Trending topics in February 2013
Questions from February 2013
I have just bought a used Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI sport (with around 48000 miles) and its 15 days since I have bought it.
When the car was sold the dealer said it comes with a standard warranty of 30...
We are looking to replace our car with a much more economical one, but still like the idea of the occassonal 7 seat option. The car is used for short runs daily.
I was told this morning by the service department at the local Volkswagen dealer the new 1.4TSI has reverted to cambelt, the lad said it wasn't to be changed on the same time scale as the diesel. Have...
What would you recommend as a family car for £5000? Our needs aren't too great, we have 2 children under 5, so we need to grow into the car, it needs to be economical and reliable. We'd go camping with...
As my Audi A4 Avant multironic 3 year warranty runs out in March this year,and in light of some problems I have with the gearbox, (new one fitted in January 2013) and me putting petrol in the diesil...
I am about to have an annual service on our Saab 43,000 miles always serviced, we have been offered an engine flush and fuel treatment along with a Saab 6 months warranty for an additional £150. (Annual...
My Focus 1.6TDCI 110 will be coming up to 75,000 miles in a few months. I understand that replacement of the DPF is reccomended by the manufacturer at this point. Given the price of it, is it worth doing,...
I recently asked you a question regarding the whining noise after a replacement cambelt was replaced by an authorized Suzuki Dealership. Armed with your advice, I returned to the dealer and they subsequently...
We are looking at changing from our disappointingly uneconomical Civic 2.2, which averages 38.4 MPG.
We are thinking about one of the “Eco” super minis on the market, namely the:
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Kia...
Our 06 SEAT Alhambra had faults when we bought it in May 2011 (it had not been fully checked) and has had constant faults since.
It is now out of warranty and has a faulty head gasket. It has taken the...
I am confused by the market. My wife wants to change her 2003 Volkswagen Golf TDI auto for a similar model.
I have three married children each with 2 children. Ages range from 1-9 years. When we go out as a family with each family unit we number 6. Obviously a 5 - seater is not sufficient to all fit in one...
My car, Ford Fusion 2006 1.4 diesel, was purchased from a dealer in September 2012.
I was told at the time there was a 6 months warranty for parts and labour but I was not given a copy of the warranty....
I've been looking at the Skoda Yeti. It seems lovely. I really wanted the 2-litre TDI engine with DSG gearbox in a two-wheel drive, but they only do a much more expensive 4-wheel drive with that combination....
My Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3 HOT turbo is 10 years old and I need to replace it. This is the fourth Saab I have had and they have suited me very well. They have all been high quality, high performance cars that...
At some point I plan to replace our trusty and excellent 2003 Volvo V70 2.4 petrol auto. I was thinking about a 2008 or 2009 E-Class estate or the new V70. Is the Mercedes-Benz worth the extra money? Will...
In response to "NH" (Honest John, 5 January), what purpose is served by one 40 tonne, 56 mph vehicle spending five minutes to overtake an identical behemoth that is only able to manage 55.7 mph on a two...
I’m considering disposing of my June 2010 BMW 335i Coupe (20,000 miles, immaculate, manual) prior to ordering a replacement BMW from my long-term franchised dealer. However the appraisal price is silly...
I have enjoyed owning my Rover 216 GS1 Auto since new in 1990. It is maintained by a local independent garage. Back in 2004 I had stopped in a long traffic jam locally, and switched off. I could not get...
I consider myself extremely lucky that when the spring broke on the front offside suspension on my Mondeo I was just backing out from my drive. No doubt potholes and speed bumps had finally taken their...
Although I have given up driving, as I approach my 89th birthday I still have a valid clean licence, having driven and owned a variety of vehicles in a host of different countries since 1943. But when...
I took a drive out from Dulwich to Chatham in my new Skoda Citigo (a brilliant little car) using my eyes and road signs to guide the way. On return I used the inbuilt Infotainment System for the first...
My wife's 2010 Volkswagen Polo with DSG has shown exactly the same bad characteristics as AD of Chorley has experienced. The problem, which took ages to diagnose, was with the ‘Mechatronics’. The car was...
Are cars covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979? My five-year-old, 29,000 mile Citroen Xsara Picasso suffered a catastrophic clutch failure with little warning, requiring new clutch and DMF. As the vehicle...
I recently bought a 2007 Focus 1.8-litre petrol and am experiencing some road noise from the rear tyres. This has been diagnosed as wear on the arrow pattern tread of the tyres creating bobbles by 2n4...
