Trending topics in April 2016
Questions from April 2016
I thought all new cars sold in the UK from November 2014 onwards had to be fitted as standard with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System under EU law.
Can you explain therefore why Volkswagen UK is planning...
I have a five year old 318d with a N47 engine that has suffered a cam chain failure resulting in an engine write-off. BMW have offered to cover 50% of the cost of parts which brings an £11400 estimate...
We returned to live in England late Feb and brought back our Hyundai car bought new in Southern Ireland in May 2012 .We cannot tax or insure it until it acquires GB plates but the kms only speedo is not...
I want to buy a secondhand Toyota Yaris automatic for £2500. However, I'm struggling to find one, are there any other automatic car makes and models that are similar to the Toyota Yaris that have reliable...
A car dented my door last week. The driver admitted liability and asked me to get quote. He now refuses to take my calls. I only have his mobile no and licence plate. How can I enforce payment?
I am currently driving a Volkswagen Phaeton from 2006 and feel like it is time to upgrade it. I do love the Phaeton but it is getting a bit old now and the fuel consumption is well below the modern cars....
I own a 2012 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SRI. I bought it (used) six weeks ago, but noticed when breaking to stop (break pressed and clutch in) the revs rise to around 1400/1500rpm, hold for split second, then...
My step-son purchased a second hand Alfa Romeo from a dealership two weeks ago. He paid an additional £400 for a 15 month warranty. As he was driving home he noticed the oil temperature gauge was not working....
Our Ford Fiesta will be two years old in July 2016. Ever since we bought it, we have found that battery goes flat after not using the car for a week to 10 days, particularly if we open a car door several...
I am interested in buying a used Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 or 2.2 diesel (apparently the 2.2 is more economical?) but have read that there is an issue whereby the crankshaft seal can fail and allow engine...
Which gearbox in the Honda Civic 1.8 petrol would you recommend for reliability and a good drive - regular automatic or i-shift ?
I'm being told by my local BMW dealer that after 25,000 miles both the disc and pads need to replaced on my 3 Series (335). This is because of supposed pitting and surface corrosion on the discs. I feel...
I bought a '97 e36 328i sport coupe a few months ago and have been blown away by its combination of performance (brilliant harmony of engine, gearbox and suspension), handling and relative economy. It's...
My old mum wants to get rid of her 6 month old Qashqai as her two dogs have trouble getting into the boot. She does low mileage and wants something easy to park, likes automatic handbrake, auto dip beam...
I have an 2011 Vauxhall Astra which is covered by Vauxhall's lifetime warranty. After the last service it came back with an advisory stating "slight oil between engine and gearbox, suspect rear main oil...
I've just bought a 14 year old Nissan Almera 1.5 Petrol. It wobbles at low speed. Its not wheel balancing because I know what that feels like. But in gears 1 and 2 it just wobbles slowly. Stops slightly...
I'm moving to the Falklands and want to take a car with me. The terrain is rough and spares are limited. I don't want something too new as every thing gets a rough time but still want a safe and dependable...
I am tempted to order a Citroen Berlingo Multispace with the 1.2 PureTech engine.
What is your experience of this engine?
I have been quoted a very high price for a replacement Nissn Note key at the dealership. Is there an alternative?
I originally had a coolant leak, which the garage said was a faulty thermostat, which they since changed. The garage has had it in four times now and still no sign of the problem being sorted. Any ideas?...
We recently bought a 2007 S-MAX and was told it came with a three month warranty from a third party company. The dealer assured us the car was free from faults and would be fully serviced before we took...
My wife is thinking about buying a Ford B-MAX petrol auto, second hand, either two or three years old. There seem to be many issues with the Powershift gearbox as detailed In your car by car info. Should...
I own a used kia Rio (52 plate) with 42,000 miles on the clock. Eight days ago I had it serviced. Now, 50 miles later, the wheel bearings have failed, melting the drum and points. It is going to cost me...
I am returning (permanently) to the UK shortly. I have lived in France (since I retired) for the last eleven years. I pay French taxes. I do have a UK bank account and an established UK credit card which...
