Questions from April 2013
I recently bought a secondhand 2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel, 14,000 miles and it looks as if I have made a mistake and should have gone for petrol because I only do 12,000 miles a year. The thing we...
I fully understand the reasons for introducing speed bumps and chicanes: to slow us down, as a lot of us tend not to obey speed restriction signs. A few weeks ago I was talking to a Health and safety expert....
I have the opportunity to purchase, as a private deal, a LHD 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL320 roadster, which belongs to a friend of a friend. It is white in colour has a petrol engine with automatic transmission,...
My Iveco van continues running after the ignition is turned off, then doesn't turn over. Does start OK sometimes, but sometimes wont start at all. Ignition or starter motor at fault?
I have a 2003 Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 CDTi van with 95,000 miles on the clock. It has been running fine but after having been parked up and not run for a few weeks, it is now rough to start, won't tick over...
I own a classic ex work rally car currently in Europe. I want to return it to the UK and store it. I need to ensure its registration number is kept as it is part of its value. What is the best way to do...
The lights on my dash started flashing so thought bulb was gone but have since found out that this is not the case. First it was only drivers side lamp not working but now it seems to be every light on...
Can you advise the likely cause of my car 'jumping' out of 1st gear when moving please? I have just bought it with 12 months MOT and something is not right! It has done 91k miles.
Can you advise on a slipping clutch problem on a 2007 Peugeot 107 with 20k miles on the clock? I have read that its a common problem with some saying its a simple matter of adjustment and others (our local...
I want to buy a small, economical used car that is easy to get in and out of, suitable for a large 6 footer and for winter country road driving? Would prefer something that gives a good MPG. Maybe a 4x4...
Is there any experience of the Peruzzo Venzia Bike rack on a Ford S-Max (2010)? It is advertised on a couple of sites as being suitable but plenty of others say no rear-mounted bike rack is suitable for...
When I brake the warning light for ESP comes on followed by the ABS light. When I turn off the ignition and restart the car the lights go out until I brake again. I have had the brake linings checked and...
Our Golf Plus, 2008, 35k, has been Volkswagen serviced from new by Volkswagen but it has a problem. The tickover starts about 850 (fine) but soon moves up to about 1,100. This makes the car a bit too fast...
How can I overcome windscreen dazzle from the centre of the dashboard when the sun is shining on it?
Last November I had a bit of a freak incident in my partners new Golf. I was pulling into a petrol station forecourt when a large chunk of concrete which was in a pothole pivoted under the wheel and got...
We are looking for an economical family car with a large boot. We have two young children and a teenager and go camping every summer, so need something to fit all that. Do you have any suggestions?
I would like to ask you if the parts of the new Honda civic diesel 1.6 are manufactured completely in U.K or some come from Japan?
Thank you very much, in my opinion you are one of the most reliable websites...
On renewing my insurance I realized I didn't include an accident I had last year, but have included it on my new insurance company.
How will this affect my driving license etc?
Can I pay the previous...
I want to change my 1.6HDI VTR+ Berlingo Multispace 2009 for something smaller with a petrol engine. My needs are easy ingress/egress, highish seating position, flat load bay with rear seats lowered, reliability,...
I own a Volvo XC70 and have done 185,000 miles trouble free. A noise recently occurred which became worse and was diagnosed as a failure of the transmission. The remedy was to replace it at a cost of £2500...
I travel around 30,000 miles each year, mainly for business. The family has mainly grown up and gone, so no need for a large estate (currently in a Volvo XC70), although I would require some room in the...
I have a Zafira 1.6l club, 2008, 42k, which I have owned since one year old. Now and again there is a smell of petrol in the cabin. Usually when after it has been on the drive overnight. Not when driving....
My 2006 Audi A6 Allroad (bought from new) recently let me down on the motorway and I've lost confidence in it. I need to ford a small stream (level fluctuates) on a daily basis and I really appreciate...
Bio have a 53 plate Vectra CDTI. It seems to feel as if it is running on three cylinders, but seems to clear when you put your foot down. There are no fault codes when plugged in and the chap that plugged...
I have searched high and low for a manual for my recently purchased Golf mk2 GTD. The only ones I can find are £50! Would you happen to know anyone with a PDF?
