Trending topics in August 2014
automatics
buying
buying a new car
buying a used car
buying and selling
classic cars
diesel engines
dpf
electrical faults
estates
extended warranty
family cars
fuel economy
legal and consumer advice
maintenance and servicing
modern classics
petrol or diesel?
ride comfort
technical issues
wheels and tyres
Questions from August 2014
I have 2007 Honda FR-V with a 1 .8 petrol engine and 60,000 miles on the clock. The car has a full service history and is used mainly for motorway trips. I’m very happy with the Honda and it gives me 38mpg;...
My wife purchased a new BMW X1 five months ago with Xenon headlamps. Now that the nights are drawing in she is getting headlamp flashes from oncoming vehicles when on dipped beam. The BMW dealer says...
I own a 2003 Volkswagen Golf which has been fantastic. It has done 183,000 miles with no problems until the latest MoT, when the track rod ends, ball joins and gaiters failed. It has averaged 52mpg over...
I am thinking of buying a new SEAT Ibiza but am worried the 1.2 TSI (105) engine will not be able to cope on the motorway. Would the high miles and speed cause more wear to a small engine?
I want to buy a new crossover, but cannot decide on what car to buy. I want something that’s fun to drive, with good fuel economy and low road tax. I’m open to petrol or diesel, but concerned about DPFs...
There seems to be confusing feedback about the need to carry a spare bulb kit when driving in Spain. I have a 2014 Honda CR-V and there appears to be no bulb kit for this vehicle on the market. Does that...
The tensioner on the cam chain of my 2009 Volkwagen Golf GTI have failed after 50,000 miles. The car has a full service history (on 10,000 miles/one year service intervals)and the dealer has quoted £1300...
Has the change to the suspension in the new Nissan Qashqai given it a harder ride?
My sister in-law has just returned from a trip to France and saw repeated signs in service areas stating that failure to have insurance documents available for inspection would result in a 3700 Euro fine...
I was parked in a park car park recently and when I returned one hour later I had received a parking fine. The ticket states my car as a Land Rover, which is correct, but the model is wrong. Instead of...
I am looking to replace my 2002 Jaguar XK8, which I've taken from 60,000 to 150,000 miles in the last six years. The car still drives nicely, but is getting a bit tired. The dealer I've dealt with for...
I bought a Peugeot 308 SW in March for £16,700. The car was discounted as it was old stock prior to a change of design. As you might expect, I took out fully comprehensive insurance and the cover included...
My Ford Focus has covered 76,000 miles, but has started making a slight whistling/screeching noise when I start the car in the morning. If you pull up next to a wall/hedge or go through a tunnel it rebounds...
I have a 2010 Mercedes-BEnz E250 SE Blue Efficiency CDI. It came with a one year warranty that expires at the end of the month. I have called a few warranty companies and have been quoted £1017 for an...
I am buying a new Volkswagen Golf SV 1.4 petrol, with automatic gearbox. Does this engine have a cambelt or camchain?
Two years ago I bought a new Mercedes-Benz S350L, which I cherish. Problem is when I leave it in public car parks etc. I worry about dings and scratches from other drivers. I am going on a driving holiday...
I parked in a car park that had machine that you needed to enter your full registration. I had never used these machines before but I entered my full reg, paid 40p and my ticket was printed. A week or...
Our V40 has 19-inch wheels. What size do you recommend to soften the ride?
I bought my 1990 Volkswagen Golf from new in September 1990. It has alloy wheels, sunroof, radio cassette, CD player and 113,000 miles on the clock. It runs well and garaged every night, although there...
I have just fitted a replacement window in the rear sliding door of my 2006 Peugeot 807. Now the window does go right to top but then comes down again about four inches. I can get it to the top by "inching...
I'm thinking of buying a new car in the next year and would like, if possible, to protect it's paintwork from scratches and stone chips. There are numerous paint protectors and films on the market - would...
We have a 2008 Citroen C1 with 80,000 miles on the clock. It started refusing to go into first gear unless the car was totally stopped with the handbrake up. But now it no longer goes into firs at all....
The clutch on my Volkswagen Golf Estate keeps sticking to the floor. The master cylinder has been replaced, but the problem persist. Any ideas?
A few months ago I took my eight year old Skoda Fabia to my local dealer for repairs. We were told that it needed £2333 spending on it to fix the fault. When the car continued to have a fault we were then...