My wife was used a council-owned car park recently. On returning to her car, she was alerted by a passer-by that it had just been scraped by another car, which was just leaving the car park. She chased...
Just wondered if you knew when the current Kia Rio model will replaced and do you think the new model with have the 1.0-litre turbo engine? Have run a Picanto for over a year and 25,000 miles with no issues...
I am looking to replace our 2006 Saab 93 estate, your advice on an SUV style vehicle as a replacement would be appreciated? Our budget is up to £14,000 for a car of 3 years/ 30,000 miles (inc P/x if there...
What changes, if any, have been made to the 1.5 dci engine/gearbox in the new model Nissan Note compared to the previous model? It seems to have the same quoted power and torque, but improved mpg and 0-62mph...
What's your view on tyre rotation. Is it necessary or worth it?
I bought a two year old BMW 640d Gran Coupe from a main dealer four weeks ago. During a routine inspection at another BMW dealership today it was pointed out that the front tyres were badly worn, one...
We are upgrading our Mazda 5 and want something that is large and fun to drive. We've had issues in the past with my tall husband sitting in the front passenger seat leaving minimal leg room for a daughter....
In the light of our ever deteriorating roads, would it be possible to fit different suspension components (springs, dampers) to my Civic Type R to make its ride slightly more comfortable without sacrificing...
Which is better a chain or belt driven vehicle? And if you were to purchase a vehicle for £2000 or less - Toyota Yaris for example - would this factor your decision on which one to go for?
Our 2010 Fiat 500 has developed an intermittent high pitched squeal which seems to come from the front wheels (difficult to tell but seems to be RHS). Sounds like disc and pad rubbing as the squeal disappears...
I have just received a PCN for mistakenly driving in a bus lane whilst visiting a city. I have read the guidelines, watched the CCTV and I don't think I can get out of it.
However, my surname on the PCN...
I've had difficulty removing 'finger marks' around door handles and boot lids. They look like a white sheen from one angle and a darker, greasy residue from another. I think they might be due to sweat...
I travel several times a year to Italy and need to get a telepass so I don't have to keep stopping at the toll booths. Do you know how I can get one from the UK
My daughter purchased a used Volkswagen Polo from a dealer today. However, on the drive home, the engine warning light came on and the engine started to run very poorly. Can she reject the car and ask...
I have a Citroen C5 estate 1.6 diesel (2006 model). It's done approx 73k miles and has always been serviced on time. A While ago I got the anti-pollution message and the car cut out while exiting a roundabout....
When is the updated Toyota GT86 due in the UK? Would it be best to wait for the new model or would I get a better deal on the current model?
I have a 2013 Land Rover Freelander TD4 with 25K on the clock. I have just under £11K residual payment left to pay. How much is the Freelander worth? Is it worth paying the residual off and keeping it...
My Nissan X-Trail's seat belts need to be cleaned or replaced as they don't return back to their housing. Any tips on cleaning or replacement belts?
I am looking to buy a secondhand car and have about £8000 to spend. It's going to be a family car. Ideally I'd like a five-door hatchback, with a bit of performance. I like the look of the BMW 1 Series...
I am looking at a new Skoda Superb Estate. The two options I have narrowed it down to are the 1.6TDi Greenline (with AdBlue) or the 2.0TDi (150PS, non-AdBlue, just DPF), either in SE spec. Given the history...
I need to buy 2.0-litre hatchback with three-doors. I have £15,000 to spend and quite like the Volkswagen Golf. Are there any other cars I should consider before biting the bullet?
I own a 2011 Audi A6 Avant. A few days ago the sound system stopped working. This happened after my car had some work done at my local dealer for a faulty central locking unit. The fault results in no...
When driving my 2004 Citroen Berlingo Multispace I've noticed a red stop sign appearing on the instrument cluster and warning sound. It happens once a day and then goes off. The van drives fine. Any ideas?...
We are expecting twins later in the year and my 10 year old Golf GTI (which I cherish) won't cut the mustard. We live in London, with on street parking, and mileage is currently 7000 miles a year; as such...
My Stag was built in December 1975 and I have the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate to prove it. Today, 1 April I took all the required documentation to my local Post Office but they were...
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