Questions from February 2014
Can you advise me if leasing or buying is the best option for a new car?
I am VAT registered and would have a contract lease which I would put through my business. I can claim back 50% of the VAT, plus...
I bought a Mazda 6 (2006) from a used car garage in November 2013. Immediately after collecting the car there was a problem with it which, I brought to the dealers attention in January. It turned out to...
I need to buy a car to get me to work and back. I travel around 20,000 miles (mainly on the motorway) a year so fuel economy is important and I also have to give clients a lift occasionally so want something...
My wife is looking to purchase a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan and will be doing approx. 14,000 miles a year. She will be doing some motorway driving, approx. 15 mins each way a day. Which would be the best diesel...
I'm considering buying a nearly new Audi Q5 S Line Plus which has 20-inch wheels as standard specification. When I test drove the car I thought that the ride was a little hard and asked about being able...
We want to buy a used estate for £4000. We have two medium sized dogs, two grandchildren and need something that will be reliable and have around 40,000 miles on the clock. We’d also prefer a manual, what...
What is the best procedure for running-in a new Honda iVtec 2.2 diesel engine. Do you still recommend the use of Miller's Diesel Plus additive?
You published this information about 12 years ago, but...
I want to buy a used small car (up to three years old) that is cheap to run and has high seats. I will cover about 5000 miles a year. What do you recommend?
The ESP light has come on in my Peugeot 207. Can you tell me what this means?
Is it possible to hear from actual owners of the Vauxhall Ampera? I have read the road tests etc. but I would like to be reassured before committing to purchase.
I'm looking to get a new Nissan Qashqai as a company car. I do 25,000 miles a year and want to get a diesel. Which engine do you recommend?
I have noticed that the floor of my 2001 Honda Civic is very wet and everything is damp inside the car. What’s more, my seats have started to go mouldy and have an odour in the car too. Can you help? I...
I have an 18 month old Audi A4 2.0 TFSI with 13,000 miles on the clock. Recently the engine lost compression so I took it to a local Audi dealer and they assured me they’d fix it under warranty. A few...
I am looking to trade in my 2006 Skoda Fabia for a new family car – I have £18,000 to spend.
I drive about 11,000 miles a year (mainly rural A-roads, but some motorways) and intend to keep the car for...
I have been told that whilst the 3.1 diesel engine of earlier Isuzu Troopers is very reliable, the 3.0 TD engine of the third generation models (1998 onwards) should be avoided because they are liable...
I have recently had a problem with the alarm going off on my Vauxhall Zafira. I took the car to my local dealer and they diagnosed it as the courtesy light switch on the tailgate which they replaced. But...
The 3-year standard warranty on my 2011 Ford Mondeo TDCi 163 Titanium X Estate is about to expire. Over the last three years I’ve covered 25,000 miles and the car has been faultless - so far.
Warranty...
Can you recommend a 4x4? The Mercedes A-Class seems to fit the bill, at a price, but the have now changed its MPV shape.
My Vauxhall Astra has started emitting blue smoke on start up. It has also started using around 1 litre of oil a week, can you tell me if there’s a problem?
If cars will no longer have new tax discs to display, could an old one be displayed? For example, will I be able to drive round with a 1977 tax disc displayed to compliment other period touches to the...
Rain water is accumulating in the drivers foot-well, where should I look to clear a blocked drain?
i have a 2 year old Mazda 2 sport (1.5 Petrol with 27,000 miles). When sitting at traffic lights the engine struggles to idle at the correct RPM. It sounds and feels like its about to stall but it doesn't,...
I am thinking of trading in my 58 reg Honda Jazz auto (33000 miles) for a Picanto auto on a 63 plate. The Picanto is owned by the Kia garage for demos etc has done 1000 miles and is listed at £10650.
I...
I have a Peugeot 307 SW 2006 which is a great car but I have the usual problems with the DPF. I can live with them...
I have been told that a lot of new cars are fitted with 3 cylinder engines and that...
My 2013 Renault scenic with 17-inch wheels and higher tyre pressures than usual has a harder ride. Which other Renault wheels with smaller rims would give a softer ride?
