Questions from November 2013
Please advise what would be a suitable first car for my 18-year-old granddaughter who has passed her test? She wants to spend only about £2000. For that sort of money, what could be a fairly reliable and...
My wife complains that there is nowhere to rest cups or sandwiches in our Hyundai i10 when we stop for refreshments. I read Fiats are so endowed. Your comments, please.
Which cars in the 1.2/1.4 petrol category (manual gearbox) would you recommend?
My 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI PD Estate has just completed 150,000 miles, 145,000 miles in my ownership plus 5000 as the dealer’s demonstration car. The only major expense I have incurred was for a dual...
During over 50 years of driving experience, it has always been a puzzle to me as to why it is that, when parking on a level road, so many drivers attempt to pull the parking brake lever from its mountings....
The front ends of modern cars are subject to tight regulations regarding safety issues in the event of collision with other vehicles and pedestrians. Why, therefore, are agricultural vehicles and JCBs...
I have finally been able to talk to the owner of the garage that sold me a misdescribed car, and he said that I should have spotted the error when I took it on a test drive so it wasn't his fault. He has...
Whilst returning from our holiday and driving to Calais, we noticed that a car with just one headlight working had been following us for about 60 miles. For the next 20 miles or so, it started to tailgate....
My 2009 Citroen C4 1.6 HDI SX has just passed its MoT test. An Advisory item states, "Both front strut mount bearings partially seized". Should I be worried? The Citroen dealer has not been particularly...
My car insurance is due for renewal in the near future and I would be grateful if you would confirm the names of the top five companies in the latest customer care survey. I also own a 2009 Ford Focus...
I have an issue that I feel deserves public airing. It concerns the recent change in the law that allows pre-1960 cars exemption from an annual MOT test. As a classic car collector and restorer of my own...
In February 2000 I bought a 1999T BMW 528i Auto with 29,000 miles for £25,000. It has now done 141,000 miles and is still a pleasure to drive. The only obvious problem is the LED matrix on the dashboard...
What's the position where you are 'forced' across a red light with camera by a police car? It happened to someone in the lane next to me yesterday and could have been me. The police car came up behind...
Although you don't cover buses, I thought you may have some thoughts about the new double-decker London bus featured on a recent ‘Top Gear’ programme. All-British in design and manufacture, it features...
Regarding our mis-built Volkswagen Golf VII, I wanted to advise you that Volkswagen UK contacted me within a few days of sending the letter to their MD. The MD appointed a member of his executive team...
I’ve received a detailed map regarding the deployment of speed cushions and a puffin crossing to be built as a speed calming measure, due to the fact that a new development is to be built in our village....
I have an Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-line 2008 and have been very happy with its frugality (some of it due to the driver) and gadgets. But the car is pretty hard on the road and two damaged tyres have cost me dearly...
More than once in your column I've seen complaints by readers that cruise control is a fuel waster. I was always under the impression that cruise control allows the engine management system to select the...
Unfortunately I will need to change my current car, a 2009 Toyota Avensis estate, due to lack of rear seat leg room for our two 6-foot teenagers. I am interested in a larger estate car such as an Audi...
You may be interested to know that my 2009 1.4TSi Golf has had a new engine put in it, free of charge. Despite the car being slightly over three years old, Volkswagen admitted "serious component failure"...
After a short period of continuous operation my wipers stop. I've had two new motors and the linkage dismantled but the problem remains. My garage is at a loss - any ideas?
I am looking to buy a new mid-sized hatchback for around £16,000 - £20,000. However, for health reasons, I need an automatic. What would be the best car to buy?
We purchased a 2009 Ford Fusion 1.4 TDCI in the summer for £5495. We didn’t take any extended warranty on the car, but the dealer said he would give us three months cover.
A few weeks ago the car started...
Which is the best tyre for Nissan Juke (215/55/17) for maximum performance and control? I am confused by the many brands, but want to buy a premium tyre.
I want to order some winter tyres for my Audi A7 quattro. The car currently has 20-inch wheels, but I’m thinking it would be better to go down to 18s for the winter tyres. What do you think?
