August 2024
Hello, grateful for any advice, we've just bought a used approved Golf Mark 7.5, only 1 week ago, and done 2 journeys, and suddenly got a right rear tyre pressure warning, could hear a very faintly hissing puncture, got AA out and has a small sidewall puncture, spare tyre now on. As it's a sidewall puncture it cannot be a repair, and besides it's a really cheap Nexim tyre, which doesn't match any of the others (front left is a winter Michelin tyre, front right and back left are Dunlop tyres, we didn't think to check the tyre makes / matching). AA chap says they really should match at least each rear with each other, and two front tyres with each other, and one front tyre only being a winter tyre is odd and could make the car view one way or another. Also we do wonder whether given there was no apparent reason for this puncture, no nail etc, it could have been there at purchase but just got a bit worse leading to the pressure sensor triggering.
The car comes with 2 years used approved warranty which as usual doesn't cover tyres, as classed as wear/tear .... but could we have any come back given we're within the initial 14 days within which no quibble exchange is possible? Read more
Not buying yet but went on the Skoda site to look at the specs and prices of the new Superb which have been recently released.
You cannot get the iV as a hatch, only as the more expensive estate.... Read more
Keep clear of the Honda civic. I purchased new the 2022 2lt hybrid civic. After just 13500 miles the steering started to play games. From rock hard to easy the car was all over the place and at 70mph. The Honda steering has a fault which Honda U.K. will not except. Honda usa as four legal actions from motoring bodies on behalf of hundreds of drivers. Three deaths have been put down to the steering fault. I also had one hell of a job selling the car as many dealers did not want the Honda. I had to px it for a Skoda just to get shot of it. Look up Honda civic steering faults.
This morning had a test drive in a Brand new Suzuki Vitara.
Nice to drive, quieter than the Korando, but seats narrower and after a few miles calf muscles complaining and back and hips too. If it's like that for me, it'll be worse for youngrovergirl.... Read more
I’d say spending a huge amount of money buying a new car every few years is a bit of a waste.
Myself I've tended to buy nearly new end of model cars (Yorkshire price) and keep for about a decade then effectively throw away- that served me well when doing a high mileage. My last Superb effectively cost me £75 / month capital - if you divide the purchase cost (less what I sold it for) by the months owned,
Times have changed and things are way more expensive than a decade ago and in addition it'll rapidly become more an more difficult to buy a new car with an internal combustion engine - could be last chance cafe about now! Once not available used prices may go up re supply / demand etc...
I'm looking for some advice from those with more experience - I'm struggling to decide between two motors. One has 2 stamps vs 10.
... Read more
Buying a high mileage Diesel which is 8-9 years old is very brave. One without full service history is madness.
I hope you have £2k cash to resolve and faults when things go wrong: as they will....
Hi all, I have recently got my driving licence and started looking for a car to buy. I am not fussy about new or used car. I would really appreciate your advice and suggestions. I work remotely so, the car will not be used for commuting to work. I aim to use it after hours for shopping, road trips, holidays within the GB. I haven't got children, or pets.
Thank you for all your suggestions... Read more
Another vote for a Toyota Corolla. Suzuki swace is almost identical, but has a shorter warranty.
I recently had to buy a new set of four security wheel bolts as one had been lost. I ordered them off Amazon expecting to have to change all four bolts, but the new ones were identical to the originals. There does not seem to be any point in having security bolts if the profiles are so common.
Also, the meshing between the bolts and the socket is nowhere near as positive as a normal hex bolt and prone to slip, further devaluing these things. Read more
Lads at my local garage always use a breaker bar to loosen locking wheel nuts / bolts - a few extra seconds work saves destroying the removal key & opening up a load of hassle.
All wheel nuts / bolts spun on finger tight then torque wrench to the correct tightness. A lot of new customers if watching seem surprised when a torque wrench is used. ...
Just trying to make sure I’m not being ripped off, but my coolant is leaking and Mercedes main dealer have phoned to say the thermostat needs replacing (unusual for a car only having done 45k miles they said) anyway the quote for a replacement including VAT and Labour is £700.
Does this sound right or extortionate?
TIA Kat Read more
Our local BMW dealer is pushing £300 per hour , down here in the south.
Hey all, thanks in advance for your time.
Have a 2017 GLA 220D 4Matic and I've got an issue (among many others with the car) that's driving me mad.... Read more
Could it be play in the suspension, perhaps as a result of/associated with corrosion? I'm thinking when you come to rest the suspension is unloaded and "recoils" a bit, with associated crunchies, though I dunno how likey this is.
Hi,
I'm looking to help my mum get a basic reliable car. Problem is she absolutely can't handle anything other than a torque converter that will always hold on a hill. I'm trying to find her something 2020-on, under £15, crossover/SUV, petrol, and reliable but everything seems to be dual clutch. Are there any newer cars with torque converters or do I have to look at something a bit older?... Read more
My 21 reg 1.4 Suzuki Vitara has a conventional tc gearbox and is a delight to drive.
Hi.
My 2009 Honda CR-V needs four tires, 225/65 R17, for its MOT.
Cheapest I can get them is £300 for 4.
There are some people close by selling 4 wheels with tires & tread for £100.
One set is from a Zafira.
If they are 5-stud and 17”, will they be OK on my CR-V?
And will all 17” 5-stud wheels fit?
If anyone has any other advice, I’ll happily take it.
The tires I have now are 225/65 R17.
Thanks. Read more
Hi - I got the four tires. Took a punt. Was a 140 mile round trip - knocked the seller down to £90. Took them to a tire fitter and paid £50 to have them fitted. The fitter said I’d got a bargain as they looked goods Went on well. £140, 3 gallons of fuel and about 3 hours for four Nankang Winter tires fitted. Now I just need the rest of the MOT work done.
Result, well done, enjoy the softer ride on winter spec.
And thanks for updating the thread, too often here people ask for and get advice and then vanish.
Browse
Why not go to a reliable independent garage and ask them what they would charge for 4 new tyres. You’ll then know where you are and won’t need to think about tyres again for 3 years.
I’d budget for £130 for something reasonably reliable