Trending topics in February 2013
Questions from February 2013
I have the choice of a new standard Polo Match for £13,205 (Volkswagen dealer) or £11,817 (Drive the Deal) rather than a used TSI for £10,990 (Volkswagen dealer) with sunroof, winter pack and 17 inch alloys....
The handbook in my Mercedes-Benz C-Class advises to use premium type unleaded petrol. However two other owners with similar cars say they use standard petrol. What should I use?
I'd like to change my 6year old (50k) SEAT Leon 2.0 TFSI FR within the next year.
I don't do big miles but would like something a bit more economical, refined and comfortable, yet still fun with a bit...
Looking through my service bill (main dealer - Lancaster Volvo Reading) and find the labour charge for replacing 2 side-lamp bulbs (dim so possible MOT fail) was £36.
Can this really be right?
When contacted...
The inside of my windscreen (BMW330i/2004) is covered with a film that I can only assume comes from the a/c - it's similar to the haze on a smoker's windscreen but more resilient to attack by cleaners...
I wonder what rim size you would choose for Skoda Superb Estate? Also, what rim size is optimal for winter tires? I live in northern Europe so I drive with winter wheels almost six months a year.
I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that my 08 plate Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Zetec is not running very smoothly.
When at traffic lights for example, the whole car seems to shake slightly as the engine...
Honda is unable to supply a spare wheel as specified on my order placed and delivered in December. I have the previous year (2012) spare kit fitted but due to the new type of Lithium Ion battery it does...
I'm looking at a 54 plate Audi A3 2.0T Quattro with 51k miles.
The forecourt price from a small independent dealer is £6995 - is this a good price?
I have just acquired a Citroen C8 and a warning came up on the panel that the diesel additive needed attention, and to get a local dealer to look at it.
Have just been reading the review of the Dacia Duster and noted the extended warranty option, which is standard on Kia cars. Are these guarantees hedged with onerous clauses about main dealer servicing...
My Hyundai i30 Comfort 1.6 CRDi (reg. March 2010 (51k)) needs new tyres. What do you recommend? The original tyres lasted very well, but previous replacements (caused through punctures) have worn a lot...
I bought a 2008 Honda Civic 2.2L from the dealer last year and have been happy with it. The 1-year warranty will run out soon so I was thinking of buying a 2-year extended warranty for ~£500. Bearing in...
I recently had a very minor rear end bump in which the left hand front corner of my vehicle damaged the right hand rear corner of the vehicle infront. The collision occurred in the snow and ice as my...
My automatic transmission needs a complete reconditioning. The gear box was dismantled at a specialist transmission place and they reported that the fluid was black, burnt, smelly & low.
A full exam...
I've just bought a 36,000 mile 2008 Yaris with a new clutch fitted. I have to be almost stopped before I can engage 1st and, when cold, 2nd is difficult and crunches. Is there a known problem with the...
I currently have an 08 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDIS which seems to stumble from one diesel related issue to another, so I am looking to cut my losses and go back to a petrol estate, however choices seem...
I am looking to buy a 2012 Ford Fiesta 1.4 but do not know whether to go for a Petrol or Diesel.
I currently travel about 12,000 miles a year but this is through commutes which are longer than 10 minutes...
A year a go we gave our Seat Ibiza to Georgia Car Sales in Andover as they offered an allegedly reputable sale or return service. They were part of the Hampshire County Council 'Buy With Confidence Scheme'....
I am almost ready to replace the tyres on my Jaguar X-Type 2005 saloon. The main requirements are quietness, ride and economy.
What do you suggest? They are currently 19", but would I see a difference...
Buying a new car for March registration - so 13 plate. I have chance of picking it up early - would it have the 13 reg or would I lose out?
I want to buy a spare wheel for a Volkswagen Up to replace standard mobility kit, my vehicle has 15" wheels (standard for the High Up model), the spare available from Volkswagen is only a 14" wheel, is...
From new the transfer box has been replaced twice under warranty on my Kia Sorento due to faults. The last time was in May 2012. In December 2012 I reported that it was faulty again, but the dealer didn't...
Just bought 2009 Fiesta auto which is performing well. The road/wheel noise is a bit high with 16" alloy wheels and low profile tyres. Can you advise a suitable tyre for the alloys or should I change to...
