Questions from March 2014
How does someone avoid buying a car that has been in a flood?
I drive a BMW 330i M Sport Coupe and love it. My next car will most likely be a 4 series, but sadly there is no equivalent 430i. Whilst the 428i performs well on paper (even faster than mine) I doubt it...
Your article titled “Mazda, of all he surveys” in the 22-Mar Telegraph recommended the Mazda3 Skyactiv diesel to someone doing 6,000 miles per annum, “mostly short journeys”. You say that they should...
I am buying a brand new Golf (Mark 7, 1.4 TDI SE DSG).
1. Should I take the pre-paid 3 year service package for near £400? At least one of the years is just an oil change.
2. Am I obliged to use a...
I currently drive a 2010 Defender 90 which has the most expensive road tax. I drive about 25 miles a week to the supermarket and once a week to take the large 650kg horse to the beach again about a round...
I have a highly embarrassing problem: Top-up water has inadvertently been poured into the oil filler of my 2002 Porsche Boxster, the engine has NOT been run.
The car is in a difficult position to jack...
Your recent road test of the F-Type Coupe makes no mention of ride quality. A recent test drive by a friend of the roadster revealed a bone hard ride and I had a similar experience in a new Porsche 911...
My Vauxhall Astra is blowing smoke and the engine management light has come on. I have been told that its the EGR valve. Its been cleaned out properly. But isn still smoking and juddering. Do you think...
I am having some problems with my 2005 Vauxhall Vivaro van. The engine has virtually no power until it reaches 25000rpm. I’ve changed the air filter, mass air flow meter/sensor boost pressure sensor, and...
I own a Rover 25 and the road tax runs out at the end of this month. Can you tell me what the new rate will be following the 2014 Budget?
What is the service schedule, from new, for a 2001 Ford Fiesta 1.25 petrol?
In addition, what is the schedule for the cam belt to be replaced? Furthermore, will those service schedules, and cam belt intervals...
I am thinking of upgrading my family car to an Audi A6 Avant. I would like something which has lots of space for a family of four (plus camping equipment), four-wheel drive and is not too thirsty.
I...
I need to buy a new car. The new vehicle will only do about 4000 miles a year and I do like sitting high for visibility and comfort. As it will travel into London on occasions, a congestion charge free...
My father is about to change his Land Rover Freelander 2 for a new car and has offered me his old car. I am very tempted by this kind offer as it will give me a bigger and more versatile vehicle for my...
A woman who lives near has stated parking her car in front of my house. It is left just past the entrance, so not blocking the drive, but is often left for one or two weeks.
It causes problems for neighbours...
My 2009 Volkswagen Touareg is starting to make a clatter on start-up, which lasts for 30 seconds. My local dealer has said that nothing shows on diagnostics and once running the car is fine. Can you offer...
I want to buy a used estate car in preparation for my expanding family, but I'm not sure what the best option is. My budget is around £13,000 and I will also be using the car for my work journey (approx...
I bought my 2011 Nissan X-Trail about nine months ago and it's still under warranty. However, over the past few weeks, I've noticed an engine whistle which is getting louder. Is this a problem and does...
Can the rear window of a 20 year old Audi Cabriolet E be replaced without a whole new hood being bought?
I am having some problems with the automatic gearbox on my Peugeot 2008. When overtaking the kickdown works ok, but the tiptronic gearbox does not change up again and I have to change up manually. The...
I really do not like leather seats - the new BMW 5 series has fabric in the 520d Sports model - but these are sports seats. I do love the new 520d SE model - but it only comes with leather seating! Are...
Within the first three months the clutch had gone and they tried to charge us, but in the end they swallowed the cost. The bearing has also gone and needs to be replaced. What are my consumer rights?
I'm thinking of buying a new car, but cannot decide between the Toyota Yaris Hybrid or Ford B-MAX. My annual mileage is mostly short journeys and I intend to keep the vehicle for five years.
Taking in...
I am on the point of buying and fitting an in-car video camera but have been advised by a friend that they are not accepted as evidence by the courts because once a video clip has been uploaded to a PC...