From the 1st of January, the paper counterpart licence is defunct. Will all of us who don't have a plastic card one now have to get one and how much will it cost?
I have been reading your reviews and was thinking what you would recommend out of the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT86 and Honda S2000 in terms of resale value?
I recently had my 2010 plate Volvo XC90 serviced by our local Volvo dealer. On returning home (seven mile trip) I checked the engine oil. It was black and at the lower end of the dipstick. I queried with...
We have been offered an extra 24 month warranty on a 2011 Volkswagen Polo for £700. However, the car is supplied with a 12 month warranty. Is £700 for an extra 12 month warranty good value for money?
My Citroen C2 has been suffering from a sticking gearbox. The problem got worst and every time I stop in first it would choose second to get going again. Today, the car refused to move and I’ve had no...
Six months ago I bought a used Hyundai Santa Fe from an independent garage. The car was sold with a full service history and also came with a 12 month warranty. The car suffered clutch failure after a...
The short front drive to our house is on a 10-15 degree downhill slope. I am interested to know what the best way to park there is. Is there a risk to hand-brake/gears if I park facing downhill in first...
I have to replace my Rover 75. Ideally, I'd like a car with a similar level of comfort to my Rover (leather seats, air con) with similar handling and economy. I have a maximum budget of £5000.
Are there...
My Volkswagen CC is two months out of its three year warranty and a spring on the clutch has broken and worn groove in the gearbox, causing a pinhole to appear. The fault will cost £2700 to repair.
When...
I bought a 2012 Vauxhall Astra from a main dealer last year, but took it back after a week due to the car veering to the left. Eight months later after several return visits and various excuses I am now...
My friend is convinced she needs to put super unleaded in her 1988/9 Volkswagen Golf. She thinks this is because leaded petrol is no longer available and that somehow 'super unleaded' is the only alternative....
A week ago my wife had a hospital appointment in Derby and as usual having parked here for the previous two years, she parked across the main road from the hospital. When she returned she found that a...
My brand new Mercedes-Benz E300 has suffered a number of faults with the hybrid system, braking down within three days of delivery. The car has been at the dealer for three weeks and I have been told it...
My pal has a Ford Escort van and his wife runs a Fiat light van, I think it's a Doblo. One has been given the taxation class 'Private/Light Goods', the other 'Light Goods Vehicle'. The difference seems...
You did a review of the Honda Zoomer X 110cc a while back, but it is not available in the UK and Honda seem to say it won't be sold here. Is there a way of getting one imported from other markets?
I want to buy a small car, but can't decide between the Audi A1 or Volkswagen Polo. Which would you buy?
My 1998 Vauxhall Astra keeps cutting out. After stalling I can hear the fuel pump running. Wen switching the ignition off and then on again, the fuel pump keeps on running - it does not just prime and...
I have driven Mercedes-Benz 220CDIs for 10 years and have been very happy with them. But I now want the same quality build/engineering,fuel economy,but with more comfort.
I am 61 years old and six foot...
You kindly replied to my question regarding choice of BMW 3 series engines, and recommended the 320d ED. Regarding the transmission type, will the manual box eventually succumb to dual mass fly wheel failure,...
I'm moving to Exeter for university in September and want to buy a used car for general use and the long journey back to Manchester every few months - would a 1995 Skoda Felicia fit the bill in terms of...
I have recently received a parking charge notice for going 50 minutes over a three hour free parking period at a local shopping centre. It is for £85 or £50 if paid within 14 days. I accept that I went...
How much should a seven-speed auto gearbox oil and filter change cost on a Mercedes-Benz C250 Blue Efficiency Sport (pre-2011)?
I am interested in buying a 2009 Volkswagen Passat as a replacement for our Toyota RAV4 which has had its gearbox fail and is not financially worthwhile replacing.
The mileage on the proposed car is...
We need to replace our 2005 BMW 320d, which we both enjoy driving, with its rapid acceleration. Ideally, we would like a used car with a little more headroom. However, we're now retired and do low mileage,...
My mum needs to buy a small automatic for disabled adaptation. She needs something with rain sensing wipers and automatic headlights. She currently drives a Honda Jazz but looking to replace it with something...
I bought a used Jeep Grand Cherokee three months ago from an independent dealer. The car only had four months left on the MoT, but I didn't think that would be a problem as there were no advisories on...
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