Trending topics in September 2013
Questions from September 2013
On a recent trip to France in my 17,000 mile 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, I had the misfortune to get a puncture in the rear nearside tyre. The tyres are Pirelli 225/50 R16 92W. Fortunately, we were still...
I have a 2007 Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCI Titanium X estate. It was my company lease car, which I bought a year ago on leaving the firm for £2500. It has 114,000 miles on the clock, but the engine has been smoky...
Following a previous question about Castrol having the sole rights to oil for the Jaguar XF, I now notice that both Shell (Helix Diesel Ultra AF-L 5w-30) and Millers (XF Longlife C1 5w-30) are claiming...
My son has received a parking ticket after parking for five minutes outside Ealing Broadway Station. He parked in a bay rather than block the high street, which he thought considerate. Should we take any...
I bought a Mazda 3 from a main dealer in 2010. As recommended by the manufacturer, I took the car for its first check up in 2011, where it was given a full service and oil change.
After the latest service...
One of my elderly neighbours has a 1991 Proton 1.3GLS. She has owned it from new and has asked me if I could find out how many are left. Can you help?
I'm having a problem with the temperature gauge on my Citroen C3 - it keeps going into the red and setting an alarm off. I have replaced the temp sensor and fan but it still does it, normally after heavy...
Two weeks ago I bought a 2003 Ford Focus with 109,000 miles on the clock for £1800. During the time I've owned it I've discovered a fairly severe oil leak coming from somewhere on the engine or transmission....
My 2009 Mazda 6 2.2 diesel has covered 66,000 miles and is two months out of warranty. Last week I noticed a loss of power and took the car to the dealer to be inspected. After £160 of diagnostics it was...
My 2002 Vauxhall Vectra is making a scraping noise, which seems to be coming from the front wheels. There's no vibrations, or any performance issues, but the noise is very loud. Any idea what it is?
I am driving a 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel. I deliver pizzas for a living and have covered 80,000 miles in the past three years without any problems. However, last week, the car started having EGR valve issues...
I have recently been made redundant and am looking to downgrade from two cars to one. I currently own a 2012 Toyota Aygo and a 2009 Verso, but find the Aygo to be too small so want to sell it. The only...
I’m looking to buy a small car, but can’t choose between the Ford B-Max or the Vauxhall Meriva. What is your view? My priorities are safety, economy, reliability and heated seats.
I have been worried about replacing my 2006 Land Rover Discovery 3, which I believe doesn’t have a DPF. I want to buy a newer Discovery, but am fearful that my short journey to work (four miles) will cause...
I am having trouble finding a second hand lower black spoiler for my 2010 Vauxhall Zafira. Will a 2005 to 2010 spoiler fit on my bumper or do I need to get a 2008 to 2011 part?
I am driving a 2002 Ford Mondeo 2002. The mileage on the clock is 61,000; is it necessary to replace the timing chain at a specific mileage level for this model?
My wife and I are the proud owner of a Skoda Yeti 2.0-litre Diesel. We have had the car for over three years, but have had nine punctures over this time. In every case the whole tyre had to be replaced...
Can you tell me if I should be forced to pay for a courtesy car? My 2011 Renault Megane has suffered head gasket problems and it’s going to be off the road for weeks. Renault have agreed to fix it under...
My 2012 Audi TT started to leak exhaust gasses in to the engine bay/cabin after just nine months of ownership. After seven months and numerous visits to my dealer, the problem persists. Is there a known...
I'm looking at purchasing a used Volvo XC90 (diesel) but don't want one with a DPF. I'm also unsure about the engine size - is the V8 worth the extra money or is the D5 sufficient?
Our Volkswagen CC is coming up to three years old and we are being offered an extended, comprehensive warranty by our local dealer for £290 a year or £31 per month. This seems too good to be true as Warranty...
I need to buy a used car, but need an automatic due to a disability that restricts the movement of my right arm. I only drive short routes to town, but want something economical and reliable. I’ve narrowed...
My Audi A4 recently developed a fault that caused the ECU to switch to ‘limp home’ mode under various driving conditions. I took the car to an Audi dealer to have the fault diagnosed – at a cost of £90...
I have a 2011 Ford S-Max that I purchased in April 2012 from a main dealership. Since July 2013 the car has been suffering with a "Steering Malfunction" message, which renders the car unusable. I have...
