Questions from June 2015
I am looking to buy a one year old Range Rover Evoque. However, I've been told that a new model is due in the next few months. I was wondering what impact that would have on the value of used models? It...
I would like to buy a pre-1986 classic car, it should be suitable for local trips and be useable 2 to 4 days per week, average 100 miles per week. Can you recommend makes/models that would still run well....
I have a 2009 Volvo V70, 2.0-litre diesel. I have read conflicting advice on replacing the timing and auxiliary belts and am not sure if the water pump needs replacing at the same time. The car has done...
I bought an approved used Mercedes-Benz C-Class from a franchised dealership and was told it had full service history. We requested the documentation several times during and after the purchase of the...
I have a 2008 Meredes-Benz B-class. The wing mirror adjuster no longer works and now the indicator is playing up. The local garage advise this is due to broken wires between the door and the mirror and...
Please could you advise me whether headlamp 'deflectors' are still required for European motoring, specifically in France? I own a recently-acquired 2014 model Mazda3 and the Mazda dealership have advised...
When do you think Ford will bring out the Courier Tourneo to UK? It's precisely what I want to buy, and has been out on the Continent for two years. HJ has even reviewed it! What is the problem?
Second...
Is it true that antifreeze needs be changed at intervals these days.
We're thinking of replacing my wife's Audi A1 with either a Volkswagen Golf Convertible or A3 Convertible, once we have got the first MoT on the A1 in January 2016.
Normally we buy cash, but I'm being...
I'm looking to buy a Range Rover Evoque. It will probably be one that's between one and two years old. What model would you recommend?
My wife and I have recently retired and no longer have a need for two cars.
Our cars are 2013 Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium and 2011 Mondeo 1.6 TDCi Titanium X.
I don't want the hassle of selling privately,...
We are over 70 and looking to replace our Zafira with a smaller car but one that is still fairly easy to access. There is such a wide choice and we're not sure what criteria to look for. There seems to...
I am getting a new Volkswagen Tiguan. The standard wheels and tyres are 17-inch wheels with 235/55 tyres. I could get 16-inch wheels with 215/65 tyres. Which do you recommend please?
Which would you choose out of a Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI and a Suzuki Vitara 1.6 petrol?
It will be used for short low mileage journeys, rare long trips, but will be long term retirement car. I'm trying to decide,...
I have been offered a four year old Porsche Carrera Cabriolet with only 7000 miles, excellent condition, but £52k original cost with extras £90k. Is a BMW 6 Series Convertible a better buy for day to day...
We are considering replacing our wonderful petrol Saab 9.3 Aero Convertible after 90,000 miles, with a similar spec used car. Our budget is £25k. We wish to avoid diesel due to long term downside. Annual...
Hypothetical question: If driven in the absolute WORST possible way for a DPF filter, how long would it take for a brand new DPF (DNPR in Toyota speak) to clog up with ash/soot? I asked this question of...
I am a big guy with lots of stuff and need an SUV to go on the motorway. Reliablity, comfort and power are important. Running costs less so. I have narrowed choice to 39k mile, 2012 X5 40d M Sport from...
In 2011, I bought a 2010 BMW 520d touring and a set of extra alloy (327 style) 17 inch wheels with 225/55 R17 run-flat winter tyres. This year I traded the car in and bought a June 2014 320d xDrive Touring....
I have recently had a problem with the convertible roof of my Alfa Spider which has now been repaired by Mangoletsi Alfa Romeo Dealership in Knutsford (who I would recommend for their customer service)....
I am finding my drivers door lock getting stiffer and more difficult to open with a key. The cost of replacing the lock cylinder is too high and I think a bit tricky for me. Is there any easy way to replacing...
We bought a new Skoda Octavia Estate in September 2014, and when we went to collect it we noticed it had small marks (dirt / drops) all round it. We pointed them out straight away and it was assumed that...
I'm looking to buy a panel van to be professional converted by some guys at Action Vans near Southampton. I'm looking for the safest, most reliable with lowest emissions.
My heart says a Volkswagen T5,...
Some dealers are adding an extra fee to the purchase price of their vehicles.
At least one of the car supermarkets add an extra £96 as a pre-delivery fee - apparently a "preparation" cost. When I asked...
I need to buy a used car and I have around £5-6k budget. Would you know if the Yaris is a reliable car (say of about the 5 years old model) and what, if any, issues it may have that I should be concerned...
