Questions from January 2019
I'm looking for a classic car to run around the city - reliable, easy to park, won't rust away at the roadside and able to stand up to lots of stopping and starting. Probably automatic. What do you suggest?
I have been offered Vauxhall Viva SE that was registered in July 2018 and has been in the dealer's compound ever since. Should I worry about rust and deterioration as well as the loss of six month's warranty...
I have a no accident record of 50 years but have always driven company insured cars or driven as a named driver on my wife's insurance. I have insured a number of classic cars but these do not attract...
What are the speed limits when driving a Nissan NV200 Combi model?
I am looking at purchasing a new or nearly new car in the coming months. Do you think I will get a better deal by waiting until the end of March as opposed to buying now?
I am looking at a Mercedes-Benz Vito 114 but the air intake of the turbo seems rather noisy. The sales guy says this is normal and the van drives well. Is this sucking noise normal?
Which is best for someone self-employed - buying or leasing a van?
Following a minor collision in which the other driver accepted full liability has made me realise that I was lucky, especially when there were no witnesses. I have decided to invest in a dashcam. Any recommendations?
When turning the ignition on my car, the automatic light control becomes active, but the tail lights do not work in this mode. I can't find a way to solve this problem?
Should I buy a diesel or a petrol? I only do 7000 miles a year.
I have the latest version of the Volkswagen seven-speed DSG gearbox. Is it a good idea to select neutral when stopped for any length of time in traffic holdups and traffic lights? I understand moving parts...
We went to see a car at a garage priced at £7900. I arranged a test drive, only to find the dealer has increased the sale price to £8500. I have a photo of the car with the original price from six days...
If speed humps meeting legal requirements cannot be driven over in a manner which they were designed for, due to people parking cars too close or even on them, should councils be made to install double...
I have damaged my passenger side door reversing into my drive. The car is worth around £23k, it is on a PCP deal and I don’t give the car back for another three years. The excess on my insurance is £350,...
I'm currently looking at purchasing an Audi Q5 which comes with leather and Alcantara seats. What is your view of Alcantara? It appears to get mixed reviews with concerns about looking scruffy after modest...
I do 108 miles per day to get to work with a 1.2-litre petrol car and I am thinking of swapping for something more economical? Is diesel or Hybrid the best economical option?
My four-month-old BMW has been written off in an accident. I’m insured through Axa but the car was leased through Alphabet. My policy indicates that because of the age the vehicle will be replaced with...
I have made numerous searches for car insurance and on every one the cheapest by about £50 is a quote from Hastings Direct Smart Miles where you have a black box fitted to your car that records your everyday...
Which car was best value - the Humber Hawk or the Humber Super Snipe?
My car was registered in March 1979. When is it tax free?
Is there a simple but reliable car for a budget of £3000?
I plan to take my 1996 Mercedes E220 W124 Estate on a tour of the continent this summer. What form of breakdown/recovery insurance cover should I take out? What should I look out for and what should I...
Do you know where I can find a classic Saab 96 two stroke engine for restoration please?
I have a 1977 MGB that I have recently registered as a vehicle of historic interest. I understand I still have to tax it annually but the charge is £0. I also understand that when I tax it I can opt to...
Our journeys are mostly commutes of around 15 miles per day with occasional long trips. Can you suggest an SUV that is either hybrid or electric up to around £28k?
My son bought a Volvo V50 from an RAC approved dealership which came with an RAC inspection report which gave it a clean bill of health. These were major deciding factors in the buying process. The dealers...
Is it dangerous to use cruise control in the wet? Does it cause problems should you aquaplane and does it make the car go faster, so causing accidents?
I'd like your opinion about the classic car spare parts market, above all for 25 to 35 years old models. What brands or models do you suggest avoiding when it comes to finding spares?
I have a 2010 Vauxhall Astra that is blowing cold air only. I have checked the coolant levels and they're fine. What could be the problem?
My power steering has failed.The power steering warning light has not come on but the battery warning light is on now constantly. Is the power steering failure due to low battery power?
I have a flashing glow lamp warning light on my Skoda Fabia. What does this mean and is it okay to drive?
My daughter’s car brushed against a metal gate while visiting a property. The damage to her car is minimal as the impact was very minor. However, the owner of the gate is claiming severe damage was caused...
My son's car has been deemed a total loss following a non-fault accident and I'm looking for some independent advice. The car is currently at a local garage but the insurance company is arranging for their...
I have two cars registered in my name, with my wife as named driver for past 30 years. I am now unable to drive due to ill health. Do I need to change car ownership, in order to allow my wife to get insurance?...
I took out an unregulated agreement to hire a car last September on a business contract via my own limited company. Subsequently the car has developed an emissions fault, warning light and has to go back...
I have just bought a new Peugeot 3008. It’s a very tight fit length wise in my garage and the front parking sensors sound off too early to be of use. I wonder if you know of any product, such as an infrared...
I'm thinking of getting an electric car but have a number of questions. How do I power the car at home and how do I go about getting a power supply? I only have on street parking and my front door is directly...
I have a leased Citroen Picasso under warranty being financed by PSA Finance. It has been back three times to the dealer for various repairs, currently for over two weeks waiting parts. To be fair, the...
We're told we can negotiate a better deal on a new car towards the 'end of the month' when a salesman is keen, if not even desperate, to hit his/her target. But to do so successfully we must know when...
I have about £20k including trade in and am looking for a vehicle for private hire work. What do you think about the Mercedes E-Class?
If I buy a car for the list price, say £38,000, I would pay the standard rate for the first year rate depending on the CO2 emissions and whether it was petrol or diesel. However if I added any extras to...
I have a 2011 Ford Galaxy and it has just stopped starting. It is currently sitting at our local Ford garage who have run two diagnostic tests - one mechanical and one electrical test - and have come up....
I have a 2016 BMW 520d with keyless ignition. Can these keys be cloned when in the house allowing the car to be stolen from my drive? If so what measures can I take to prevent this?
I commute from Leamington Spa to Oxford each day. This is a mix of motorway (M40) and Oxford stop start traffic. I have been driving an Octavia 1.6 diesel. Would I be better to get a hybrid?
My 2003 Rover 75 has a broken bonnet release shut. How can I repair it?
What is the best small petrol car for towing a maximum of 750kg?
There is a TVR Tasmin (wedge shape from the 80's) on eBay with a salvage yard that it is a Cat C write off due to light fuel line engine fire. The seller who appears to be a TVR salvage enthusiast has...
My Kia dealer is offering a Philips ADR 820 dashcam fully installed (no visible cables) for £250. Is that a reasonable deal?
I missed my car insurance premium payment and I was charged a £30 penalty. Is it legal for an insurance company not to give grace periods on missed payments?
Can you advise me of the best make and model of 6 to 8 seater minibus that is economical to be used as a taxi and for airport runs?
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