Trending topics in March 2011
Questions from March 2011
Every now and again my car battery discharges completely, sometimes after a long run of 150 miles.
When I jump start it, the battery will function perfectly for several days or weeks until it discharges...
I currently have a Skoda Octavia 1.9 Tdi Elegance which will soon need four new tyres and timing belt change, so decision time looms.
Should I keep it for years and run it until repairs become uneconomical...
I tow a horse trailer with my 51 plate Nissan X-Ttrail diesel Sport. The clutch recently burnt out and I had it replaced.
I'm still getting a burning smell and its struggling when I tow. I went back to...
Citroen recommends changing the cam belt for a C3 1.4 HDi at 150,000 miles. What is your opinion?
Do I have to pay a fine when I only made a wrong turn and quickly reversed back and went in the correct entrance? The fine is from the company apcoa.
I currently drive a '09 Audi A3 1.9 TDI Sportback and travel 80 miles a day.
I have the car on HP and still owe approximately £9k on it. I am looking to change my car to a roomier, more comfortable one...
Ford recommend the cam belt be changed at 100,000 miles. As this seemed alot, I had it done today at 81,109 miles. I asked for the cambelt, tensioners, auxiliary belt and water pump to be changed as it...
Please advise on a nearly new second hand hatchback, must be auto, chain cam engine, width incl mirrors maximum 1.9m, reliable, quiet, with air con, to replace an 8 year old VW Polo. Can pay up to £12,000.
Looking for a car to replace our Astra Convertible AND Peugeot Partner! In other words looking for a car that is comfortable to drive, easy to deal with in town centers, BUT can be used to get rid of garden...
Hi. We bought a car from a dealer 19 Oct 09. The dealer did a HPI on the car 11 Sept 09 and it was totally clear. Now we have gone to part ex the car and it is appearing as a Cat D. It had the accident...
I should very much like a used Nissan X-trail 173 diesel, but I only cover a few thousand miles a year, so the DPF problems mean I should have to go for the 2 litre petrol Trek; sadly, the Trek is very...
I have somehow got some pretty bad scraches on the rear window of my C-Max.
Is this a stick-on film or is it darkened glass? Is there anything I can do to make them less obvious?
Where would be the best way place to sell an as new Hyundai i30 1.4 classic 2010 with only 53 miles on the clock?
My wife has been a named driver on my car insurance for 15 years. She has been driving for 35 years.
She had full no claims discount on her previous car 15 years ago. This has now lapsed, will any insurance...
I am in dispute with a dealer.
I returned a used Mazda to them on the grounds that on three occasions the engine management light came on, the car lost power on acceleration and downchanges on the auto...
We have a BMW 318 (2003 model) that drives really well but is getting a bit tight for us with 2 small children in the back. We are keen to get a 4x4 that would accommodate a possible 3rd child.
I like...
I have a March 2010 320i coupe (new shape) I ordered BMW Sat Nav Professional which is fitted.
The problem is that this will only accept five digit postcodes, after reading one of your replies in the...
I am replacing a 2003 Mondeo Ghia diesel estate with over eleven months MoT and 175,000 miles on the clock which has been an excellent car, owned by myself since it was three months old.
Motorpoint are...
After 13 trouble-free years of owning a Mazda 323, my wife has decided she needs a new car.
She went for a test drive in a Mini One 1.6 (Chilli Red) at a main dealer on Saturday and liked it very much.
After...
I purchased a 2003 (03 plate) Ford Fusion semi-auto from a small dealer (working from home) in Oxfordshire last October with just over 31K on the clock.
I declined an extended warranty because of where...
I have a Nissan X-trail 2005 (05 reg).
It has done £40k miles and is in good condition with FNSH and will have new MOT.
I have asked about trading in for a new VW Eos and the dealer has given an indicative...
I am thinking of buying a Skoda but I'm aware from reading Honest John's column regularly that the issue of timing belts/cams is important. Before I buy, does the model I prefer have a chain cam engine?
What does Honest John think of a Peugeot 407 1.6 HDI 2005? Would the 1.6 lack in power? What would it be like on fuel? Any particular problems to look out for?
We are considering replacing an 8-year-old Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI estate but will also consider taking out an extended warranty to cover future repairs. Would you recommend this?
