Questions from June 2010
I own a 2004 Toyota Avensis, and have had trouble-free motoring since I bought it new. A couple of weeks ago the ignition failed completely, the key just turned in the barrel. This was a mechanical problem,...
You appear to know about motoring law than most people I know, so I wonder if you could resolve a minor issue between me and my son?
Next week he has to attend a stag do to celebrate the marriage of an...
Here is an example of how large amounts of taxpayers’ money is wasted when Councils refuse to use commonsense after the smallest infringements of traffic law. I parked outside my daughter's house displaying...
I travel widely in West Dorset and East Devon and over the last few months the authorities have spent an enormous amount of money adjusting pavements and then painting bright yellow 'Bus Stop' signs on...
Your list of cars the other week that use the unreliable Teves Mk60 ABS part included the Mazda3. I am about to purchase a new Mazda 3 and the dealer can't tell me whether the new Mazda 3 is still fitted...
I am thinking of buying a FIAT 500 with the diesel engine. I recall that some time ago you said that there had been problems with the diesel engine but I can't remember what they were. Also, the diesel...
When I took delivery of my new BMW X1 I was given a hard sell in respect of this "Shortfall Insurance". If the vehicle is a total loss in the 4 years of the cover, it pays up to £10k of any shortfall between...
About twice a week I join a two-lane dual carriageway from a single carriageway road that joins it at right angles at a roundabout. Several times over the years I have nearly been hit by a car from the...
Yesterday was a very sad day, when we were told that the end was in sight for our trusty old Volvo 240 estate, which has done 344,000 miles and which we have owned for 16years. If the model was still made,...
A conundrum. It’s time to part with my nearly 8-year-old super Mazda 626 GSI SE that’s been faultless and consider a replacement. Any ideas? I’m 6’, 65 years old, active, want a bit of ‘class’ but not...
I live in the London Borough Of Ealing and received a parking ticket for parking my motorbike on the pavement against a big U shaped bracket for locking bikes to, whilst I went into the bank. I received...
Could you recommend someone who refurbishes engines who could fix my 2006 KIA Sorento 2.5 diesel auto, or supply a reconditioned replacement? The engine overheated and has scored the bores.
I am hearing a rumble and gurgling noise through the front of my 1999 Renault Espace 2.0 automatic when driving. It doesn’t happen when stationery. It still changes up and down through the gears, and drives...
Please can you explain to me where I am going wrong? Yesterday, whilst driving around a roundabout, a car came from my off side, (I was travelling around on the left hand lane) and attempted to access...
My mother-in-law has a Y reg Ford Fiesta 1,600 16v S and she is looking to replace it with something similar but more up to date (not brand new). She has road tested a 2006 of same model and finds it very...
I have a 10 year old L/H drive VW Passat TDI Trendline estate car. Low mileage had since new. Superb car and do not wish to sell but import into UK. Having problems converting speedo to mph from km....
My wife who, at eighty two, is soon to take an Advanced Driving Test with the Institute of Advanced Driving, plans to change her manual Jazz for an auto. We understand, however, that the new Jazz auto...
A while back you gave some advice on how to detect if the boot of a car was leaking. I can’t remember what it was. I seem to recall you said something about rubbing grease on the seal and closing it? Please...
An excellent and willing garage. Had a front coil spring break on Friday 3pm just prior to Bank Holiday weekend. Called in unnanounced. They put a guy on it straight away. Sourced parts and fitted them,...
My daughter and husband have baby and run a Honda Civic 1600 SE Auto and T reg Escort on last legs. They need two cars as she is a medic and he is to start teacher training shortly. They are moving to...
Excellent independent BMW specialist - Steve, who worked for many years at the Reading main BMW dealer. Very pleasant, helpful, knowledgeable and much cheaper than a main dealer.
My second car runabout, a very tatty H-reg Peugeot 309, has just suffered a cylinder head gasket failure (clouds of steam and drops of water from the exhaust). It's probably not worth even considering...
I have been using this garage for over a year now, and they maintain my old and fairly reliable BMW 3 Series. Pricing is good, service is excellent - very friendly and helpful - and they think ahead to...
Having saved diligently for a few years my 22 yr old son finally bought himself, last October, a ‘decent’ car (Astra Diesel Hatch 1.9 CDTi 16V Sri 3 door - 2005) for about £7000 from a reputable garage....
I need a cheap large family car for general use (Asda trips) and longer road trips with lots of baggage. I only have about £1500 for the purchase. I would prefer a diesel automatic and preferably an estate...
