Trending topics in December 2013
Questions from December 2013
The ABS light on my Peugeot 307 has come on. I can also hear a tinny sound when driving, any idea what’s the fault?
My wife parked in a council operated car park and purchased the appropriate ticket. On returning to the car within the allotted time she found the ticket had fallen off the window. Fortunately no PCN had...
Yesterday I received a Parking Charge Notice. I put the money in the machine and did not receive a ticket. I put a notice in the windscreen to that effect. I have written a letter protesting my innocence...
I am purchasing an Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sportback that, as you will know, does not come with a spare wheel. The Audi dealer can provide a spare but has quoted £300. This seems to me to be excessive. Do you...
What in your opinion is the best trim and engine for a Rover 75 if I wanted to keep it as a classic?
I am considering the purchase of a secondhand Jaguar XF or XJ about 3-4 years old, but from reading your various concerns about particulate filters, I am also concerned. My annual mileage is no more than...
I have just enjoyed a 25-mile ride in a 1954 Bentley SD used as my daughter's wedding car. This pleasurable experience has made me think about acquiring a classic car. A Bentley is beyond the budget and...
The AutoStop/Start on my 2009 BMW 120 M Sport stopped operating on a journey from Bromley, Kent to Cornwall. On return from holiday, 500 miles later, I booked the car into my BMW dealer. I was told my...
I have purchased a personalised registration from DVLA to put on a new BMW. I requested a certain layout for the plates i.e. EG slight space 63 slight space JAD (EG 63 JAD) but the BMW dealer had already...
I recently moved into a new house and whilst I can drive my Jaguar into the garage I cannot get out of the car, the garage being only 8-feet wide. As I want to garage my car I have been trying to find...
My Fiesta with EcoBoost 100 averaged 48.5mpg on one long journey, while the on-board computer shows 37.4mpg overall, mostly on short local trips along fairly congested roads in suburban London. May I suggest...
A friend in Holland has a fully restored 1958 Porsche 356 fixed head coupe with right hand drive and may one day have to sell it. He has owned the car for about 40 years but has not driven it since emigrating...
Outward in my Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost 125, not being in a hurry, I took the AutoRoute Calais to Reims and then the Route Nationals (including some town driving) to Colmar where I filled up. My trip indicator...
I have had a most enjoyable nine years with my 11-year-old Saab 9-5 Aero Estate with not many breakdown problems. Recently while on holiday the Automatic Transmission warning light came on. After the initial...
We are thinking of changing our 2004 Golf 1.9TDI. We would like something of a similar size although petrol as we do a lot of short and medium trips with a fairly low annual mileage. I note from reading...
I have a new model Range Rover Sport 3.0d HSE Dynamic. I have to say I love it. I traded a Discovery 4 (amazing residual after three years) and recently sold my Cayman S. It fits perfectly between the...
I purchased a brand new Vauxhall Corsa 1.3CDTi on 07-09-2012. Since then it has been back in the garage five times due to DPF related problems. It has currently been in the garage for eight weeks waiting...
I am looking for an MPV that is economical to run as a daily use car (school run, work, holidays), can be used as an occasional camper or in which the seats fold flat to form a double bed, and the seats...
I purchased a Volkswagen Touareg 3.0TDI new six months ago and am delighted with it, but on a steep hill in Argyll the vehicle runs away with me over the pre-set speed on 55mph. It was in the dealer’s...
The head gasket has apparently blown in my 2004 Rover 25 and I have been quoted £1140 for a new one and £700 for a second hand , but no guarantees. I am reeling! Is this a good deal?
Our 2009 Mazda BT50 3.0 automatic has covered just 24,000 miles, mostly towing up to its rated capacity. It now has a serious leak from the gearbox and an independent mechanic has diagnosed transmission...
I am about to take the plunge on a Mitsubishi Evo X - FQ 360. Is there any mechanical issues I should be aware of?
I live in Portugal where buying a new car is extremely expensive. Do you know a broker that can supply a LHD, preferably a BMW X3 or Honda CR-V ,for me to buy in UK and export to Portugal?