I'm considering installing an in-car camera for my Jeep Cherokee. There seems to be a plethora of such items on the market and I wonder, therefore, whether you can assist in recommending one for my car?
My Audi A6 2.5 TDI takes ages to start. I suspect air in the fuel line. Any ideas where this might get in and any tips on fixing it? I
My Fiat Punto regularly has trouble starting, especially on cold/damp mornings. It makes a sort of metal grinding noise. I have had a new starter motor which hasn't resolved it. I find it is better if...
I currently own a 2005 plate (bought new) Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 Life (petrol, manual) and want to replace it with a new car in the next few months. I am considering another 1.4 or 1.6 Meriva, perhaps a higher...
I am looking to buy a medium to large used diesel estate with an automatic gearbox on a budget of about £8000. The car will be used mainly for commuting which will alternate between a round trip of 80...
I have a 2001 Audi A3 1.8 TFSI with 79,000 miles on the clock. My manual actually states 115,000 to change the cam belt, but everybody online, forums, mechanics suggest 75,000. I am now very concerned...
The engine management light on my 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI came on last week so I took it to an independent garage and they said the code indicated "DPF efficiency" and that they would try some additive....
One of your answers to "Best car for £1000?" is to buy a "Ford Fiesta 1.25". Do you mean the Ford Fiesta 1995 to 2002 model?
I have bought a used car that has been condemned after an AA call out. I only bought the car a week ago (MoT was carried out 180 previous to me buying it) but the car has a number of dangerous faults....
My Ford C-Max has been making a loud clicking noise when starting. I thought it was the starter motor, but the car starts OK apart from this loud clicking noise coming from the driver's footwell. Any ideas?
We are looking for a large, five door diesel automatic with soft suspension and large tyres. We currently have an old Citroen Xsara Picasso, which we bought because of its soft suspension, but an ongoing...
I'm a little confused by the new MoT system, I normally drive a new car not needing an MoT, so I'll be going through this for the first time in a while!
I'm fairly confident that the car will fail, so...
From my limited research, it seems as if all small automatics with CVT transmissions are classed by their manufacturers as unsuitable for any towing. Is this correct? Are there any type of small automatic...
I have been driving a Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI for five years and it has been the best car I have ever owned. Now, at 165,000 miles, I am getting the intermittent power drop fault which may be due to variable...
I have just bought a Ford Fiesta Zetec with a 1.0 petrol engine and 80PS. I am really happy with the car, but am concerned that the stop/start system will put excessive wear on the starter motor.
As...
I've recently bought a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta from a car supermarket. On returning home and on closer inspection of the car I noticed that the push switch in the glove box that activates the tyre Monitor...
A few weeks ago you correctly identified a broken pollen filter that was creating an awful smell in my son's 2002 SEAT Leon. After the garage spent ages farting about without any result, he and a friend...
The "Oil" warning light (mot the oil can icon) has come on in my Seat Ibiza. I was driving to the airport to catch a flight when this happened and is stick in the long stay car park. What do I do when...
I want to replace my Ford Focus diesel. We do about 10,000 miles annually and the car needs to be about the same size to fit in our garage. Comfort and ease of access are important and the car will also...
I bought a Volkswagen Golf TSI cabriolet, but it does not come with a wind diffuser/wind break. I enquired at my dealer about buying a wind diffuser and they quoted me £385, which seems a lot for a bit...
My wife and I are planning a road trip through France, Switzerland and Italy. We want a two seater sports car to take us there in style. I am 6ft 4in which rules out some of the popular options. I want...
What are the right rim size and wheels to buy for my BMW 535d E60 for summer? I want to improve the ride and comfort.
I have an Audi TT 2007 2.0-litre. It has ABS fault. Garage says new pump unit might be needed. Horrendous cost. What are the options please? New or repairable? Where to go and what ball park costs to expect?
My Volvo V70 was parked on my home drive when I started the engine put on the brake and selected DRIVE from PARK, After doing this the engine raced the car forward - braking appeared to have no effect...
I have a Skoda Superb estate L&K with a 2.0-litre SI engine and I have just put a pint of oil in the engine after doing just 2800 miles. Is this normal or excessive? Also is it normal for tyres to slightly...
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