My daughter in law is in her thirties and suffers from arthritis in her left wrist which makes changing gear painful. She needs a small reliable and economical automatic but has a budget of only £2000....
Have ordered a new Ford Focus Estate through Drive The Deal. It is being a factory built and expect delivery to be late March/ early April. The Ford Dealer (Hartwells of Grimsby) supplying the car has...
I have a 2001 X Peugeot 206HDi 3 door. I wish to change this to a second hand 5 door car with the same performance as the Peugeot and roughly the same length and have about £5000 to spend. Could you suggest...
Hi, we would like to buy an mpv, we have £7000 as our budget and we are looking at a volkswagen touran or a citroen c4 grande picasso, which car would you recommend or would you recommend a different car...
Can you advise the best used car for me to look for? I do a Monday-Friday 20 mile round trip commute to work and nursery, and need a small, economical and reliable car to get me there. It needs sufficient...
My husband is looking to replace his 03 reg 1.3 Toyota Corolla which we have had from new. He commutes about 45-50 miles per day, so we think a diesel would be the most economical option.
Max budget...
My local Mercedes-Benz franchised dealer in Northampton said manufacturer has not & will not produce a 7-digit capable Sat Nav hardware because this feature is unique to UK & Ireland only and TOO expensive...
At 1800 - 2000 rpm in any gear the engine on my Ford Focus seems to have a 'flat spot' and stutters, feeling very lumpy. It's OK when you drive through this rpm range. No other problems. Starts OK. Garage...
My Audi A4 has a heating problem. When the car has warmed up to a normal temperature and I turn the heating on, there isn't a lot of heat coming out but there is a lot of smoke. I'm not sure what the problem...
I drive 30,000 miles per year commuting to and from work, with 90% of this on the motorway. What is the most efficient car I could buy for traveling at speeds of 65 to 70 mph? The size and type of the...
Had my Skoda Octavia from new. Three years and 14 pairs of rear tyres later, Skoda still will not accept there's a problem with the rear setting on the car.
Does business car insurance effect my own private insurance if I was in a minor car knock with no third party claim?
My car was stolen at the weekend, and there is the possibility that it was via the spare keys which could have been dropped outside or taken from the house. No signs of break in to car/house. What are...
I had my works van front grill damaged after hitting a third party van rear-foot step, so no third party claim and my company insurance fixed my van.
Where do I stand renewing my private car insurance?...
In our street all driveways apart from mine have driveways opposite each other, all with dropped curbs. However, as mine is the only without one, my neighbours park across from it. To get out of my driveway...
I am interested in buying a new-ish Vauxhall Corsa around 2006-early 2008. When did DPFs get introduced on these cars?
I am about to sell a 1961 Jaguar Mk2. Have you a standard form of sale which i can use in which incorporates to the buyer 'sold as seen' and is legal in case of comebacks?
What is the largest volume estate car and the lowest tailgate height estate car?
I received a parking ticket despite correctly showing a valid ticket.
It was sent with a covering letter back to the ticket office.
Much later we received a Notice to Owner and completed it with formal...
I’m devoting most of this week’s column to an injustice briefly touched upon on 12th January (‘Wrong Arm of the Law’). It seems that drivers are increasingly being bullied into accepting fixed penalties...
The letter from CK about being accused of holding and using his mobile phone when he was not, reminded me of an incident involving my brother some years ago. He was driving with his elbow on the window...
On the above I thought it would encourage readers that there is hope in challenging false accusations. My son was in his first year of driving and in the eleventh month of that year he was accused by a...
Four years ago, as I made my way to work, I was flagged down and pulled over traffic by two police in a 4x4 using sirens and flashing lights, etc.. They asked me to leave my vehicle and get in the back...
I successfully challenged a penalty notice, similar to CK's son. At Bournemouth magistrates court I defended myself. The court was even-handed. They dismissed the charge when I pointed out the officers...
With reference to the email by CK, as a magistrate I have two comments to make. 1: When I am on the bench I do not regard the evidence by the police as being greater than that of a defendant or any other...
I fully endorsed the prosecution of mobile phone users whilst driving. Made the point that a £60 fine and a 3 point endorsement seems grossly inadequate ‘to protect life by preventing fatal and serious...
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