Wheel question: What's the insurance implication?

I own an 06 model Range Rover Sport that came on 20" Continental Summer tyres which are rubbish for anything other than road-driving! As I have horses and tow a trailer, and with last November/December...

Crystal balls-up

What is the best way to calculate how much a second hand car will depreciate over a certain period of ownership? I ask as I have an Oct 06 Golf 2.0 TDi, which, after reading your review on their potential...

Maximin

We're a retired couple who run two cars. My husband drives a Hyundai i30 and I have a MINI One. We've had both cars nearly 3 years. However, I think I've finally been convinced that we only need 1 car....

Multichronic?

I am considering buying a 2008 Audi A4 2.7 TDI (190 PS) SE with CVT transmission. Does the CVT auto have the same problems as the DSG? Also is the car likely to have the problematic European suspension...

Colonic irritation

I read your advice about buying a personal registration to avoid cloning. I cannot understand how that will stop someone either stealing my number plate or using my number on a stolen car and me getting...

Elf and safety

My wife wants a cute second car to bomb around in. I on the other hand would like a classic. We have agreed (compromised) that a late 1960s Wolseley Hornet or Riley Elf would suit our weekend inner city...

Pop idle

What is the technical reason for suggesting that turbos are allowed to idle for a couple of minutes before switch-off, and does this apply only after a motorway-type drive? What effect does it have on...

Pick and mix

I am considering trading in my Autotrail Cheyenne motorhome and unused car (2004 Mercedes C270 Estate) and going back to towing a caravan with a new towcar. I don't actually do that many miles per annum...

Butch craft

What I want is a car that looks like a Honda CR-V - chunky with high seating - but is not 4x4. Is there such a thing? Also, I hear on the radio today that Carcraft is offering a £2,000 scrappage deal against...

Griminal

I hope that you will do your utmost to publicise the iniquitous proposal to disallow costs when a motorist successful contests a wrongful motoring conviction. Please encourage readers to sign the petition...

Common sensor

For the last three years or so I have been running a Peugeot 407 and have been very pleased with it. It recently developed a fault with a dash display warning that ABS and ESP were disabled. As it was...

Wheel them in

As you may remember, Gowrings Mobility is now back in business and has some new products that fulfil specific needs of the disabled. The Gowrings Vauxhall Combo Tour is the best-value wheelchair-carrying...

Up to data

I own a 2001 Honda Accord V-type 2.3L which is really a Rolls with another badge. However, the neatly fitted integral sat-nav system is now antiquated and needs new data. Honda very politely told me all...

Used car Czech

I bought a 55 plate Skoda Octavia in March 2009, 52,000 miles, with a three-month warranty. On 12th September 2009 the hydraulic pipe between the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder failed. As I...

Cee’ds of content

I am looking to replace the 1-litre V Reg Corsa I have had since being a student with a good family car now that I am married with a son. I think the Corsa's small engine is the main reason my license...

Two grand turismo

Our second car is a 1998 CR-V and whilst it is currently reliable I am concerned that we may miss the opportunity to get £2,000 for it under the scrappage scheme if that scheme closes. My wife has taken...

Go forth and certify

Can you advise which of the official fuel consumption figures most nearly corresponds to what an average driver in mixed driving can expect to see?

Spanners in the work?

Do you give help/advice on possible mechanical/electrical car problems anywhere on your website?

Discrusted of Formby writes

In June Liverpool Volkswagen (Derby Road, Liverpool) carried out what it described as a '2nd variable service' on my 4-year-old VW Golf. I was charged nearly £300, which included the service charge (£156)...

Farmer’s grand-daughter

If you had a 17 year old grand-daughter who lived out in the country (in Northumberland actually) and who had just passed her test and was hell-bent on buying a small used car with a budget of say £3,000...

Maz transport

I was hoping you could help me. I am looking to buy a new to 1-year old small car for myself and my partner after my Punto Active was hit, and will most likely be a write-off. I am looking at either a...

Iced dream

I want to buy a new or nearly new 4x4 estate/SUV. Not to go off road but to use on skiing trips and the like. I need a good sized boot for largish dog cage and luggage and have identified the KIA Sportage,...

Insure rescue

My car insurance is due for renewal. I am currently with Norwich Union, which, of course, has just changed to Aviva. I have heard rumours that in the event of a claim, Aviva personnel are not the easiest...

Asset chipping

I’m looking at a BMW 3 series convertible. List price with extras is £35k. What sort of discount should I aim to get?

Cushcons

Not only are speed cushions a menace to vehicles, they are a menace to pedestrians. Last week I looked left, looked right, stepped out and fell full length, having tripped over one of these ‘safety’ devices....

Ipswich tyreswitch

Could I have the benefit of your advice please? I have owned a Honda CR-V VTEC Sport since new and now, at just over 3 years old and 27,000 miles, it will shortly need a new set of tyres all round. The...

