Questions from November 2013
In January I purchased a Fiesta, which came without a spare wheel. I then purchased a suitable spare and tyre from a local tyre retailer in the village, which thankfully has never been used. Today the...
I recently sold an 8-year old BMW 525D advertised as in good condition but with 127,000 miles on the clock. The buyer negotiated the price down because the computer did not work properly and then drove...
In July I hired a Skoda Yeti from Europcar, Salzburg airport. On returning the vehicle I reported minor scratches on the front right wing. I believe the scratches were made when it was being parked, but...
I am looking to replace my ageing, but reliable and economical, Suzuki Swift 1.5VVT with a Renault Captur TCe 90. I understand that this comes with 4-year or 100,000 mile warranty and four years servicing,...
I am considering trying Terraclean performance tuning on my BMW 118d, in the hope of improving emissions and improving performance by removing engine carbon deposits. Do you know if such a treatment is...
I have two largish dogs that need transporting for their daily walks and an elderly mother who needs taking to the shops. I have managed with my SEAT Ibiza, which is approaching its third birthday early...
Do you know if there is some sort of mesh guard to fit over the front lower grill of a Renault Modus to protect the aircon condenser from road debris?
I would appreciate your explanation of the new offence of hogging the centre lane on a motorway. Unless the motorway is relatively empty, keeping to the inside lane involves constant overtaking of slow...
I am seriously thinking of buying a Volkswagen Polo 1.4GTI DSG and have read a number of articles, none of which have been very forthcoming or informative. However, I was very interested in your comments...
My wife has a Skoda Fabia 1.2 HTP 60, which she uses mainly for shopping trips and has done 10,100 miles from new. It is now coming up for its four year service and she has been told by the Skoda dealer...
I have recently retired and will be moving to the country shortly. Sadly, I will need to sell my much-loved Audi TTS and get something more practical with a greater load bearing capacity. I don’t want...
I am reaching the point when my Range Rover tyres (255/50 R20) will require replacement and I have been offered Vredestein Ultrac SUV Sessanta at what looks like a good price. I have never heard of this...
I notice you were yet to be made aware of any DPF issues with Mazda Skyactiv diesels so I thought you might like see the attached which comes from the May 2013 issue of Diesel Car. Are you seeing any evidence...
Your response to the letter 'Inflated opinion' (13.8.13) states that an airbag should only be turned off when a rear facing baby cradle is strapped into the passenger seat. The Government website CDC (Centre...
Some time ago you gave me advice on how to get the council to see to dangerous potholes. I believe you gave me a link but somehow I seem to have lost it. Can you help again please?
I have always been a Volvo fan and own currently a top-end 2002 Volvo 2.4T V70 that needs replacing. On looking around for a V70/XC70 replacement I find, to my utter disappointment, that below the 304PS...
I want to spend a modest amount, up to £12,000, on a new car. I need to take five people occasionally around town. I just want something that will be reliable and cheap to run but would like option of...
We are looking at a used motorhome. Most of what we are looking at seem to be based on a Fiat Ducato diesel chassis. In general, are there any older motorhomes that could suffer from Dual Mass Flywheel...
I recently copped a speeding ticket for exceeding the 70mph limit through the New Forest by what I can only assume was an unmarked vehicle. After two weeks fuming I cooled down and started to rationalise....
During holiday in Cornwall we visited Falmouth, where the car park charge was £1 for one hour or £2.20 for two hours. I witnessed my wife put £2.20 in to the machine, which produced ticket that I placed...
My beloved Mondeo has to go, finally, and, as my wife and I both have creaky backs, I am attracted to something more upright but don't want a big Chelsea tractor. With a total budget of £10,000 a second...
I have recently purchased a new Mazda 6 2.0-litre Sport Nav Tourer 165PS petrol model. I am delighted with this car and must take issue with your colleague Andrew English who commented that he found the...
Having just returned from two weeks driving in France I discovered that the normal 95 octane petrol is being replaced by SP95-10, which I understand contains 10 per cent bioethanol and is cheaper. I drive...
On your recommendation four years ago I have been a using Insurance4carhire’s global service ever since. This year, for the first time, I had cause to make a claim. My call was dealt with quickly and the...
Nick Smith MP for Blaenau Gwent says the Government should do more to defend the motorist from predatory private parking operators. In August local authority parking charges were in the news as it was...
I bought a car through Autotrader, which told me my address was 270 miles from the garage. It was in fact about 350 miles. This morning I noted mileages from six adverts and each mileage was underestimated...
Our car was run into by a Mister XXXXXXXX of Ascot or Bracknell - we only have his phone number: 01344 XXXXXX. We forgot to get his car's registration number. We have phoned him and he says he will not...
I have a 2007 Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDI and the Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) light has come on. I've tried resetting but it won't work, any ideas?
I bought a Vauxhall Vectra 15 months ago, which was advertised with a full service history. However, I’ve never received the history from the dealer. I’ve called, emailed and sent letters, but they have...
Buying a car in Thailand – is the Nissan March a good buy?
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