Questions from November 2013
I am looking to buy a second hand Volvo XC90 Geartronic for local private use and to stand in for my business van when road conditions in the winter call for four-wheel drive. Someone I know has a V70...
My Ford Kuga has factory fitted Continental Premium Contact tyres - 235/50 R 18. I now need to replace the two rear tyres and have had conflicting advice regarding winter tyres. Do I have to buy a full...
I want to buy a nearly new van, but want to save as much money as possible. A friend has suggested going to an auction. Is this wise or will I risk getting ripped off on a van that’s got a dodgy history?
Have been given a very good quote by local Ford agent which involves storage of tyres that are not used for NEXEN Eurowun, are these any good?
My local garage fitted some new clutch parts to my Volkswagen Passat. However, after just four months, the clutch failed. The garage has told me it’s a warranty issue with the parts supplier and denies...
I am considering buying a 2002 Mini Cooper. The car is immaculate, but the gearbox feels clunky during the test drive. I have read and heard about Mini gearbox problems so am wary. Are they all a little...
I need to replace our expensive to run 2007 Kia Sorento . It must accommodate up to three large dogs and cope with winter weather and rural roads for our family dog business. I have £22,000 to spend and...
I am in dispute with the DVLA over a tax disc refund. I recently traded in my old car for a new one, but retained the 11 month tax disc. However, the dealer sold and taxed my old car within days of the...
First set of tyres on my Freelander are just showing signs of wear. What winter tyres would you recommend?
I want to replace my 2011 Ford C-Max 1.6 diesel. I want another diesel, but am not sure what to buy. I am tempted by the Citroen C4, Skoda Yeti and the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer. I have also been looking...
If you have an accident in a friend's car and they do not claim from their company insurance for the vehicle, because they were insuring the car illegally. Can they take me to civil court to make me pay...
I want to buy a hot hatch for £8000 and have narrowed my search to a 2010 Peugeot 308 GT or a 2006 Volkswagen Golf GTi. Which would you buy?
I currently own a Saab 9-5 and I am looking to replace it with a 4x4 for country roads, bad weather, steep hills and a largish boot for a dog. What would you recommend for £12,000?
I am looking for a second hand 4x4 for about £15,000 as I spend a few months each year in the Alpes for skiing. I am considering the Nissan X-Trail or Hyundai Santa Fe. Both seem reasonable 4x4s, but I...
We recently bought a Peugeot 306 for £550 with 12 months MOT and tax. The car has broken down multiple times and is also suffering electrical faults. I rang the guy I brought it off and told him I wanted...
My 1997 Land Rover Discovery TDI has 360,000 miles on the clock and the engine throws out quite a lot of oil. My local mechanic says the oil is falling on the exhaust manifold so there is a fire risk....
Having recently discovered that my wife is expecting twins, we're now in the position of needing a car which can accommodate two rear facing child seats and a booster for a three year old in the second...
I am 74 and own a 2006 Renault Modus Privilege. It has 40,000 miles on the clock, but is it expensive to run and I want to replace it with a nearly new car. I like the seating of the Modus and need five...
I am about to put in an order for the Audi A6 Allroad. What do you recommend for choice of wheel size? Standard wheels are 18-inch, but 19 and 20s are also available. Also is the bi-turbo diesel (313)...
The glass tailgate will not open on my 2004 BMW 5 Series. I press the button under the wiper and the fob but still can't open. What's wrong?
Not a question just some observations on suresell. I tried to sell my car recently using sure sell after reading your recommendation. Got put through to BCA Paddock Wood. Only received input form after...
The steering on my 2011 Ford Fiesta has a strange, notchy feel between 10 and 30mph, but my Ford dealer cannot anything wrong. They changed a CV joint and steering column joint, but this made no difference....
We are returning to the UK from Spain. We have a 2009 Spanish-registered LHD Golf 1.4 TDI Sport with 80,000 kilometres on the clock. What do you recommend? Sell it in Spain, or keep and trade it in when...
My neighbour too has just faced the 'no spare wheel' dilemma when discovering his Fiesta Ghia had a tyre damaged beyond the scope of the supplied compressor and sealant canister. We had no alternative...
I live in the Isle of Man. Please recommend from where in UK I should buy a tow bar for my Honda Civic 2.2i-DTEC ES. I have a very good mechanic ready to fit it.