Fuel and his money

You may remember I wrote to you about starting and running problems with my recently purchased 2006/56 Focus 1.6 automatic. You recommended Shell V-Power petrol. I said I would let you know I got on and,...

Completely hubbered

Recently I was charged £55 by Grasmere Skoda of Macclesfield, a former Skoda dealer who sold me the car new, to rectify rear alloy road wheels that could not be removed at home because they were corroded...

Mercstake?

I am looking at a Mercedes 280E. It is 2006/56 and owned by a friend at my golf club. He says he has been offered £17k by Jaguar in exchange for an XKR. I have yet to drive it but I was very concerned...

Slowed rager

Could you please give me your opinion on the most successful means to slow down traffic on our road? We have no pavements, and when we have to walk up and down the road it is very dangerous, due to the...

Mined the GAP?

I bought an 03 plate Porsche Boxster S from a specialist dealer in March 2008 and was charged £500 for GAP insurance as an 'extra', although no paperwork ever materialised to support this, despite numerous...

Mille miglia

We are retired and own two cars: a Jan 99 BMW 318iSE and a Feb 07 Jazz. We keep the BMW for three or four 1,000mile round trips to visit relatives down south. It has covered 70,000 miles and because of...

SORN in half

I have just retired after spending all my working life in and around the motor trade. We have a problem with which I hope you can offer some help which you probably have never been asked before. I am an...

Beaten, not stirred

I took my car my 2005 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140 Sport to the local VW dealer due to an oil pressure loss/emergency warning light appearing, combined with a loss of braking servo assistance. Oil was correct...

Can’t a Ford

I bought a 1997 Ford Fiesta 1997 with 1 years MoT. The clutch broke 1 week later. I was then informed by my mechanic that this MoT is not right as there are numerous faults, including 2 broken springs...

Driving me Knuts

In early September I visited Guy Salmon my local Land Rover dealer in Knutsford having read a good review of the new Discovery 4. There was a very nice example in the showroom and I requested literature...

Law of averages

I think the main benefit of average speed cameras is protection of construction workers. It is most unpleasant to be working at the side of the road with traffic roaring past at 70 or 80. However, for...

Making A while the sun shines

Today I received my insurance renewal quote from the AA. Apparently my current insurer wants £295 to renew but the AA has found someone cheaper at £233. How kind of them. I will renew without delay. However,...

Stop me and try on

I draw your attention to an absolute scam involving parking tickets. Read www.flashpark.co.uk This shows you how to become a freelancer for a parking enforcement operation. It is trying to marry street...

Rubbish ZX

Two weeks ago, while driving my 1997 Citroen ZX, I was involved in a collision with a Land Rover Freelander. The other driver admitted liability to the police after losing control of his vehicle; which...

Ticket holders only

Further to the email in Saturday 7th January Telegraph Motoring, I have a plastic clip on the right hand side of my 9-year-old Citroen C5 that I use to hold parking tickets. When I got the car I asked...

Waits and measures

I would welcome your advice on which 4x4 to choose. I intend to purchase new and keep the car for 10 years during which time I estimate I will drive 150,000 miles. I want a diesel engine and automatic...

Crashing in?

Last year I bought a new Suzuki Swift and the accompanying literature recommended that if I had an accident I contact Suzuki, rather than my insurance company. Suzuki would then do everything (recover...

Living in the passed

Having driven quite often in South Africa, I realise the value of being able legally to overtake on either side on 3 or more lane roads. It makes lane hogging pointless and means much better use of road...

“By the Prowler invested in me”

Thanks John, for the links you sent me about the Plymouth Prowler that I found very interesting. I think I will hang on to my £25,000 at the moment and treat it as rainy day money. We live in quite a wealthy...

The great unwatched?

We are told that there are several million vehicles on the road which are untaxed, uninsured, do not have a current MoT certificate and are probably being driven by an unlicensed driver. Yet every year,...

Skidsophrenic

I had an accident in icy conditions almost 2 years ago on a freezing evening when I stopped at the scene of another accident where a car had overturned due to black ice. Then, a few seconds later, a third...

Transmissional period

In 2010 I ordered a 2.0 petrol Nissan Qashqai Tekna CVT 2WD. This was to replace a car of the same specification as I had been very pleased with the first. Delivery was quoted at 14 weeks and I went to...

Shifting circumstances

Is it reasonable to assume that a Honda i-shift is similar to the VW DSG system, which I have acquired on a new 1.4 Polo and have not found it easy to get used to, despite having driven a number of automatic...

The ‘I’s have it

There have been several letters in your column complaining about the Honda Jazz i-shift. I have owned two Jazz autos in the past and it was with some trepidation that I tried a test drive in a Jazz i-shift....