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Trending topics in August 2009
Questions from August 2009
My daughter wishes to replace her Scenic for a similar-sized car that must be reliable. The Scenic has recently had numerous 'electrical' problems. The replacement must be able to tow a small sailing...
Technically, with ‘Intelligent Speed Adaptation’ by GPS, speeding can be prevented. There is no need to cover the country with expensive "speed sensitive stop lights". The object is not to punish anybody,...
I think I have now seen it all – a recruitment ad in the Slough Observer for Traffic Officers who "have held a full UK driving licence for at least 2 years with no more than 3 penalty points". It seems...
I was very pleased to read your road test on the SEAT Exeo, which was encouraging not least for the fact that I have recently placed an order for an Exeo ST. Other reviews I've read have been somewhat...
I own a 2002 SAAB 9-5 Aero. The car was SAAB dealer maintained for its first four years, and I have had it serviced by independents since purchasing it 3 years ago from Car Giant. Following recent mis-firing...
Today I paid the deposit on a new SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDi Stylance, after getting what I thought was a good deal. £19,000, gross. £16,321.74 net. I paid cash, no trade in. I couldn't buy over the internet,...
I want to buy a Mondeo Titanium X, which appears to come with 18" low profile tyres (and no option). Over the years, you seem to suggest that this combination of wheels and tyres, on various makes and...
In 2007 I exchanged a SAAB 9-5 for a new BMW 3 Series SE model. Whilst BMW quality is unquestioned, the ride is uncomfortable due to firmer suspension and runflat tyres. Whilst the GM/Saab situation concerns...
I have a 2009 Golf Mk6 2.0 Tdi 110 that experiences momentary hesitation in power delivery when driving down moderately steep hills. The local VW franchise has been very attentive but reports this as...
Can you please recommend a new or nearly new compact 7-seater with an automatic transmission? The Verso does not come with a fully automatic transmission otherwise that would be our choice. We do not...
My Focus ECOnetic 90 has just had its first service at a year old and 12,500 miles, and the garage says it needs it for longer to try to sort a 'notchy' 5-speed gearbox. How is yours? Is it worth me letting...
In December 2008, in the teeth of family opposition, my 85 year-old father, who is not very well off, bought a new Renault Laguna 2.0T automatic hatchback, loaded with extras, paying full price - I think...
I have a leased Audi A6 Avant, which is due for changing. Its a diesel 2.7 and has been very good. I do about 25k miles a year, am self-employed and need to lease another estate car to do the same job...
My wife may soon purchase a Focus or Golf and we are wondering whether to go for diesel or petrol. The annual mileage will be about 10,000, mainly on rural roads with journeys of about ten to twenty miles....
I took my Primera to the dealership to have a seatbelt warning light put right under a warranty and they gave the car a health check. A week later, I was back for an aircon recharge, they gave it another...
If you were going to trade in a Range Rover Sport for a 7-seat SUV or estate (I now have 3 children under 4 and the RR is a bit of a squeeze), would you recommend a Volvo XC90 / Land Rover Discovery or...
I recently bought a 2008 Mazda 6 estate, which I am very pleased with. I only have one problem with it and that is I often receive an electric shock when getting out the car and shutting the door. When...
I am a pensioner and as my existing car has developed expensive gearbox problems I am in the market for a new motor. I need to have room for my granddaughter (in a car seat) and space behind for my two...
I purchased a new Ssangyong Kyron EX from Chandlers of Grantham for £12,000. It says on the invoice that I do not get 5 years free servicing and warranty. When I contacted Ssangyong to ask about this they...
I own a 7-year-old Mercedes CLK 230 Cabriolet with 62,000 miles on the clock. I don't think it's worth that much now, but would like to keep it as it still looks quite good. Is there any point in continuing...
My daughter is looking to buy a suitable vehicle for her family of 3 children and husband (MPV or 4WD, diesel or petrol). Reliability and running costs are, of course, paramount. Use will be largely local...
Have you any updated reports on the Renault Grand Modus, please? The only thing I don't like about this vehicle is the manufacturer. Renault doesn't have a reliable background, but the size, seating position...
As Cabinet Member with responsibility for Gloucestershire highways, I was concerned by the e-mail from J.S. of Stroud. In situations where there is an accident "hot spot" or where residents have expressed...
I have a Freelander TD4 HSE on a 55 registration and have been very pleased with it. Months ago I had an accident indoors, and as a result of this had my foot and ankle in a cast for six weeks. I have...
