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Questions from May 2010
My daughter recently had a low speed bump while changing lanes in stationary traffic. Both cars were relatively old and low value; damage was superficial – scratches, etc - and she hoped to sort it out...
My daughter has a 2003/53 Citroen C8 with 55,000 miles. The cambelt snapped with resultant engine damage. The handbook advises cambelt change at 100,000 miles or 10 yrs. The car was inspected at the Citroen...
I wonder if you can help? We have a Suzuki Wagon R, 2003. We've had her since February 2008. About 8/9 times we've had to take her back to the garage because the 'Malfunction Indicator Light' has come...
Please help a damsel in distress. My Golf gets locked up in my community carpark. It seems its indicators start flashing of their own free will intermittently. No horn, just indicators. It seems it can...
I would appreciate your opinion on the following: We are buying a used camper van from a small company both VWT5. We have a choice of two, identical inside, both diesel. The dearer one is a 1.9TDI 102PS...
I am told that a rattle in my 1997 Passat 1.9TDI automatic estate is likely to be a cracked torque converter drive plate and the repair will cost £350. I do not wish to scrap the vehicle. I get the rattle...
My car was involved in an accident (not my fault) on 8th Dec 2009, I had a courtesy car until 5th February 2010, and they just collected that evening with no explanation. It took my insurer until 10th...
Yesterday, my wife hit a pothole in a road. Her car now requires a new alloy wheel and tyre. How do we go about making a claim against the Council responsible for maintaining the road and what evidence/documentation...
Do you have any views on, or feedback from members concerning best driving technique with Honda’s I-Shift? I currently have a perfectly satisfactory 2006 Jazz 'Sport' with the superb CVT transmission and...
I have a Vauxhall Corsa Design 1.2 which is 5 years old, 25k mileage. There seems to be a judder on the clutch, which I mentioned to the Vauxhall dealership that services my car. They have said it could...
Does hi-vis clothing have to be a jacket with sleeves or is a waistcoat OK in France?
Yesterday I made the stupid mistake of putting petrol in my 2007 diesel car. I realised immediately and did not start the engine. We had a garage tow it and drain it. When we went to pick it up they said...
I'm trying to decide between two cars for sale at the same price; one is light, fast, uncomplicated and uncomfortable, the other is heavy, fast, complicated and comfortable. I know about Morgan +8s but...
I spent £4,000 at an Alfa dealer in 2009 fixing problems with my car. The gearbox was whining and needed replacing, so it was suggested I replace the clutch at the same time. When I received the car back...
I was driving along the road and I needed to pull over after a junction. I was always told that you must indicate when you pull over so I started to indicate as I was passing the junction and another driver...
In August 2009 I sold my car to a main dealer. They took the logbook, MOT, etc. and they signed the V5 slip along with me and I sent this using the Royal Mail. In November 2009 I had a letter from the...
I have a 1996 Volkswagen Sharan 1.8 petrol and when it gets warm it starts juddering. It does not do it when cold, only when warm. Someone told us it could be the temperature sensor. Please could you tell...
I purchased a ‘nearly new’ Honda Jazz 1.4EX with manual transmission in December 2009. The model has an official fuel consumption of between 42.8 (urban) and 58.9 (extra urban), but in reality, I am getting...
On 20th January, our son, who now lives in Switzerland, agreed to purchase a 2006 Land Rover Discovery advertised by a Trade Seller in Auto Trader. A price of £ 14,500 was agreed and a deposit of £500...
Apparently, BMW E46 2.0 litre turbo diesels are prone to turbo trouble. Could you kindly elaborate upon this by stating what these are, how they manifest themselves and under what circumstances they would...
I was reading through one of your website posts about traffic lights as I have a concern myself. I've been told not to worry but as I have only been driving for a year not worrying is very hard to do....
I have a 2002 Volvo V70 estate. This week my wife was driving the children to school in the morning and had the heated seats on to combat the cold. Suddenly and without warning the car started to fill...
I have a 2005 Kia Picanto and need to get the passenger airbag deactivated. I have three toddlers and cannot get three car seats across the back of the car so have no choice but to put one in the passenger...
I am thinking of buying a convertible. Can you tell me which cars might be the best value for money, also considering design, price of service and repairs, etc. I would be paying under £30,000, more like...
My daughter bought new an 04 Nissan Terrano from Motorpoint of Derby. She was recently cold-called by the AA who asked to give her an insurance quote. When she mentioned that the car might be an import...