My Jaguar XF 3.0D kept coming up "restricted performance" and yes I have been using it for short runs. However, I got a bottle Forte turbo cleaner and a bottle DPF cleaner and put them in the fuel tank...
I would be grateful for your advice. I have a choice of Mercedes-Benz S 350 diesel, new at £57,000, or an Audi A8 SE 3.0 V6 diesel, which has done 4000 miles, was registered in June 2011 and is priced...
In November 2011 I assisted an elderly widow friend of mine to source car insurance on the internet. After a search we settled on Saga Motor Insurance. I paid with my Mastercard to simplify matters and...
Like TC (29/12/12), I have a Honda Jazz 1.4 SE that I bought in September 2005 when it was 18 months old. At the time, I was 74 and looking for a car that was reliable, economical and practical. Next March...
I am new to this site and do like the various valuable advice that it has. I have a question regarding a car that I am looking to buy. Its Ford focus 2006 1.6 TDCI zetec. with 74K on the clock. Cambelt...
I will shortly be retiring and I am anxious to purchase a high quality car that does not depreciate significantly. New model values appear to drop off a cliff. I have in mind the old model Aston Martin...
I have a 2008 Mini One that has only done 26,000 miles, and in the last eight months it’s had to have both rear link arms replaced at my local garage. It has in the last month developed a knocking noise...
I have an E36 M3. It’s a wonderful car that I have always maintained, money no object, but she now has 170,000 miles on the clock and has recently had one or two sizeable bills. It’s difficult to know...
I have just spent quite a considerable amount of time and effort installing a forward-looking DVR (video recorder, with embedded GPS, audio and accelerometers) into my car because of its value should there...
I regularly find half an inch of clean water in the boot well of my Ford Focus. Exhaustive tests with a hose pipe applied in sections from the bottom of the car back end don't result in any water under...
Having recently acquired the new Ford C-Max and finding it to be everything in a car that I wanted (easier to get in and out was an important factor) I was wondering if there is any paint protection you...
You have mentioned an expert garage for automatic gearbox problems in the London/SE area. Can you please give me details? I have a Saab 1.9 diesel with auto gearbox which is showing signs of age after...
Some time ago you responded to a letter from a company that used some kind of additive in their diesel fleet vans. I think it was about £65 to buy but you only put in a small amount each time and it saved...
I am taking possession of a new Honda CR-V 2.2 iDTEC EX auto at the end of the month. With previous diesel vehicles I have driven them from new following your guidelines with no problems. Unfortunately...
Is positioning of the vehicle when turning right not taught by driving instructors any more? When I took lessons in the early 1970s I was told to position the car as far over to the right as possible without...
I bought my wife a new Honda Jazz in September 2012. On Wednesday, she was driving along an unlit road when she hit a pothole with her nearside front wheel. It was raining and visibility was poor. The...
My parents are in their 60s and looking for a new car. They don't want anything flash, just something small and reliable that isn't too expensive to run. They will mainly use it to get around town with...
I currently drive a Subaru Impreza WRX S Prodrive, which has been great to own and to drive and has been ideal for my weekly commute from the wilds of the Welsh marshes to London, whatever the weather...
In December I received a letter saying that my car had been clocked at 36mph in a 30mph zone on 15 October. I replied that this was the first that I had heard of it, that the location was very close to...
I changed my tyres to winter ones and am keeping the summer tyres in my garage. I have been told that the rubber may start cracking and they will not last as long as they're not being used. Is this correct,...
Would you please kindly clarify for me as to what one can expect from the latest range of Ford diesel engines? I am currently shopping around for a nearly new Ford Focus or Mondeo car. A local Ford salesman...
I have a Rover 25 and find that the inside of the windscreen gets very greasy, or what appears to be grease, and it is almost impossible to clean. It this a common factor or can you recommend a cleaning...
On Saturday I received a car parking charge. The car park in question is free for two hours but requires a valid ticket to be displayed, I did have a ticket however I accidentally placed this upside down...
I fitted new pads to the rear brakesof my Renault Scenic, freed off the pistons but still got no brakes. I have been told it could be the compensator not working but I cannot find it, do you have any idea...
Wife has just had major back surgery so needs a cosseting ride, easy access and heated front seats.
She needs the car for her shortish journeys, a hatchback or saloon, no smaller than C-sector with a...
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