Trending topics in December 2014
4x4s
automatics
buying
buying a new car
buying a used car
buying and selling
classic cars
diesel engines
diesel particulate filter
dpf
family cars
high mileage
legal and consumer advice
maintenance and servicing
petrol or diesel?
ride comfort
starting problem
technical issues
wheels and tyres
winter tyres
Questions from December 2014
My 83 year old father lives on a steep hill that is often snow covered or muddy. He doesn't want a big 4x4 and feels that even on winter tyres his current Skoda Yeti would struggle, it is also unreliable....
Should I 2005 Peugeot 307 without a service history? The car in question has average mileage and the seller has factored in a lack of service history into the price.
I have got a small problem with my Vauxhall Astra; while slow acceleration it makes a metallic klunk noise the from the engine. But under hard acceleration, it's fine. There is also no warning light or...
The wipers on my 2000 Skoda Fabia have stopped working. The motor is working and the lever inside car clicks when flicking it up as if it is trying to work but no power is getting to it. Any ideas?
Whilst on holiday in France in July of this year, my Jeep was hit by an 80 year old Frenchman who failed to stop at a cross roads. The insurance company decided that it wasn’t worth repairing and declared...
What insurance do I need to drive other people's cars as part of a business? The amount of actual driving would be more yards than miles and minutes more that hours, such as moving or parking a client's...
I have purchased a new Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI Automatic in Glacier White. Can you recommend any additional items to retrospectively fit to the car? What is your view of fitting mud flaps (I don't off-road) so...
I am to take delivery soon of a newly registered motorhome based on a Ford 2.2 diesel engine and chassis. It is an old model and is between one and two years old, although only having done delivery miles....
I have a Vauxhall Vectra diesal Estate 1.9 CDTi 16V (2008 model). It runs on 225 45 R18 95Y XL tyres and I want to purchase winter tyres and have seen online deals for wheels and tyres size 205 55 R16...
I'm looking at purchasing a new car outright from an online broker. They inform me that I will be the registered first keeper, although the VC5 will be in my name (care of) and the address will be that...
After several years of excellent motoring it’s time to move on and replace my Audi A6 Avant 3.0 SE quattro. I normally make at least a couple of motoring trips to the Alps in the winter and have found...
Last week you advised against supermarket petrol. I have long been confused about this issue. I have been told by one chap who was 23 years in the oil industry that refineries supply to large numbers of...
I'm thinking of buying a new Porsche Macan, but can't decide between petrol or diesel powertrains. What do you recommend?
In the past we have had and been pleased with the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift (current car). Both have been fully automatic (not tip-tronic which we dislike).
For our next car we want something similar,...
My Vauxhall Insignia emission filter light is constantly flashing. At first the light came on with 'code 55'. I researched this and did as advised by driving over 2000 revs to clear it. The code 55 disappeared...
My girlfriend needs a small/city car to replace her ageing Ford Ka. She has £4000 to spend plus whatever she can get for her Ka (circa £500). I'm thinking of a 2012 Chevrolet Spark with around 10,000 miles....
I purchased a five year old Renault Sport Megane R26R in October 2014 from a well-known Renault Specialist. The car was sold with full service history, new MoT and had 44,000 miles on the clock.
Since...
I either require a small fast sports cars or a large luxury 4x4 or sports saloon. What do you suggest for £15,000?
I am considering the Audi Q5 as my next new car. I got a really nice offer from my local Audi dealer (11 per cent off the list price) but I can't decide which engine I should go for, 2.0 diesel or 2.0...
My wife has recently had a double hip replacement, and now finds her 2006 Vauxhall Corsa uncomfortable on longish journeys. I want replace it with something that has a higher entry and more upright driving...
I have a new Honda CR-V, with 5000 miles on the clock. Is it normal for the stop-start not to work and the low battery sign to come on?
A few days ago a message "Depollution system faulty" appeared on the dashboard screen of my Peugeot 308. The "engine block" warning symbol was also on.
As a precaution my local garage did a code check...
After debating about buying a soft top (and seeking your input) I have swapped my trusted Land Rover Discovery for a 2014 Range Rover Sport. I am very happy with it but I have two questions you may be...
I run a 27-year-old Citroen BX diesel but it is now very frail and parts are a problem. What alternative, reliable old diesels would you recommend for the home mechanic on a budget?
Last week we bought a 2009 Audi A5 from a dealer. When we collected it the digital oil gauge registered as half full. Over the weekend we clocked up 100 (gentle) miles as we acclimatised ourselves to it...
