Trending topics in November 2014
automatics
buying
buying a new car
buying a used car
buying and selling
classic cars
diesel engines
diesel particulate filter
estates
family cars
first cars
fuel economy
legal and consumer advice
maintenance and servicing
mpvs
petrol or diesel?
ride comfort
technical issues
wheels and tyres
winter tyres
Questions from November 2014
I think the fuel pump has packed in on my Renault Laguna. Where is it and how can I access it?
A friend has recently experienced cam belt failure on his 2003 Renault Clio. Obviously he has been quoted a lot of money to fix it and is thinking of scrapping the car.
However, I had a cam belt failure...
I bought a Vauxhall Corsa from a car supermarket in the summer. It was advertised as having one previous owner, which was confirmed by the salesman and stated on the invoice.
However, on receiving the...
Is it worthwhile fitting winter tyres to my new BMW M235i?
Can you tell me why the heater on my 2004 Vauxhall Astra only blows warm air on the highest setting? The temperature gauge is also refusing to work.
A couple of friends including a mechanic have recommended buying a used Skoda Octavia to replace my Volkswagen Bora TDI. I have seen many driven by taxi drivers so think that they must be reliable. What...
My Dad is part exchanging his car and would like to know the best part ex price for it. The car in question is a Vauxhall Astra 2003 (03) 1.6 8v Active 5-dr with 51,800 miles, FSH and in mint condition.
I'm thinking of buying a Saab 9-3 Aero. The car is from 2007 and has 68,000 miles on the clock. It has every extra, including sat nav and leather, and the seller wants £4865. Is it a good buy in your opinion?
We have had our first hard frost this morning, but the heated windscreen in our Ford Focus only defrosted one side. Is this a fault?
I am looking for a new or nearly new medium sized car. I'm worried about the fluid issue and hesitance in pulling away with a Volkswagen DSG and also concerned about the reliability of the new French auto...
I have an Audi A4 Avant (2012) that I drive regularly to France and use the beam deflectors. But I was wondering, is it possible to adjust the lights on the car so I don't have to use the deflectors?
How do you replace the battery on a stop-start car? Can I do it myself? And if not, what are the dangers?
It seems that every time I read a road test of a sporty car, the reviewer raves about adjustable dampers/adaptive chassis.
I am in the market for a sporty car and I like the notion of dialling "comfort"...
We want to buy a used 4x4, diesel, with inward facing rear bench seats that can be tipped up/moved for occasional sleeping in the back. Our very, very old Toyota Land Cruiser had them, but we can't find...
We have had a Mercedes-Benz A-Class from new in 2006 - a CDI 180 auto which has been faultless. We now want to replace it with a slightly bigger but still premium car and are keen on the new B-Class....
My son and his wife are shortly to have twins. So, they need an appropriate sized reliable economic car for the family, plus double buggy. Annual mileage is probably 10,000 miles and their budget is £5000-£7000....
I have a Vauxhall Astra (2011) SRi 2.0 CDTi running on 225-50-R17 tyres and the only complaint I have with the car is it's very firm ride. As the front tyres are soon due for changing, and the rears are...
I've been told that automatic tunnel carwashes (those with rolling brushes) damage the coating and lacquer of the paint. Is this true?
I bought a used (2009) Alfa Romeo MiTo last December. I took it back in January for a water leak in the boot and the rear window was re-bonded, but this did not fix the problem.
I complained again, recently,...
My nephew purchased a 2010 SEAT Leon 1.6CR TDI recently and a fault was found within the ECU, which was sending the wrong signal and resulted in damaging the injectors.
I understand SEAT have now re-programmed...
I have a 2013 Ford Fiesta Titanium. The wheels are 205/40 R17. I am now in Denmark and need winter tyres, I've been offered a set of part used tyres which are RAZE 205/50 R16. Would these fit on my car...
My car was written off while parked a few weeks ago and the third party insurer is about to pay out. I have a commute of 90 miles a day, almost all motorway. My previous car was a Jaguar X Type which was...
The vehicle is in Thailand. Tempted to use Superchips bluefin modification claimed to increase torque by 117 nm from 417nm and power by 45hp from 197hp.
Apparently I would need to take the ECU probably...
I own a Audi A4 Avant which is eating tyres at an alarming rate. Is there a better tyre for a older sensible driver or are the tyre manufacturers pulling a fast one?
I have a 2006 Suzuki Alto.
