Questions from July 2013
The heater valve on the Ford KA has been replaced, but I still have an intermittent problem with the heater as it will only blow hot air, any ideas?
My 2012 Honda Civic has been plagued with engine problems and at one stage caught fire whilst being inspected by the dealer. Since then it has been fitted with a new engine, but still suffers with problems....
The air conditioning compressor has failed on my 2008 Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI, with 27,000 miles on the clock. The car has a full service history and has been well cared for. Is this a common problem,...
I purchased a Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI Match back in February from Car Giant in London. I was the second owner, with the car previously being a fleet car. The car has 82,000 miles on the clock and was first...
I'm in the market for a Honda Jazz, but have received conflicting information on what a fair price for a 2005 1.4i-DSI SE would be. I have spotted a car for sale with 75,000 miles on the clock, with one...
I am considering purchasing a small/medium sized car that will be used for a daily commute of 50-miles on motorways. I am looking for reliability and economy. My budget is around £6000 and I am open to...
I'm looking to replace my Ford Focus with something that I can comfortably use on a bumpy and muddy tracks in all weathers. I only have £3500 to spent and was considering the Skoda Octavia Scout, do you...
I'm 27 and have just passed my driving test. I am looking for a cheap car to run, but have a slight problem in that I am six foot eight inches tall and don't seem to fit into many cars.
It’s not the headroom...
My 2009 Audi TTS Roadster has just turned 20,000 miles and I have noticed clutch slip - typically third and fourth gear under hard acceleration.
Is there a known (manual) clutch problem with the TTS?...
I am searching for a used car for £7000. I commute 40-miles every day on national speed limit moorland roads and urban 30-40mph roads. All have a broken road surface and the closer to work I am, the more...
Last winter the heated rear screen stopped working in our 2006 Ford Mondeo - the 30A fuse had blown. I fitted a replacement (JCASE female type) but when the screen was turned on the fuse blew again. The...
Can we have redress with Ford after turbo failure at 65,000-miles for a 2007 C-Max? They have not told us why it has failed or given a sufficient explanation.
I've got a 1999 Toyota Corolla and it has been superbly reliable. I was going to buy a newer model (approx 2005), but have read that the VVT-i engines use large quantities of oil after 40,000 miles. Is...
I've previously improved the ride on a 2008 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 TDCi by changing from the supplied 205/55/R16 wheels to 195/65/R15s.
I've just done the same change with a 2010 Focus C-Max Zetec 1.6,...
I’m searching for my first car; I am 18 years old and have around £800 to spend. I’ve narrowed down my search to two cars that fit my needs and insurance groups, a 1998 Peugeot 306 or a 1999 Vauxhall Astra....
My Honda Accord saloon has started making a high pitched noise when I apply the throttle.
I’ve been told it could be:
- wheel bearing
- clutch bearing
- automatic gearbox
I don’t think it’s the bearing,...
The 'start-stop' system on my new Volkswagen Golf TSI is operating very smoothly and presumably contributing to its relatively good urban fuel consumption. However, I recall some discussion about the risk...
I have been led to believe that police speed traps (of the hand-held variety, not fixed camera) could only be conducted where there was clear signage that a speed camera operation could be conducted. I...
We are now considering a diesel, using a Scenic for longer journeys and our Yaris for shorter ones. Have you driven the Scenic 1.5 or 1.6 diesels? Also I have noticed that the real MPG for these is extremely...
I am interested in purchasing a 2007 3.0 petrol Jaguar XJ Sovereign, 26,000 miles, FJSH. The Jaguar dealer is asking £17,000 for the car, which I think is far too much even allowing for the mileage, spec,...
I'm after a Focus-sized petrol car up to two years old (not new) for around £10,000-£11,000. Two key requirements are reliability and boot space. I quite like the Honda Civic and Ford Focus but can't decide...
My daughter is expecting her first child. Currently she drives an old Mini but is looking for something more reliable and more convenient for getting the baby in and out of. We have about £10,000-£12,000...
My wife recently parked at a motorway service station, stayed for three and a half hours and has been asked to pay £90 (or £50 in 14 days). This charge seems grossly excessive. What do you advise?
I feel TH has been unfortunate over his service deal. I have had a Volkswagen Service Package since 2008 with Sinclair Garages of Bridgend. My current car, a Volkswagen Scirocco, bought in Dec 2010, has...
Years ago I read your views on using high quality fuel. Since then I have always used Shell V-Power in my now quite ancient 1998 R-plate Vectra V6 2.5. The car has been trouble-free and continues to perform...