I have a 2008 Focus Titanium Auto 1.6. It’s done 45,000 miles and in all other respects is fine. After starting the engine and pulling away I get a loud clunk noise after its shifts from first to second....
Can you tell me of any known problems with the 2009 Mazda RX-8? I’m thinking of buying one, but want to do my homework first.
I want to buy an older 4x4 to drive in the snow. I’m considering the Vauxhall Frontera and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Which would you buy?
I’m thinking of buying a used luxury car for around £20,000. It must have comfortable seats and lots of toys. I live the Lexus CT200, but would like some more alternatives. What would you recommend?
Will replacing the normal 16-inch tyres with 17-inch runflats affect the drive or consumption on my BMW 320d?
During the summer my 2006 Kia Carens started making a crackling noise at low speeds. I took the car to my local dealer and was told it was a problem with the CV joint. I was informed that I would need...
My Motability scheme car is up for renewal and I’m considering a Ford C-Max diesel. Should I worry about DPF problems? I only do 5000 miles a year.
I’m in the market for a used car. I want something small, with five-doors and low/zero VED. What would you recommend for £5000?
I'm looking for a three year old Mercedes-Benz C-Class. I have about £12,000 to spend and would normally would choose a diesel, as I do about 15- 20,000 miles a year.
Am I better avoiding diesels due...
A friend of mine purchased a Fiat Punto 1.4 automatic from an independent garage three days ago. My friend has only recently passed her test and only has an automatic licence. She learned to drive and...
I had my Talbot motor home LPG converted by a registered garage. I was told the BRC system was the best and at considerable expense authorised the conversion. For over two years the van has backfired violently...
I want to downsize from my Mercedes-Benz C-Class CDI as I head towards retirement. I want a car that is smaller, but provides me with a similar quality of ride, economy and comfort. My only spec requirements...
I am looking to buy a used car (two or three years old) for £15,000. It needs to be a four door hatch, preferably high for easy access for elderly parents and good in snow. It will replace a BMW so would...
I am approaching retirement and will be able to spend around £30,000 on a vehicle. I have owned several Toyotas including a 2007 2.2 diesel RAV-4.
I like the spec of the Lexus RX450h, auto, as well as...
My wife has just received a parking charge notice from a private operator with an accompanying photograph of our vehicle. We were not parked and were not in a parking zone, although we were on the approach...
I lease a two year old Vauxhall Vivaro van. I’ve had it since new and covered 25,000 miles. A few weeks ago it started miss-firing when I started it up on my driveway; the RAC diagnosed no compression...
I have received a parking ticket, stating that I had - "Parked after the expiry of time in a pay & display car park."
I appealed stating that I had paid £1.00 and the machine must have a log and they...
My wife has a damaged left ankle and wants to buy a small automatic for greater comfort. What do you recommend we buy?
I recently bought a used Mercedes-Benz C-Class from a garage. The car was advertised with 28,000 miles on the clock, but when I checked the paperwork I found an old MoT stating the car had covered 59,000...
I have a 2008 Volvo V70 D5 Auto. At approximately 1600rpm the car stutters and feels sluggish. In park, at the same rpm, there is a roughness / imbalanced feel to the engine with the car vibrating slightly....
I purchased a new Skoda Yeti 4x4 a few months ago and want to fit winter tyres. The Yeti is on 17-inch wheels, but I am planning to downgrade to 16s for winter. I go to shoots for most weekends and want...
I'm looking to get a set of winter tyres for my Hyundai i10, what would you recommend?
I have recently purchased a 2007 Fiat Ducato from a trader. Within a day of buying it, the clutch pedal started sticking and the speedo would only work intermittently. I had the van inspected by a local...
I own a 2002 Ford Focus 2.0 petrol, with 125,000 miles on the clock. The other day, whilst idling at a roundabout, the yellow engine light came on. I took it to a Ford garage and they said that error code...
I need to replace 16-year-old, seven-seater Volvo estate. I want to buy something that will be comfortable on the motorway, but provide good fuel economy. I’ll be driving up to 15,000 miles a year and...
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