In heavy rain a puddle forms in the drivers footwell and the driver's side back passenger foot well is also damp.
There is no obvious entry point for the water, but is dangerous...
I have decided to stay with Saab (I've had three since 1983) and buy a used 9-3 convertible. Your review is very helpful, but can you give me an idea of the boot space?
The be-all and end-all is my golf...
I am looking to buy my first car, but I don't know whether to choose petrol or diesel. I will be doing a 40 mile round trip five days a week (and using it for leisure), so I thought perhaps a diesel might...
My husband recently purchased a new Nissan Qashqai Ntec+. The car was registered by the dealer prior to being seen and when he went to collect the car he found 13 wheel weights on both front wheels. We...
My father would like to change his car. Right now he owns a 2011 Audi Q5 2.0-litre petrol with a manual gearbox, with 75,000 miles on the clock. He would now like something with an auto 'box.
He can't...
Most of the fuel consumption figures given by the public and your reporters are taken from the fuel consumption gauge. On all the cars I have own this gauge varies between 4 and 8% optimistic when compared...
I purchased a 2012 Jaguar XJ (12 plate) six weeks ago from an authorised Jaguar dealer, with about 22,500 miles on the clock. After purchase I waxed the car with Autoglym and it looked great.
Now after...
I have ordered a new 2015 Ford Mondeo with the 2.0-litre TDCI engine mated to the automatic 'box. However, I was wondering if I would be better getting a the 2.0-litre petrol EcoBoost instead?
My main...
I am very frustrated and need some help choosing the right car and engine. I do mostly short trips through the day and require plenty of space in the boot as I am a shopkeeper. I also need enough space...
I am about to order a new Skoda Octavia Estate Elegance 1.4TSI 140PS. With all the bells and whistles I calculate the list price will be around £23.500. What sort of percentage discount could I reasonably...
I would like to buy a new car and am looking for good quality build, fuel efficiency and decent resale value. I travel between cities on the motorway a few times a week so would like something safe.
I...
I need to buy a nine seater and am looking at the Volkswagen Transporter and the Mercedes-Benz Viano. Which is best?
I have a 2013 Ford Focus ST and need two new tyres on the front. What would you recommend
I bought a second hand (2011) Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol DSG last year. It was trouble free until a few months ago when it was recalled to change the gearbox oil. It now occasionally shudders when I am...
I'm considering buying a three year old Volkswagen Passat CC; however, the car interior smells of stale smoke. The dealer says they will get rid of any smells using what I think he called an ‘air con bomb’....
I live in Spain and have a Suzuki Jimny, which is good off road, but basic and uncomfortable. I want to sell the Jimny, along with my Ford Fiesta, and buy something comfortable. I am also thinking of buying...
I am looking to buy a new car in the next 6-12 months. Ideally, I’d like a petrol automatic crossover, as I do not do the mileage each year for diesel. I have narrowed it down to the Ford Kuga or the Nissan...
I'm based in London, and since moving here I've generally gotten away with riding a 50cc Vespa, but would now like to get myself a car so as to get out of town on the weekends (Cornwall, Cotswolds, etc..).
My...
A year ago I bought a BMW 118d from a car supermarket.I assumed it came with run flat tyres but found out recently when I had it serviced and MoT'd that it did not.
I contacted the car supermarket about...
This morning I collected my new BMW. I drove the car for 7 miles when I was unable to change gears or disengage the gear. I managed to drive the car back to the dealership, who are now removing the gearbox....
My partner and I bought a new Dacia recently from a major dealer and were given (not offered) 'free' paint protection. We were not told what this was. I initially thought it was an insurance product but...
My family is looking to buy a car, either new or second hand. We are looking to find the most fuel-efficient model possible. The car will be driven by my mum and driven quite regularly but mostly on short...
I own a 2002 Ford Fusion – which I love - but it is quite noisy in the back on long runs, as the boot floor/load area is not sound proofed. Would it be beneficial to out a layer of sound deadening material...
I have tried to order a Nissan Qashqai Tekna automatic, but my local garage has told me that no orders for this model can be taken at this time. Do you know why this is?
I have received a parking charge notice from a private firm, which states that I was parked in a restricted area in Nottingham last Saturday. This is an error because neither my car nor myself were in...
I’ve noticed that car owners are not getting close enough to the stated mpg figures. In my circumstance, I bought a new Audi A4 2.0-litre TFSI quattro S Tronic 7 which should do 33.2mpg urban, 42.2mpg...
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