Questions from June 2014
I am looking to buy a car for approx £4000. As a snowboard instructor I will be driving to Switzerland in October for 7-8 months then returning to the UK. While in the UKI will be doing mostly town driving...
I am thinking about buying a small van. I would like it to have a hatchback type rear door and two sliding doors, one either side, in addition to its normal entry doors. I have seen a Peugeot Partner...
I'm a first time buyer who passed his test four years ago with no driving experience since. However, I've recently landed a job that requires a collective 70 mile per day commute and need to buy a car. I'm...
I have a 2002 Chrysler Voyager with a 2.5 diesel engine. However, the car won't start and there's a red light on the dashboard. Any ideas?
We have a 2010 Yaris purchased in 2013. Less than a year after purchase the air conditioning stopped blowing cold air. Bath Toyota claimed that this was this was due to us not running the air conditioning...
I am 78 years old and intend to buy a new car that will still be manageable for my age in five years time. I want an automatic, with heated front seats, reliability and good comfort. I have looked at: The...
I hooked our 2003 Volkswagen Passat up to a caravan today and the break lights immediately stopped working. The ABS and ESP warning lights came on and the glow plug light started flashing too, is this...
I own a 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.4 diesel and it has started blowing lots of smoke from the exhaust. It is also using a lot of oil to the point of there being nothing on the dipstick. Can you help?
The catalytic converter light on my Dad's 2011 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI illuminated on 05/06/14, it was checked with a diagnostic device and was apparently something to do with the glow plugs so the person...
I'm thinking of buying a used Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSI Elegance. I can pick one up with less than 20,000 on the clock for around £8000. However I keep thinking a brand new Dacia Sandero Stepway isn't much more...
I'm thinking of buying a new car, can you tell me if the BMW X5 is any good for towing?
When the legal speed for lorries is `governed` at 56mph, why are the supermarket lorries allowed to slow down the traffic on single lane `A` roads? I find it really frustrating by only doing 40mph, supposedly...
Does the Honda Jazz 1.4 ES CVT have a chain or belt cam drive?
I own a Renault Kangoo 1.6 petrol auto wav conversion. This vehicle has done 3500 miles. Three weeks ago the engine was hesitating at around 30mph. One week ago the car had a slight fuel leak which was...
We bought a 2009 Mazda 6 in September 2013. It broke down recently, with complete engine failure. The cause is unknown, but the oil and filter are suspected and cost of repair is approx. £6000. The garage...
Approximately how much does it cost to re-register a Spanish registered car in the UK. The car was first registered from new in Spain in 2012.
BMW took my car in three months ago after my ECU failed due to water damage, I paid £1500 to have it replaced and repaired. Ten days ago it failed again and I took it back to BMW main dealer where it was...
I own a 2012 Skoda Fabia vRS. Further to engine replacement due to high oil consumption, my engine has made a metallic buzzing chain like noise when I accelerate in second and third gears, up to say 4500...
I have been offered a Volvo S60 D5 auto with 175 000 miles on the clock and full service history for £1400. The owner spent a small fortune at 150 000 replacing the head, timing belt ,water pump driveshaft...
I need to buy a car for a 10 mile commute. Fuel economy isn’t important. I have always wanted a Mazda RX-8, and second hand prices are great value. However, I have heard they can be intermittent to start...
We're looking to buy a Kia Cee'd 2013 or newer and prefer diesel.The car will be used as a second car for lowish annual mileage, but occasional journeys abroad. Is there a DPF to worry about?
About 18 years ago I bought an early Porsche 911 as a fun daily driver - now it feels too valuable for that role. What is today's equivalent? I want a car that's characterful and nimble, but good for...
I was interested in buying a nearly new Vauxhall Insignia. The model I wanted was available from an authorised dealer and the salesman offered to bring it down. After agreeing a price on my existing car...
I am considering buying a Mercedes-Benz CLA, is the 220d worth the extra over the 200d. I do circa 20,000 miles per year and the base spec seems enough for my needs, but do you recommend any extras?
My low mileage 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK is only used in the summer and is always kept garaged. However, recently I have noticed a small petrol leak with drips from the offside rear axle area. The garage...
