Questions from October 2011
I have a Mercedes B-180 CDI automatic, which I bought new in January 2009. It is my third Mercedes and was chosen over a saloon because of its compactness and flexibility that were convenient when transporting...
Last year I bought a set of steel wheels for my Mercedes C-Class for some winter tyres. Bridgend Mercedes Benz made sure I have the correct size bolts and I bought some wheel trims too. This year I want...
I recently moved to Chiang Mai in Thailand from Kenya and Ethiopia where I drove a RAV-4 that was ideal for my needs and the prevailing conditions. In Thailand, I am torn between a second-hand RAV-4 and...
I have looked at the British Parking Association website and examined the appeal. As far as I can see the process is simply decorative, designed to show BPA’s 'caring' side, which we all know it does not...
Due to an expanding family it is time to get a larger car, preferably 7 seater. The current 0% finance offer from Toyota seems attractive on the Verso range and the car looks very attractive in the 2.0D...
The plastic back to the side mirror (near side + colour of jean blue) on a 06 plate Ford Focus needs replacing. I am willing to bet that a main dealer will charge extortionately for this bit of plastic...
My Audi A5 is 6-months old and has done 6,000 miles. On recent 150 mile run I had black soot in my exhausts and an oil usage of half litre /600 miles. I am told by Audi this is normal!! How can this be...
How can I find original list prices of Audi RS2 and 911 3.2 (1986) as i want to compare + or - of having as a company car.
Bought a 2007 Freelander 2, diesel, manual with 57,000 on clock from Evans Halshaw, Sheffield on July 12 2011. I live 250 miles from dealer near Poole, Dorset!
Everything seemed fine at first. Car now...
A friend and her husband have just been followed home and told they had driven into the back of this persons car whilst in town and that they had 100s of witnesses.
They are claiming whiplash but there...
Randomly a warning light appears on the dash. It's the orange one that means a bulb has gone. It's usually the drivers side indicator. If you keep the indicator on for a minute, constantly it fixes itself...
New tyre (Falken 452 225/40/18) fitted by mobile fitter. Car driven 2.5m then stood for 20 hrs before noticing that one of the tyres was actually flat.
I inflated the tyre and realised that it had a faulty...
In short, I recently bought my son a 2004 plate Vauxhall Meriva with FSH and only 60k on clock. This was to replace his aging Peugeot which I deemed as unsafe!
All went well until today when he rang...
We currently have a Saab 95 estate which we use to travel to France each year on a family camping holiday.
Can you please recommend a more economical runner in terms of MPG and also road tax and insurance.
Needs...
I've reported a recurring problem with my Vauxhall Zafira to the dealership I bought it from over a period of 18 months.
The problem is that the car loses power and goes into "limp mode", showing a warning...
I have owned a 53 plate Toyota Yaris D4D for six years which hasn't caused me an ounce of bother. It has 92000 miles on the clock. Recently I've had an annoying issue with the engine idling. When you first...
My car is 07 registration. I purchased it from a garage in 2009. The car had been traded in.
While it was still in warranty I had it in a Peugeot garage on numerous occasions as it wasn't running smoothly...
I am retired. I have a Mk 1 Freelander 2004 td4 (automatic) for general running about and towing an 18 foot caravan (Bailey Senator) 2 or 3 times a year.
Wife about to retire; has 2003 BMW 316i compact...
Ford Focus 2002 TDCI, driving along... lost drive , pulled over, car will go into gear without touching the clutch, clutch feels like normal when pressed. Will not pull away (no drive). Although in 3rd...
I'm about to have winter tyres fitted to a new set of rims on an Audi A4 cabriolet.
The summer tyres are rated at 93 ( 215/55 on 16); there is a choice of Continental winter contact TS830 in a 93 weight...
I have a 2009 (Sept.) 3.6 TDI Phaeton which I bought as a demo in Feb 2010. It has done 20,000 miles.
A dealer has just offered to PX for a Feb 2011 (latest model) with 50 miles on for £8,500 which equates...
I am buying winter tyres on your recommendation for my Ford Kuga. I have decided to go for 235/55 R17 Dunlop Winter Sport 3D to match the circumference of the current 235/50 R18's fitted from new.
I'm...
Thinking of buying used Mazda5. Read about problems with diesel versions but also heavy tyre consumption. Need to be changed around every 10,000 miles?
Is it worth buying a used Mazda5 then? Also fuel...
I purchased a 300C SRT demo with low mileage from Synter Group dealership on 7 October 2010.
