Trending topics in January 2015
Questions from January 2015
Please advise the best all-weather tyres for a Honda Jazz 1.4.auto 2012 175/65/R15?
I have a 2004 Mini One auto with a gearbox issue that isn't viable to repair. So I am looking to scrap it and buy a used small car or compact SUV. I have £8000 to spend quite like the BMW 3 Series. What...
We've got a 2012 Citroen C3, owned from new, currently on 46,000 miles and out of warranty in two months. We're expecting two children soon and so considering a bigger vehicle to fit them, child seats...
I bought a second hand Volkswagen Polo for £995 from a local dealer a few days ago. The seller told me the car had a year’s MoT – is hasn’t. The seller also told me the car has had a recent service – it...
I need to buy four new tyres for my Nissan X-Trail, size 225/55/18. I use the car for general road driving, but also need to tow a caravan across the occasional field. Which set do you recommend?
I bought a car for my daughter in July last year for £950 – a 2003 Ford Ka Streetcar, with 12 months MoT (corrosion advisory note). After five months, the car became difficult to steer, so she took it...
Around a month ago the engine of my diesel Toyota Rav4 (2009 model) was replaced under warranty (known fault/head gasket). Since then it has had in intermittent problem with starting.
It turns over fine...
I had a replacement central locking pump fitted to my Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG by a local authorised dealer. However, after just eight months, the part failed again. The dealer is now refusing to replace...
My beloved 16 year old Toyota Avensis (owned from new, 112,000 miles) was reversed into while it was parked by an unscrupulous elderly gentleman who "didn't see it" and is as a result uneconomical to...
I currently own a 2013 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCI. I do mostly motorway driving (around 23,000 miles a year) and my average MPG is 51.8. I have the car on lease and I am looking to see if there are more economical...
I'm thinking of buying a nearly new Lexus IS 300 and have the choice of models with 16 or 17-inch wheels. Do you have an opinion of whether one is better than the other?
I bought Audi Q5 2.0 TFSi 06/2011, and from the first day it use aprox 1L of oil every 1500km sometimes even less. When I first went on service because of the low oil, after just 2500km when I got the...
I had the same problem as most people do with a puff of white smoke after engine got a little warm and then it went away. I searched online and found out I need to remove the dpf, whenIi got this done,...
I've had some problems with my 2008 (08) Volvo V50 D5 Geartronic, which I bought from Johnsons Volvo two years ago. At that point the car had done 35k miles and had had seven Volvo services. It has now...
My wife has a 2012 Toyota Yaris 1.33 CVT with 8000 miles on the clock. She has had it from new, but I have just started driving it and have noticed a couple of things.
1. when steering, not necessarily...
I have a 2012 Honda Civic which is fine except it is really cramped in the back with 4 adults. I have been very impressed by my local Honda agents Yeomans Littlehampton, convenient and very attentive service....
I need a car capable of towing a fully laden trailer on camping trips, but want something relatively economical to fuel, tax and insure. I would also like to spend as little on repairs.
I currently own...
Our car, an S-Max 2L petrol (2009), seems to have developed a fault but the garage’s diagnostics are far from clear.
About 2 months ago the engine warning light came on and the local Ford garage traced...
A couple of queries about car lights.
I see a lot of fancy layout LED lights on cars these days. Is it possible to replace one LED when it stops working or will this entail a complete replacement of the...
I just bought a 2015 Mustang V8.
This car is bloody amazing. In nearly 30 years motoring I have never been in a car with performance (or grip) to touch it. The acceleration is instant, the engine noise...
The dealership as offered to exchange my car after lying to me about its history but he said he is looking for the right one because my car would of gone down in value in the past 3 months.
Sounds a bit...
I currently have a 2003 Range Rover Vogue with c. 92k miles on the clock. I have owned the car for 4 years and have very much enjoyed it. We live in Scotland, do c. 10k miles a year, mostly long motor...
My VW Golf mk 6 1.2tsi could not start last week The AA took it to my nearest VW dealer, Arnold Clark, Kilmarnock Rd Glasgow. They car is less than 4 yrs old, has a full service history and covered 46k...
UK expat looking at purchasing a new car and pretty much have narrowed it down to the Dacia Lodgy (large, 7 seats, economical to own) as nothing else even comes close as a package in Hungary (esp. 2nd...
I have a 3 month old Mondeo (TDCi 163) - on taking delivery the tank was empty and had to fill up with standard Jet diesel at the nearest garage - this gave ~50mpg. I subsequently filled with Shell V-nitro...
