Citroen dealer has traced the...
We brought the car roughly six months ago, and from day one, we complained about a knocking noise in the engine. The garage we brought the car from changed lots of parts but still the noise remained.
We...
We do about about 9000 miles annually, and have really enjoyed our 2008 Mini Cooper. But we now need a five-door for grandparent ferry services. The new Golf ACT is attractive but expensive, the 122bhp...
My neighbour reversed into my car three weeks ago, and caused damage to the bonnet, bumper, number plate etc. Although the damage was not too bad, my car value is only £1750, so unlikely to be repaired...
I have now taken over responsibility for organising the insurance for my elderly Mother's car. She is 86 years old and drives a Honda Jazz (on your recommendation). Her annual mileage is very low - well...
I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla Verso, which has two sunroofs. Following the recent heavy rain, both front and rear footwells on the passenger side were wet (the vehicle was parked on the road with minimal...
My 57-Plate Jeep Cherokee loses power periodically - and the result is that I pull up, with the engine shuddering, and then switch off. After standing for a few minutes, I turn the key - and it fires up...
Should I turn off the stop-start button on my MINI One, as most engine wear comes from stopping and starting?
I'm new to doing compression test, so here is what I've done so far. I warmed my car up, disconnected the coil pack wires, put a block on the throttle to hold it open - and then performed a dry test, then...
The power steering packed in on my Mazda6. The cost was £1553 for the replacement. Mazda Horsham refuses to return the faulty one,.. Is this theft?
I have just bought the additive called Diesel power 3 from Wynn's because my DPF is now doing it's job at around 120miles so i thought now is enough!
So I bought that additive and my question is: A Ford...
We have had a MINI Cooper S from new, and have just taken it for its first MoT. Mini rang my wife and told her the the back discs were shot and needed replacing. The car has done 19,000 miles however...
I...
My Skoda Superb SE is spoiled by hard ride on 17-inch wheels with 225/45 tyres. I've been advised to go for 225/50 tyres. Is this a good idea?
I'm a middle aged single lady looking to buy a small car. I understand the concept of Cat D but can you explain what ramifications this has on insurance and resale value?
I'm quite happy to buy cheap...
I need to buy a 4x4 for use in a small woodland and driving back and forth to the woodland a distance of about 5 miles. My obvious thought was a Land Rover Defender but I wonder if you could suggest something...
A while back in Telegraph was mentioned a charity which accepted unwanted cars to break for spares. then send the owner a destruction notice. Is this scheme still operating and if so, how do I contact...
You regularly comment on upright seating positions in cars, but do not mention Citroen C3 Picasso. When we replaced our car last year, we tried Honda CRV, Kia, Skoda and others - and the Citroen felt best...
I own a Vauxhall Vivaro van for business use and an ageing BMW 323ci for private use. During the winter I have trouble getting about in snowy or icy conditions so I'm therefore looking to trade in the...
I'm looking for a used 4x4 for less than £3000 - can you help please? It just needs to be reliable, perhaps with low-maintance costs. If economical (as much as a 4x4 several years old can be) then an added...
I have recently found the Veho Alliance/Veho Motors website, and I've been impressed with their stock and prices, such that I'm thinking it's simply too good to be true, or maybe I'm just cynical.
Are...
After reading your information on your site and in the newspaper, I've gone for winter tyres. I need to store my good alloys and normal tyres at home. I intend storing them behind the garden shed on a...
We have three young drivers (two female and one male) in our family, age 22, 20 and almost 17. We are looking for a safe and reliable car for short journeys around London, ideally group one or two insurance....
I need to buy a used diesel car for small family. My budget is £5000. I do not want a problematic car with huge repair bills.
I bought a car for £5500, which was the top end of the prices for the year model and mileage. The dealer told me they would provide a three month warranty, but when faults began to appear within this period...
I am looking for something with five-doors to replace our beloved Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.6JTDm 120PS, which isn't practical with kids. It's our second car and does mainly short journeys now. I am looking for...
I parked in an M & S car park managed by Euro car parks. I had to park at an angle over the white line separating the bays as the car next to me had also parked at an angle over the white line which didn't...
I bought cheap fuel from same garage twice now. The first time, the car wouldn't start until the next day - when it ran also fine. Yesterday, I bought fuel from same garage - and today the car has no power,...
I'm selling my car, and I have received a reasonable offer by text - subject to inspection from www.wewantmotors.com. They want a refundable £50 payment up front. Do you know if this a respectable company,...
I have a one year old Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4-litre petrol. The ride is very bouncy at low speeds, and only better at above 50mph. What can I do?
Tyre size 225-60-18, Dunlop SP Sport. I love the car,...
I have a Mondeo Titanium X Sport on 235/40 R19 tyres. What smaller rims would be OK with what winter tyres? Your help would be greatly appreciated.
My car needs its main body control/fusebox to be replaced and Mazda have quoted £1130 plus VAT - indeed I have ordered and paid for it and am now awaiting its delivery and installation. As it is made...
I have a 2003 Yaris and recently with all the rain we have just had the right hand rear floor has become flooded, I have inspected the door and hatch seals which both look OK. Do you have any solutions...
In the DT recently you suggested buying special spray for door rubbers to prevent them sticking. My local car assessory shop (Halfords) have never heard of it. Would you recommend a named product please?
Where can I buy Platinum Plus from, I am having trouble sourcing it.
I run a Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 on 195/50 15 summer tyres. A local tyre centre has suggested fitting 14 inch wheels with a different tyre profile but cannot supply the wheels, so I have to buy those independently....
I have a young family, and now require a larger car but I want it to match certain criteria.
I currently drive a Ford Fusion but this is quite a squeeze with 3 child car seats. I have a young baby, a...
I have a Mercedes C180 SE estate, standard 16" wheels. I recently had a front tyre replaced and the front wheels re-aligned as they said they were a bit out. (previous near side front tyre worn on the...
My Mazda2 needs will soon need its first service. My mechanic is fully qualified but not VAT registered. If he serviced my car would I forfeit my manufacturers guarantee?
Back in March, in response to a reader enquiry, you published the top five in the Auto-Bild test on all-season tyres, namely Vredestein Quatrac 3, Goodyear Vector Allseasons, Hankook Optimo 4S, Dunlop...
We are going to buy our son a 4X4 double cab pick-up to use in Zimbabwe. After some research we are considering a Nissan Navara 2.5dci auto and would appreciate your advice as to whether this is a good...
I gather that some things changed in October - eg the 'keeper' is now liable for Parking Charge Notices (ie on private land), rather than the driver. Has your previous advice changed, which was ignore...
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