My daughter lives in Thailand and owns a 2012 Isuzu D-Max Highlander with a 3.0 litre engine and top spec leather seats, sat nav, reverse camera and 22-inch alloy wheels. It is 18 months old and an automatic....
My son commutes 50,000 miles per year, mostly on motorways. He currently has a 2004 Vauxhall Astra diesel estate, but as the mileage has racked up he is considering getting something else. He likes Fords,...
My friend was involved in an accident after another car hit him from behind. The driver took full responsibility and his insurance company gave him a van on lease. However, now the insurer want to take...
My annual mileage is about 3000 a year.I prefer an automatic and am considering the Yaris Hybrid. Most of my journeys will be local 10/20 miles,and on occasions the vehicle will remain parked for a week...
I’m looking to buy a used car for my 17 year old son. I have about £9000 to spend and my son likes the SEAT Ibiza FR, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa limited edition. Which of these do you recommend?
I have a 10 year old Ford Focus. It broke down recently and the AA came out and said the cam belt was broken. The car was towed to my local dealership/garage where I have the car serviced. The garage has...
I bought a used Mazda 3 a few weeks ago from a Hyundai dealership - it was apart exchange. I have found out today from my (heroic) mechanic that the dual mass flywheel is breaking and due to the severity...
I need new tyres for my 2008 Honda C-RV EX diesel on 18-inch rims. Can you recommend a set that will give a quieter, more comfortable ride? Off road performance is not an issue.
I bought a used Audi A4 saloon 2.0 TDI five months ago from a car supermarket. Two weeks ago the car developed a fault whereby the multimedia interface would turn itself off. I took the vehicle to my local...
Is it an offence to park outside the markings of a limited waiting bay when the yellow line outside of the bay is invisible?
My colleague's 2008 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi has suddenly developed a an awful smell inside. Carpets are clean and nothing has been dropped on them. Smell dissipates when blowers are on full blast. Any ideas?
I am interested in purchasing Goodyear Vector 4 Season tyres for my Fiat Doblo. Fiat’s tyre specification is 175 70 R14 T88 and I have been informed that Goodyear only make this size in T84. What does...
Want to buy a trustworthy car for city and weekend travelling. I have never had a diesel, so my preference is on petrol.
I have found two cars, but am a bit worried that the mileage is a bit high for...
Do I need to use a Volkswagen dealer for a first service to preserve my Passat's warranty?
I took my Ford Fiesta to a garage four months ago for some new tyres. However, I’ve found that the tracking is wrong and it has damaged the front tyres. I’ve since taken the car to another garage who have...
I own a 2012 Audi A5, but have suffered constant problems with the ‘side assist’ on the right hand side – it keeps going off on its own.
My local dealer told me to wait for software update - which came...
I am considering a 2007 Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC ES from a private seller. Do you think it would be prudent to get a warranty and who are considered the best firms?
My Vauxhall Combo van is suffering from a loss of power and black smoke. The engine light is also on and no garages can solve the problem. I have a suspicion that the DPF is not doing what it should, can...
I own a 2011 Jaguar XF, but the ride quality and road noise are very poor from the low profile tyres. Is it possible to have normal road tyres fitted on the same 19-inch rims?
Recently someone crashed into my car, which was parked on a residential street while I was at work. My insurer says there should be no dispute and it was not my fault. Because I do not have comprehensive...
Any ideas on why he near side sidelights on a Renault Kangoo Van 2010 will not work?
I have received a parking fine for overstaying in a supermarket car park by 11mins - the car park is free for 1.5 hours. Is current best practice still not to reply or respond to the 'Charge' in any way?...
I need to get rid of three cars in favour of one estate vehicle to do both work (small plumbing jobs) and pleasure trips. I cover 6000 miles a year and want something economical. What do you recommend?
I own a 2010 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Bluemotion. The car turns over and starts, but then only runs for five seconds before stopping. I will then have to turn it over 15 times before it starts again. What’s...
A family member is selling their 2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 diesel. It has only covered 36,000 miles and has a full service history. I think it will be offered for around £3500 - is this a fair price?
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