Trending topics in February 2016
Questions from February 2016
My car was going great until I got in it this morning and it refused to start. There's not even a clicking noise you get when the battery is dead me and my son pushed it and it started but turned off again.
Everything...
How many miles will a timing chain last? I've bought a 2005 Ford Focus with 96,000 miles on the clock.
I am looking for a small crossover or spacious hatch for a family of three, soon to grow. The new Honda HR-V diesel drives very well, but is it fully worth its price? Any other suggestions? I am doing...
I'm about to end a three-year PCP with my local MINI dealer. The MINI Cooper S has had no problems but does have some slight damage on the rear bumper. Should I have this work done before returning the...
I want to respray my silver Jaguar S-Type. What would be a realistic price and what would you specify as essential to do a good job?
I am thinking of buying a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but cannot decide between the C200 petrol or diesel. I will do less than 8000 miles per year, which engine would you recommend?
Can you recommend a car which will take three car seats in the back? This would be to take two baby carrier seats for new born twins and a front facing seat for a two and half year old. We would like to...
You are enthusiastic about the new Honda Jazz but less so about the engine offered. Do you know whether additional or updated engines such as those offered in other markets are likely to be introduced?
I'm looking to buy a used (2011 model) MINI Cooper diesel. I've seen a few for sale, with high mileage. Are these reliable cars or should I look elsewhere?
Last week I asked my local Volkswagen dealer about changing the gearbox oil and filter on my 2011 Golf. However, I was told that it has a 'sealed for life system' and therefore does not need it and cannot...
What is your general opinion of Toyota's 1.6 D4D engine? I hear it is BMW supplied and was wondering does it suffer from any DPF issues? I currently drive a Yaris Hybrid and fuel economy is dreadful in...
I own a SEAT Ibiza ST, which I bought new in 2010. After about a year of owneship the DPF light started coming on, requiring me to take the car for a run in third gear on the motorway for about 20 miles....
I own a 2010 BMW 5 Series. In recent months the car has reported high oil levels after a DPF regeneration. I presume fuel is now mixing with engine oil. Is there a fix for this problem?
Also the BMW...
Is the water pump on a (2008 model) Renault Trafic van hard to change? It is a 2.0 diesel and I have some mechanical experience and would like to save money by doing it myself. Can you help?
I am looking in to building a camper van. My price range is up to £7000 and I am looking at using the Ford Transit LWB High Roof but I am unsure which is the best one to buy for weight carrying.Can you...
I need a used car - ideally the smallest and cheapest to buy and run for three children. What would you recommend?
I bought a used BMW X5 (E70) seven months ago as a main BMW dealer. Its been back twice to have work done under warranty. My headlamps have 'dark spots' where the xenons don't illuminate patches of the...
I have a wind noise appearing to come from above my head when driving in my Kia Sorento, it only appeared since new tyres were fitted.
Our cambelt shredded, causing sudden and complete power loss on a busy motorway, with no warning. We discovered on searching through the full service history paperwork that it hadn't been replaced or put...
I have a Mazda 6 Sport Nav (175 Manual) 2013 version which on the whole I am happy with especially the safety pack (Lane & rear view monitoring etc). I recently changed jobs and I am covering 20k miles...
For the the last couple of weeks I've heard a scraping noise from the rear brake discs on my Vauxhall Zafira. Today I have removed the wheel and found that the stone guard around the disc was catching....
I am looking to purchase a new vehicle and am aware of the potential problems with diesels. I do about 18,000 miles a year which comprises a daily commute of seven miles each way and several much longer...
What is the best value for money between the Renault Capture (automatic diesel) and the Suzuki Vitara (petrol manual)? I do about 6000 miles per year, mainly town driving.
I am hoping to change my 08 reg Ford Fusion for either an ex demo 2014 Nissan Note Acenta premium with style and safety pack from a main dealer for £8,495 with 6,000 odd miles or a 2014 Fiesta Zetec 1.2...
Hi HJ
I have an Audi Q3 177TDi on a 63 plate, and I was wondering if the VAG emissions scandal has had any impact on the residual values of this vehicle in particular and VAG vehicles in general.
Can you please tell me if my car has a chain belt and if not when it needs to be changed.
