Questions from July 2013
I have a 2003 Mercedes-Benz V220 CDi. It has developed some kind of electrical fault that two Mercedes garages have failed to solve. Basically the battery discharges if left unused for a period of time...
I have a 2008 Jaguar S-Type 2.7 diesel with 27,000 miles on the clock. Of late it seems to me that the radiator fan operates much too frequently, almost always when the car stops for traffic lights, when...
I have a 13-year-old Mondeo that is running well but I am wondering about the timing chain. If this goes the car is scrap. Should I have it changed and is there anything that should be changed at the same...
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,...
I am an old age pensioner and I want to replace my Renault Vel Satis. I am over six foot in height and have had both hips replaced, so my next car must have easy access. I have £17,500 to spend and am...
The airbag light on the dashboard of my Citroen Xsara keeps flashing on and off, what could be causing this?
The alloy wheels on my Mercedes C-Class (2010) were replaced after showing signs of blistering and discolour. However, the dealer who carried out the work under the warranty is now demanding £367 towards...
I have a 2007 Ford Focus. The car suffered with injector problems and I fitted a new turbo and all the trimmings as advised by my local mechanic, but now, after three days, I am getting system faults and...
I purchased a 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTD with 80,000-miles on the clock and paid extra for a 12 month warranty. Firstly, the ABS pump failed and the company covered half the cost, then 10 months later the...
I recently bought a car at a small independent dealership. The dealer only had one key for my new car so I decided to contact the previous owner. The previous owner said he had left two keys with the dealer...
It was nine years ago that I followed your advice and gave my brand new Citroen Berlingo a good 'seal' with Autoglym.
I now need to downsize (and go petrol) so I've now acquired a new Hyundai ix20 and...
My nine month old Volkswagen CC has been to the dealer twice with a knocking noise from the rear, but the mechanics say nothing can be done and I will have to put up with the problem.
I don't feel safe...
I bought a used Mercedes-Benz from an approved dealer in September 2011. The car was advertised as FSH, but no service book was supplied as the Mercedes dealer said all services are recorded on their database....
I have stumbled upon a 1987 Fiat Regata, one owner since new, with 6000-miles on the clock. Is it worth making an offer, or are these not deemed classics yet?
I have to change my motability car this year and am considering a Ford Fiesta PowerShift. What other small automatics should I be considering?
I currently drive an Audi A1 1.4i Sport. It has just three doors and I want to change it for a five door variant. I am in my 70s and do about 6000 miles per year, what would you recommend?
My Vauxhall Cavalier is using quite a lot of water, but there’s no leak or any sign of ingress into the oil. Do you have any idea what the problem could be?
I have just replaced a 2004 Fiesta (Steel wheels, 175/65 R14) with a 2013 Fiesta EcoBoost (alloy wheels, 195/55 R15).
I still have the winter tyres on steel wheels from the old car, which seem to be...
Can you tell me if the Toyota Avensis T27 2.2 D-4D has a diesel particulate filter?
Four months ago I bought a used 2005 Vauxhall Zafira, with 44,000 miles on the clock from a used car dealer for £4000. It has been rarely used since I bought it, but I noticed that the heating wasn't working...
I have a five year old, 56,000 mile Lexus IS 250-SE and am looking to change. My key priority is comfort. I have my current vehicle to trade plus £30,000. Should I buy a new one or do I just run my current...
I've got a 2006 S-Type Jaguar 2.7 diesel. The car has done about 50-000 miles, should I fit a new cam belt?
I own a 2007 Toyota Yaris. A few weeks ago the car lost power. I had a diagnostics test, resulting in a P0120 fault, which suggested replacing the throttle body for a whopping £1000. The car has only done...
We are looking to get a second car and would like some advice on what you'd recommend for us. My husband currently does around 20,000 - 25,000 miles per year and that's split equally between motorway and...
I need to buy a car with low running costs, but which is still comfortable for long journeys. I am also a little picky on style, but the running costs are my main priority.
I know the Toyota Aygo is...
I want to buy a new 4x4, which would you recommend?
I'm thinking of a Range Rover Sport 3.0 Diesel or Porsche Cayenne 3.0 Diesel. The car will rarely go off road.
My Renault Megane is suffering from an intermittent engine fault. It was sporadic at first, but is getting more frequent and the engine takes between minutes to hours to start. What’s going wrong?
Can you clarify the legal situation in Italy regarding Speed Camera detection? I understand that devices that pick up radar are illegal, but what about speed camera alerts generated in GPS devices?
When should I change the cam belt on my Mercedes-Benz? My car has covered 89,000 miles
The oil light is flickering on and off on my 2010 Ford Mondeo 2.0-litre diesel. I checked the dipstick and it shows no oil. Do you think this could have damaged the engine?
I am considering buying a Audi Q3 (2.0d) or a Hyundai ix35 (1.7d Premium), which is best value for the money, reliability and comfort
I’ve had the keys to my Honda Civic stolen in Switzerland, along with documents that included my name and address. I’ve spoken to my insurers and they say ‘they cannot give any advice’ on whether to change...
I have recently changed the engine in my 2004 Vauxhall Corsa C, engine Z12XE. The car runs fine, but the mechanic who replaced the engine (very reliable and knowledgeable mechanic) could not for the life...
I have bought a window regulator part from a scrap yard to replace the broken one that was in my wife's Rover 400. The mechanic at my local garage tried to fit it, but said there are only four wires coming...
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