Questions from October 2014
I'm looking to replace my rather tired 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.4 LX. I want something larger, like an estate, but only have £4000 to spend. I will be covering around 15,000 miles per year and (as a pro drummer)...
The heater/air con in my 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK is either very cold or full-heat, with no in between. As soon as I click the individual control to 'on', (provided the otherside is also 'on') it goes to...
Embarrassingly, while distracted, I put some Redex Stop Smoke in the diesel tank rather than in with the oil! I expected the car to stop working quite quickly, but I only had a engine management light...
I would like to buy a new Limited Edition Astra but they only come with 19 inch wheels and I was appalled at the cost and limited availability of this size of tyre. Do you think it is worth buying this...
I am looking to buy an economical car, with an automatic transmission, with leather seats and high seating. I am a 75 year old female only 5'2". What can you recommend?
I am currently running a 2008 BMW 118d. My mileage is creeping up a lot and the car has now clocked up 100,000 miles. I now have concerns about the longevity of the car as it is making a “chuff, chuff”...
I am going to be working in France for six months and want to take a car with me, which I am yet to buy. However, I am confused as to what to do regarding insurance. Do any UK companies provide European...
I own a 2001 Volkswagen Golf TDI. It has covered 101,000 miles and has a number of issues that need fixing. Currently, the DMF is vibrating and I have sourced a clutch and DMF for £225 + fitting this would...
My local garage has told me that I need a new dual mass flywheel + clutch Kit for my Vauxhall Vectra, at a cost of £800. I called Vauxhall customer services and they told me to have the car inspected by...
I'm looking to buy a used small car for £2500. Safety is priority (due to a recent accident involving a HGV), followed by reliability and then running costs. What would you recommend?
I currently have a Ford Focus 1.6TDCi (2009). I am fed up with the constant DPF issues, so firstly is it worth replacing the DPF (I don't think removal is a legal option). My garage has regenerated the...
When pulling up to a stop, the revs on my Ford Mondeo (2005) sometimes rise. It also does it when stationary, before returning to idle. Any idea what this could be?
I cannot decide whether I need to fit winter tyres to my Nissan Pathfinder (2006) or a decent 4x4 tyre. Basically I am looking at either the Michelin Latitude Cross or the Nokian SUV G3. Will the Michelin...
I own a 2010 Volkswagen Golf, which has done 34,000 miles. A few weeks ago the car developed a misfire and my local dealer charged eight hours at £80 per hour. The diagnosis is a cracked piston ring and...
Can you recommend a good replacement for my 12 year old automatic Mitsubishi Space Star either new or very nearly new? It has given good service but it is time for a newer model. I would prefer a small,...
Is there any make/brand/type of tyre that is quieter than any other make/brand/type?
I have a 1992 Volvo 460 and the key will not turn at all in the ignition. The steering lock has always been erratic, mostly not locking and a new key cut to code [no transponder] has not worked. My local...
My sister was recently driving to work when the engine in her Audi A3 (2008) started knocking. It was taken to Audi who diagnosed a new engine was needed. The car has done 103,000 miles and is out of warranty,...
I have seen a cigarette lighter plug in devices that claim to jump start cars within five minutes, do they work?
We bought new, top of the range motorhome six months ago. In all we have been out in it for 46 days total. There were a list of faults when we collected it and even more things have gone wrong since we...
I have just had my 1998 Volkswagen Golf TDI written off in an accident. As a result, I have £2500 to spend on a replacement. I'm thinking of Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus. Can you tell me which...
I’m having some problems with my Renault Scenic (2003). When I start the car the clock and the mileage reading resets back to zero. I’ve tried setting the clock and the mileage and other readings, but...
I shall be taking delivery of a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 Sport next month and want to get winter tyres fitted, as it is a rear-wheel drive car. What tyres would you recommend and what price should...
Our 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 EGC Diesel had the usual "hesitation" issue whereby the injectors need removing and new seals replacing etc. The car had been dealer serviced to this point and I was quoted £200...
My previous car, a 1996 Fiat Punto, had the battery disconnected and left outside many times for periods up to 12 weeks and no problems starting up on my return. I am planning to go to Spain for 12 weeks...
