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Questions from March 2010
I am sending a photo of one of the front tyres from my Getz. The front ones both had the same wear pattern. I blame this wear wholly on our local speed cushions that have to be traversed every time I go...
I ordered a new Mazda3, trim TS2, on 27 Nov 2009 from a Mazda dealer after examining several TS2 models in the dealer's showroom and test-driving a TS2. When I went to collect my car on 28 December 2009...
My daughter, who lives in France, has a problem with her French bought 2005 Toyota RAV-4 D4D 2.0 Litre. It seems the “Volant Bi Masse” has packed up, which I take to be a dual mass flywheel. It will cost...
I live in an area where the solution to traffic flow problems is seen as reducing the number of possible lanes at junctions with white paint, wasting vast sums of money on electronic signs that warn that...
I am shortly going to be looking to buy a used estate, 4x4 or people carrier for circa £15,000-£20,000. We have one child, which will soon probably be two, and a dog. I will be doing circa 15,000 miles...
I would confirm that carbuyers can consider themselves lucky to be given any sort of spare wheel at all. Looking at various used cars before buying, I noticed many did not have a spare wheel. Do you think...
I purchased a 2006 SAAB 9-3 1.9tdi 150bhp almost two years ago with 19,000 miles on the clock and have now done 50,000 miles, but have had nothing but problems with it. As I use the car for work, I am...
I recently decided to trade-in my 30,000 mile 2003 Ford Focus1.6 Ghia Auto for an 09 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Auto in Moondust Silver. But I was slightly surprised to find that its mileage since first registration...
I own a 2005/55 VW GTI with 22,428 miles on the clock. At 21,500 miles the ESP light came on. I called my local ex VAG service technician to undertake a diagnostics check, which confirmed the ABS unit...
I'm writing to raise awareness of motorists who fail to use their warning triangles in the event of a breakdown. After my car broke down following an electrical failure, the attending vehicle rescue patrol...
I currently own a Honda Civic 1.6 Sport 3 door hatchback registered November 2003. I bought this nearly new on your recommendation in exchange for a Ford Puma. The Honda has been very reliable and is still...
I am a company car driver and currently have a choice of:
Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCi 125ps Zetec 6 speed 5 door
Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCi ECOnetic 5 speed 5 door Estate
Ford Focus Titanium 2.0 135 TDCi 6 speed Estate
Vauxhall...
Looking for advice please. My 2007 BMW 120d currently runs on 17" wheels with runflat tyres. The ride is ok, but a bit firmer than I like. I can get 16" BMW wheels for the 1 Series with run flats or tubeless.
Can...
I bought a new VW Golf plus 1.9SE TDI and was persuaded to have the car with a DSG automatic gearbox after reading the Golf brochure that stated "the DSG gearbox offers a genuine alternative to a manual...
December and January’s weather will obviously lead many to consider purchasing a 4x4 vehicle as a possible solution to being able to get around in the snow. I would have thought that a more cost effective...
In theTelegraph, of 14-1-2010 there is a photo of a Range Rover in a ditch. It appears to have been fitted with low profile tyres. Would these tyres have had any detrimental effect on the handling of...
Last May I mailed to ask your advice concerning a car and warranty purchased from Carshop Northampton and the subsequent misery experienced by my husband and myself when we came to claim under the warranty...
The week before Christmas I was struck with the ESP light stuck on, on my 06 Skoda Octavia 1.9 4x4 estate, with 30,500 miles. Took it to the dealers that I bought the car from and who have done all the...
I visited UK in November and hired a car from Hertz, everything was in order when I returned the car, I was therefore surprised to find an amount of £34.50 debited to my credit card a few weeks later....
I have driven various Vauxhalls over the past 20 years or so and have always found them to drive well in the snow when fitted with winter tyres. My current car is a Meriva and it does not perform well...
I was at a party last Saturday, and I was trapped in a corner by a very well juiced council officer. The more drinks the guy had the more he was spilling the beans about his council’s parking activities....
My company car is due for replacement later this year and with fuel price increases due to continue I need a vehicle that is frugal. My annual mileage is approximately 30,000, which is split 80% motorway...
After more correspondence with Met Parking and their escalation of penalty charges for ‘overstaying’ at MacDonalds, I have now received a Notice of Proposed Litigation from Debt Recovery Plus.
I have...
I have a Mercedes C200 Kompressor, purchased new and registered April 2001. I have a problem with the square centre panel not lighting up immediately. This should show the mileage, trip mileage and time....