My 56 Reg (Nov 2006) Volkswagen Eos has developed a fault with the ABS and my local Volkswagen dealership has quoted me £1300 to replace the unit, although they have offered a "goodwill" price of £680....
My local tyre dealer says that we don't need to fit higher than a T82-rated tyre to our average family cars (Astra hatchback 1.4, Primera hatchback 1.8 and Rover 200 1.4) as long as we don't go above the...
My partner's car requires two new tyres (the ones to be replaced are on the rear). As it is front wheel drive, the garage recommends putting the new tyres on the front - I would prefer them to go on the...
I am getting rid of my car for a Mitsubishi Chariot. I do not know much about Mitsubishi are they good cars or am I walking into a headache?
I purchased a Renault Grand Scenic four years ago when it was nearly new. I did lots of research, noted your comments, and still have the copy of your test report. We have enjoyed plenty of both UK and...
We have all seen insurers gradually remove features that used to be part of "Fully Comprehensive" policies but one insurer has placed a formidable restriction on where you have your car repaired. All their...
Can you suggest the top three cars for a penniless student? Budget £2000, low insurance and reliability are important, but space would be useful as I carry a lot of kit around. C1, 106 etc seem so small....
I have a Grande Punto Dynamic 2006 but registered as a January 2007, 5-door hatch, 10,500 miles, 1.4, metallic, spanking condition. Glasses can give me an automatic value only and my car is a manual. What,...
My son has a 1996 V6 Auto Omega, bought for a nominal sum from a friend of mine. It has given him 10 months' excellent service, and for about £500 it has just got through another MOT and been serviced....
We purchased a Vauxhall Astra Twin Top 1.8i new in September 2006. Four months ago we had a major part (engine timing kit) break on the car. The cost of this should have been £800 but Vauxhall charged...
One year ago I part-exchanged a 2006 Citroen C3 for a new Citroen C3 1.6 HDi (April 2009) with the same engine. The previous 1.6 HDi engine gave me very good fuel economy, 60mpg with mixed driving and...
What, in your view, is the best pre-1999 diesel estate?
I have recently received a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class on a 3-year contract hire. The small print states that I should get the car serviced at an 'Official Workshop'. I know that the warranty is not dependent...
I'd like to buy an ex-BSM FIAT 500, but neither FIAT nor BSM will tell me how the vehicles are disposed of. I read in the press that the cars would be channelled thought a FIAT main dealer for selling...
Drivearchive.co.uk cannot find even the vehicles that I am driving today! The DVLA vehicle search is much more accurate and complete.
Have you had any other complaints about the ABS unit fitted to the Vauxhall Zafira. I have a 49,000-mile car and I am trying to get a contribution from Vauxhall. At the moment they will not contribute....
My parents, both fit and strong, though of a late 1920s and 1930s vintage, cannot apply the handbrake of their Honda Jazz sufficiently hard to stop it rolling on steep hills. I just accompanied them to...
I currently own a Toyota Auris T180 with the 2.2 D-Cat diesel. It is a great engine but the cabin is disappointing and, having recently become a grandfather, I need more boot/closed hatch space. I am tempted...
Dear John, I am sure you're aware of the esp fault on Volkswagens and Audis. Here are the Common Failing Part Numbers: 1K0614517H, 1K0907379K, 1K0614517J, 1K0907379AA, 1K0614117A, 1K0614517, 1K0614117B,...
Your advice to DW regarding potholes is not totally correct. DW will need to establish two basic facts: 1) When the highway authority last inspected the road. It is these regular inspections which give...
I have purchased a 2006 BMW 520D Auto with normal tyres, not runflats. There is a cigarette lighter-powered compressor and a can of gunk in the boot, but I broke my cigarette lighter trying to get the...
What would you recommend for my mother who has just had a knee op and has trouble lifting her legs up over a ledge to get into a car. My wife's Scenic is ideal in this respect, but is too big for my mother....
I bought a VW Eos 1.4 160bhp Sport last summer. It rides on 18-inch alloys with sport suspension set up (factory standard for that model). Tyres are Continental 235/40 R18. Its ride has become too firm...
Having read your articles on the problems with these components and as I am considering the purchase of a new Skoda Yeti, I would like to know if these unreliable parts have been upgraded? I asked the...
I have a Mitsubishi Shogun Sport still under warranty with 12,000 miles on the clock. When I engage it in first gear, the clutch appears to slip and there is a juddering movement. There does not tend to...
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