I am looking at the new Skoda Elegance Estate 2.0 TDI (non DSG). I have noted your comments on wheel and tyre size and comfort on many cars. The Elegance Estate comes standard with Teron 225/45/R17 91W....
A few months ago I bought a 2008 Volkswagen Caddy van. I soon realised that it had been sold with a damaged engine, but was unable to get the seller to respond to my emails and phone calls. There have...
I´m looking to buy a diesel estate on a budget of around £3000. What do you recommend?
I am in a dilemma over what car to buy next. I want something that can easily accommodate my family's things, but I also want something fast. I only do about 8000 miles a year and I have been looking...
I have a 2004 SEAT Ibiza 1.2 SX which has developed a problem with acceleration. It struggles to get up to speed, but will maintain speed once it has got there. It does pull away, but is still very sluggish....
My son's 2007 Mazda 6 was driven 150 miles on the A1 with no apparent problem. No unexpected warning light came on. The car was parked at its destination. An hour later, a large pool of oil was seen under...
In 2013 the engine on my 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter seized and the van was recovered to my local garage. The garage said the seizure was due to the fleece filter within the engine being blocked, which...
I am a university student looking to buy my first car. I have a maximum budget of £2000 and need something small and cheap to run and insure. What do you recommend?
In January this year I bought a brand new Peugeot 207cc. I paid a £500 deposit in October last year with my credit card and paid the balance a week before it was delivered in January. To cut a long story...
Last week someone drove the wrong way up a dual carriageway and hit five cars, one of them my daughter's. The police were involved and took the drunk driver into custody. My daughter reported the accident...
I've just been informed by the Met Police that there is a new theft issue with BMW Z and X Series cars and Range Rover models. It appears that gangs have found a new way around the key-copying and USB...
I am about to buy a brand new Mazda CX-5 and have been offered two options that are new to me. The first is Autotrust which apparently covers the difference in the cost of me buying a new replacement if...
I'm in the process of ordering a new Audi Q5, but I can't choose a colour. Should I stick to Daytona Grey or go for New Floret Silver?
We currently have a Honda Civic but are expecting our second child soon so are looking for something a little bigger. Our main criteria are: - Under £18,000 - Good MPG (50+) - Low road tax - More...
Hi HJ, you recently replied to a question about Jaguar's seven day complimentary insurance. According to the Jaguar web site, "Complimentary 7 Day Insurance Buy a new or used vehicle from a Jaguar...
Hello, I have put a (refundable) deposit on an Audi Q5 3.0ltr Diesel S-Line. It is a LHD model, with 88k listed miles (130Kms), F(French)ASH and remains fully French reg'd. It has almost the entire Audi...
Just been quoted £499 for a service on my Audi A6 Avant diesel including Oil/Pollen Filter/Fuel Filter & Brake fluid change - does that seem reasonable?
I am considering buying a post-2006 SAAB 9-5 Aero. What is your opinion of these cars? Is parts availability likely to still be an issue now that SAAB are supposedly up and running again?
My Audi A5 is due an oil change. My local dealer usually uses 6.5 litres of high performance oil (Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W 30) at a cost of £115, plus labour. However, following a quick search online,...
I will hopefully retire in a couple of years and am looking for a car that will do a 60 mile round trip every working day for the next two years, but then be OK for shorter journeys in towns and villages...
I bought a used car from main Jaguar dealer and was told I had seven days complimentary insurance. However, following an accident, I have found that the salesman never set up the insurance. I have also...
I am considering changing my 2010 Lexus for a 2012 IS250. Price is £17,975 and mileage is 2881. Is this a good deal?
The dealer we purchased our Perodua Myvi from in 2007 has told us that Perodua has pulled out of the UK and they no longer offer service facilities or spares. Is this true? If so, where can I buy spares,...
My daughter owns a 2004 Renault Clio, with the 1.4 16V engine. She bought the car from an independent trader and it has been back several times already. It still has some warranty left. The problems surround...
Your review of the new Volkswagen Golf SV says that your test vehicle was fitted with a retractable towbar. Do you know if this is available as a factory fit? I ask because I can see no mention of towbars...
 

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