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Questions from June 2010
I'm looking for a reliable, cheap runaround that's able to take me the long distance to uni as a second car. I'm a 22-year-old student and hence looking for a low insurance and tax group which is cheap...
We need a cheap way of moving a family of four. Considerations include safety and space so we were considering an estate. For a few hundred pounds, what car would you target?
In the Toyota Avensis pages (1999 to 2001 era) you state "Pre-2000 diesels pointless. Lost its 'smiley face' for 2000 model year." In the Carina E pages you state simply that this 2-litre diesel is 'nothing...
I have been looking at a Mazda 5. The mileage on it is 130,000 miles and it's a 56-reg. I can't seem to find out what a high mileage is on the Mazda 5 - could you help please?
I am currently an extremely frustrated driver of a 53-plate 1.5dci Renault Megane. Over the last three months I have shelled out over £1200 pounds to replace the ECU, front coils and top hats and recently...
I would like to recommend Rowledge Garage in Farnham, Surrey, which carries out servicing and MOTs. The Volkswagen-trained staff are all experienced and conscientious. They are always very busy and I have...
I'm trying to sell an Audi A6 1.9 TDi SE estate 5-speed on a 52 plate. It's done 125,000 miles and I've found out it was a cat D write-off in 2003. How much do you think it's worth?
I recently tried to take my 2005 Honda Civic 1.6 Vtec (9000 miles) out after five days in the garage, only to find a very loud screeching noise coming from the right front wheel. When I reversed the car...
I believe that some time ago you published to way to work out your car's fuel efficiency (in litres/100km and also how to convert to miles per gallon). I have made a note of this and use the calculation...
We currently own a Volvo V50 automatic and are keen to change shortly for a smaller 4x4 car. We have always had good reliability with Volvos, with good safety features and comfort. Can you recommend a...
In an earlier email, looking for a replacement for my Volvo automatic, I asked you to recommend a small, reliable, comfortable and safe 4x4, but forgot to mention that it has to be an automatic.
I have £16,000 to spend. Which diesel 4wd car would you recommend? The running costs of the Freelander mean that I am having to sell it, but I could ideally use a 4 wheel drive, just with greater economy...
My brother has recently had to resit his driving test because of a previous ban. He passed successfully and has been driving for the last six months, but has just recieved a letter from DVLA to say that...
I would like to buy a secondhand sports car for occasional fun use. I have a budget of £3000 - £3500. The Mazda MX-5 has been suggested. What is your opinion and are there any other possibilities that...
I owned an Austin A55 until the early 60s. I would love to find the reg number. DVLA can't (won't) help. Who can?
Should I buy a late model but older shape Volvo V70 (say, a 2006/7 model) with a low mileage or spend another £3000 or so on a newer shape V70 but with higher miles? I will be doing mainly motorway cruising...
My daughter, who lives in Somerset, wishes to sell her S-reg Volkswagen Polo. You've previously recommended a particular auction site; could you please tell me again where to find it?
I drive a BMW 325D at the moment and can't fault it, but I feel like a change and I am considering a Mercedes-Benz C-Class 180E and wondered what your thoughts are regarding this model. I would buy new.
We have a 2005 Saab 9.3 Vector Sport TDI with 50,000 miles and our only frustration is the hard ride. We are both retired and do about 8000 miles per year, but like a comfortable ride. We have looked at...
I need a reliable diesel to replace my Vectra which is starting to become costly at just 85,000 miles. I had similar reliability issues with my 2002 Mondeo some years back at around 90,000 miles. I am...
What are the most common faults on a B-reg Mitsubishi Shogun, and can you check the details to see if there is any finance owing?
We have a 4-month-old Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TDI Auto. Following a large oil leak we have been told we need a new engine. Should we accept this or demand a new car? We had to wait four months for delivery...
We recently bought a car from a dealer only to find it had been clocked. The dealer issued a refund although we are still waiting to receive the tax money back. We also sold him our dead car for £350 and...
Is the Mazda 1.6 petrol engine (105hp) the same as the Ford 1.6 100hp Duratec engine?
I'm looking for some feedback/opinion on this (and similar) methods of selling a private car.