Thank you for your recent advice on a used Renault Laguna diesel. I have had it now for a week and it seems to be returning good millage so far. I now need to sell my old car. It is uninsured currently....
Is there any way to find out if my first car is still going strong? It was a teal blue MGB roadster WRS 860L
Ten days ago whilst travelling down the A11, south of Newmarket, in my Citroen Berlingo I hit one of several very deep holes in the centre of the dual carriageway. All power ceased, hazard lights operated...
This should be passed to as many people as possible! When VAT was temporarily reduced to 15%, the Chancellor added 2% duty to fuel to offset the reduction in tax collected from motorists. Now that VAT...
I have a Passat estate three years old. There is a drumming noise possibly from the rear of the car, mainly at speeds between 50 and 60 mph. My service mechanic does not think its a bearing, could be tyres,...
My regularly serviced 2005 1600cc Ford Focus automatic has never given a high mileage per gallon - usually about 28-31mpg for short and medium journeys although better on a long journey. Lately this has...
I'd appreciate your advice on the markedly different lengths of life of cam-belts quoted by various manufacturers. Ford seem to suggest that those fitted to the petrol Fiesta and Focus models should last...
We're in our late 60s and not getting any more nimble. My 05 E46 BMW 320d Touring with 40k miles on the clock has always been dealer-serviced since new. We both find it less easy to get into such a low-slung...
My fiancee and I currently have a car each: a 2006 SEAT Ibiza 1.9TDi FR with 72,000 miles, and a 2003 Peugeot 206 1.1 with 48,000 miles. We are looking to sell one and buy a replacement, a slightly larger...
I'm setting up an ironing service and want a vehicle that is economical to run and reliable. I will be picking up baskets and delivering ironed laundry. Ideally the vehicle should have space to allow me...
What is the most reliable and economical way to tow an Ifor Williams horse trailer with one horse?
I am in the process of handing back a company car (Ford Focus ST-2) and am now in the market to purchase my own car. I have a few choices: Mazda 6 MPS - 2006-2007, Lexus IS 250 - 2005-2006 or a Mercedes-Benz...
I am considering buying a 2007 Mazda 6 2.0 TS Auto. It is an ex-Motability car with one previous owner. It's being sold by the original supplying Mazda dealership. I am told that Mazda servicing data is...
I'm thinking of buying a 57-reg 2008 Focus CC but have heard so much about roof problems. Can you tell me if it's covered by a 3-year warranty, or just a year for the roof leaking?
I have a business where I need to transport grandfather clocks which may be over seven feet in length. I currently use a Peugeot 406 estate which takes almost anything, but want to change to a newer vehicle....
I have been considering purchasing a 2002 C220 Mercedes-Benz CDI Avantgarde Estate. It has FSH, has completed 89,000 miles and is being sold by a reputable dealer for £6495. I have just retired and do...
My 2006 Santa Fe CRTD CDX has 71,000 miles and had been parked a little earlier on my driveway, but would not move off. It was possible to engage all gears but there was no drive. The vehicle was towed...
Which car would you recommend as good, solid, reliable family estate that is comfortable and will go on forever? I have in mind Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. I am looking at secondhand with a maximum £10,000...
My in-laws are both in their early 70s and intending to replace their 53-reg Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec. Their budget is £10,000 plus trade-in. They've mentioned an automatic, but I recall that you don't recommend...
I am thinking of buying my wife a small diesel and was wondering which would be the best car?
I want to buy a used car. My budget is £6000. Could you please tell me the choice of cars I could have with the following specifications? Fuel economy of 45- 50mpg, automatic gearbox, cruise control and...
I am 24 years old with only named driver insurance and am now in the position to purchase my first car. I am looking for a car which is fun to drive, safe, with acceptable insurance and economical. I have...
I have a 2006 Honda Accord which I find has a very hard ride. Any rough surface or small potholes cause discomfort, particularly for my wife who has a back problem. We are both in our 70s and only drive...
I was extremely concerned to read about the problems with the Mazda 6 Diesel as I have a TS2 Diesel Estate with a 56 plate. I check the oil every fortnight, but on reading your column last night I checked...
We're thinking of buying a Volkswagen Golf or SEAT Leon automatic - are the DSG automatics any good?
We want an automatic, economical diesel. The Volkswagen Golf 1.6 105bhp and the similar new SEAT Leon are of interest, because the i30 Hyundai do not have the essential cruise control. What comments do...
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