I've been talking to Silverdale Cars in Oxfordshire about a 2.0 Diesel Mondeo Zetec. They have been completely open with me and told me the car I'm interested in is ex Enterprise Rent-a-Car (ERAC on the...
Renewal premium from my insurers, NatWest, has increased by 78%. Do you have views on the advisability of including ‘No Claims Discount Protection’. My quote includes 9 years + no claim discount. I used...
I bought a Mercedes Benz C220CDI in December 2010 from Mercedes-Benz Bridgend in Wales. So far I've done about 4,600 miles but I have an irritating fault. The engine management warning light came on about...
I drive a VW Jetta 1.9 diesel automatic as a company lease car. I have had this from new since January 2008. The car has 60,000 on the clock and the majority of my journeys are on motorway - for a minimum...
I read with interest the email about Mercedes lease terminations. I have just returned a CLS AMG after 4 years and was charged over £1,200 for damage to bodywork, wheels and front screen. Like your correspondent...
I have owned a 1973 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow I from new. Now it has 80,000 miles. But it is an old car and I am an old man with not much money to throw away. I was told by my garage that the car needs...
My needs are 1 person 1 small dog, long business travels, and the requirement to collect wood every now and then. Suggested is Jeep Cherokee, my budget is £20,000 plus a trade-in of a 2002/52 BMW 325Ci...
I recently bought a Citroen C5 SatNav Estate. At no time during the test drive did the dealer tell me that the satnav would not access full UK postcodes. It will not accept the last two letters, which...
For 5 years the local Toyota Main Dealer has serviced my 150,000 mile 2001 Lexus RX300. I took it in with a slipping automatic transmission. He told me the gearbox was scrap, and offered a replacement...
When I purchased my Mercedes B200 CDI the dealer recommended joining an Accident Management Scheme approved by the manufacturers. They said, in case of an accident, the car would be towed away and my worries...
I wonder if you could publish an article about the possible hidden hazards of car air-con systems. I have just been made quite ill with breathing problems by a heavy scented smell in my Ford C-Max, which,...
As you may have guessed I can be a persistent individual. After our protracted correspondence, I would like to let you know that the Prudential Insurance Company has finally agreed that its stance on fitting...
A truck in front had a blowout and I hit the tyre on the road. I got the 3rd party details and have put a claim through my insurance. My insurance company put a claim against the 3rd party insurance. However,...
You must be tired of questions to do with parking fines but I would appreciate your advice. In January I parked in a Premier Parking Solutions car park near Exeter station to go to London. On my return...
Car insurance companies that deserve praise must be in the minority, so here goes. I was hit by a driver insured by Admiral last Thursday. On Friday, I received a call from them in which they accepted...
A few weeks ago you named a tyre supply/tyre fitting firm who impressed you with their service/costs. I live in Surrey.
I am thinking of changing my car, a 2007/57 Honda Civic type R GT, 31,500 miles, for a BMW 320d SE saloon. My budget runs to about £18,500 depending on the value of my car. My daily commute may increase...
A month ago I visited East Sussex and picked up a £60 fine and three points for doing 36mph in a 30mph zone. Pretty much the first blemish on my licence in 35 years. Then again in East Sussex a camera...
I have recently received a Parking Charge Notice from Parking Eye relating to the Sandbanks Hotel in Poole where I parked for approximately one hour whilst in the hotel for coffee. The charge is £90, but...
My problem is probably not uncommon. Some 5 years ago I suffered a series of strokes, which left me with an insubordinate left leg. I was advised by our local assessment centre to switch to automatic transmission....
I have a 2005/55 SAAB 9-3, which at 45,000 miles suffered a broken front spring. A neighbour and fellow 9-3 owner has just had a similar problem and drew my attention to SAAB website Forum which had a...
I refer to the letter from DH, Bridgend regarding a 2005 VW Golf with "an array of warning lights that have been coming on together, intermittently". The discussion was around possible faulty sensors or...
I was intrigued by your reply to PC, Portishead over the problem of a speed hump installed by their neighbours on a Private Road. I would suggest they certainly need to consult both their property deeds...
I'm writing to you as a 'last resort' but also because my local MP, Julian Brazier suggested I do so (I have copied him into this emaiI). I hope you will be able to help me. We have been in dispute with...
I think you are being over generous to VW. I bought a new 57 plate Audi TT 2 litre DSG which had the same problem from new. Despite a software upgrade it did not improve and I sold it after 12 months....
I wondered if you could nudge me in the right direction for choosing a good 2-3 year old van that could not only be used for transporting my rubbish around, but also be comfortable enough to act as a 'car'...
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