Trending topics in August 2016
Questions from August 2016
I am 65 years old and have owned my Jensen Healey since 1977. It is just starting to increase in value due to it's rarity.I am considering selling in the next couple of years and would like to replace...
I had the 'fix' last month but since then there's a horrible rattle in engine when it's changing up between 2 and 4. Volkswagen say I need to pay for a diagnostic test and if it shows that it is due to...
In order to find all season tyres my local tyre supplier has suggested using a tyre size (235/55 18) which is slightly different from standard (225/60 18 Dunlop Grantrek M&S) on my Honda CR-V. The plan...
I'm looking to replace my 2006 Honda Civic 1.8 with a petrol car that does similar MPG or ideally better with similar power. I currently get 45 MPG, so would like to get a minimum 45-55 real world MPG....
My wife needs a car that can travel through London's Congestion Charge Zone with no fee as it will be a daily journey, which will also be used for work post the commute racking up approx. 100 miles per...
I've a budget of £4K and looking for a car that would be suitable for around 24000 miles per annum. Also needs to have enough space for a peak, two children and occasionally the family dog. Any suggestions...
I'm about to buy new Motability car and fancy a BMW X1. Which is better for everyday use and average/low mileage - The xDrive 25d M Sport automatic or xDrive 20i M Sport automatic.
I have a 2014 Volvo XC60 D5 AWD SE Lux automatic with 20k on the clock. Over the past few weeks I can hear a whining noise behind the normal engine noise which is much more noticeable when the engine is...
A good friend of mine has just bought a 2002 Nissan Micra. This came without head-restraints on the rear seats, and she's been told by a dealer that no models of this series were fitted with them. Given...
We're looking for something that will take 3 child seats across the back and has loads of space to take camping gear, cases, etc. Most runs are a few miles, but generally once a week I do a 25 miles each...
I have £10k to replace an old Zafira. Should I go for the newest Zafira I can get for this or a slightly older Volkswagen Touran or Toyota Verso. The car gets quite a hard life with four kids clambering...
I have a 59 plate BMW 1 Series 118d. For the past few weeks the DPF light has been coming on after about 10 mins after driving. My local garage says the DPF is block and needs replacing. I asked if they...
I previously owned a BMW 530d manual whose Dual Mass Flywheel failed at around 90,000 miles. My current 530d has the (excellent) 8-speed auto box - does this mean that the car will not have a DMF?
I have just bought 2011 Kia Cee'd from a non Kia dealership with a full MOT with no advisories. I bought the car 2 weeks ago. I contacted the garage for what sounds like a duff wheel bearing and they have...
I am looking to buy an estate up to three years old and up to 30k mileage. I have up to £16,000 to spend. At the moment the car would be used for mostly short journeys in stop start traffic - I do about...
I booked a Hertz Prestige BMW 2 Series Active Tourer several months in advance (the idea is that you get that type of car with leather seats etc) but I ended up being given a fairly basic Cactus. Hertz...
I want to change my 2009 79K miles Honda CR-V manual petrol. I like the raised driving position, 4x4 is useful at times and the large boot is handy but I am now looking for an automatic. I only do about...
How much will a DPF replacement cost for my 2010 Renault Grand Scenic?
Can car manufacturers force a visit to dealer to reset service reminder? I'm told I need it resetting at a main dealer even though there is the procedure in the owners handbook saying how to do it. The...
I recently purchased a used Citroen DS3 THP 1.6. It is a 2012 (61) model with just 15,000 miles. Unfortunately within 2 weeks of ownership, the EML light came on and it has a couple of other issues (erratic...
I purchased a BMW 645i from a BMW main dealer in May 2005. It has been maintained by them ever since at the required intervals. Recently I have just had the car into the garage and have ended up with a...
I've owned a 2005 diesel Honda Accord Tourer since new. I'm thinking of upgrading it to a more recent 2010 model Accord Tourer. I'm concerned that this has a DPF on it and with reliability & running costs...
I like the new Mondeo and want the best engine choice for a 60-mile each way motorway commute. The 1.5 TDCi ECONETEC offers best fuel economy, but Ford dealers are pushing the 2.0 TDCi as more flexible....
To mark my wife's 50th birthday in April 2015 she decided to buy a Mini. After test driving a Main Dealer Demonstrator, I she purchased it with 3500 miles on 22 May 2015.
She has experienced many problems...
I bought a second-hand Volkswagen Golf with full service history for £3445, I have only had the car for a week and done less than 20 miles in it. The problem is the clutch it makes a grinding noise when...
