Trending topics in May 2016
Questions from May 2016
I have owned a 2014 Mazda 6 auto Tourer now for nearly a year and travelled over 20k in this time. I have had a couple of issues.
Firstly, prior to a scheduled service at around 38k, I had an oil warning...
I am considering buying a Saab 9-5, but it has come to light that it has had five previous owners. My main concern is the car is barely six years old and when I come to sell it, other buyers may be reluctant...
I recently bought a 1997 Jaguar XJ6 for £700. The sale included a private plate. Since then, I've spent £360 replacing the rear driveshaft because of bearing issues. My local mechanic now tells me it needs...
How much should a new timing belt and water pump cost for a 2010 Audi A4 2.0 TDi?
My 2000 Ford Focus has an electrical problem. The wipers, ventilation and windows have stopped working. I can't find a blown fuse. Any ideas?
I have a bad back and need a new car with comfortable seats. I have an old Peugeot 30, what should I replace it with?
I own a 2010 Ford Fiesta 1.6 diesel with 101,000 miles. Recently the cam belt failed. The car is back with the dealer who tell me that the DPF is blocked, which caused the cam belt failure. Is this likely?
I have a new Ford Focus 1.5 diesel manual. Great car, several months in and no issues to report. Today, rather randomly, I have noticed what might be a fault or a characteristic with the drive which I...
I purchased a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe six weeks ago. The car broke down on the journey home and it was found to have delaminated brakes, bushes and crankshaft damping pulley movement. The dealer paid for...
I am coming up to replacing my existing car and have historically bought new diesels to cover an annual mileage of 25k (mostly motorway and A roads). Given diesel engines are becoming more complex to meet...
I have just changed my 2013 Ford Fiesta EcoBoost for a 2015 model (same spec) with less than 3000 miles on the clock. The only snag is it has 195/45/R16 tyres and my previous model had 195/50 R16 which...
I was driving my fiat 500 Abarth recently. As I pulled out of a junction on to a busy main road and changed gear my vehicle revved very high and jumped into neutral. I quickly shut the engine off and was...
When selling an old/cheap car privately, is the seller obliged to disclose every single fault even if the car is, say, 13-15 years old and only for sale for around £1000? To put it another way, surely...
I have a 2013 Jaguar XKR (34,000 miles - out of warranty) and am considering changing to a 2013 BMW M6 convertible. Which car has the longer term "classic" potential?
I have an Audi A3 which was bought new in August 2015 and has approximately 7000 miles on the clock. The tyres are Dunlop Sport Maxx and I recently had a slow puncture from a nail.
I had the puncture...
I have just collected a secondhand 2013 1.0 litre Ford Focus. I have almost immediately noticed a strange whirring/turbine like noise most prevalent at 40-60mph. It is speed related and not related to...
I have had a problem with my 2012 SEAT Alhambra DSG autmaotic with an intrusive noise on deceleration. It's fine whilst accelerating but loud when back in 1st. would this be a problem with overrun? it...
I have a Nissan Note. When I open the drivers side door, the tailgate is opened. Only the driver's door does this. Any ideas?
I have a photograph of a pre-First World War car, complete with registration number. The car is being driven by my grandfather who was a chauffeur. I have tried many times to identify the car and its manufacturer,...
I want to buy a new car. I cannot decide between the Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI or the Suzuki Vitara 1.6 petrol. The Suzuki has more equipment for less money, but is slower and has higher fuel consumption....
What is your opinion of the Renault Megane diesel 1.6? I am thinking of buying a 2008 or 2009 model.
I am thinking of buying an ex-demonstrator SEAT Leon FR. The car runs on 18-alloys, but the space saver wheel in the boot is 16-inch diameter. Surely this cannot be correct?
I am interested in buying a Honda HR-V after reading your review. But am very disappointed to find out that it does not offer a diesel with the automatic gearbox, only petrol versions. In fact, the Civic...
I am a pensioner. I drive 7000 miles a year, which is mostly short trips, with occasional long motorway trips. I want a comfortable car with high seats in leather with a sunroof. It must be compact and...
I spend a fair bit of time in rural Bulgaria. The hire cars are expensive and not up to road conditions of rutted cart tracks. I notice that most neighbours drive old Lada Nivas, which stopped being imported...
