Questions from December 2012
Can anyone tell me what SAE and EN on a car battery refers to? I need a 570 cca battery with 60 Ah (according to Peugeot) but have just bought a different battery which is apparently suitable (according...
I have an Escort van 1.8 (non turbo) diesel everything works ticks over etc - but the problem is non of the heating works...
I bought a Grand Megane scenic 54 plate last tuesday and when I took it to work the day after the turbo charger failed causing a huge cloud of black smoke smoke and significant lost of power. I could...
Our Peugeot 107, seems reluctant to start. It used to start at the turn of the key but recently it either starts then dies or does not start at the first turn of the key. It is almost as if it is starved...
I have a problem with my Audi A6 Allroad 2.5TDi. When I start the engine and try and go into gear all of the gear indicators on the dash light up, and the drive will not engage.
The solution is to switch...
Looking to replace my 2000 Seat Cordoba Vario. Would have another if they still made them! Only need occasional passenger space, but do need it, so van not an option. Level boot access and space for two...
I'm thinking of buying a Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi ES 5-door on a 57-plate. I'm just wondering how long should these cars run for on average, as this car has 128,000 on the clock. Is it about finished and...
What can be done about insurers giving your details to Drive Assist on non fault incidents and you being liable for car hire costs when policy clearly states 'courtesy car and legal protection provided"?Now...
I have a Ford Fiesta Econetic, which is a sub 99g/km car. So I applied to be registered as 'London C-Charge' exempt.
After some delay, TfL have written back saying that my vehicle does not meet the Euro...
Having had a battery replaced less than two years ago (due to a roadside breakdown), the new one has also failed.
The one that was fitted at the roadside was rated at 59Ah whereas the Vauxhall main dealer...
The wrong date of birth is displayed on fixed penalty notice I received for driving an un-MoT'd car?
Do I lawfully have to pay?
Hi
I bought a send hand Toyota Previa GLS VVTI petrol automatic 2.4cc W reg from year 2000 for £3125 on 30th June 2012. Mileage was 130,585. The car broke down with gear box problems when we were on holiday...
I want to purchase a Skoda Octavia and I’ll be grateful for any advice that you can offer on whether to buy a diesel or a petrol model.
I’m looking at two almost identical cars but one has the 1.6 TDI...
Why cant I source a supplier of All Seasons tyres, ideally run flat, for my MINI? Current tyres are 225/45R18. MINI wants nearly £1500 and goodness-knows-how-much in addition for storage and twice a year...
Am looking at buying the above model - 2012 plate. Are there any problems I should look out for? Are 18 inch wheels the best option for ride comfort? Any advice on alternative cars?
My son has had one of these for about 4 months and I am bitterly regretting the advice I gave him to buy a diesel. The car is 08 and about 80k, has run without problems, no warning lights, suddenly cut...
My daughter would like either a BMW or Mercedes-Benz but is very nervous about rear wheel drive in the snow & ice. I know from your excellent articles that you have enthusiastic views on winter tyres....
I am experiencing clutch judder in my 1.6 petrol Astra in 1st, 2nd and reverse gear. The car has done 41K miles and is a '57 plate. I bought it last Friday and have a 3 month warranty with the local dealer.
To...
I have a 1979 Saab 99, which has been garaged since new. It is not in working order, but the bodywork and the interior are in excellent condition. It may not be relevant, but it has only 19,000 miles on...
My daughter is thinking of buying a Skoda Octavia 1.8TSI Laurin & Klement Estate, registered March 2011, 8,000 miles advertised at £15,495. What do you think?
I will be replacing my Toyota Aygo soon and I want to buy something that's bigger and has a better specification. Ideally, I want a five door car that’s economical and has rear-wheel drive. It must also...
I received an unexpected text from my Porsche dealer asking if they could buy my 2006 34,800 mile Cayman. I responded and apparently they've had a run on used sales and are in need of stock, with a high...
We have owned an Audi A4 2.0-litre saloon automatic for the past nine years. It has now done 70,000 miles.
We are aged 74 and are thinking about replacing it with a new or low mileage second-hand car....
I watched your great Ford Ranger video, then I went to my Ford dealer for a test drive, and I loved the vehicle, a little noisy but all the same, a great pick up truck.
I was about to put a deposit down...
Here is a salutary tale on winter driving. I recover cars for a Jaguar Land Rover repair contractor and was called to Gaydon to collect a JLR company Range Rover Sport diesel. A new car, it is allocated...
