Questions from September 2011
My husband's trusty and very ancient Vauxhall Astra 1.6 automatic has finally given up the ghost and he needs to replace it quickly with a very reliable second-hand car that we will keep for a long time....
At the age of 77 I have been offered the chance to run a 'company car' with advice to get one with a low emission rate to avoid as much tax as possible.
Over the past six years I have run three Mercedes...
For more than a decade, I have been commuting long distances to work, so have had a small diesel MPV, and also tow a caravan. Quite a cost-effective combination for 18,000 miles a year.
But I have now...
I have received notice of proposed traffic calming measures from the council. They wish to put 13 sets of speed cushions in what is currently a 30mph zone. I have taken note of your opinion of these humps...
On 20th March 2008, having previously read a favourable report in your column, I purchased a new Honda CRV from Bob Gerard Ltd in Leicestershire, at well below the price quoted by my local Honda dealer....
We have decided to keep our son’s car while he is at university. His insurers will 'suspend' his policy until he needs it in the hols. We make the payments during suspension then the amount is deducted...
A government proposal to reduce the frequency of MoT tests could affect road safety in the UK. Under the current MoT system, our cars receive a yearly inspection that includes critical safety items such...
I am thinking about buying a new car to replace my ageing Subaru Forester. I am retired and living in rural Aberdeenshire, so often will only make one or two 12 mile round trips to the nearest market town....
Our Astra of 10 years and 100,000 miles has nagging problems and we struggle to get out of the low seating and to load a wheel chair in and our of the boot well. The Vauxhall Zafira is popular here and...
Three and four year free servicing is often mentioned by Mike Rutherford in his Mr Money column. What I have not seen mentioned is whether this actually includes oils and filters, etc. Can you kindly clarify?
My son (who lives in Switzerland) recently purchased a Jaguar XF 3.0 diesel, having read all the glowing reports about it. Twice now he has had a potentially disastrous problem on his 20 mile runs to work....
I received this message from Volkswagen and would like your advice as to whether this is a good thing for me to consider, would this be £50 well spent? <<Welcome to Ensurance - an official Volkswagen Insurance...
I have driven my 2004 Daihatsu Terios Sport from almost new and would buy another one if I could. It still has only about 44,000 miles on the clock but may need some repairs fairly soon for example the...
I would like to replace my 2004 XC90 D5 SE (82,000 miles FVSH). Despite the 4-wheel-drive failing (repaired under warranty by Warranty Direct - thanks for your recommendation) the car has been a great...
I purchased a used Ford Ka 2009 from a Vauxhall dealer, less than 2 months ago. I am a relatively inexperienced/new driver so perhaps I am not as aware of how a car should feel. My mum drove the car for...
I recently had a heart-stopping moment with my 2007 Passat TDi 170 DSG. Coming up to a major road I braked from about 55 to a stop and because there was an acceptable gap tried to accelerate away. There...
I recently received a (parking charge notice) from Total Parking Solutions (WD6 4ZL) for £70 for over staying my welcome at St Peters Retail Park, Burton-on-Trent, which includes their kind and generous...
I recently met a client at McDonalds in Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He bought me a couple of coffees and a muffin and we had a meeting. At the end of our meeting we got into our cars, he left and I...
I refer to a question from AR and your response as I have a similar question. On 9th August, I met a friend for breakfast at 8am at McDonald's on the A12 at Boreham Interchange near Chelmsford. Unbeknownst...
My car broke down (clutch problem) as I entered the M1 in Derbyshire. I let it roll to the barrier and waited there to be rescued which took only 20 minutes. I was then taken to a garage where arrangements...
We are planning on buying a used MPV or minivan up to £10,000. Bearing this in mind, which MPV has the most boot space with all seven seats up (excluding the Chrysler Grand Voyager), or could you recommend...
I have been told by my local Volvo dealer that I do not need four winter tyres for my V50 2.0-litre petrol car, just two, as it is front wheel drive. I understood you had to have four. Please advise.
My wife drives a 2003 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Twist. In October 2007 at 11,900 miles cam belt and tensioners were replaced by a Volkswagen dealer. We have now been advised by the same dealer that this apparently...
My 2009 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI petrol has used a prodigious amount of engine oil - perhaps a litre every 10 days at 25,000 miles per annum - since purchase. It has now done 41,000 miles. In the past, I have...
I would appreciate your opinion on a complaint about my Renault Clio. It was purchased new in November 2006 in Southampton, where I live in a semi-rural area and park my car close to, but not directly...