What are your opinions of a Vauxhall Signum as an alternative to an estate? I am 6-feet 5-inches so am concerned that in a small estate, the person/child behind me will have zero legroom.
You were kind enough to respond in December last year regarding our 2012 X3's rear rusty brake hubs. I was looking at an X reg BMW 5 series the other day and noticed the rear hubs were completely rust...
I'm thinking of buying an EcoBoost Ford Fiesta or Focus. It must be automatic. Which engines do you suggest? Also, which size wheels and tyres for someone who prefers comfort to bling?
The email regarding paint problems following bonnet repairs reminded me of problems I had about thirty years ago when I was unfortunate enough to own a BL Princess. After about 12 months, pit marks appeared...
In 1996 I bought a Nissan Micra, which, after four years, developed a problem where the engine kept cutting out at stop signs. My mechanic couldn't fix it, and so I sold it, and bought another Nissan Micra...
One tyre of my wife's 2003 Ford Focus gradually deflates from 30PSI to around 10PSI in the space of about a week. I have renewed the tyre and the valve twice but the problem persists. The tyre dealer can't...
I heard with incredulity the plans of some crackpots within the EU who want to fit to all new cars and some old cars with a device that automatically cuts your speed down to whatever these little Hitlers...
My (almost) immaculate and reliable 2001 BMW 320i SE has been badly damaged by a driver who claimed he couldn't see me as he reversed. He has accepted full responsibility for the accident. My dealer says...
Some time ago you wrote about 'winter tyres' that could be used all year. Can you update me please on the recommended tyres and whether you have had reports on the tyre's performance? I drive a Mazda MX-5...
On 29th May I purchased a Garmin satnav from Halfords. The assistant offered to come out to set it up but we had an appointment to keep, so declined. I run a Toyota Prius, which has a 5-inch multi-display...
The Freight Transport Association recently stated: “We need to see cyclists taking responsibility for their actions, obeying traffic regulations, giving space to HGVs making manoeuvres and generally riding...
I own a Volkswagen Lupo 2002 1.7 SDI, which is now coming up to 100,000 miles. The diesel engine has been incredibly reliable and I've driven since 34,000 with no problems. I now commute by train, so in...
I am looking to buy my wife a better car. This needs to be an estate due to the fact we have two children and a dog. I have a budget of £4000 and am wondering which car to go for, and whether I should...
My daughter and son-in-law intend changing their 10-year-old, 59,000 mile Mazda Premacy 1.8 petrol GXi. It has given excellent service, is in first class order and has a full Mazda service history. I am...
When researching GAP insurance I came across www.ALA.co.uk on your website. I got a quote from the link and it turned out far cheaper than Land Rover, with what appeared to be similar T&Cs. I have been...
You wrote: “This generation of Corsa can suffer water ingress because the brake master cylinder is bolted to a plate that is bonded to the bulkhead. This bonding fails, allowing water in".
I spoke to...
I have found over the years that the alloy wheels on my 2005 Jaguar XJ6 are very easily damaged as the rims protrude from the surrounding tyres. I had them refurbished by a "specialist" but realised some...
As a mature motorist looking for a little late in life luxury I have been looking at the Jaguar XF Sport or Luxury 2.2 diesel. As I will not be doing more than about 6000 miles a year am I asking for Diesel...
The Isle of Sheppey crash in September involved 130 vehicles in thick fog. Apparently many of them didn't have their lights on. Obviously, there are some silly people who wouldn't put them, on anyway,...
So we now have specific offences listed that were already covered by the likes of 'due care and attention' or 'careless driving' but overtaking on the left apparently is listed now. Imagine in the, rare...
I recently used a local multi story car park and the pay machine touch screen did not recognise any part of my registration number after several attempts, and eventually the screen in question displayed...
I have now decided to select one of these cars, which are all 1.6 diesel automatics: Audi A3 sedan, Volkswagen Passat or Skoda Superb. According to my opinion, Audi is the best quality among them, but...
I have an elderly relative who has a 1984 Mercedes-Benz SL, with a mileage of about 48,000 with hardtop available. It has been off the road for four years and of course would cost at least £1500 to get...
I have two cars: a 2008 Peugeot 308 Sport 120 with 57,800 on the clock and a 2002 Ford Ka 1.3-litre petrol. Do they have a cambelt or chain?
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