Questions from November 2013
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...
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...
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...
Within easy reach of my house consistently BP premium diesel cost 4p less than the Shell equivalent. Which would you buy, please?
I bought a low mileage approved used BMW X3 in march of this year.
It has been plagued with problems and to be fair the local dealer has tried to rectify these problems. However, yesterday after another...
On a 255 mile motorway run starting with a full tank, getting better than 40 average mpg, when we near our destination the instruments show a near empty tank and show 40 miles to empty tank. The tank capacity...
I am about to sell my 2006 BMW 320iSE automatic, with full leather and full service history. Can you tell me what the car is worth, it has covered 47,000 miles.
A lot of higher mileage BMWs and Audis suffer reliability issues, and in you replies you often state that so called long life and filled for life servicing is to blame.
Yet these manufacturers steadfastly...
I want to buy a new car with lower emissions. I travel about 30,000 miles a year, which includes my 80 mile round commute. I have £30,000 to spend and would like something fun, with low BIK tax and good...
I have a Volkswagen Golf Mk2 1.6 CSL (manual), the problem is that it does not want to select gears number one, two or reverse. What's going on?
I have a 2013 Audi TT RS Plus that recently went into the local dealership for its first service - a 9000 mile oil change. When I collected the car I noticed that it had done 17 miles since I dropped it...
I have owned Subaru Foresters for the past 15 years. The old adage of "Subarus don't break", has proved very true in my case. The Audi Q5 is on my short list as a replacement and I drive mostly on rural...
I’m in the market for a used automatic estate. I’ve set my sights on a Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia. I am looking for a car with good economy and towing ability, as I own a 1450kg caravan. I have £10,995-...
We bought a 1995 Honda Accord recently, but we are having problems with the remote locking. The system works, but you have to point the key at the car at close range for it to work. Any idea what’s wrong?...
Can you recommend a winter tyre that can be used all year round? I only do around 8000 miles per annum, I am interested in fitting to my Jaguar S-Type.
I have a new Fiat 500 with stop/start, but the system refuses to work. It has been back to the garage numerous times because the stop/start does not apply itself when it should, and when it does it does...
My 2001 Renault Clio has recently been having trouble starting. I can get in the car one time and it will start fine, the next I attempt to start the engine, turn the key fully, and there is absolutely...
I bought a used Audi A5 a few months ago from a main dealer. The car is going well but on looking through the paper work to get the car registered (as no V5 arrived) I noticed that in the list of checks...
I bought a 2008 Volkswagen Eos five months ago and am concerned about the DSG gearbox and the roof which is leaking. Can I still take the car back to the vendor and ask them to fix it, or is five months...
My friend has a 2010 Touota Auris. When turning right or left all external indicator lights function as do the hazard lights when operated. However when signalling to turn left the dashboard signal display...
My 2007 Kia Picanto is suffering with heavy windscreen condensation. It’s always on the screen, but the rest of the car is dry and I can’t find any leaks. Any idea what could be causing it?
I own a 2009 Volkswagen Passatt CC GT. The yellow coil warning light keeps coming on and the car goes in to limp home mode. I’ve replaced the turbo valves and actuator, but still the problem persists....
I recently paid for an RAC report on a newly purchased used car. The RAC mechanic said and wrote in the report that the car is not roadworthy and refused to road test it. I am now going through the courts...
My Mercedes-Benz C-Class came on 17-inch alloys with Michelin Primacy HP 225/45 R17- 91W tyres, which are hard, noisy and very uncomfortable. I’m considering a downgrade to 16-inch wheels, with 205/55...
My car has had a service done recently, but after a few days the engine oil ran out. I discovered that the engine oil filler was open with no cap. Am I entitled to compensation?
I am planning to drive to northern Italy this winter, but have been told that I must fit winter tyres to my car. Is this true?
I’m buying a pre-registered Volkswagen Touareg 3.0TDi V6 R Line for £42,445, which includes current Volkswagen discount of £3000. Is this a good deal?
Im looking to buy a used 5 Door medium sized petrol car for no more than £3000. Which of these cars would you recommend, 2004 Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec or 2003 Toyota Corolla 1.6. Both cars have around 60,000...
I have a 13 year old Audi A6 Allroad, which I use in the Alps in the winter. However, I’ve noticed that the car runs very poorly in cold weather and sometimes will refuse to start. I’ve tried using polar...
I have recently bought a used Mazda 6 from a dealer with three months warranty, but after taking it for a service with a local dealer they advised car needs £4990 of work doing and is in a dangerous state....
I have a 2007 Mini Cooper S which has done around 62,000 miles. Last week, it began running very roughly and was noticeably lacking in power. I took it to a Mini dealer who noted that there was no compression...
The transfer box on my Volvo XC90 has failed after four years and 46,000 miles. The Volvo dealer has quoted £4000 to fix the car and deny any responsibility for failure of the transfer box. Unwilling to...
My 2001 Nissan X-Trail is giving me all sorts of problems. First, I was asked to replace the accelerator sensor and throttle body sensor, but neither fixed the car. I was asked to replace the fuel regulator,...
My 2010 Jaguar XJ needs new rear tyres after only 15,000 miles. It is fitted with Dunlop 275/40 ZR19 on the rear and Dunlop 245/45 ZR19 on the front. The wheels are 20-inch. Would it be possible to fit...
I have noticed there are lots of different make cars throughout the country, with registration area code ‘KP’. Is this area of Northampton the headquarters for large fleet registrations or for cars that...
I am replacing my 2005 Mitsubishi Grandis with a new car, but I am having hard time picking which one. The cars on my short list are: Volvo XC60 SE LUX NAV auto, Kia Soreno KX-3 Auto, Hyundai Santa Fe...
We are having problems with our 2008 Skoda Roomster 1.4 petrol with 45,000 miles on the clock. The engine light keeps coming on. The catalytic converter, Lamda sensor and EGR valve have been changed. Cylinder...
I bought a 2009 Volkswagen Polo two months ago and within a few weeks the problems started. The engine is really noisy and vibrates and the dealer has told me this is normal for a three-cylinder engine?...
I'm about to change jobs and give up my Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI Highline estate. I will need to purchase a car and will be doing circa 35,000 miles per year. I have a budget of around £10,000 and have...
I'm strongly considering buying winter tyres for my Seat Altea XL with 205/55/r16 (91V) tyres. Can you recommend a good set? Also, do winter tyres have a different load and speed rating than summer tyres...
I am moving to the UK from New Zealand and would like to bring my Volkswagen California with me. Do you have any advice as to how I do this?
My Peugeot 207 is using a lot of water, yet shows no signs of any leaks. Any idea what's going?
My mother is looking to replace her old Volkswagen Golf. She has a budget of £12,000, but wants an automatic that is basic and economical. What do you suggest?
I have £4500 to spend on used car. Can you tell me what's the most reliable model out there to fit my budget?
I put a deposit on a car subject to a RAC check showing no finance. The check came back showing that finance was still outstanding on the vehicle and I demanded a refused on my deposit. However, the dealer...
Elsewhere on 
