Questions from August 2013
We are looking for a family car. Our main criteria is:
(1) Big enough for a young family yet as car like as possible and easy to drive/park locally;
(2) Comfortable on long motorway journeys;
(3) Lots...
I live in the Yorkshire Dales and need a new car. I want a fuel and tax efficient 4x4, as we get snow and ice every winter. We also need space for family of five and a large dog. What would you recommend?...
I am looking for a used car and have found a 2002 Ford KA for £1000. The mileage is 80,000 and there are a number of small scratches on both the body and wheel arches. The car has a full history and has...
I'm buying a new car which will be registered for the 1 September; however, the dealer wants to deliver the car early and keep it on my driveway. I phoned to get insurance cover and was told that it is...
I own a 2002 Saab 9-3 and the garage has told me that the manifold flaps have collapsed. It will cost more than £1000 to fix, but this seems like a lot of money for such an old car. Can I risk it and carry...
We have received two speeding fine for offences committed on the same day. On the day in question, my husband, my daughter and myself were out on family trip and all three of us took turns driving. Problem...
Two weeks ago I was sat in traffic when I was hit in the rear. Obviously, the accident was not my fault, but my 2004 Vauxhall Astra has been declared a write-off.
Bar a creased floorpan, the damage is...
I am the proud owner of a brand new Alfa Romeo Guilietta 1.4 170 Sportiva - this is the first time I have ever owned a new car. Sadly, I’ve noticed some small scratches where the front bumper joins the...
Our 2004 Focus C Max has just had a terminal automatic transmission failure. The local garage (member of Good Garage Scheme) has confirmed it needs a new gearbox, at a cost of £2000-£3000.
Does this model...
I have £5000 to spend on a used vehicle, but don’t have much experience of car buying and have no idea where to start. I want something comfortable, economic and reliable, what can you recommend?
I’ve been having a lot of problems with my 2008 Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TSFI Quattro. I’ve owned the car from new and recently spent £650 replacing the clutch master cylinder. However, now the car has started...
I need a used car and have been looking at a 2009 Peugeot 308 1.6 HDI. There are lots of cars around with just 37,000 miles on the clock and I’m very tempted. I’m also considering the Ford Focus 1.6 diesel...
I recently had an oil change carried out on my 2008 diesel BMW 3 Series by a non-franchised garage. I have a BMW warranty that I pay for on a monthly basis, but I have discovered AFTER the oil service...
My much loved 1997 BMW 3 Series 2.8i has sadly reached the end of its life and I now need a new car. I am looking to downsize and trade in my car for a new or nearly new Skoda Yeti. However, I can’t decide...
After much agonising we want to buy a Skoda Octavia estate for my wife to transport our two ever growing sons. There are several brokers listed on your site, but I am not sure which one to use. What do...
I have been driving a Mercedes C-Class auto estate for the past 10 years; it has been thoroughly reliable and a joy to drive; however, our motoring needs have now changed and we are looking for a car to...
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a K and N Air filters on a 2005 Peugeot 307?
I want to change the tyres on my Toyota Avensis Tourer. The car has its Bridgestone ER300, which are pretty poor in all weathers. What would you recommend as a good all year alternative?
Some 14 months ago I bought an approved used Vauxhall Insignia from a dealer. The car had less than 5000 miles on the clock, with a clean HPI and no details about any accidents. In July I went on a long...
I own a 2003 Volvo S80 D5, but the car has been emitting a lot of black smoke after warm up. I’ve replaced the pipes on the engine, swapped the EGR valve and checked both the manifold and injectors. So...
Is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid worth the extra cost over a standard automatic? I want to buy a new and economical car and can't decide between the two.
I’ve spotted a 2010 Subaru Forester for sale for £10,000. The car has covered 70,000 miles and looks to be in good condition. Can I expect problems with this mileage on a petrol engine? I will do around...
We have a 2005 Vauxhall Tigra, which has done 30,000 miles and suffered no accidents. However, every time it rains, the car’s footwell fills with water.
My local Vauxhall garage says the pedal box is...
I have a 2006 Ford Galaxy, which has covered more than 100,000 miles. A few weeks ago we took the car abroad, but the water coolant suddenly emptied and forced us to return home. Before that we'd already...
I have the chance to buy a 2005 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 GT TDI (auto) with 90,000 miles for £3000. Is this a good deal?
