Questions from December 2012
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...
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...
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...
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...
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?
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...
I have a Peugeot 306 HDI Diesel. I changed the water pump yesterday as it was leaking water from the engine and that all seemed fine and then when the engine reached temperature water started leaking from...
I have an Audi A4 Avant 2.5 diesel Automatic, registered in 2004. It has done 157k miles. A couple of times over the last month, when I have selected Drive and when I pressed the accelerator to move away,...
I have a 1999 Volkswagen Passat TDI with climate control. When I have been starting this in the morning recently, the LED display flashes with lots of 8s but then does reset after a minute or two, but...
I am trading in my Renault Trafic (ex-mobility) van. It is a 2005 van with 5 seats (3 front and 2 rear) plus a ramp. I have found a 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe 2ltr 5 dr auto diesel with 33K mileage.
What...
The Hi Line Sat Nav on my 2002 Rover 75 has developed faults. The position triangle has started to rotate as we follow the route, and the boot mounted CD drive will not power down when the car is locked....
I have around £9000-9500 to spend, as I am upgrading from my current 2004 MINI Cooper. I like the look of the Graphite (or possibly red or laser blue colours), but am deciding between an 07 Cooper S or...
Looking for an economical remap to increase mpg, not increase power as I pay enough insurance already. Does anyone know a company that would do that?
Why would coolant be leaking from the back of the engine?
My wife is interested in buying a one-year old Audi A3 from a car supermarket. They carried out the one-year service and stamped the service book.
On their website they say they carry out 'a full manufacturer's...
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...
I think you quite approve of the Honda Jazz and I find a lot to like about this car. I would be most interested to know if you get queries about systemic steering peculiarities. At any speed over about...
Setting off after parking my Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe overnight in temperatures down to -16 degrees C, the car kangaroo jumped for a couple of minutes with the engine appearing to be cutting out. When joining...
I own an Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 petrol TFSI Quattro. The car is rarely used by my family and I have recently been given a two year driving ban. What advice can you give regarding mothballing or selling?
I own an Audi A3 diesel on a 57 plate and coolant is disappearing. There is no noticeable leak and it doesn't appear to be mixing with the oil. Before I embark upon a costly garage investigation have you...
We live in South-West France, and the winters can get pretty cold (earlier this year it was -20, although that is exceptional). I would like to get some Winter tyres on a spare set of wheels for my Hyundai...
There's a Volkswagen Polo Match 1.4 80 Automatic advertised by a dealer in Autotrader. It's £6400, with a mileage of 19,000.
1. In Autotrader similar cars generally cost more, is there something wrong...
During a service in July 2008, the main dealer noticed oil in the expansion tank and the oil cooler had to be replaced and engine flushed (£800 of which I contributed 33%) They did'nt do the job correctly...
I need to replace my aging Ford Ka with a vehicle suitable for carrying my grandchildren (five and seven years old). Most runs will be short distances, perhaps 15 miles or so!
I would prefer five-doors...
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...
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?
On of your correspondents mentioned the number of cars driving with a light not working. One reason may well be the tendency for manufacturers now to make a lightbulb change a garage job. In recent years...
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