I am at present running a 2009 BMW 120d SE convertible (with which I am very pleased). It is fitted with Continental Premium Contact SSR tyres size 205/55 R16 91V runflats.
What would you recommend replacing...
My daughter has had 120,000 trouble-free miles from a Toyota Corolla Verso purchased in 2003. However, the dash display has failed and at the annual service our local independent garage concluded the radio...
I wanted to write to highlight an excellent local garage in Leeds: Alderson Autos. A while ago I had an accident. When my car was returned to me it appeared to have turbo failure. The local franchised...
My wife went out to her 2007 Fiat Grande Pundo, parked underneath a carport, reversed out and heard a 'ping’. Almost immediatly, the nearside front went down with a broken spring. I've written to FIAT...
I have four Labradors and am looking to buy a four-wheel drive car with a low enough sill to easily lift the dogs in and not to damage joints when they jump out. My old Discovery is too high. Please can...
I wonder if you could give me some advice on people carriers? Our 2005 Galaxy TDI Ghia automatic with 100,000 miles on the clock collided with the central reservation of the M1 and I am bracing myself...
I agree with your encouraging reply about speed humps to MJ of Burton upon Trent. Our locality is full of these wretched objects, with all the usual dangers. However, I am curious to know about another...
I own a 2009 Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.9 TDI Bluemotion and have noticed an unusual noise coming from under the bonnet. After some investigation by my local dealer, I was told that the flywheel and clutch...
Can you tell me how many miles you have to drive to avoid the symptoms of 'short run syndrome’? Talking to many OAP ladies on this subject, they seem to think a short run is only half a mile, whereas I...
I have a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, with Bridgestone 235/55 R17 Dueller H/P tyres. I am not confident these tyres will help me much in winter/snowy conditions, but do not want to have to change them each...
Our Honda CR-V is now back having had a damaged number two exhaust valve replaced and the one next to it, all other valves re-seated and head skimmed etc, plus a new timing belt (old one only two years...
I intend to trade in my 2001 SEAT Leon 1.9 TDi soon and want to buy something that’s fun to drive and economical. I do low mileage and short journeys and don’t want a diesel. I also want a full size spare...
NB of Littlebourne’s email was timely for me since, that very day, whilst driving my 2010 diesel automatic Honda CR-V in sub zero conditions, I experienced hesitation seemingly from the gearbox. I set...
I watched with disgust a recent 5th Gear programme where Kia's claimed mpg for the new Rio was "tested". The test was conducted by what could only be described as loutish drivers attempting to wring the...
I thought other readers might be interested to know of my car insurance experience today and wonder how widespread this attitude is. I am a fit 81-year-old, satisfied all the preliminary questions regarding...
Reading the comments by TP questioning your experience with winter tyres prompted me to send you my thoughts. Having owned a 4x4 Volkswagen Tiguan and feeling this would be the answer to snowy conditions,...
Why do you write so positively about VAG cars in your road tests? I’ve just read the Skoda Yeti test. You mention the 2.0 TDi. Quote from a Volkswagen main dealer: "it's the worst engine we've made",...
I have a 2006 Honda Civic 1.8 i-Shift, which has 24,300 miles on the clock. I am now looking to trade it in and am considering the automatic version of the new Civic, the Ford Focus Zetec Powershift and...
I have a 2004 Jaguar XKR and knowing what 'they' say about vehicle ages, I am beginning to worry about the nine year lifespan for cars. The car is currently eight years old with 15,000 on the clock, am...
In 1998, we purchased a silver Vauxhall Vectra which had a built-in Trafficmaster, which advised of road conditions ahead. This was especially effective on motorways as it stayed in “Automatic Mode” at...
You've kindly (and very promptly) answered a couple of questions regarding my son in France buying a car on a limited budget of 5000 Euros. He's scrubbed the Ford Fiesta 1.4 petrol or diesel. He prefers...
Your advice on winter tyres is 100 per cent. As a conservative Brit living in Sweden (-15C at the moment with snow every day) I drive a front wheel drive Passat daily 150km over every type of road imaginable,...
Are there any superminis that are fitted with more than four forward gears on normal auto gearboxes, not twin-clutch or DSG?
I was driving my Honda Accord when the dashboard lights went out briefly. This occurred again on the same journey only they were off for a little longer. I contacted my local Honda Garage at Stratford...
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