I am looking to buy a 2002 Ford Focus. The front tyres are worn on the inside and one of the rear tyres is worn on both side. The steering wheel is also not centred. The car drives well and does not...
I'm thinking of buying a Volkswagen Passat CC (2011) for about £14,000. I've noticed that Volkswagen do not build the model anymore, is it any good, and will it depreciate more because it's now an obsolete...
I have just sold my old Ford Fiesta Zetec Michelin Alpin winter tyres as they were 195/50/R15 and my new Titanium X Ecoboost 125 has 95/50/R16. I wanted the new Alpin 5 but they don't seem to make them...
I'm looking to replace my old Jaguar X Type Sovereign. I want something that isn't "run of the mill", yet retains the features of my Sovereign (navigation, Bluetooth, park assist, cruise control, etc)....
I'm looking to change the tyres on my 2004 Honda Civic Type S. It currently has Pirelli 205/55 R16 V. How important is the speed rating? Should I buy speed rating 'H' tyres or pay extra for 'V' rated?
I understand that you should use a float charger to prevent over-charging of the battery. My question is, if I don't use my 1995 Honda Civic for three months and do not disconnect the battery, will the...
I went to view a used Kia Ceed recently, which was advertised with "full service history". The car is being advertised by an independent dealer and it has a service history, but with a non-Kia garage,...
I have an old Land Rover Freelander, which I have had from new and clocked up 135,000 miles. I now need to buy a new car. I love my Freelander, but to replace it with the same HSE trim will be huge money....
I'm completely vexed as to what to buy, I've around £5000 to spend on a diesel family sized car. It must have a 1.6-litre engine or less, be reliable and have a good size boot. What do you suggest?
I paid £3.00 to park when it should have been £3.20 in a car park. The parking ticket quotes a breach of contract code - parked after the expiry of the paid time and they want £100 for a parking charge,...
The BMW 3 series has an automatic transmission and a sports automatic transmission on most models. The sports is about £250 extra, not much on the price of the car. Reading the blurb on the BMW website...
I have just bought a 1995 Nissan Micra with 51,800 miles on the clock and a fresh MoT. However, I noticed this morning that when I stop, slow down or just don't have my foot on the accelerator, the engine...
I am getting my dad's car next week, but I still have a 2007 Vauxhall Corsa that I need to sell (hopefully within the next week or so). My insurance will be swapped to the new car - can I leave the Corsa...
I am getting mixed messages from dealers. My local KIA agent says I must have KIA dealer service stamps or I will invalidate my warranty. Other dealers say any VAT registered garage stamp should be accepted...
I have a problem with my 2003 Renault Megane. It consumes too much engine oil and there is also a lot of black smoke. What could the problem be?
I have a 2008 Volkswagen Golf V with the common Teves Mk60 ABS/ESP problem. The local dealer has identified that the unit needs to be replaced. I have read your forum and found that this has been a known...
I own a 1995 Honda Civic, which doesn’t get used all that much. To keep the battery charged, I it out every other week, but I am now thinking of disconnecting the battery and garaging the car for the winter....
The head gasket blew on my Vauxhall Corsa back in February, but now I think it has gone again. Or at least was never fixed properly in the first place. How long do you think a replacement head gasket...
Can you tell me what happens if I cancel an order on a new car? I have been waiting three months for delivery and to be honest I've lost interest. I am quite prepared to lose my £500 deposit, but am I...
Does the Audi Q3 have a cam belt or chain in the petrol and diesel variant? And what is the recommended time and mileage to replace this component?
I am considering a BMW 640D Grande Coupe M sport. It seems to have all of the options I want as standard and looks really nice. What would a target price be?
I own a diesel Audi A3 that drives absolutely fine for the most part. However, when on the motorway, after an hour or so of driving, the clutch get very 'loose' (i.e. had to raise foot very high to make...
I have recently bought a brand new Fiat 500S 1.2 and find it almost impossible to make a hill start without excessive revving combined with slipping the clutch so much that the car fills with a burning...
I'm looking for a decent all weather tyre for my wife's 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander. The Goodyear Eagle LS2 seems popular in the US and I believe carries the M + S marker, but I can't find much opinion on...
What is the smallest car with an acceptable automatic? I was considering the Honda Jazz CVT, but read that the noise over 60mph is unacceptable.
 

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