I am looking for a car that is petrol, auto, under 120g/km CO2 and a 5-seater hatchback. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If not available now, are any to come in the near future?
I hired a car at an Irish airport last week and found that the excess protection insurance was greater than the cost of hiring the vehicle. Is there an insurance company that covered the excess and is...
I have 1998 Volkswagen Passat diesel estate. Although it has 125,000 miles on the clock it does 50mpg on long journeys. Last week, on returning from a local shopping expedition at Reigate only 10 miles...
I am driving to Italy and returning via Austria and Germany in November.
Can I use my UK tyres - Pirelli P7 (I carry snow chains) or do I have to have winter M&S (mud and slush) rated tyres after October...
I know from your column in the DT that you are an advocate of winter tyres. My wife and I have now rationalised our transport arrangements from a Landrover Defender 110 LWB (mine) and a Corsa 1.4 automatic...
Are Winter or all season tyres better in the UK in terms of performance of the car (miles per gallon), noise and tyre wear during winter months? Would all season tyres perform better?
Wheels for winter or all season tyres: Do I need to buy new wheels with my new winter or all season tyres or can I use the wheels on which my summers are fitted?
After a short break on a long run, our Zafira's cruise control sometimes won't engage until 10 to 20 minutes after setting off again.
A Vauxhall dealer just gave the car its first annual service and...
Do you think it would be OK to take summer tyres off, and put them back on again in the spring - ie swapping between winter and summer tyres? Trying to save the expense of having an extra two front wheels.
I bought a 1996 MX5 from the salesman at my local Mazda dealership (Vospers of Exeter). He made it clear he was selling it for his father but it was displayed on the forecourt. The dealership had MOT'd...
What rights do I have to reject a car purchased in June 2010?
When we purchased the car we had agreed a timescale for the main dealer to complete the work, which they did. But subsequently the car has...
My car complete turns off when I step off the accelerator. In short it does not idle, it runs only when I keep my foot on the accelerator pedal - once I take my foot off the accelerator it turns off. It...
I am 64, have a Mondeo '06 in VGC with 47000mls and I'm thinking of downgrading for economy reasons. I'm looking at a Fiat 500 Twinair. Can spend £3k - £5k plus trade in for the Mondeo.
My daughter needs advice about replacing her ancient and increasingly unreliable Freelander.
As an equine vet she drives about 30,000 miles a year on main roads, country lanes and rough farm tracks,...
I have a Nissan Micra 1998.
I changed the clutch cable a few weeks ago and since then I have a problem moving the gearstick into gear. There is no gear grinding or anything like that, the gear stick just...
I have a low mileage Toyota Aygo (34,500 miles) having covered approximately 6,500 miles each year, bought nearly new from a Toyota dealer 5 years ago.
The clutch plate rivets failed a week ago. I took...
I purchased this car on 16/7/11 for £5500. Last week I had occasion to adjust the drivers seat. The mechanism had failed. I feel this defect had been present when I purchased the vehicle.
The dealer will...
We are interested in a new Golf Cabriolet S 1.2 and have an Astra Cabriolet 1.8i 16v 2Dr with leather seats to PE.
The Astra has about 50k on the clock and was registered in Oct 2002. It is in pretty...
I have just bought a 2001 (51 reg) Ford Fiesta.
It came with 2 keys, both have the red insert in the top of the key, but it doesn’t have a remote key. I am hoping the previous owner lost it and just...
We have bought a house in France with a garage and wish to keep a small car (about 1200cc) there which can take four adults.
We thought left-hand drive would be useful. With a budget of about £4000 what...
I have spent 12 months at my BMW dealer trying to get a problem cured on a new car. The engine resonates at about 1750 rpm in all gears. 1750 is about 70mph in top gear so motorway driving has to be done...
I am in the process of buying a VW Touran and was wondering if they are any good and if they are reliable (electrics as well)? It has a lot of extras that could go wrong. The engine is a 1.9 TDI diesel....
Buying MB CLK 220 CDI. Should I get it chipped? Is there a downside to chipping? What should I expect by way of consumption and performance improvements?
Who, if anybody, would you recommend?
Hi
In the past month I have been 'surprised' by Prisuses.
On the first occasion I had filled my car at a local petrol station and was walking out of the shop, busy putting my credit card back in my wallet....
You recommended Shell V-Power. I have no Shell garages near me only BP, Total & Esso. Do they do an equivalent high grade petrol?
_COLON_no_upscale()/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/fallback/coming-soon.jpg)
.jpg)
