Trending topics in September 2013
Questions from September 2013
I have a BMW 3 Series Touring diesel automatic bought from new in September 2006. I have had 50,000 miles of excellent trouble-free motoring and arrange regular servicing at the local BMW dealer. Recently...
I bought a 2013 E-Class Mercedes-Benz two weeks ago. Since then, while driving, suddenly I hear a loud two bleeps and see a warning triangle light up. The car has been twice to Robinson Motors, Cambridge...
My 12-year-old 320i SE automatic salon BMW has provided good and relatively trouble-free driving for the past six years. Unfortunately, the steering has recently become stiff and noisy, and my local BMW...
I am having new alloy wheels fitted to my SEAT Ibiza Cupra and came across ‘Alloygators’ fitted for protection. Have you heard of these? If so I would value your opinion of how good they are.
I own a 1999 Peugeot estate car, which I inherited seven years ago. At the time I obtained a valuation, for probate, from the Peugeot garage that had been servicing the car for several years. They said...
I’m looking for a replacement key for my Mercedes-Benz CLK 240 Coupe W209, registered March 2004. Please advise where to purchase for best price.
I am changing my car shortly and would like to know which small to medium-size family cars are not fitted with low profile tyres.
If I approach a dealer offering a secondhand car for £10,000 how much discount might I expect? What should be my starting bid?
I currently drive a 2007 Discovery 3 HSE with 75,000 on the clock. It has been problem-free and an excellent car (my fifth Discovery). I am considering a change at some time in the next year, and have...
My main car is a 5-year old Jaguar XF 2.7 diesel. I have loved the car but with annual mileage now of only 7000 (it has 31,500 on the clock) I am starting to think of replacing it with another XF, but...
The stop-start on my wife's Fiat 500 often either fails to cut the engine when in neutral at traffic lights, and this is accompanied by a dashboard warning symbol, or else it cuts the engine properly but...
My 2002 Rover 75 CDT has been a good car for me over the past eight years but is now suffering from an overheating problem when towing my caravan. It was fine when I towed to Norfolk in April, but I had...
I agree absolutely that no-one should be penalised for falling asleep in a motorway service area and overstaying their 'Welcome Break’. The practice of setting a time limit for parking and then imposing...
I have just bought a 2002 Ford KA for my soon-to-be 18 daughter and wonder what insurance company you could direct us to. I realise that the premiums are going to be steep but would like to mitigate the...
I am the owner of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Saloon, with the performance pack and uprated brakes. I have only owned the car a few months and, last week, I noticed a very slight wheel wobble when gently...
I am looking to buy a new Honda CR-V or BMW X1 and would like to know if there is a significant difference between modern metallic and non-metallic paints. The last time I bought a new car with non-metallic...
I have a Citroen C5 Tourer that is blowing a headlight bulb every two weeks. Also, I find the car extremely uncomfortable with a lack of under thigh support on the right side.
I bought a used Land Rover Discovery 3 for £9000 recently. The advert stated that warranty covered the clutch and other components of the car, which was one of the main factors in my buying it. A few weeks...
Can you tell me if there are any technical or DPF issues relating to the Alfa Romeo 159?
My Nissan Note spent two months at a local garage having a new catalytic converter fitted. During that time I was forced to use a hire car, at my own cost. However, since my car was returned, I have discovered...
I was parked in a public pay and display car park when a car reversed into the space next to me. Once the car had stopped (and the engine had been turned off) a child of about six hit my car with the rear...
Is it the responsibility of our local dealer to recover our car if it breaks down? Our two year old Fiat 500C suffered a power steering failure last week and the dealer has said it’s our reasonability...
I bought a used 2009 Volkswagen Golf a few months ago. The salesman who sold me the car failed to mention that, when the car turns four years old, it will need a new cam belt/water pump at a cost of £500....
My Mazda MX5 was scratched down the driver’s side in a car park by another car. I reported it to my insurer and following the assessor’s inspection it has been written off as a Category D. The value has...
I’m looking to buy a used car and am considering either a Ford Fusion or a Fiesta, circa 2003-2004. I've read that the Fusion is more practical, but the extra weight makes it perform poorly with the 1.4...
