Questions from July 2010
I bought my 2007 Ford Focus Cabriolet 2 two years ago (yes, the roof was leaking and Ford repaired it before I took it home) and I am very happy with it. But the two-tone alloy wheels are starting to blister....
I read recently of some drivers having difficulty in getting temporary car insurance cover for family members visiting from overseas. As my own insurer would not even discuss my requirements outside 30...
Last year I sought your advice on buying a Jaguar XF. You advised me to wait until I could afford the 3-litre version. I recently took delivery of a 3-litre portfolio and want to say thankyou, thankyou,...
On the 23rd April I purchased a Jaguar XF Portfolio model at a cost of nearly £44,000. I have now covered approximately 700 miles and I find that the ride is very hard and not at all acceptable. The standard...
I still enjoy our long and short distance driving, and have patronised BMW since the 1980s. However, the last year with our local franchise dealer has become somewhat fraught. It may be due to my age and...
My son is soon to go into business for himself and will need a vehicle with room for carrying samples, but one that can be used for the family at weekends. It also needs to be reasonably economic. He saw...
Further to your recent correspondence about poor mpg experienced by owners of Hyundai i10s, like others I am unable to obtain anywhere near the advertised mpg. Since last September when I purchased the...
I read your answer to an AA member in Saturday's Telegraph dated 8 May who commented about their renewal quote. Although some time has now passed, I thought it would be useful to point out that we are...
I commute daily to London from Southampton by car and currently drive a 6-year-old 1.6 petrol Peugeot 307. Unfortunately it has recently become unreliable, costly to run and expensive on repairs. Could...
Your correspondent FM asked what is the best driving technique to use with Honda's i-Shift. In my experience with a Jazz, bought last November to replace a Jazz CVT-7, there is no best way. This electronic...
I own a Freelander 2, bought new in August 2007 and am considering purchasing a new Freelander 2 TD4 HSE. Under the Land Rover Finance agreement on the existing car, the final payment will be £13,482....
I drive approximately 12,000 miles per year in a 2004 diesel Astra, 30 per cent motorway miles and the rest on country roads and lanes. The tyres are due for replacement in September at MOT. I am thinking...
Volkswagen agreed in the end, under their goodwill scheme, to repair my car after a lot of argument. That was a couple of weeks ago, however I have since noticed a dent on the passenger side under the...
We have an '02 plate SEAT Alhambra 1.9TDI. In the last month or so, my wife has lost power twice when driving it. She switched the engine off, and everything was fine again. In the first few days, we were...
I have a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 which is on an 05 plate. On Friday I was travelling down the motorway at 70mph when the engine management light came on. It started flashing and the car lost power. I pulled...
A short time ago I asked you about the relative merits of two cars my wife was considering as her next Motability car. These were the Skoda Roomster SE 1.2 TSI DSG and the KIA Soul 2 1.6 CRDI automatic....
I was using my Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 for about three hours and it was working very well. I switched the car off for about one minute and then it wouldn't start again. The electrics are ok but the car...
I have a small (I hope) problem in that my Citroen C5 2.2hdi SX estate's (2003/52 plate) rear suspension loses height when left parked for a few hours. Once I activate the door unlock it quickly returns...
I am looking for a first car, around the £1000-£2000 mark. It has to be able to carry four kayaks on the roof and seat four passengers, and possibly even sleep two in the boot. Ideally I would like an...
I've changed the catalyst, charcoal canister, lambda senser, map senser, also checked the rubber tubes in the engine bay. Is there anything I can do to solve this? I've just failed an MOT.
Just back from a week's holiday driving around Scotland in my 2002 Renault Clio II 1.5 DCI 65bhp, which ran like a sewing machine. It did nearly 1000 miles without any problems. I got up today and washed...
Do you think 36mpg in city an acceptable consumption, or is it too high for a 1.9 PD TDI Volkswagen Bora six-speed, 130 bhp model?
I've just recently bought a 52-plate Peugeot 307 SW 2.0 petrol and found that the petrol gauge isn't working. Also, the anti-pollution light is on. Any help please?
I have a Toyota Hilux HL3 07-reg and have been towing my trailer fine. I recently purchased an Equitrek trailer which has an unladen wight of 1400kg and gross of 2600kg. My horses weigh around 1000kg so...
