Questions from August 2021
My Land Rover Discovery has been garaged for a very long time. We intend to use the vehicle again in the winter and have requested a basic service in order to have all the fluids changed and the vehicle...
I presently have a Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel but am thinking of a greener option for the future. However, I am sure I am not alone in seeing "range anxiety" as my biggest worry and am therefore very...
I am a support worker and I need car insurance to carry my resident/patient to take them out and about. Could you advise me on what I require?
We are thinking of buying a newish Vauxhall Corsa auto but it will need it to have enough power for hilly routes. Which engine/gearbox option would be best?
Does the Nissan NV200 1.5 dCi have a timing belt or chain?
I want to buy a new automatic car and will consider electric or hybrid models. I often travel, for pleasure, 100 - 200 miles a day. I have increasing mobility problems with arthritis in the lower half...
I want to buy a car with a bodystyle that consists of a two-door coupe at the front and estate at the back. It must have four seats and preferably four-wheel drive. Can you recommend anything? All I can...
I would be grateful for your up to date guidance on my next car, a small automatic, probably an SUV. I want a new car at a discount, at a price that I hope will not exceed £20k by too much. Apart from...
I have just bought a 2013 Ford KA. It has 13,000 miles on the clock. We live on a steep hill and it can barely get up the hill from a standing start with one driver and no luggage. Our old KA could do...
Over the past few months, I have covered thousands of miles driving up and down England. Many of the direction signs are covered by vegetation/trees and I reckon about a third are barely readable. Who...
I have a 2019 Renault Captur 1.5 dCi. I bought it with 11,000 miles on the clock in July 2020. Recently, I had it serviced at an independent garage. The garage performed an engine flush as part of the...
Can you tell me what the original list price of the Volkswagen Passat GTE Estate was in 2018?
My 2013 Nissan Juke 2013 Automatic stopped working as my wife was driving it and does not operate in drive, only in reverse. I was told it might be gearbox oil but my local Nissan dealer says the transmission...
Can you tell me the difference between the Nissan Note Tekna and Acenta Premium?
I have been offered a Cat S write-off that has been fully repaired at a reasonable price. I plan to get a full mechanical inspection before proceeding.
Apart from an obvious markdown in reselling price,...
My Audi A6 has done very few miles due to the pandemic. In fact, it is some 10,000 miles below its average for this year. Do I still need to have the cam belt replaced?
I have to get rid of my vehicle in October because of where I live in London. I really don't want to and I cannot afford to get an updated version of what I already have.
I need a small van. I currently...
I have a 2018 Yaris Hybrid. It is a second car but covers 15,000 miles a year commuting with 32 miles a day on the motorway. Very cheap to run, averages 60mpg in winter and around 65mpg during the summer....
My 2004 BMW 318 just scraped through its last MoT and needs to be replaced within the next few months. I've really loved my car and have £20,000 to replace it. I would like something similar with a petrol...
I am contemplating buying a new Volkswagen Grand California, which after adding extras will probably set me back over £90,000. With the end of petrol and diesel vehicle sales coming in less than 10 years...
Do electric cars need running in like petrol and diesel models? I'm buying a new Kia e-Niro 4. The dealer says they have several in their storage compound. Do I need to worry that it has potentially been...
I can't decide between the Toyota RAV4 petrol hybrid or the Mazda CX-5 diesel. Both appear to be great cars. Can you please give your opinion on which one should I go for?
I am considering changing my 2019 Ford Focus auto (with the dial selector) for a new Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI DSG. I am very disappointed with the Ford auto 'box and will not consider another Ford because of...
When I start my SEAT Ibiza I see a small amount of water as I reverse for maybe two or three meters. Upon returning I can again see a puddle of water. Yet, when I look at the header tank it is showing...
I'm interested in a 2012 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost that's covered 52,000 miles but has had a replacement turbo and dual mass flywheel. Should I be wary?
I am an old school driver and want a car with the engine, gearbox, prop shaft and differential driving the rear wheels Are there any SUVs that match that configuration?
I have four-year-old Vauxhall Zafria 1.4 SRI. Recently, the windows have started opening by themselves, which has left the seats rather wet. Have you any ideas on what could have caused this to happen?
What car would you recommend for a short commute and to carry a toddler and a bike? It would be a second car but will need to be able to drop my three-year-old off at nursery and commute a part of my way...
I have a 17-month-old SEAT Ateca 1.5 TSI. I thought the radiator needed topping up but stupidly mixed the antifreeze 50/50 with water when it was already premixed. How would this small amount affect the...
For road tax reasons can you please tell me the list price of the Jaguar XF R Sport in 2018?
A recently experienced a slow puncture and this has made me think about getting a car tyre pressure monitoring system for my Skoda Roomster.
Do you consider these worthwhile? If so, which one would you...
Are electric cars heavier than their petrol and diesel equivalents? If so does the extra weight mean they take longer to stop? If so is thus a road safety hazard?
I am planning to buy a Peugeot 2008 Allure Premium, but can’t decide on the colour. I like the Nimbus Grey, which I think in the long term to be a “safe” colour and really suits the shape of the car. The...
We are new to the world of campers and would like to buy a van. What would be the best camper van for a family of three?
When would you recommend replacing the timing belt on a car?
Today, I received a letter from Transport for London (TfL) warning me that my vehicle may not meet the ULEZ standards. As I live more than 250 miles from London and my vehicle has not been anywhere near...
I am looking for the first car for my daughter and can spend up to £7000. I will need to sell it on in 2.5 years so looking for something that may hold its value. She really needs cheap insurance and would...
Six years after passing my test and driving other people's cars, I'm finally going to get my own motor. I've been doing lots of digging, and it seems that the old suspects keep popping up. The Fiesta,...
Can you give me an opinion on the Chrysler 300C Touring and the Volvo V70 2.0 D SE (driveability and reliability)?
I recently test drove the former (2010), which impressed me hugely (3.0 CRD) and am...
What do you think is a fair price for a 2002 BMW Z3M with 126,000 miles on the clock? It has not been MoT'd since 2016 and it's a bit rough cosmetically but I have no idea how it is mechanically. The seller...
My wife currently has a 2015 Honda CR-V 1.6 diesel. I have recently purchased a Volkswagen Kombi van which we now use for all family trips, meaning the CR-V is a bit large and costly for just doing the...
I have a 15-plate Honda CR-V 1.6 diesel. I still want a diesel and like the elevated driving position but need something that will deliver mid 50's+ real mpg. The budget is £20k. What would you recommend?
I have a budget of some £13,000 to buy a replacement car (no trade-in). I need to have better than 450 litres of boot space, front & rear parking sensors and a camera. I want a manual petrol car that will...
If buying an electric car, is it best to own or lease the battery?
I've found a nearly new car for sale but it has been in the manufacturer's compound for six months. Will this car give me lot of problems? Or should I request a brand new order and wait for it to arrive?
I'm looking at getting a used estate for around £15-18k budget. I'll need it three days a week to go between Bristol and Cardiff and would drive through/around Cardiff City Centre.
I'll also do some...
My son is moving back to London from Scotland. During the move my son is borrowing our huge estate car to transport his stuff, leaving us with his snazzy sports car for a few days. I am under the impression...
I have seen an increasing number of cars and vans with heavily tinted front windows. Some of them are so dark that you cannot see the driver inside the vehicle during daylight hours. Surely this cannot...
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