Questions from August 2020
I am looking to buy a nearly new second-hand car. I am looking for which vehicles to consider in terms of fuel economy/looks/value for money/manageable running costs, with a maximum budget of £20,000 to...
I've seen a tidy 2006 Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSi quattro for sale with about 110,000 miles and only two owners. I've seen various conflicting expert reviews, many detailing a catalogue of known failures and...
I have just traded-in my 2015 Suzuki Vitara for a new Vitara hybrid model from a dealership I have dealt with for years. When arranging the insurance, I was surprised to learn that my annual premium would...
I remember reading one of your columns about the Toyota Yaris. I am looking for a second-hand automatic car and would like to know which are the models to look out for and avoid.
Also, I’m considering...
When would the timing belt need changing on a 2013 Volkswagen Golf (mk7) 1.6 TDI with 65,000 on the clock?
I own a BMW Coupe 318ci E46 (2005 model). When opening the driver's door the window opens up completely, not just a small amount to open door. What could the fault be?
What is the situation with the ULEZ? Is it scheduled to come as far as the M25 in the spring of 2021? My car doesn't meet the ULEZ rules, what should I do?
I have Range Rover Evoque which is 18 months old. A few months ago I noticed the front lower panel was peeling badly. I took it to my local dealer, where I purchased the car and was told it was wear and...
Can tell me if my 2018 Hyundai i30 1.0 T-GDi has a cam belt or a timing chain?
Does the Smart Passion (2009 model) come with sat nav?
I am downsizing from a Hyundai ix35 and am considering one of the smaller Fords - the Fiesta or Focus. I want an automatic transmission but I understand that there have been some reported issues with...
I'm thinking of buying a Dacia Duster. The salesperson at the dealer has told me there is a new LPG version of the Duster. What do you think about the Bi-Fuel Duster? Should I buy one?
I am thinking of buying a 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK. I am finding a number diesel cars for sale. Do you think a diesel SLK would be a good choice over petrol? If not, which petrol engine would you recommend?
A friend of mine has a three year old Mercedes-Benz A-Class, valued at around £16,000. She wants to buy a new Fiat 500 and expects to spend £14,000. Is this something a dealer will consider?
Now that my family has grown up and are moving out we’d like to replace our reliable Chrysler Voyager load lugger. The requirements are tricky:- supremely comfortable, classy interior, economical to run,...
We are contemplating going full electric with our next car. At present we have a BMW Active Tourer PHEV. My problem is that I prefer a light (ivory, beige) interiors, I really don’t like black interiors!...
What is the most economical, automatic, small SUV for me? I will be buying secondhand and have a budget of £8000.
We are a couple in our later years. Healthy and active 70 and 80 year olds! We do a reduced mileage now average 5000 per year, but still envisage taking our car into Europe occasionally. Currently we drive...
I have a 2013 Audi A3 with a DSG gearbox that has to be replaced. I'm looking to sell it and buy an automatic petrol family car. I'm confused about the choice as I'm looking for a reliable choice but I...
I've taken my private plate off my car online and got the retention certificate within a week. The DVLA said the V5C will arrive in 4 to 8 weeks. That was 3 months ago. I want to sell the car, which is...
My daughter lives and works in Dubai and has allowed her UK driving licence to lapse. Can she legally use her UAE driving licence to drive, with permission, my wife's car without invalidating her insurance?...
My son, 20, is learning to drive. When he passes, he wants a vehicle to take on climbing, walking and camping trips in the UK. He wants to fit a mattress and climbing gear into the back and sleep overnight....
I'm very undecided about which car I should go for. I'm looking for a big family car (estates or SUV) for regular short motorway trips. I initially wanted a diesel but concerned about the various issues...
I want to get a good, used Mercedes-Benz B-Class diesel around 6-7 years old. On a test drive, everything was good. Only that the car's sat nav screen doesn't work and the seller didn't know about it....
I need to replace the front discs on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class as they've worn below the minimum thickness. When I measured them, I saw that the pads still have plenty of pad material in them, and it feels...
I'm looking for a largish 4x4 to do approx 6000 miles a year, mostly short trips. I have a budget of £13,000.
The second yearly service highlighted a need for the front tyres on my Volkswagen Touran to be changed. This will be the first tyre change. All the tyres are the 215/55 R17 Continental Premium Contact....
We have a 2014 Skoda Superb Estate. In five years of owning it, there have been eight punctures due potholes or nails. Is this due to the low profile 17-inch tyres? Two of them have occurred whilst towing...
I'm buying a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible. Do I buy petrol or diesel? Which model do you recommend?
I've recently bought a 2017 Ford Transit Custom and just discovered the injector issue. I understand Ford have been recalling vans with this fault. Is that correct? And should Ford replace/fix free of...
Can you recommend an accurate tyre pressure gauge?
I'm looking at spending no more than £5000. I would like a Vauxhall Astra and it needs to be diesel. I'm hoping to get one that is around 5-7 years old with less than 60,000 miles with a good or full service...
What is the position on emissions legislation? It's very confusing. Are some cities imposing/planning to impose local charges or bans? It's putting me off changing my car. I have a 2017 diesel Hyundai...
I have a budget of £11,000 for a petrol family car (6000 - 8000 miles per year). It needs enough room for four adults and I’ve been looking at a minimum of a 1.4 petrol engine. Having read many reviews,...
I parked on a school crossing and got a parking ticket because I was partially obstructing the tactile pavement next to the single yellow line. Should I contest this and argue that it should have been...
We're looking to change our car, and fancy either a Jaguar XF Sportbrake or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The experience with the Mercedes dealership has been poor, they don't seem interested in selling a car...
We are about to change my wife's 2014 diesel Citroen C3 Picasso. It is used primarily for short to medium journeys with occasional longer trips. We've been delighted with the Citroen, it suits our needs...
I’ve looked at a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The MoT history shows the last advisory as 'Nearside & Offside Rear Coil spring corroded bottom'. Should I avoid buying this car?
I have a 2014 Ford Transit Connect LWB van. It does mostly motorway miles, and has covered a total of 83000. How many more miles should I get?
I'm currently looking for a second car that can double up as daily transport for short local journeys and taking the family and dog on local outings. We're a family of four I'm looking in the price range...
I bought a Ford Focus Titanium X in 2019. At the time I specified every extra possible, which added £5500 to the list price. The car has done 9000 miles and has just had its first service. The used price...
We’ve just taken delivery of the new Honda e. We have a home charger which gives us the range we need in London, but I need to think about charging it when out and about in the south east and further afield....
Do you have an opinion on tire pressure monitoring kits? If so, do you recommend any particular make?
I have a 2010 Subaru Forester diesel. It sometimes stalls when I'm slowing down. My local garage cannot find a fault. I started using Esso supreme diesel which seemed to work for a while but it has done...
I'm looking for a used, stylish hybrid with higher than usual ground clearance to cope with winter flooding. A small/medium SUV, hatchback or estate will do. What would you recommend, please? Sue
I'm looking to buy a crew van with the best mpg. I do about 25,000 miles per year.
Is there any data on the costs and frequency of servicing for electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars? Also, is the introduction of this new technology likely to result in some independent garages being...
Which is the cheapest and most reliable electric city car for driving in London?
I have three teenage children and have driven people carriers since the youngest was born twelve years ago. Now it’s time for a change. I love the smaller SUVs and have narrowed my search down to the Skoda...
My MoT is due next month and a year will have passed since its service. Due to Coronavirus and personal reasons, it has only done 965 miles. Is there any point in having it serviced?
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