I own a Audi A4, which starts perfectly but wont rev above 1000rpm until I have waited approx one minute. Then it revs fine although a bit blows blue smoke. The glow plug light flashes all the time. Paid...
Can you recommend a good all-weather replacement tyre for the last generation Volvo XC90 on 17-inch wheels?
I have inherited a Mk2 Volkswagen Polo with only 2300 miles on the clock. However, it won't start, the plugs are sparking but there's no fuel getting to the throttle body.
I've changed the fuel filter...
I was driving down the motorway last week when a lorry in front of me, hauling a skip, switched lanes into mine. As he did this debris from the skip hit my car causing a chip to the bodywork and a crack...
My 2011 Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI has just cost £1798 to get the clutch rebuilt and the flywheel replaced after the slave cylinder exploded and contaminated the clutch. My local dealer terms this as...
I took my car to a valeting centre, but after collection I found they had broken the electric driver's seat. The spindle is broken due to them pushing the seat over a fire extinguisher that is located...
I purchased a 2011 Nissan Qashqai used but from a franchise dealer around three weeks ago. At the time I was promised a service booklet would be forthcoming, but it was in transit from the previous owner.
I...
My late husband's 16 year old Volvo V70 finally needs replacing. I would like something similar, or slightly smaller in size with a petrol engine as I do a lot of short journeys and an automatic as I am...
Could you tell me if the new premium rate car tax in 2017 [above £40,000] is basic list price or the cost with added extras?
The gearbox on my Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 diesel failed at high speed on a motorway, with the wheels locking solid. A frightening experience. Gearbox is shot and my local dealer wants more than £3500...
I own a Mk1 Volkswagen Golf convertible which was last started 16 years ago! It has been kept in a garage since then. Apart from buying a new battery and fuel are there any other precautions to be taken...
How can I soften the ride of my BMW 218i Coupe. I don't want to drive it fast, just comfortably on our potholed roads. If changing tyres/wheels and/or suspension parts, will the warranty and insurance...
My son test drove a Mercedes-Benz SLK200 last week. The seller was not available but his girlfriend let my son test drive the car which he agreed to buy for £5800. As my son was not available to pick up...
I am thinking of buying a plug-in hybrid. I quite like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Volkswagen Golf GTE and Audi A3 e-tron. What do you know about battery longevity in these cars?
my terracan has started to get a little stiff to go into gear it only seems to be when you try to go through the gear box fast ie from traffic lights going from 1st to 2nd to 3rd...on road trips changing...
I am trying to advise my stepson on buying a new car. He lives in rural Scotland and we have a number of questions:-
1) His budget will be in the region of £15,000; would he be better to think of a new...
We bought our 20 year old daughter a 2011 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (five-door) in 2015. Whilst it is economical and good to drive, it is slow on motorways, has a small boot and is not powerful enough. What...
I have an intermittent starting problem with my Jaguar XJS. The petrol pump should run for 10-15 seconds after switching the ignition to prime the system and stop when the fuel supply is full. This initial...
I bought an ex-demonstrator from a main dealer but, after some months, I suspected there had been some bodywork repair on the rear quarter. I would have asked about this during purchase but nothing was...
Does replacing the dual mass flywheel with solid mass flywheel in a 2.0 diesel Toyota Avensis have any effects on the engine?
I am looking to replace me 2011 Skoda Octavia 1.6TDI in the next year or so. I'm looking for a recommendation for a replacement that meets the following brief:
-quiet and comfortable for me (6'3") on...
A driver of another vehicle reversed into me while I was stationary. The other driver is now denying the collision took place and the accident management company are asking me to sign a document for them...
My 2013 BMW X3 ill be due new tyres shortly. It uses 225/60/17V, currently Pirelli P7, which have lasted 40k miles. BMW say my transmission warranty will be void if I don't fit star rated tyres but my...
I am thinking of buying a small van to transport bikes, kayaks, tents etc. Ideally I would like one with a third seat in the front as there would regularly be three of us (one child). Is there currently...
My 2010 Jaguar XF has developed rust bubbling on the boot lid. Unfortinatly I was unable to get it to my local dealer until last week, which is outside the vehicle's warranty period. However, as we know,...
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