Questions from April 2013
I saw your recent reply about snow socks. I have a pair of AutoSocks, which I have used three times. In January I travelled twenty-six miles in them on partially gritted and very snowy non-gritted roads....
Last Sunday a car ran into the back of my 2001 Honda CR-V while I was stopped. The lady’s car is a write-off. The lady has admitted liability. The insurance appointed repairers have told me it is very...
My 2000 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 TDI Estate (115bhp 6-speed) has now covered 281,000 miles. I have owned it since 2002 and 35,000. The engine, turbo and gearbox are untouched, apart from servicing and the clutch...
Last year I bought a brand new 2012 Ford C-Max Zetec, and I have got to say the mpg I am getting is nowhere near as good as the manufacturer stated. I understand I will not get 68.9mpg. However, I have...
I recently filled my car with petrol, and as I replaced the pump noticed the display read 46.5 litres. I was sure my tank only holds 45 and it hadn't been empty, but couldn't prove it so paid and left....
I'm looking at spending about £8000 on a car to replace my now tired 200,000-mile Focus. Since I'm doing over 30,000 pa, it needs to be both economical and comfortable on a long drive (120 miles a day)....
I've just experienced a similar situation to RW in a 2010 Volkswagen Passat CC with under 30,000 miles. The pulsing vibration on braking was very bad indeed and had gradually worsened over time. The inner...
I have a problem with my 2011 Ford Focus 1.6TDCI (old model). When first purchased it gave me 54mpg. 14 months later it has now reduced to 47mpg with the same sort of driving pattern. I have tried to add...
My wife and I are retired and want to go touring in France this summer. What do you think of a BMW Z3 about 10 years old for the tour? It will only be used for the trip and will be sold upon return. Any...
Regarding the email headed ''Restraining Order'', I am careful to set the head restraint height on any vehicle I travel in. I have been hit hard twice from behind. My vehicle was written off on both occasions,...
In late November last year I was driving along a two-way urban 30mph road at 6.30pm, in pouring rain and dense traffic I suddenly felt two nasty bumps on the rear side, stopped in nearby layby and found...
I've got a fairly small budget of £3000 and I want a characterful used British car - hopefully something that won't lose value. Maybe something with a bit of pace and that's not likely to cost too much...
If you keep an older, more rust prone car outside, does a cover really work? Is it a replacement for a garage?
Could you recommend a cheap starter classic? Something that can be purchased under £1000 and practical to use as an every day machine?
I am trying to rebuild a 1965 Austin A40 Farina but cannot find a new original off-side sill. The pattern parts are largely unsatisfactory and I have seen mark 1 sills turn up but these are different to...
Hi. I'm currently driving a Fabia, but really would like to move into something older and more interesting, as well as simpler and easy to fix.
My problem is that with an older car, even as young as the...
My car is starting to show spots of rust despite how much I care for it - what's the best way to stop it spreading shy of respraying or new panels?
Had my 94 Jaguar Sovereign for a year now and I love it, just curious at how many are left and some say it's the next classic Jaguar, any thoughts?
I bought a one owner from new 1965 Austin last year. It has been garaged from new and has never been resprayed. There is filller in the rear wheel arches and front panel which is now starting to lift but...
I am young at 21, with one years only full UK license holding (2 in August). I have around £2500 available to buy a classic car, with Insurance, Road Tax (although ideally looking for Road Tax free) and...
I need to buy a second car as a run around and was thinking about a Mercedes C107 SLC. Would this make a good car for regular use and what should I look for and how much should I pay for a reasonable one?
I decided to get an Allegro as a cheap entry to classic cars and it'd be nice to maintain it myself for the sake of pride as well as saving money.
I know they're relatively simple but I'm not exactly...
About a year ago idle control became very poor on my 2007 Nissan Qashqai. When engine and/or air temperature are cold, idle falls to around 500rpm when the clutch is dipped at junctions or in traffic,...
Are you able to advise re a suspected side effect of insurance companies' measures against "fronting"? An elderly neighbour's car is owned and registered to him. He has not driven for several years and...
Last year my Jaguar X-Type diesel's fuel consumption suddenly dropped from 52 to 44mpg.