I have a 2009 Ford Mondeo which is due for an annual service. Do I need to go to a Ford main dealer or can I use my local garage?
Can anyone tell what the fuel consumption on my 1996 BMW 525i Touring estate should be? I am only getting 20mpg.
I recently purchased a new Audi A4 SE TFSI (petrol) which, after 1850 miles, gave a warning to top up the oil, and needed .75 litres. Having spoken to the Audi dealer they advised that this was normal...
Would you happen to know where the new 2010 Volkswagen Polo 5 door GTI's are manufactured and assembled? I have trawled the net but can't find any info at all.
I am looking to purchase a new car. Which out of these three hatchbacks which would you think is the best option? 1. Ford Focus 1.6 petrol or diesel. 2. Skoda Octavia SE 1.4 petrol or 1.6 Diesel. 3. Hyundai...
I have just bought a Volkswagen Polo and, to my amazement, cannot receive LW radio, which is essential for Test Match Special. How can I find a reputable supplier and fitter for an LW radio?
I have a 1994 940 Volvo non-turbo and it just hit 300,539 miles!!
I have a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI. It is now four years and five months old and has covered 50,000 miles. Volkswagen are telling me that I need new disc pads on the front, and new disc pads and new discs...
I bought a Renaultsport Clio 200 brand new two months ago and am experiencing issues with acceleration, particularly from cold starts. On six or seven occasions the car seems to "kangaroo" within five...
I have driven a company car for 23 years and just retired. I have a letter from the company's insurance broker confirming my accident-free and claim-free record for the last five years. Also, my employer...
My 11-month-old Citroen C4 Picasso 5 VTR Diesel caught fire on my drive after travelling just three miles from work, causing damage to my house and the house next door. The car looks as if it is a complete...
I have a 2002 Ford Fiesta 1.6 and there is a leak. I filled the water bottle up and the water just comes out of the bottom. The car is running fine. What could this be?
I am new to Audi but love our new A5 SB. A few thoughts. We have a 2.0T 180bhp petrol. We are getting 44.1mpg over 6000 miles, and on a recent 1000-mile mostly motorway trip, got 52.7mpg. I am the passenger...
I bought a Mondeo from a garage and have got a knocking noise underneath the car. They say it has had a new clutch cable fitted, which is on a floating sub frame and it is nothing to worry about. I am...
I was just wondering if my 2001 Peugeot 306 1.6-litre has a catalytic converter? It seems a shallow question but I'm only asking as I am looking to retune my engine and fit a turbo. However as you'll probably...
Three weeks ago I part exchanged my old car for a Volkswagen Beetle from a local dealership. Half way into the journey to view the car (and potentially purchase it) the garage owner rang to say he had...
My air con is blowing warm. The system is working and has been re-gassed and tested for leaks, but still no joy. Any ideas?
I have a Fiat Brava SX80 1.2 16V (2000) which suffers a severe loss of power when attempting to reach 60mph on the motorway. Power drops off and the car coasts to a stop with the engine still running,...
I have just purchased a secondhand BMW 320D with a business satellite navigation system. The company kept the navigation disc. I have purchased a disc, but it keeps saying 'Media unable to be read'. I...
I am having a battle with Honda. I have a new style CR-V with 18-inch wheels, and after 15,000 miles the near side rear was down to the metal on the outer rim. Honda dismissed this as incorrect pressure...
I have a Nissan Note dCi which is now three years old. I love the car and have always had it serviced at the same dealer where I bought it. When it went in for its last free service and MOT, it passed...
My 2004 SEAT Altea 1.6 Stylance was written off in a rear end shunt. My insurance company agreed I am not to blame. They have valued the car at £5100, which is less than What Car? says I can buy one from...
A number of companies are offering swappage deals at the moment for those trading in cars more than seven years old. How does this affect the price that I can expect to pay if my car is less than seven...
My Ford C-Max car alarm has been intermittently operating, mainly at night. I have single-click locked the car on the key fob so as to not set the internal motion sensors, but it is still happening. Do...
I had my Aygo 40,000-mile service at a Toyota dealer last August, when they reported the clutch 'heavy and worn' and on amber alert for replacement. Replacement quote £698,77. I had noticed no problem...
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