I put my order for an XE last year in November 2014, I was promised June 2015 delivery date. The salesman told me last night it SHOULD be here in July 2015. All the time my current car is losing its value,...
I want to know some good cleaning products - the whole works inside and out. Could you recommend a kit to use with all the various types as I'm so confused by all the jargon. Even within shampoos theres...
We live in a rural area and we are looking to buy a large 4x4 for use as a family car. I need a good sized boot for prams and luggage on holidays. I also will use it for work and long distance journeys...
I like to sit up high in a new car following hip problems, comfort and fuel consumption is important to me. Does one get better fuel consumption from manual versus automatic?
I recently purchased a 2008 BMW 520d from an independent dealer for the sum of £5425. The recorded mileage at the time of the sale was 129,420 miles.
On the evening of 21st March 2015, the car began to...
I own a 1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. 2D Sport Coupe. I'm in the U.S. The car does not run. Engine problem, probably serious. Has been sitting for a long time under a cover. This has caused some cosmetic...
I'm looking for a larger car, potential a seven seater as I need to get three child seats in the back. 2 year old + twins. Are there any estate cars that could get three child seats in the back with big...
A local dealer has a few four week old 15 plate 1.0 solid paint Hyundai i10 for £7250. They are also willing to include a space saver wheel if I sell my part ex privately. They say the cars where pre-registered...
The new Mercedes C-Class I have on order comes with a can of puncture repair sealant instead of a spare wheel. Not happy with this I was going to buy a spacesaver but I was horrified to find out that the...
Every time I start my Mondeo 2.2 TDCi air bubbles can be seen in the expansion bottle (It is air there are no hydrocarbons present as the garage as tested for hydrocarbons and the test was negative. The...
I took my 2007 Passat to the Volkswagen garage as I needed to get one of the keys re-coded. They linked the car to the computer and after an hour, told me that the electric handbrake motor housing has...
My 09 plate 74,000 mile BMW 118i has just been diagnosed as needing a new engine by BMW Maidenhead as a result of the timing chain tensioner failing and getting sucked into the rest of the engine, causing...
We have a Hyundai bought two years ago, with an aftermarket two year warranty. We’ve had it serviced at our regular garage ever since buying it; we’ve had a good relationship with them over the years...
I have a BMW 116 2006 model where everything seems to be fine until petrol is low the symptoms start to show. First the engine management light will come on and than there will be a loss of power on acceleration....
We have had our Vauxhall Meriva new for about nine years. We like the easy to climb into seats and the flat pack rear loading arrangement via the hatchback. We don't like the "low gearing" i.e. when in...
I'm looking to buy a reliable but also enjoyable used car for about £8k, considering Civic, Leon etc but have spotted several 10/11 plate Exeo with about 50-60k miles in my price range. These look like...
I have had a Volvo XC60 SE5 diesel for just over 4 years and it has been generally satisfactory for my needs and not too expensive. I have done about 52,000 miles. A month ago one half of the dashboard...
I am having problems with my clutch rubbing/slipping on my Focus 1.0 ecoboost 2012. I bought the car second hand back in September last year and it has just 26,000 miles on the clock. I took my Focus into...
My Jaguar X-Type 2004 was jerking and wouldn't rev past 3000rpm and now it won't start. It even won't supply power to the spark plugs.
The 5 year manufacturers warranty is about to expire on my Toyota. Do you think it sensible to take out a new Toyota approved warranty?
I have decided to buy a used (2006 onwards) Ford S-MAX. Which engine should I get? My budget is around £6000. I do around 10,000 miles, mixed driving, but want a strong engine for motorway work. Diesel...
I have the opportunity to purchase for £5750, a company owned (one driver) 2011 Mazda 6 Sport Diesel Estate. It has covered 113,000 miles (mostly motorway and A roads) and has a full service history. It...
What sort of discount from the list price can I reasonably expect for a cash purchase of a new Vauxhall Corsa?
I need help for a good garage. Now I understand you have the good garage guide. However this is based on personal reviews opposed to any formal accreditation or awards.
Have you got any advice on "which...
I've just bought a 2012 Land Rover Defender. The seller advised that 2 weeks before the 3 year Land Rover warranty ran out, the oil pump failed wrecking the engine, so the Land Rover main dealer who supplied...
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