My uncle has died leaving his owned from new, garaged, low mileage 84 Escort 1.3 5-dr Hatch. Tax'd and MOT'd.
What is the best way of selling it please, ideally he would have wanted a real enthusiast...
I want to buy a 4/5 door, 4/5 seat automatic (hybrid?). I have about £12,000, and like the look of the Honda Insight. Is this a good option? I do not want a diesel.
Daihatsu will stop selling cars in the UK next year. If I buy a new Sirion now will it be covered for the years after they stop selling in the UK and will the spares be available?
We have two cars, Audi A4 and Corolla Verso, both 2004 and both Automatics.
We are considering consolidating to one car between us.
We would prefer automatic with cruise control and ease of access...
I just took a Skoda Fabia to 'webuyanycar' in Newhaven and the dealer made a check on the NMR website which showed the following discrepancies in the mileage.
DVLC Feb 2008 44000
NMR 31st July 2008...
Apologies if this comes across as a rather long winded one... The decision isn't an easy one, hence a simple bit of advice would be most gratefully received!
My growing family, currently myself, wife,...
I have a 2004, 54 plate, Peugeot Partner Combi 2.0 HDi which has done 45,000 miles.
What is the recommended mileage or vehicle age at which the timing belt should be replaced, and should anything else...
My son has at 31 just taken and passed his driving test and is proceeding to take Pass Plus. He needs to buy a car for use in city centre (Birmingham) with motorway driving at weekends to London and Cambridgeshire.
Safety,...
I have about £5000 to spend on a new car. I was originally looking at a Ford Fiesta 1.4 diesel, but have recently become interested in the Toyota Aygo 1.4 Diesel. However, someone recently suggested to...
My daughter has been rear shunted twice in the last few days. On each occasion she banged her head on the steering wheel resulting in two black eyes. She does not sit near the steering wheel, so I am concerned...
My Fiesta 1.4 TDCi (05 plate) has started to make a whooshing noise when accelerating hard from about 1700rpm upwards. This has just started happening since all four injectors seals were replaced.
I...
I need to replace my Jeep Cherokee 2.5td - we use as a second car mainly for our small holding.
We want a vehicle with very good fuel economy, which can pull a medium sized trailer a couple of times...
I'm looking to purchase a small car for my short, 6 miles each way, commute each day, some motorway driving, looking to spend around £6k plus part-ex for 51 Plate Renault Scenic Privelege Plus with 80k...
May I draw readers attention to the consultation to allow articulated HGVs to become 7 feet longer? The DfT wants everyone to participate in the consultation, which is at www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2011-06/....
I was surprised by the fuel consumption claim of 40mpg combined for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 petrol model. I think the old model 320CDI was 36mpg combined (37.2mpg on 245 rear tyres). I have a 5-year-old...
My nephew had his car damaged by a Middle Eastern gentleman driving a McClaren Mercedes-Benz. The incident happened on a Saturday afternoon outside Harrods in Knightsbridge. The gentleman reversed into...
My wife has developed a nasty neck condition and now feels every road bump. This is compounded by my BMW X5 Sport's 20-inch wheels etc. We regrettably must change vehicle. We love the high vantage of the...
Have you noticed that Skoda is offering 'ELETRIC' windows on its Octavia model? (See Auto Express issue 1156 page 6.)
I bought a car in June 2010, found a problem with the inlet swirl flaps, took it back to garage and they apparently repaired it over the course of a month. I got it back in August 2010 and in December...
I ordered in November 2010 a Hyundai ix35 2.0 4WD diesel Premium. At the time of ordering the dealer in High Wycombe informed me Hyundai UK were not accepting orders from the dealerships due to back orders,...
You write, “The British Parking Association in 2011 is lobbying Parliament to make vehicle keepers liable for private parking penalties in the same way they can be held liable for road traffic offences...
I have heard a lot of complaints from friends and acquaintances who own FIAT 500 TwinAir cars. The complaint is over fuel consumption. Most people seem to get about 30mpg. I went with my daughter to the...
I purchased a Nissan Note two and a half years ago following your recommendation. I am extremely pleased with it as a versatile, comfortable and economic car. However whenever there is a sniff of rain...
Can you please explain why various police forces have to purchase Mercedes-Benz and BMW cars when a Ford Mondeo Estate will do (almost) exactly the same job? They cost much less to purchase and far less...
.jpg)