Our 2009 Golf 2.0 TDI 140 DSG is due its MoT shortly and, as it has done 30,000 miles, we are being advised by Volkswagen to change the cambelt. Is this right and if so, why so soon? Your help and advice...
I have a 2008 Audi A4 TDi which was recently serviced at my local Audi dealership and I was told that the front brake pads would soon need replacing. The warning light has now come on, so I phoned the...
I have just bought a very low mileage and immaculate 1990 Lancia Delta HF Turbo. Do you have any advice about looking after the turbo? It makes a ‘whoosh’ sound when coming on. Is this normal?
What is your opinion of 18-inch wheels on the new Qashqai 360? Would I be better off with 17-inch wheels?
My 15-year-old Mercedes E-Class estate finally got scrapped last year, so I treated myself to an E63 AMG estate. I love the car and I can still get masses of stuff inside and on the roof, but I can't legally...
My wife had her Audi A4 MoT'd at the Halford Autocentre in Horsham, West Sussex. When she collected the car, she was charged £15 for topping up the engine oil. I called the garage and complained that she...
Wouldn’t it make sense for manufacturers and dealers to quote fuel consumption in miles per litre rather than miles per gallon?
Two weeks ago we traded in our Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI 138 Estate Titanium for a new 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125 PS, petrol-engined Focus Estate Titanium X. What an amazing, quiet, comfortable car with a performance...
A friend is considering replacing her Honda Jazz and would appreciate an idea of what would be a sensible asking price for the vehicle. It’s an SE CVT 5-door hatchback, registered September 2007 with a...
I wondered if you had any experience of One Call Insurance? I've had quotes from several of the comparison sites for my Audi and One Call comes out consistently and significantly cheaper (£80) every time....
We are in our eighties and our next car will probably be our last. What is most important is ride comfort and comfortable seats. We do about 11,000-12,000 miles a year in the UK, mainly on motorways. At...
I have seen that Motorpoint has delivery mileage Honda CR-V autos for £19,999. It appears that these are imported from Cyprus and only come with a 2-year European Warranty. It looks like a good deal, but...
Having read your column for several years I am aware of the need to occasionally switch on the aircon during the winter months. Despite having done this I now find that my aircon no longer operates when...
My 23-year-old daughter is buying her first car. She wants something about two years old that is small, reliable and above all safe. What do you recommend?
In March this year I bought a 2008 Toyota Prius from a main dealer who gave a 12-month warranty. In April and subsequently in May, the small 12 volt battery failed, requiring assistance to get into the...
I have to make a choice between a new Vauxhall Astra diesel hatchback 1.7 CDTI 16v (130PS) Ecoflex Exclusiv 5 door SS and a new Hyundai i30 diesel hatchback 1.6 CRDi (110PS) Blue Drive Active 5 door, and...
We have two large dogs and moved from a 2007 1.9 auto diesel Golf estate to a 2010 Passat, but find the seats uncomfortable and are unhappy with the DPF. I note your diesel recommendations and wonder which...
Please advise on best engine choice for a used Focus estate (three to five years old) primarily regarding reliability and economy. Please also advise on tyre type for good mileage.
We are changing out of a 2003 Volkswagen Polo (used mainly for commuting) and a 2006 white plumber's van, both diesel. As the commuter has retired and the plumber is semi-retired, we would like a medium...
I am currently trying to sell my car through AutoTrader. So far, the only four responses have been from scammers saying that they will pay the full price but are abroad at present. They seem to concentrate...
I have a 2000 Peugeot 206 XS 1.6. Recently, and with random spontaneity, I am experiencing engine cut-outs. These happen when I am slowing down for, or am stopped at lights, roundabouts and traffic. When...
We own a 2004 Renault Scenic. We have had it for under a year and already spent quite a bit on it. We had a engine rebuild at the end of last year trying to find a fault which cost £900, bought two new...
I will check whether the 2011 KIA Soul diesel automatic we are looking at has a DPF. It seems it will be a bonus if it has. We have looked at the Venga but don't find it very attractive. There's something...
I am just about to sign up for a Volkswagen Golf Mk 7 GT 2.0-litre diesel. It's an ex-demonstrator and has a few extras with it, including 18-inch alloys in lieu of 17-inch as standard. What are implications...
My 18-year-old son has decided to take up driving lessons and will eventually have a car of his own. What would you recommend as his first car? My issue is obviously insurance costs but more importantly...
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