In November I purchased a SEAT Ibiza from the Car Shop. Around a month later the DPF warning light came on. I consulted the handbook and took on the advice to drive at constant high speed for 15 minutes....
A few months ago you advised an SLK owner of a spray treatment to reduce the risk of the roof seals tearing when opening the folding roof. Please can you let me know what that product is - I recall it...
I’m looking at buying a new Porsche Cayman as a long term purchase (10 years+) and love the PDK gearbox, but worry about reliability & complexity over that amount of time, how similar is this gearbox...
My mother-in-law is considering a new automatic 120PS petrol Mazda 3 in Sports Nav leather trim, to drive for 7-10 years. Amazingly it seems this brand new, fully loaded car cannot be ordered with a DAB...
Having had Volkswagens and Audis before, we are looking to change our Ford S-Max for something a little more rewarding to drive with a good solid feel. It’s been a good car, great for space and with kids...
My son in law is just about to trade his 1.8 51 plate Golf for a small/mid range auto because they are expecting a baby. Probably looking at a 3/4 year old car.
I have suggested a 1.4 Jazz (because I...
A very firm, supportive seat is medically essential for me. Can you recommend any alternatives to a Golf GT please?
I was along a narrow Devon lane and saw a post van coming round the bend at the top of a hill. I stopped about 30 metres away from him, but he didn't try to stop and so he hit me, causing many pounds...
Water is entering the boot in my Nissan Note and we can't locate the source, except possibly through wheel arches.
Also, the drain hole plug had not been holed despite indentation there for that purpose....
Recently I've not been using my car very much. I last used it on Sunday and all was fine, but on Tuesday I went to move it and the battery seemed flat (the wing mirrors also didn't open as usual when I...
I'm currently unhappy with a used car purchased from a main dealer and am in a dispute with them on several issues, particularly the brake pads.
An RAC Inspection advises they are over 70% worn and the...
My in-laws would like to replace their ancient Volvo estate with a nearly new seven-seater to ferry the grandchildren about. They really want an auto, preferably a diesel and preferably sliding doors....
Our 2007 Ford Mondeo's factory-fitted sat nav no longer works as the GPS has failed. According to our local Ford dealership - this is due to water ingress - a corroded aerial base and cable. This will...
I've bought spark plugs to change on my BMW, only to find plug spanner does not fit. Can you please advise where I can buy the right fitting spanner?
I am looking at purchasing a new BMW 1 series 118d. Is it better to stick with the factory fit 16-inch alloys or pay extra for the 17-inch alloy wheels?
If buying company cars, do you recommend the use of a broker. Are there some brokers that specialise in company rather than private cars; any that you would recommend?
My husband is 75 years old with some hip/knee restriction. He is currently driving BMW X1 Diesel, doing 10,000 miles a year. He wants to replace the BMW with something that is easier to get into and has...
After reading your glowing report of the BMW 320d ED, I have bought a one year old model. Do you think it is worthwhile using a premium fuel such as Shell's V power?
Many reports on BMWs talk of traction...
What is the minimum guarantee a motor trader has to give to a customer who buys a car from them?
Back in August last year I had my front driver side wheel bearing replaced. However, less than four thousand miles later, my regular garage has told me that the recently replaced wheel bearing is now an...
My car was recently flooded by a river up to the seats, the water stood like that for 24hrs before subsiding. I have got the car running and driving fine and all dried out, I've had to replace some of...
My daughter has a series 1 MAzda MX5 SE with 195-45 R15 tyres on alloys which she wants to refurbish. She needs one new pair of tyres but the other pair have not long been replaced. The current ride is...
I have a Vauxhall Astra 1.6. I commute 100 miles a day and I want to buy a BMW 3 series. Is that a good idea?
I need something my wife can drive (so not a long car) that is safe and also spacious enough to accommodate two children. So a large cabin, but don't need a big boot. It must be a car that won't break...
I have been out to start my car. It started fine, but when I went to rev the car there was nothing coming from the accelerator. I tried it a few times and now it's working again. Just wondering if anyone...
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