V5 states "new at first registration 03/03/2010", noticed heavy rust on some bolt heads, not long after delivery...
Just realised (after 2 years!?) that I hadn't changed my address on my licence or log book. I got re-direction for 1 year from the previous address - so I simply failed to notice when renewing my car tax...
Can you suggest any makes and models of small panel vans that have fold down passenger seats in the back so that it can seat four people if needed.
I am looking at buying a Honda Accord Estate.
Ideally I want a diesel for the economy, but having read many issues on DPF (diesel particulate filters) effecting many manufacturers I want to go for the...
I bought this car new and since then learnt that the engine has a design fault around burning oil. It has a TPI completed on it but still is burning a large amount of oil.
The car has 8k miles on it...
When I start up the car the idle speed is high, around about 1300 rpm.
Also, when I go around a corner in 2nd gear if I slightly press the brake the car wants to speed up.
I have a 2006 56 model BMW 520 d SE Auto which I plan to keep for two winters. They are now on 225/50 run flats on 17 inch alloys.
1. Do I just fit same size and profile winter tyres on the same alloys?...
My daughter has been given a ticket for overstaying by 6 minutes in a car park in Exeter "policed" by Premier Parking solutions. It is for £100 reduced to £75 if paid within 7 days.
Personally I believe...
My wife has got a new job which will involve a 60 mile round trip, mainly motorway driving. She currently has a 2004, 1.4l Fiesta and we are wondering if she would be better replacing the Fiesta with...
I am thinking of selling my 2007/57 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe. It has done around 14,000 miles and am wondering what is the best and easiest way to sell it, and to whom?
In the week that Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, announced plans to raise the speed limit on motorways to 80mph, I received a Police summons for 80mph on the M4 at. For this offence, I may be...
As I've recently moved to the Yorkshire Dales I'm interested in purchasing some winter tyres for my Mazda 6 2.0 TS. It's currently shod with 205/55 R16 Pirelli P6000s. Please could you suggest some suitable...
I took your advice and went for Mondeo 2006 2.0 Zetec Diesel 130. I’ve owned it for four and a half years and have covered 70k trouble free miles. I have a query on a warning light, GLOW PLUG INDICATOR...
I just bought a 2011, 2 litre diesel Toyota Verso to use for journeys of approximately 50 miles round trip and needing a low loading area for my parents mobility scooter. I use my wife's petrol Yaris for...
My parents, both 89, want to replace their 56 plate Honda Jazz that they have never enjoyed driving (nor me). The brakes are over assisted and the throttle seems to have a lag on it. They want a new, ...
As a retired former senior executive in the car industry, the most refreshing aspect of your column is the even-handed way you dispense advice on customer and manufacturer complaint resolution. Since retiring...
I should be grateful for your advice in purchasing a new/nearly new car. I own a 3-door 54 plate RAV4 with 90,000 on the clock. My partner suffers with Osteo-arthritis with a particular problem at the...
I will shortly be changing my Motability car from a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 VTR+ diesel, and would appreciate your advice. It needs to be roomy, preferably diesel, manual, and have: Cruise control,...
FIAT has withdrawn the Panda 4x4. Are they due to replace it soon? If not, are there any small 4x4's you could recommend? I spend all winter in the Alps in the present Panda is fantastic in snow.
My Morris Minor 1000 celebrated its 50th birthday at the beginning of September by passing it's MoT. I have used it regularly for the last 40 years and it continues its daily jaunts to the shops. Now a...
We have ordered, but have yet to take delivery a new KIA Picanto. I note it comes with a tyre inflation kit rather than a spare wheel. I'm a little concerned as we may do several long journeys. Do you...
I have just returned a Mazda at the end of a 3-year PCP with 75,000 miles against a contracted 90,000 miles. The dealer principal signed the car off as “no issues”, but due to his circling of a '3' against...
My son was at traffic lights in Hertfordshire when a van ploughed into the back of his car. At the first inspection it was considered to a write off. However, the insurance company ordered a further inspection...
You mentioned in your column last week that the insurer of a motor vehicle should be made aware of any change, however small, that is made to a car as it may affect the validity of the policy held. Does...
Please could you recommend a firm to refurbish the 16in alloy wheels (one of them badly "kerbed") on my 07 Audi A3 TDI? Preferably in Oxfordshire or a neighbouring county and ideally which would collect...
I have a Focus 1.6 diesel that has just had its 3rd major service at a Ford main dealer at 33,000 miles. The paperwork indicates that a DPF service is “urgently required” at an additional cost of £150....
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