Trending topics in February 2013
Questions from February 2013
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 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 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...
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...
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...
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 want to buy a Ford Focus Titanium X from Ford Direct. My local Ford dealer tells me that they all have 18" wheels. I have driven one with 17" wheels which are OK. Please tell me what 18" wheels will...
I'm looking for a car/van for about £7500. It's used for commute (12 miles each way), plus occasional trips to the builder's yard, hauling scuba kit, taking the dog out etc. My questions are:
1. Petrol...
Still driving a Yaris D4D 52 plate. My husband still would like something bigger. I like a higher driving position and low running costs, and ultra reliable.... We are going to test drive a 2008 Prius....
Dear John
I have 4 x Continental winter tyres on steel rims for a VW Golf; used for just 1 x season. Where best place to try and sell them as I have since changed car brand and tyres do not fit new car?
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...
I am confused by the market. My wife wants to change her 2003 Volkswagen Golf TDI auto for a similar model.
My wife is now retired and I want to replace her 10yr old Ford KA. She does approximately 5000 miles pa. I am considering a Volkswagen Up - Move Up model, as I have a Golf Plus and am very impressed with...
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...
We have had an Audi A1 for little over 1 year. On the school run my wife parked on a slight incline less than 3% leaving the car with the handbrake engaged. After 15-20mins the car was seen to roll down...
Is it age or mileage that determines when the belt needs replacing? Audi have just written to say that I need it done now at a cost of ONLY £429.00. This car has done 35K miles from new.
In a top of the range Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz you know you are in a luxury car. Is there such a thing as a small, opulent, luxury car?
My car recently failed it's MoT and the main failure was the thickness off the pads being below 1.5mm.
I arranged for the garage to fix all failure points so I would have a free partial re-test. So 2...
I have just bought a 10 year old 100,000 mile Audi TT 225 manual petrol quattro for which I paid £5350 cash from a dealer. Having taken delivery I now find that there are two split CV gaiters (one inner...
A friend (middle-aged female) hired a car from Enterprise Car Rental, Nottingham, and returned it on Monday last (11th Feb) at 1230 hrs. The car was examined by an Enterprise employee ('Employee A') who...
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 will be commuting 500 miles a week. after reading about Dual Mass Flywheel problems and Diesel Particulate Filters would I be better off with a petrol run car? I will be mainly on Motorway to and from...
In your experience, what action is likely to be taken by the DVLA and/or Police against an owner who keeps their vehicle off the public road for almost a year without valid VED or SORN but continuously...
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 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...
What cars do you recommend for a 17 year old in terms of lowest insurance and best for safety. Budget circa £5,000.
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...
There's no presure coming out of the high pressure pump from the engine. Can you think of any reason this might happen please John?
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 husband and I are trying to decide whether to buy diesel or petrol for our new car and will probably be purchasing an ix35. My parents also run a new Ford Focus diesel. We run two older diesels at...
I've just fitted new tyres to the front axle on my 2005 Sornento. Since noticed a whining whirling noise on over run and on hill climbing, not tyre noise. Should I change the rears to match? I've read...
I am in the process of buying a new Ford Kuga. the dealer is trying to convince me to have Diamondbrite protection for £150. I look after my cars, and polish them at least twice a year using Autoglym anyway....
Just received a renewal from Green Flag, highlighting 3 years no call out discount included, at £89.
Checked online as it seemed expensive, slightly cheaper than AA, but beaten by a quote of £58.30 for...
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 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...
What are the general pros and cons of factory fitted LPG systems. For instance, do you get good mpg; does the engine wear faster, is the service schedule different; are they still filling the boot with...
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