Which small car (Fiesta size) has the softest suspension and a long enough wheelbase to cope with speed bumps?
I've placed an order for a new Audi Q3 TFSI, but need advice regarding paint. I’ve been given two choices: Brilliant Black (gloss black, non-metallic, no extra cost) or Phantom Black (pearlescent black,...
My 19 year old son has just got a new job that involves driving high mileage. He needs a new car with a large boot, good fuel economy and low insurance. What do you suggest?
We are a family of five searching for a used car that will be cheap to run and insure. It must have three point seat belts in the back for all three seats and not be too large. Can you recommend any MPVs...
I'm considering buying a used Land Rover Defender.
The vehicle will be used only for short drives and I was wondering how much I should look at paying for a nice used example? Also what other similar...
The engine system fault light keeps flashing on my 2009 Land Rover Discovery 3. I have spent hundreds of pounds at the main dealer (fuel filter suspected and changed but no improvement) and have had it...
Last year I bought a Volkswagen Polo from an authorised dealer. The car was an ex-demonstrator and had just 7000 miles on the clock. Over the past few months the car has been suffering from a number of...
We are soon to go to Spain on holiday and have bought a package, which includes car hire and insurance. I have heard of some scams being employed by foreign insurers and am worried I’ll get ripped off....
I bought a 2007 Toyota Auris last year from an approved dealer, with extended warranty. I’ve recently had some mechanical issues with the car and have been told by the Toyota dealer that it needs a new...
Can you tell me if it’s worth buying winter tyres on my Volvo V60? I do about 10,000 miles during the winter month, but only drive on motorways.
Do you have all of the technical service bulletins relating to turbo failure on the 2004 Ford Focus? The turbo on my car has failed and I am putting together information for my local garage.
I'm looking to buy a car for my large 21 year old rugby playing son. It must be safe on motorways and able to cope with two or three passengers. We’d also prefer the car to be cheap to insure and run....
I bought a new Hyundai ix35 a few months ago from an authorised dealership. As part of the deal, I had front parking sensors fitted by the dealer, as they’re not standard Hyundai parts. However, upon collection...
Can you recommend a small, comfortable car that would allow easy access for a five foot disabled person? The car must be practical, with a good load space as it’ll need to carry a motorised three – wheeled...
My local garage is a Ford specialist, but not an authorised dealer. I am considering buying a new Focus/Fiesta/B-Max through this garage, but the owner is sceptical about the EcoBoost engine. The owner...
Can you tell me which used cars are the most reliable? I have £8000 to spend and want to buy a saloon with four doors.
I have recently retired and want to buy a new Volkswagen Golf. I cover 14,000 miles a year and want a model that’s cheap to run and comfortable to drive. I’ve tested the 1.6 diesel, but can't make up my...
We are looking to buy a 4x4 for our two mile school run. We are keen on a BMW X3, but have heard that short trips are not good for diesels due to the DPF blocking. Is two miles too short a journey for...
I want to improve the ride on my Jaguar X-Type. The obvious choice would be to the replace the 225/40/18 tyres with something a bit fatter to soften the ride. Which wheels and tyres would you suggest?...
Can you tell me which cars are the cheapest for parts and servicing?
I am looking for a used car following the recent theft of my reliable Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi. I have £11,000 to spend and want something that’s reliable and comfortable. Another Mondeo would seem the obvious...
I have recently traded a 2005 Renault Clio for a Ford Focus from the same year. After a few days running the Focus I noticed that it is leaking oil and overheating. I have tried to return the car, but...
Can you tell me if the average fuel consumption figure displayed by my car's on-board computer is correct? I’ve read a lot of reports that claim official fuel consumption figures not matching up to real...
I am thinking of replacing my 2001 BMW 530d with either the new 330d or a used 2008/2009 M3 saloon. I do 20,000 miles a year of motorway commuting mixed with sporty rural driving at weekends. Which would...
I’m thinking of buying a left hand drive car and registering it for use in the UK. Can you tell me if it would pass the 'headlight alignment' part of the MoT test with the type of stick-on beam deflectors...
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