Questions from August 2013
I'm looking for a small car with a flat load space and a reasonable ground clearance. Is there anything out there that fits the bill?
I recall comments in the past about Scotchguarding the new cars. My dealer has offered to do the interior and exterior of my new Fiat Abarth 595 for £250. Is it worth the extra cost?
The front brakes have suddenly locked on my Mercedes-Benz CLK for no apparent reason. I’ve checked the pads, callipers, brake fluid, linkages and master cylinder, but all are in perfect condition. I’ve...
The engine malfunction message has come up on my 2008 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI. There are no warning codes or lamps, so my mechanic has nothing to work with after plugging it in to the diagnostic scanner. Yet...
The heater system on my Volkswagen Polo has started to make loud noises. The problem has got gradually worse over and now I can’t hear the radio. It sounds like something is stuck in the motor, is this...
I purchased a 2009 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSi from an authorised dealership in 2012. The car had just 19,000 miles on the clock and was serviced regularly by them. Two weeks ago (at 36,000 miles) the engine...
I'm having problems with my 2004 Volkswagen Golf. It starts fine from cold, but refuses to fire up when warm. I’ve checked the starter motor and glow plugs, but no joy. I thinking of doing a hot start...
Is LPG conversion a worthwhile venture? I have just been given a 2003 Saab 9-5 and want to improve its fuel consumption.
Can you tell me why my Mercedes-Benz is using so much oil? It’s a 2007 C-Class automatic with 39,000 miles on the clock, but it is now consuming 2.5 litres per 5000 miles. Do I have a problem?
I was driving my car recently and crashed into a traffic island. No one was injured and my car was the only vehicle to receive any damage. Am I required by law to report this to my insurance company? I’m...
I have just started a new business and need a large, automatic, diesel car that will eat the miles, return good fuel economy and also make a good impression with clients.
I am interested in a Jaguar...
Back in Jan/Feb you advised that BCA might be a good place to sell my 2010 BMW 335i Coupe, 23,000 miles, manual, excellent condition. I was wondering whether that advice still holds, as I shall be going...
I am buying a new Skoda Octavia for £19,000. The dealer suggests that I fund £9500 using Skoda Finance. The deal is that Skoda will contribute £500 and give me three free services up to 30,000 miles, so...
About 2 years ago a Land Rover reversed into my parked vehicle. The matter was settled by the other party's insurer who specified the local repairer. A new bonnet was fitted amongst other parts and the...
I am considering purchasing a Volkswagen Polo, either new or used. However in the past you have mentioned that the cam drive and pulleys on some models are suspect but the later models now have chain drives....
My wife and I own Suzukis, a Splash and an SX4. It appears that a new SX4 is in the offing and that the current version is available VAT-free, presumably to clear old stock. Could you briefly explain the...
I'm a community mental health nurse who does approximately 23,000 miles a year, mostly in journeys of 15 to 40 miles. A good chunk of this mileage is made up of my daily rural commute of 78 miles, but...
I have a friend who is a counsellor, and she told me last week that some of her clients were referred to her by solicitors acting on their behalf after a car accident. In some cases the clients were fine...
I have a 30-month old Discovery 4 3.0d HSE automatic with 28,000 miles from new, with full supplying dealer history. It has just destroyed its electromechanical parking brake. The dealer thinks the shoes...
Four times in the last few weeks, I have had to point out to women driving small FWD cars with 40 per cent profile tyres that they were running with a flat rear tyre, of which they were quite unaware....
My wife has an MGF that has developed a problem with the cooling water. All is well for most of the time, but when held up for any length of time, with the engine ticking over, the water temperature suddenly...
We have a Hyundai i10 Classic. We are thinking of upgrading to a new Honda Jazz 1.2 SE manual for more comfort and the higher seats, as I have had back surgery. What are the pros and cons of this Jazz...
I have a very early 1967 Lotus Elan +2 that I bought in 1979, Chassis Number 50/0111. In 1984 I did a major renovation/restoration, fitting a new galvanised chassis etc, but got married in 1986 and ran...
Last year we bought my daughter and family a rather long-in-the-tooth Mazda 5 diesel that had done 69,000 miles. I admit it was a pig in a poke and is costing a lot in repairs, the latest being a new DPF...
My May 2011 BMW 318i SE came on 17-inch wheels and 45 profile Bridgestone tyres. The ride is hard and the tyres noisy. What might I consider to improve things without affecting the stability of the car?...