I recently bought a Suzuki Swift GLX (09 plate) and I've noticed that the car has started to judder when pulling away. It doesn't happen all the time but seems to be at it's worst at the beginning of a...
My son lives in France. A couple of years ago he bought a dilapidated 7.2 litre Interceptor in the USA and had it shipped over. Since then it has been fully restored from the chassis up, including engine/transmission...
There's a clunking sound when braking on my BMW 1 Series - any ideas?
Please could you tell me what the fluid reservoir that specifies Dot 3 Brake Fluid is for? Is it for the brakes or clutch?
Also, would there be any problems if I topped this up with Dot 4 brake fluid...
I will need to replace the tyres on my Ford Focus soon. The tyres on the car are all Michelin Primacy HP 205/55/R16. Are these the best for reducing road noise to the minimum?
I am the owner of a Nissan Navara Tekna auto pickup. Up to 21st December 2012 I was a very happy owner. I took the vehicle in to the main dealer with an electrical problem (4wd warning light) to be informed...
My Ford Focus 2011 with Quickclear front windscreen has a band approx 3" wide that does not defrost top to bottom, about the middle of the screen. Dealership said this is normal? Is it?
Why do the daytime running lights not operate at the rear? The number of cars I have seen over the winter period with poor visibility conditions that are being driven with only the front daytime light...
I have a Vauxhall Corsa Combo 1.7 diesel and I got in it the other day but nothing turned over.
It was working OK the day before so I thought it was the starter motor, so I replaced it yet it still won't...
I recently had to have my MOT done and the first garage said the exhaust needed welding and failed the emissions test, and that various bulbs needed replacing and wanted £160 for the repairs - £42.60 for...
My daughters Ford Ka is leaking water. She isn't sure as to the cause and thinks it could be the hose but conversely it could be the radiator. What cost is she looking at to replace or repair?
I've had operations for malignant facial skin cancer and my face is now very sensitive and vulnerable. Need to protect it against hot sun in Torquay. Is there a legal way to tint the driver's window, if...
I have been used to company provided vehicles of many shades, invariably new (ish) & leased.
Due to a (voluntary) career change, I need something "smart but dirt cheap" - ie anything German, max budget...
I purchased a pre-registered MINI Cooper Convertible with the Mini 8 year/80.000mile service package included and with the appropriate documentation.
The car received two services free of charge in the...
I am looking to buy a medium sized diesel without DPF. After reading too many internet forums I am now unable to decide what to plump for given that there seems to be so many diesels that have expensive...
My BMW 320d, 04 plate, broke down a few weeks ago with a clattering sound. It was towed to the garage. They said that one of the swirl flaps had fallen into the engine. The garage is looking for a replacement...
I was caught doing 94 in a 60 limit last week. I don't really have a defence other than I wasn't aware I was speeding. (it was the first time I had driven the car etc)
I was wondering whether it would...
My E46 started with a misfire then loss of power, uneven idle, white smoke and later it flooded cylinder 4 with fuel, disabling the spark plug and allowing raw fuel to flow into the exhaust system.
I thought...
I have a problem with initial starting in my Mazda Bongo auto diesel. Smoke and poor combustion, too.
I have just purchased a 2006 Fabia from a franchised dealer. On road test I identified noises from the front suspension/steering as if the anti roll bar bushes are worn. This was noted on the sales invoice....
The instrument cluster on my Ford S-Max (2008) failed 8 weeks ago. Since that time I have been without the use of a car. The car has done 60k miles. I have taken it to a local Ford garage and told that...
I have been a victim of the winter potholes and have ruined one of my alloy wheels. As my car is seven-and-a-half years old and has nearly done 100K miles, I am loath to spend £200 replacing it. Do I need...
Just received a parking eye fine for £100 which I find very steep for parking for 31 minutes over the 2 hour. Is there a way in which I should appeal against this. It's crazy - you see signs everywhere...
We have chosen the '3' spec Sportage 2wd but it only comes in diesel, the '2' spec comes in 1.6 petrol but all reports say it is underpowered.
I've driven the 1.7 diesel and it's not bad. I only do 5...
Having bought a used Toyota Yaris 5 weeks ago from a franchised dealer, the gearbox synchromesh isn't functioning properly. Even on the test drive it was hard to get into 1st unless stationary and it crunched...
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