I own a 2002 Mercedes SLK 230 Kompressor. I am thinking of having it chip tuned together with installing a sprint booster to boost performance. Good idea or waste of money ?
I paid a deposit for a 2011 Alfa Romero Giulietta on Jan 15th. for collection on 19th,on the 18th I got an email saying the car was due for service on March 19th.and did I want to book it in (at my cost)...
Hi, I ordered a brand new Audi A3 in April 2014, the car was delivered in early July. On delivery I realised it was missing one of the options I requested, namely Audi Park Assist. I spoke to my finance...
Is £1895 reasonable for a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 SE. Year 2002 - manual. What would I need to look out for?
I have followed your advice several times in the past and bought cars which were good but not trendy and so were well priced. My wife has an i10 but grandchildren are growing and she needs something a...
What is the best used car for driving in snow, that does not have 4 wheel drive or winter tyres?
My 520d Touring has been 100% reliable over 9 years / 65,000 miles from new - just needed routine servicing and a battery. I've been planning to replace it with a new 520d Touring but worry that diesel...
I want to change my 57 plate Jazz for one about 12-18 months old. New model due out soon. Should I buy now, hang on to just before or just after launch of new model. Will price drop a lot when new model...
Which petrol / diesel 4x4 for low annual mileage?
My future requirement is for a mid sized SUV with 4X4 capabilities (possibly 2 wheel if it has known bad weather capabilities, traction control etc) immediate...
I am considering buying a new VW Tiguan. In today's column you said a new model is imminent. The local dealer says VW have announced the end of 2016. Is this correct? If not could you suggest a similar...
I have owned a Golf GTI for the past 15 years and have found it lively, providing a comfortable ride on 16-inch wheels. I am now about to change, but am torn between a one year old Golf GT or a similar...
The central locking on our daughter's Fords Focus (63 plate) diesel keeps failing in that the boot locking fails, and the boot lid springs open. We've been back to the dealership twice now, and they keep...
Car was serviced 5000 miles ago. The oil level has now risen. I have checked the dipstick so it is not a faulty sensor. Any idea why and is it serious?
I'm a medical student soon to graduate and I need a small reliable car to get to the hospital in. I will probably clock up 12,000 miles over the year but I'm likely to be placed in London after a year...
I'm looking for a used car to run for just a few years on a motorway commute. I'll be doing 17,000 per year and have a budget of £1800.
Ideally, the larger the better (e.g. Ford Mondeo), but I'm not...
You replied to an an owner with problems unlocking.
My son has had 2 x this problem and fixed them both for a few pounds.
IS & RAV4 key not functioning.
Bought blank keys off Ebay , transferred the electronics...
I want to buy a new small car, but can't decide between the Ford Fiesta 1.2 82PS Zetec or Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI 90PS SE. I need a reliable car with decent comfort as I'll be driving 20,000 miles a year....
I bought a new Mazda 6 in 2014 and have had constant problems with the connectivity between my iPod and the factory fitted infotainment system. I have tried every avenue to try and get Mazda to fix it,...
I will be fitting some winter tyres to my new Honda CR-V. Would I be better changing the wheels from the current 18-inch to 17s and would steel wheels be okay if I go down to 17s?
I currently have a 2004 Nissan Almera 2.2 Diesel. I've had it from new and it has been very reliable but I'm worried it's going to start getting expensive soon. I don't do a lot of mileage in it (4000...
I'm looking at buying a new Skoda Octavia petrol and would welcome your opinion on which engine and gearbox I should choose. It will mainly be used by one driver on a daily commute, but must also be able...
I'm looking to replace a Renault Laguna Estate. I've looked at the Mazda 6 Tourer, Volkswagen Passat and a few Volvos and Audi cars. I'd prefer an automatic less than four years old and under £20,000....
My Fiat Panda is three months old and I have been back to the garage several times. If I travel over 100 miles it splutters, like dirty petrol. The warning and engine lights come on and I'm now fed up....
I'm looking at buying a Vauxhall Astra, from 2004 onwards. I have a budget of £3000, but hoping not to spend that much.
I was looking at the petrol 1.4 or 1.6 engines, but is there anything I should...
I'm a "car guy" moving his wife and three kids from the United States to Bristol later in the summer. I'm loving all of our "new car" choices but quite frankly am feeling overwhelmed. I hoped you could...
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