I have put two lots of injector cleaner in the tank; changed the fuel & air filters; checked the MAF and DPF operations...
I was parked on a road, off side of the car to the pavement. To leave my space I checked my mirror and reversed into an empty space behind me. I hit a car that was driving forward into the space. She...
Trying to decide between a 2010 BMW 318i or a 320d. I do about 10k miles per year. What would you recommend - also do they both have timing belts or chains?
When I bought the Evoque the salesman made much of a failsafe device in the fuel filler neck which would prevent misfuelling. Filled diesel car with petrol and drove about a mile. Dealer denies any liability...
I took my car to Evans Halshaw for a complimentary oil and filter change after purchasing it there as a used car. My car had no marks or scratches or technical problems on it when I dropped it off.
When...
I'm planning to buy a 2008 Lexus GS-450H. It has already done 130K miles (mostly on motorways) and has a complete Lexus Service History. Is 130K very high mileage for 450H?
Am looking to buy a small jeep type car - easy to get into and out. I have had two hip replacements at 65.
After much deliberation and maths, I am in the process of starting a 3 year lease for a 2013 Ford Kuga.
I have just been asked by the leasing firm if I wanted to take out optional maintenance cover at...
I would like to know you thoughts on used estate cars? I do minimal mileage and am looking for a lot of spec for my limited £4k. I can't make my mind up between what version of Audi I want or going for...
I have just received notification of speeding and a fine of $80 in New Zealand while on holiday there in early March 2013. Do I have to pay or can I ignore it (I have no plans to return to NZ in any case)...
Your advice columns are full of warnings about the longer-term running costs of modern diesel cars.
In the light of that I decided to stick with a petrol engined automatic to replace my faithful 13-year...
Going to purchase a second hand one or two year old Ford Fiesta Zetec 1400cc from main Ford Dealer during the next coming months. It will be : One previous owner, four door, petrol.
I am in no rush so...
Which of the two Ecoboost engines would you go for in a B-MAX titanium? Is the 120PS worth the extra cost?
I've narrowed my search for a second hand buy down to a few models, I have a max of £17-18k to spend, but id rather keep it to 15/16k unless theres something that will save me money over three years. in...
Accompanying my new job is a 18000 to 20000 mile annual commute, mainly on motorways but also occasional A roads. I have a budget of up to £11500 but more important than the initial outlay is my main...
I'm currently driving a 1999 BMW 328 which I very much like, but needs replacing. The BMW is too large for me, and I'd like to find something refined, quiet and comfortable for commuting as well as occasional...
Ford advises annual services at 12K miles. Is it worth carrying out an interim service at 6 mths/3K miles?
My car, a Ford Focus, only does 6K miles/year and was wondering if oily bits really get bad...
I bought a BMW X5 and the sat nav keeps asking me to insert disc - what is my system? I don't think the system has worked from new?
I have a Audi A4 with sat nav RNS-E we are going to France for our holidays and I would like to update the system as it is not very good, Audi charge about £250 plus ( I could buy a stand alone sat nav...
I need a small car that can cope with dales roads that can flood easily and we are often snowed in.
Parking is a problem so size is important.
I have a 1996 Volvo LPT 940 - an excellent car.
Sometimes the main headlights do not work; I have replaced the switch on the dashboard but to no avail.
Could it be the lighting relay?
When is a cam belt change due on a 2003 Mondeo Duratec?
I sold my MG last November (2012) for £650.00, £50.00 less than advertised as the seller stated it was all he had. I advertised as a fun car, all things that go wrong ie head gasket and radiator have been...
Hi HJ, I bought my car new in November 2012 and noticed a rattle after the first week which I emailed the salesman about.
My car has been back to the dealership four times for the same annoying rattle...
We are thinking of insuring our 21-year-old step son one of our cars for him to drive (it is a "second" car as both myself and my partner use two other cars on a daily basis for work).
The car will be...
After this spell of bad weather I think I might feel better about the future if I changed my car.
At present I have a 3 door 08 Mitsubishi Colt with 26k mileage, and want to sell it to buy something else....
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