As much as I love the comfort of the 520i BMW, it has a thirst greater than Dean Martin! I have decided, therefore that it has to go. I drive about 11,000 miles a year, a combination of town and motorway...
My sister is starting a job with a reputable energy company, and she feels that she needs to drive something economical and efficient. However, my mother wants her to drive something as safe as possible....
My wife and I are buying a new Skoda Fabia Estate and have been offered GAP insurance for £250. What do you think about such insurance? Is it worthwhile? We're not reckless drivers, but a previous car...
How does the insuance company come to own the salvage after an accident? My wife recently had an altercation with another vehicle which resulted with an outcome that the claim was given as 50-50. We then...
My son recently purchased a secondhand car from a dealership in Dundee. When we first looked at the car we were pleasantly surprised at the condition of the vehicle and did not spot odd tyres on each wheel....
I purchased a new Toyota Yaris TR 1.4 D4D January 2009 and after approximately 125 miles the gearbox output shaft rear bearing shattered, resulting in a vehicle recovery. My request for a replacement gearbox...
I have a BMW X5 '05 plate with 77,000 on the clock. Last night there was black smoke coming from the car, which then resulted in a scary scenario where the engine was running off its own oil at full revs...
I have received a renewal application for my photocard driving licence which has now expired. However, my paper licence does not expire until 2015. Am I legally allowed to drive on this paper licence or...
In January 2011 my wife and I are taking an extended holiday in New Zealand. We will be away from mid January until early April. We have two cars, a Mitsubishi Colt 1.0 petrol and a BMW 320d Touring. What...
I recently bought a 2003 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 and it came with no user manual. Do you know where or how I could get hold of one?
I bought a 1999 Ford Mondeo 1.8i two weeks ago for £895 from a dealer. I was told it would be serviced and, for them, safety was paramount and that I would not have a problem with this car. At first I...
I recently bought a Honda Accord 2007 2.2 CDTi Sport and cannot use the hands-free telephone, as it says the system is locked. I tried contacting the previous owner but it turns out it was a lease vehicle...
I'm considering selling my W-reg Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed (owned from new and a sheer joy) for a new Giulietta. There's a firm on the web which is offering more than £2000 off dealer list price, and although...
Can you modify the Hilux to be able to increase its towing capacity above 2250kg?
hip, hip, hooray. The despicable, rip-off stealth tax on property HIPS scheme is being abolished by Cameron and partners. I had one done when we wanted to sell. The inspector spent all of five minutes...
I have had a Citroen C1 for the last year, but am now looking for a slight upgrade that will provide a more comfortable ride without burning a hole in my pocket. I have been looking at the new Ka and Clio....
The Highway Code states that: “You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced…..You may also use front or rear fog lights but you must switch them off when visibility improves.” What then...
My daughter-in-law will very shortly be choosing another company car. Her current car is a Ford Focus 1.8 diesel (I think). However, she is now considering a hybrid because of VED band A zero tax. Her...
Has anyone ever done the CO2 calculations on speed bumps? If you decelerate and accelerate (even be it sensibly) there is a CO2 implication in the extra fuel and brake wear (presumably CO2 is generated...
Recently I was stopped by an unmarked police car and accused of using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. In fact my Peugeot has built-in handsfree and in any case my phone was in my pocket and certainly...
For the past two years I have carried out the routine servicing of my wife’s 2003 BMW MINI Cooper which has covered 15,500 miles from new. When preparing the car for the MOT Test I noted that the original...
I have a BMW 320d SE first registered November 2002, that I bought second hand from a BMW dealer in 2006. The aircon pump was about to fail a month ago, picked up by my estimable mobile mechanic and he...
I have recently bought an 2002 Golf Automatic and have gathered that you advocate driving with the left foot for the brake. Will you please explain why?
Is this a situation you have heard of? A driver is stopped by police who say his car is uninsured. He is given 7 days to produce documents. He then discovers his policy had lapsed in October 2009. No renewal...
I am looking to replace my VW Polo and would be grateful for your advice on the best small car with zero road tax I have been thinking about the Toyota Aygo. My driving is mainly around the town and I...
I'm a motorcyclist who likes to make eye contact with drivers waiting at junctions to ensure that I've been seen. However, lots of front side windows are (illegally) heavily tinted. You recently described...
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