It has presently done less than 30k.
I am very fortunate that I am in the position of being able to buy either an Aston Martin Vantage 4.7 V8 from around 2009 or a Jaguar F-Type 5.0 V8 2013 model. I have a budget of up to £50k.
My question...
In your review of the Nisan Note, new model, you say the spare wheel on the Note premium is a £100 extra, but is there a defined well area in the boot to store it or does it just take up boot space?
I'm buying a new BMW X1 with a petrol engine. BMW advise that the first service and oil change should be carried out every two years. Is this correct?
I have just bought a 62/Dec 2012 Jaguar XF Portfolio, which was sold to me as one previous owner, but it's actually two previous owners. I wouldn't have bought it if I'd known.
I'd reject it and buy another,...
We have a 2004 2L Passat Highline TDI which needs changing, we have up to £20k or thereabouts to change, it has to have adjustable lumber support in both front seats, a decent boot (for golf clubs) and...
The dual-mass flywheel has failed on my BMW 3 Series. The car is just three and a half years old and has 29k on the clock. My local dealer tells me it will cost £2500 to repair and BMW 'may' pay something...
I own a Honda CR-V with black painted alloy wheels that feature diamond cut faces. I had the wheels Smartguarded by the dealer and I wash them weekly to keep the brake dust off them. However, I have heard...
The steering rack on my 2008 Ford Mondeo - with 60k on the clock - has failed. There are filings in the steering fluid and my local garage think the steering rack is disintegrating from within and have...
I picked up my brand new Ford EcoSport a few days ago. Within 24 hours, it had a steering lock fault and would not start. I was forced to call out the AA, who towed it back to the dealer. Where do I stand...
Screen wash is leaking from behind the the headlamp washer on my 2014 Honda CR-V. My local dealer believes 'hard water' is the cause and will not fix it under warranty. They suggest the solution is to...
I'm thinking of buying a used Toyota Yaris T2 1.0-litre (2008). When looking at these cars, is there any problem areas I need to look out for?
I am thinking of buying a used (2013) Volkswagen Tiguan with 58,000 miles on the clock. How reliable are these cars and what should I look out for when test driving?
My wife bought a new Vauxhall Ampera in 2014 from a main dealer. We knew the Ampera was at the end of the production line but nothing was said to indicate that it was not a new car. In the course of getting...
I have a 2013 BMW 320i petrol xDrive manual, with 31,000 miles on the clock. I have had an ongoing issue with a hesitancy under acceleration. When the car is cold, and for the first couple of miles, the...
Two Years ago I bought a Volvo C70 D3 with 10,000 miles on the clock from an independent dealer with a full service history.
I have been very happy with the car covering 14,000 miles a year and have had...
I had the DPF and thermostat replaced in my 2004 Focus by my local FOrd garage six months ago at a cost of £1800. A warning light has now come on and they have told me the fuel additive tank is empty and...
My wife and I are in our late 70s. We need to replace our Nissan Almera. We are looking for a two-year old used car. Reliability is paramount and we want a car that is suitable for short runs with good...
I am looking to buy a used Porsche Boxster for £30k+. This will be an approved car from a Porsche dealer and with 20k miles on the clock. What should I look out for on such a car? How easy is it to adjust...
I have followed your site for some time and have many a time heard the advantages of Premium diesel (or even branded diesel) over supermarket diesel. I myself have experienced the improvements.
My question...
I have a 2006 Volvo V70 2.4 diesel and two weeks ago an "Engine System Service required" message appeared along with the yellow warning. I booked the car into a local garage but before it went in the message...
I purchased a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 12 months ago. I want to sell it but there is a lack of interest in the trade for this model. The best trade price I have obtained is £20,699 for a car that has...
I have a 2010 E70 X5 4.0d SE that suffered a catastrophic failure [Front propshaft broke away smashing a large whole in the engine] I am aware of an August Technical Bulletin [SI B26 01 14] published...
I want to buy a new Nissan Qashqai. Which engine is best? Would the 1.6 diesel still be a good buy?
I want to buy a used SUV. I'm interested in the Suzuki Vitara and Mazda CX-5. Ideally I want a 12 month old vehicle, with good comfort and reliability. Which would you recommend?
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