I'm interested in buying a 2013 Peugeot 5008 1.6 THP. It was last serviced at 25000m in Feb 2015, and has now done 46000m. The selling dealer is offering to service it, but I'm concerned about the fact...
My car suddenly stopped (seemed like it stalled) with no warning lights or noises. The AA suggest seized engine as can't jump start and the starter won't manually move. Any ideas if it could be anything...
I have read with interest your recommendation that tyre pressures be dropped by 3psi for comfort. Yet I remember when you recommended that for long distance, high speed, well loaded travel in a hot climate...
We have a two year old Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost purchased 6 months ago from a Ford dealer which has a heavy clutch at 36,000 miles. Our local dealer accepts it is heavy, but want me to pay cost to inspect which...
I have an old Volvo C70. I use the back seats a lot for luggage space. I want another convertible with as much luggage space as possible. What do I want?
I noticed a scratching-scraping noise from the front of my Kia Cee'd, probably nearside. The engine is ticking fine (petrol 1.6) and it only happens in first or second gear (or in reverse) at very low...
My dilemma is a choice of second family car, between a Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.0 125 Zetec or SEAT Leon 1.2 TSI. It would be either new or under 1 year old. Ignoring the price (they are very similar), can...
We are looking at a Fabia Estate as a future replacement for our 2010 Honda Jazz, which lacks boot space. I've heard too many horror stories to buy another car with a cam belt, and a dealer tells me the...
What are your views on the mechanical long term effects of stop start technology ? Not with standing modern engine oils being better, and environmental benefits ( at least on paper ) surely constant stop...
I have a 2010 Mini Cooper and recently had the tracking checked. I was told there was feathering on the inside edges of both front tyres with 3, 4 and 5mm of tread across the tyres. The rear tyres have...
After having BMW 3 Series diesel estates for years, advancing years have increased my desire for a comfortable car on today's abysmal roads and less concern about all out handling so I am looking at the...
I'm looking for 1 year old low mileage manual petrol Qashqai, Sportage or Yeti. I only do 8,000 miles a year. Which make and model would you recommend for value, comfort and reliability?
I bought a new Golf SV 1.4 in May 2014. Almost since new I have had issues with the electronics and in particular error mesages relating to Aadptive Cruise Control and system warning lights to say its...
I'm looking for a medium size hatchback with a big boot, up to seven years old and about £6k. You seem to rate the Civic which would appear to tick all the boxes, but how does the Golf Plus or SEAT Altea...
I am looking to trade up from my Mazda MX-5 to a four seater convertible. My budget is £5000- 6500 and it has to be petrol as I only do 5000 miles a year. Not fussed between manual or auto. I'm not really...
My Land Rover Discovery, bought 11 weeks and 2000 miles ago from a main Land Rover dealer, now has badly worn front lower arm rear bushes. This has caused uneven tyre wear. I still have the 'personal...
I am buying car as a cash sale. If I pay in part with a credit card, will i have some guarantee and protection form the card company should problems arise with the purchase?
I've spotted a nearly new and popular performance saloon coming up at auction. It has low (warranted) mileage, and listed as Grade 1, with the V5 present. I'm interested in bidding, but curious as to how...
I have owned a Toyota Verso 1.8 for over four years and am about to change. We have loved the Toyota and may well get another, but I'm unsure how durable the CVT gearbox will be if I run the car for more...
My daughter has a 14 plate 1.4 TDI Polo and the ACC and AC have stopped working. The local Volkswagen dealer where the car was bought second hand claim it is due to impact damage and won't cover the £900...
I need to replace the two front tyres on my wife's Honda Jazz SE, 2005, 1339cc, CVT. The original tyres are Bridgestone Potenza RE040, 185/55 R15 82V which appear to be discontinued. What would you recommend...
I'm looking for a seven-seater. I have three children under the age of three and am specifically looking for three full size seats in the second row that are adjustable. What do you suggest I look at?...
I just put a deposit down on a car. The seller says it has a water leak "due to a compressed water supply" which to me sounds like maybe a damaged pipe constricting the water flow. However, a friend has...
I am looking to replace our 2008 Ford C-MAX automatic 2008 model with a new car. The replacement must be as good (or better) for accessibility. It must also be an automatic. What do you suggest?
My two year old Audi Q3 (quattro) has developed a slight hesitation when accelerating, just as the turbo begins to take effect - 2200/2400 rpm. This only seems to happen when its been standing for a...
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