I drive 20,000 miles a year (mostly on motorways) and want to save some money on fuel...
I bought a brand new Kia Venga 1.4 ecodynamics petrol at the end of October 2012 and have driven just over 3500 miles, mostly short trips but including one from Kent to North Yorkshire and return.
I...
The radio on my 2007 Ford Mondeo is stuck on 'one hour' mode, regardless if the engine is running or not. Ford technical has said it was the GEM module, which I changed, but the problem persists. Any ideas?
The air conditioning system on my 2009 Ford Mondeo has failed. I took the car to my local independent garage and they carried out a diagnostic test, which gave fault code P0535.
Ford Technical was consulted...
Which used five-door hatch should I buy? Budget is £5000. Reliability and economy is a must. Low tax and insurance would be help as well.
Thinking of buying a new Ford Ranger and was talking to mechanic who said to watch out is it might not be possible to take it to normal garage for MOT because of size and weight - is this true? Also, would...
I have been told I need a new short block in my Kia Picanto. Yesterday a man from a breakers yard recommended that I change the whole engine rather than part of it as in the long run it is less complicated....
The garage quoted £360 for investigatory work on my Mazda 6 and now want £360 to put the car back together, advising that I cannot safely move the car without the engine being put back in. I have asked...
The Ford/PSA 1.6 diesel engine fitted in the Mazda, Ford Focus and Volvo V50, to name a few, is regularly slammed in Volvo owner reviews as clattery, likely to destroy bearings after 3 years, and prone...
I am in the process of starting the quest to replace my 2008 Volkswagen Golf MK5 GT Sport TDI 140 DSG in January 2013. This car has over 60,000 miles on the clock and has been absolutely trouble free....
I have a 57/07 Renault Megane and the driver's electric window works OK but the other three windows are not working.
What tyre size would you recommend for a Abarth Turisimo - 16" or 17"?
I am looking to buy a new car which is comfortable for the frequent, long journeys to and around the Alps in all seasons. My wife will be my usual passenger and she has a back problem so access, comfort...
My Honda Accord's alternator packed up a week ago. Had it replaced with new belts. It made a screaming noise on full lock when I put the Air Con on as I got home. Drove it that evening to pop round to...
My son is spending about £3000 on a Ford Focus, a 1.6 or a 1.8 Diesel. It is a low mileage diesel. I have no other details, but on the question of 1.6 or 1.8, do you favour one in particular please?
I bought a Jaguar XF in April 2012 from Stratstones with 17k on the clock. After about 3 months I started to have severe pains in my lower back at the top of the buttocks. There appears to be a bar at...
I've read your advice on checking the age of tyres, which I did on my Land Rover Series 3. The tyres are Lassa 6.00-16C and date back to 2005 so presumably should be kept an eye on for signs of rubber...
I am trading down from a rover 75 and want to buy a new, five-door hatch. Ideally, I want a 1.6 petrol engine with a drivers seat approx 26-inches from ground to seat edge. Which cars would you recommend?
My daughter took her 2005 Volkswagen Polo automatic in for a service recently and was told that the car has a fault with the water pump. According to the dealer, the repairs will cost £500 including labour....
I have a Jaguar XF 3.0 Luxury D on a PCP. I do around 14,000 miles a year most of which is commuting on a good mixture of dual carriageway and A roads. The PCP expires in November and the GFV is £12,500....
In March 2013 I took delivery of a Kia Rio as part of the NHS lease scheme. This was chosen based on the fuel economy info from Kia and the lease company appointed by the NHS. However, since driving the...
I want to buy a small used car for the use of my son. I therefore need one that is cheap to insure with a low road tax. Any recommendations
The engine management warning light has come on my Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The car has covered 36,500 miles and the oil is a little low. There are no real problems to report, but the acceleration is a little...
Today my 2006 Vectra starting juddering and lost power when accelerating from 30mph to 50mph on a dual carriageway. I managed to get it to 60mph and it juddered and lost power. Finally it was stable at...
We bought a new Honda CR-V in September 2012. It is now making a rattle / scraping noise but initially only very intermittently in 3rd gear - not in any other gears. It is now occurring more often. It's...
I'm having trouble engaging reverse when my 2004 Audi A4 has warmed up. Reverse gear is perfectly fine when the car is cold but once it has reached 90 on the temperature gauge then sometimes I struggle...
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