My wife is buying a used car from a franchised dealer and, as expected, the sales pitch for various extras was employed. Life shine car protection: £350. Gap protection insurance: £399. Another insurance:...
What value would you put on the Aston Martin MGB in the Classics section of your website? This was a prototype MGB built by Aston Martin in 1979 with the idea of continuing production when BL boss Michael...
A friend of mine has a two-year-old Skoda Octavia with about 11,000 miles on the clock. It is still under warranty. Recently on a short journey to the supermarket he felt the clutch beginning to slip,...
The time is approaching for me to replace my old model Agila. The high roof level has been great because it enables me to adjust the seat to cope with my dodgy back. I am looking for something similar...
I have a fault with the ESP and ABS lights coming on intermittently in my Golf, and the car starts to jerk and brake on its own accord when the ESP light starts flashing at very low speeds. I think I have...
We are looking to replace my wife's 2005 Focus and have been looking at the Dacia Sandero Ambiance. I know that Dacia is owned by Renault, but is this car a credible alternative? It will be mainly used...
After becoming almost paranoiac over my 17-inch wheel problem, yesterday, for a total of £700 I equipped my Ford B-Max Titanium with 15-inch Ford Zetec alloy wheels shod with the appropriate 195/60 Michelin...
My car is a Vauxhall Meriva 1.7 CDTi XP, which means that it is factory fitted with 205/45 R17 tyres. These tyres have been fine in the good weather but have offered very little grip in snow and icy conditions....
Last week I had to donate my 1996 Volkswagen Golf to a breakers' yard in France because the cost to fix it would be much more than the car’s value. We returned by rail. However, I now find that because...
Having had two 5-door 1242cc Fiat Puntos and loved them, we then PX’d for a Ford Fiesta 1242cc Style almost three years ago. We have been disappointed with the Ford’s performance. We loved the easy driving...
My daughter has a 2006 MINI Cooper S which needs a new water pump. Sytner MINI Sheffield has quoted £590. I read water pumps have been a problem. Do you think there is any chance of a goodwill contribution...
My wife’s Chinese-built Honda Jazz 1.2 is now five and a half years old and is approaching 50,000 miles. She drives around 8000 miles a year, including a fortnightly motorway round trip of 180 miles. We...
My company Skoda Superb estate was wrecked in December last year and since then I have been driving around in an Octavia estate from the company pool, which took me 17,000 kilometres in six months from...
I need a car that will help make it easier for my 83-year old mother to get in and out of and I have limited budget. Could you comment on a 2006 Citroen C3.1.4 Desire for £1500?
I believe that on several occasions you have recommended a particular car-buying site. May I have the details please.
I am looking at Mercedes-Benz SLK 200s on offer at www.cargiant.co.uk. There is a 31,251 mile 2010 manual at £13,499 and a 14,871 mile 2010 automatic at £16,799. Would you consider this a better buy than...
I have this week purchased a Skoda Yeti 1.8TSI 160 4WD, which I am very pleased with. However as the boot is small compared to my Previous Renault Scenic, I need a roof box or bag. As I am a woman I need...
It’s summer and, having sourced four original wheels from a scrapper, I have today purchased winter tyres each at less than £50 including VAT. These are a top brand, too. I could have bought cheaper ones....
I needed a new set of tyres for my Chevrolet Orlando with 18-inch rims. They would cost me between £550-£600. Wolfrace did me a set of 16-inch alloys with decent quality tyres, balanced and fitted for...
My son sold his Piaggio scooter on 20 May. I completed the details of the new owner and sent the V5C to the DVLA, leaving him with Section 10 V5C/2. I have had a letter from them this week informing me...
We recently purchased a low mileage Mazda CX-7 as a second car. The 244HP 2.3-litre turbo engine is very thirsty and the manual calls for 91 octane fuel. Can 87 or 89 octane be used without harm, other...
My parents have a diesel Volvo V70 estate 4WD. It is facing more costly repairs as bushes are wearing. They have a small farm shop and regularly carry or tow small loads of around half a ton and tow a...
Our son and his wife are going to Australia for a year. They have an 2011 petrol Golf Match which they will store in our garage whilst they are away but I will not be able to drive it as they will have...
I want to buy a new model Renault Clio with an automatic gearbox. My local Renault dealer can get no information from them about when they will be available in the UK. Please could you try to find out?
The clutch of my Seat Ibiza was replaced by a well-known 'specialist' clutch replacement company. The original clutch had lasted for 85,000 miles. The thrust bearing of the first replacement clutch failed...
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