A puzzling conversation with SAGA Insurance (which insured my previous Daihatsu Fourtrak) culminated in a refusal to insure my current VW Caddy Maxi on the grounds that it was a 'grey import'. Saga's...
I recently bought a Y reg BMW Z3 with 3 months warranty from a dealer in Nottingham. (I live in Huntingdon.) I filled up with Shell petrol last week and put in some Redex fuel injector cleaner, which I’ve...
Can you help us? My husband is 61 and I will reach 60 next year. We would like to change our car for something newer and also to get better miles per gallon. We have had our 1993 Audi 80 2 litre automatic...
Thought you might like an update on our hunt for Qashqai +2. We gave up with the idea of 10% discount off a new car where a leasing firm retains the logbook for 6 months; one issue being my present insurers...
I am looking to purchase a car that could legally tow a double horsebox with one horse, yet still be able to drive to work every day and not spend too much money on fuel. My budget is around £2,000. Any...
My wife's BMW 330 convertible (purchased new and now 18 months old) developed a puncture in the nearside rear tyre, which is a Dunlop 'runflat'. The car has covered less than 15,000 miles and tread depth...
What is happening to the fuel prices? I heard on the wireless that there was a glut of oil and yet Petrol prices here in S.E. Kent are 103.9p a litre. What on earth can we do about this? We need our...
As a family we have always been aware that drinking and driving don’t mix. A family member will give up drinking for the evening and ferry us about. Recently my daughter was stopped by the police and given...
I wonder if you would be able to resolve a slight disagreement between my partner and me? He's just put me on the insurance for his car (a year 2000 VW Polo, by the way) and although he professes to be...
Is it my imagination but is it a new thing that police close motorways for many, many hours after an accident? If we have to get to an airport for a flight now, we have to take the motorway journey time,...
I am researching the best course of action for my problem with a car dealer. We are out of pocket in the amount of £2,090. I have reported to Consumer Affairs the OFT but I think that there is no recourse...
I am considering purchasing at 2001/51 Citroen Xsara with only 6,700 miles on the clock. Even if I am able to verify that the mileage is correct, and the car has a full service history, am I crazy? The...
Am I correct in assuming that the runflat tyres you refer to are on BMWs, or are they readily available on all so-called ‘quality’ cars.
I hope you can help me with a BMW problem. In April this year I bought a £24k Z4M Coupé from a BMW dealer through the Approved Used Car system. I chose that particular car over others because it already...
Last September I bought a Yaris diesel 2-door. Almost immediately I wished I had bought a 4-door version that, then, was only £500 dearer. Friends advised me against the 2-door but my husband thought it...
I am having trouble sourcing an Owners Manual for my 1984 Mercedes 280SL (W107). I have trawled the internet and eBay without success. Thousands of these cars were made over many years. Why can't I find...
I am looking to buy a second-hand car for my daily commute to work, which is around 60 miles per day of almost all motorway and A road driving. I have around £6-£7k to spend and was looking at something...
I own a Morris 1000 1959-60, which my father bought me for £25 as my first car when I was 17. It was found in a barn with hens nesting in it. We brought it home, my father breathed life into it and I had...
I just had an altercation with a 44-foot lorry. I drove a VW Polo that, although it may be a write off now, protected me. It is just over three years old with 16,500 miles and served me well since new....
I am looking for a small car but with a boot big enough for a couple of Labrador size dogs without putting the back seats down, and preferably not a people carrier. I have looked at the Audi A2 but I have...
My brother wants to buy a brand new car, he is a carer for our Mother who is disabled. He uses his car to take her everywhere. Is it possible for him to reclaim the VAT on a new car? If necessary the car...
I have been living in Egypt for the past 6 months to try and make my state pension stretch as I couldn't afford to run my house in the UK. Sadly my health has plummeted and Myrtle the Pekingese dog is...
I have a BMW 330 SE Coupe and was interested in your comments re Michelin Primacy HP last Saturday. Since fitting these to the wife's VW Golf V5 Tiptronic with Sports Suspension last year they have absolutely...
I bought a Honda Jazz CVT-7 some time ago on your recommendation. I only use the CVT mode and never change manually. I now want a new car. The Jazz I-Shift is not CVT so I would have to use the paddles....
I have now had two punctures on my 2007 Renault Grand Scenic and each time required a new tyre as the foam inflator apparently ruins the tyre. I am trying to locate a space-saver spare. Can you help? A...
We have very happily driven 2nd-hand Toyotas for twenty years and are thinking of buying new, under the scrappage scheme. Both my wife and I learned to drive in Canada and when we came here opted to just...
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