My daughter had a blow out at 60mph on a new (1 month old) Audi Q5 on 20-inch wheels. Blowout was immediate and just before a slip road where she came to a halt. Only the wheel and a little part of the...
I'm having problems starting my mk2 (1979) Honda Civic 1.6 Auto. Sometimes, when I turn the ignition key the starter motor fails to turnover. All ignition lights are illuminated. I move the auto gear...
We have a small private car park for use by staff of several companies in our building. People unconnected with our building are parking and preventing legitimate users finding a space. There is a right...
I recently purchased a very expensive used car privately. I inspected all the documents and the car as thoroughly as possible, however as a low riding sports car I was unable to check underneath. The three...
I am due to change my car next year and will also be buying a caravan that will weigh about 1500kg. Therefore, I need something that is fairy economical when not towing and comfort is a priority.
I plan...
A van hit my car while stationary recently. An independent witness saw the incident and gave me the van's licence plate. The van's telematics show that it was on the street on which my car was parked at...
I have recently purchased a 2012 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDi with 18,000 miles on the clock. Since driving it regularly I have noticed significant vibration through the clutch (particularly in lower gears)....
Yesterday my 2002 Mitsubishi Shogun was running absolutely fine. Today, I came out and the gears felt a little stiff. Now I cannot get it into drive at all. Any ideas?
I am thinking of changing my 2013 Skoda Octavia Elegance 2.0 diesel with 17-inch wheels for a vRS version. Will the ride be worse on the new car because of the lowered suspension and 18-inch wheels?
I need to replace my faithful, practical, but dull, 14 year old, 70,000 mile Mazda Demio Escape, which was very well suited to its main task of lots of short journeys with two people and a large dog. I...
I have a 2014 Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI CR 170PS DSG, which I took delivery of in September 2014. Since then I have clocked up over 7000 miles and have averaged brim to brim 41mpg (worst 38 and best...
After much deliberation I've finally changed my less than impressive Toyota Auris diesel for a new Vauxhall Astra. I decided to get the new 1.6 CDTI whisper diesel, which is proving to be a fantastic engine...
We live three miles up a forest track and own a Land Rover Discovery 3 with 235/70R17 tyres. I want to fit winter tyres, preferably on steel wheels, but have been told Land Rover doesn’t make steel wheels...
I took my 2006 Ford Focus into a local garage to change two tyres. However, when I collected the car I found that the gear stick had shifted to the right. As a result, reverse was where 1st was, 1st and...
We recently purchased a car from a Nissan dealer without seeing it on the assumption they sell top quality cars. However when the car was delivered it had loads of marks and scratches on it. I contacted...
My son has a two year old child and has just had twins. He now needs a new car that will fit three child seats. But the choice of car seems to be very limited. His budget is around £7500. Any suggestions?
Have you had any feedback from owners of the new Peugeot 308 regarding fuel consumption? I have just taken delivery of an Allure 2.0 Blue HDI Automatic and for the first 1000 miles it has crept to an average...
My Renault Clio (2009) will not start. It will jump-start with cables, though, but does not retain its charge. It is absolutely dead, so much so that I am unable to lock the doors electronically with the...
My 2010 BMW 3 Series diesel has done just over 30,000 miles and the engine function light (Orange) is displayed intermittently. My Independent Garage has run a full diagnostic test and is not really sure...
When the engine is cold in a morning, my 1999 Puegeot 406 2.2 diesel misfires and blows clouds of blue smoke. It eventually clears, but this is happening quite regularly. I have had the injectors tested...
A couple of months ago our car was involved in a minor collision when another driver approaching at speed from behind ran into the back of it. Our car had just left a roundabout having previously signalled...
I have an intermittent fault with my Audi A6. The Emission Control light comes on and goes off randomly. It all started in October where I had to do a lot of short journeys. But most recently the light...
The parking sensors on my 2008 Ford Mondeo have stopped workong. If I engage them manually it just makes a beeping noise and the parking sensor button on the dash just flashes. When I put the car in reverse...
I have a 2011 Ford S-Max 2.0 diesel with Powershift auto. It has only done 22,000 miles, but is more than three years old so out of warranty. The transmission has a faulty sensor which is costing me £2200...
My 2008 Note recently had its annual service at a local Nissan garage, but I want to question two of their recommendations.
The first problem is the lights on the dashboard behind the rev counter and...
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