I need to buy a fun car for my wife to commute 10 miles per day in. We have a budget of only £2000 - £3000 and she would like something reliable that can take three teenagers in the back on occasion. What...
Hi John, I've been to many classic car shows and stands across the UK and one topic with huge confussion I face is the story of adding lead to classic air-cooled Volkswagen engines. To my knowledge Vdubs...
I want to buy a small used car with an automatic ‘box. I have £10,000 to spend and want something that will be reliable, but fun. What do you suggest?
I have recently had the first service on my 2012 Kia Cee'd SW (1.6 diesel, manual gearbox). I was very surprised to note that this service did not include an oil and filter change. On checking with the...
I have a 1950 Citroen Light 15 (Traction Avant) which is mechanically sound but needs a bit of work. What is the best way to sell such a car and to get the best price with the lowest outlay?
I'm about to be made redundant and I am looking to start buying and selling cars as a small business. I have little knowledge or experience of the industry, and have no idea about legalities or where to...
I am in the market for a used Ford Mondeo, but want to get the best value for money. I have just looked at a 2010 Titanium X with a 2.0 TDCi diesel engine. The Ford dealer wants £13,450 – is this a good...
We will be retiring next year and want to buy a new MPV. My wife will be the only driver, but she has some health issues and it’s important the car has an automatic gearbox, high driving position and a...
My wife drives a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200, with 73,000 miles on the clock. It is in decent condition, but last week my wife ran over a gate closing device and damaged the exhaust. The whole exhaust has...
Six months ago I bought my old company car from the leasing firm - a Volkswagen Passat. The car is four years old and was sold with a two year extended warranty. Last week I took it for a service, but...
I'm on my third Mazda3 1.6D and was looking forward to buying the newest model. However, without a 1.6 diesel in the new range, and the 2.2D Skyactiv being too large for my needs, I am not sure what to...
My 2005 Volvo XC70 Diesel has for the last four years intermittently given an "Engine Service Required" amber warning – error code P0244. Although the performance is slightly impaired, the light usually...
I have bought a 2012 BMW 520d recently after 12 years with a 530i Sport. So far I love the car, but am comparatively disappointed with the road holding, cornering and noise from tyres. The car is presently...
We are looking for a smaller car that will also be able to cope with the occasional long journey. It needs to be comfortable (interior and ride), quiet, reasonably economical and have a high/easy access...
I’m a self-employed electrician with a new Volkswagen Transporter. I drive long distances and carry a lot of tools and equipment, including a ladder. As you can imagine, the tools and equipment can shift...
My partner would like to buy a new/nearly new car which can cope with occasional snow and steep hills in the area she works as a GP. Her commute to work is a round trip of 30 miles, but there will be shorter...
Occasionally, when pulling up at a junction or at lights, there is a bleeping sound and this flashing snowflake symbol appears on the display of my 2003 Citroen C2. The car then refuses to engage first...
We need to replace all four tyres on our Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. It's currently on Michelin Primacy HP 205/50 R17, but I'm looking for an all-year all-weather tyre. We're based in the south of France...
While driving along a B road in Penzance, I pulled over to allow a flatbed truck to pass from the other direction. Despite doing this, the truck driver still hit my car, tearing the offside front tyre,...
I have Skoda Octavia TDI VRS currently on aluminium wheels with 225/40/18 summer tyres. Would steel wheels with 205/55/16 winter tyres be a good combination for winter motoring?
Petrol has been added to my diesel Nissan Note. The tank has been drained and a new filter change. The car will start but is very sluggish and does not seem to have any power. The turbo will also not engage...
I put my Saab in for a service recently after noticing a change in engine noise following a long journey. The garage told me the car had no oil and replaced the engine and turbo at a cost of £3000. Since...
I have a dangerous misfire on 13 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0-litre petrol. When partly warmed up, it goes through a spell of chronic misfire on part throttle. However, when 100 per cent warmed up,...
Can you tell me if vans have lower speed limits compared to cars? I was driving around 70mph in my Ford Transit on a dual carriageway and have now been sent a speeding fine. Is this correct?
I’m in the process of buying a new van and am thinking of having a full-size bulkhead fitted as an option. The van already has a ladder style bulkhead as standard, but the dealer says only a complete steel...
I’m having some problems with my 2004 Citroen Xsara Picasso. The engine management light comes on and the car goes into limp home mode. I’ve had a diagnostics test carried out and was informed that the...
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