April 2016

Netti

A friend is looking to buy a used car, but they can't decide between a 2013 Focus Titanium X petrol or diesel and a 2012 Skoda VRS diesel. They all have similiar mileage, full dealer service history and she likes the way they drive.

She covers roughly 10 - 12,000 miles every year and those miles are fairly evenly mixed between dual carriageway, motorway and town.... Read more

brum

2012 1.2tsi se estate with loads of options. Annoying levels of road noise, a wallowey / bouncy ride, safe but uninspiring handling and an old fashioned/dark cabin layout.

Rattling camchain on coldstarts have plagued it from very early on, however Skoda dealer keeps insisting there is nothing wrong. The heavily rusting suspension is depressing to behold. Why do VAG have plastic covered anti roll bars when the covering splits after 3 years and acts as a water trap? Just started diy servicing it and everything from the ridiculously overtightened oil filter to the the neglected and corroded/binding brakes makes me realise that dealer servicing is overpriced rubbish. Not that independents are any better. Maybe I expect too much, my 18 year old Alhambra is still happily soldiering on (still on original disc/pads!!) - but then I service it myself, and not that regularly.......

Guidedog

Sudden power loss 3 times over the past 4 months. Engine partly warm, went to accelerate (last episode was just in front of a huge tractor-trailer) sudden loss of power, loud banging and harsh vibration from the engine. Lasted about 4 seconds, followed by large cloud of white smoke from the exhaust, then return to normal. No warning lights stayed on. Local VW service say there is nothing wrong! But the car now is worrying to drive in case this happens crossing in front of traffic or other dangerous situations. Car now drives normallly. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated Read more

Guidedog

Thanks for your advice. I can at least go back to the VW service with some ideas. They had none!

I'm on Vancouver Island off the Paciffic Coast of Canada, I guess you must be in the UK?

pat95

Hi. I have a Volkswagen Polo match 58 model, and i'm a newly passed driver, therefore this MPG issue is giving me a real headache as I have no idea what is wrong.

Basically i've been told that I should be achieving a minimum of 40mpg per gallon... Read more

pat95

I just bought the car myself however it had done 106k on the clock. Previous owner only provided part serivice history, so i'm unaware at the moment. However i am going to take it to a garage and get it checked out, either that or i might have to do a full service.

Phobie's Dad

Our 2010 Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge has developed an intermittent high pitched squeal whch 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 when touching the brake. Also disappears with right steering input and can appear with left steering input. Difficult to demonstrate to a mechanic as is so intermittent. Any ideas as to the cause and cure? Read more

Phobie's Dad

Thanks Cyd - Will get the car booked in. Also appreciate your comments about possible overheating :)

GreenDanny85

Hey all, I've had my fair share of electrical faults with this, as expected, but this one has got me stumped. Starting yesterday, the side lights now turn on the ignition (first position). So effectively, if my side lights are on, so are my radio, trip computer and electric windows.

I've tried searching everywhere else but can't find anything, nearest I could find pointed towards the gear box earth strap? Any thoughts on this one? ... Read more

GreenDanny85

Thanks for the replies both :) I've got the battery off at the mo so I could see the strap underneath, it's fine and fuse box is completely dry. I stuck Peugeot Planet on before I took the battery off and it's reading no faults apart from a persistent abs one :P haven't checked the battery health in a while so that's next on my list - would be nice if it is that, but I doubt it :)

Thanks again :)

kayla23

Hi everyone,

Looking for a bit of advice as I'm new in the country- I moved over in Jan on a trial basis at work.... Read more

kayla23

Turns out the other car was insured!

I just found out today. They have taken my car to the garage for repairs but I have a feeling they are going to come back and tell me it's a write off. ...

FISH0504

Hi All,
Recently purchased an ford mondeo 2007 2.0 petrol edge new shape with 53,000 on the clock,could any one tell me of service to the engine intervals like cam belt change etc or anything else that would require attention over the next few years.
Many thanks all.
Adrian Fisher Read more

Galaxy

I believe the Ford Mondeo Mark 4 Petrol has a chain, so there's no cambelt to have to worry about.

That's certainly the case for the Mark 3, can't see the Mark 4 being different.

Wackyracer

Just thought I'd post this as nobody else has.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/02/queens-bentley.../ Read more

RT

It's an ex-Royal car, sold by the Royal Household in 2014.

Wee Willie Winkie

Afternoon all

My current car is currently at a garage following a lack of oil pressure (known fault for the make model). There is a chance it is uneconomical to repair. Even if I have got away with minimal damage it'll still be expensive to repair. ... Read more

Wee Willie Winkie

Thank you! The Auris' I've seen are all the 1.33VVT engines with a manual box. I can get a 2015 model so that means 4 years warranty left.

The Logan, whilst being a sensible contender, isn't one that floats my boat to be honest. It does seem superb value but I can't get past the looks....

wah123

Hello,

I need some advice please, I need to know if I have grounds to reject a new used car bought from a trader..

I bought a used car from a trader 4 days ago and this was advertised as having 44,000 mileage. After bringing the car home I noticed that it said 21,000 miles on the odometer. As soon as I noticed this I phoned the trader to ask about this and he said that the odometer had been changed which reset the mileage to zero and this is why it shows 21,000 (I phoned the manufacturer and they confirmed this).

There's 5 other things that are wrong with the car which are cosmetic... Boot shelf lug broken, floor mat holder clip missing, cup holder stuck inside dashboard, condensation inside rear lights and front bumper has a space between it and the body.

These other things can be fixed, but I am not happy about the odometer showing the incorrect mileage. I would never have bought the car if I had known this. This wasn't mentioned in the advert and it wasn't mentioned by the trader when I went to buy the car. I know I should have checked but sometimes things are missed.

Do I have any grounds to reject?


Thanks Read more

focussed

I had a speedo changed on a used motorcycle by the dealer that sold it and they gve me a signed letter detailing the mileage, date etc.

It would have been good practice for the car dealer to have done this.