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Questions from July 2010
We have a 2007 Honda CRV ES 2.2iCDTI that is coming up to 3 years old and we usually think of changing at this point. However we both enjoy the car and due to changed circumstances it has not yet reached...
We are a family with 2 children (aged 5 and 7), and are about to change our Laguna W reg 2.0 auto hatchback. We found the Laguna was spacious, comfortable easy-to-drive, but not 100% reliable. Yet it's...
I've had an Astra SRI150 CDTI leased from new since February. In 5000 miles the fuel consumption has gradually worsened by about 10 per cent. I'm now averaging 43.5 mpg and I know how to drive economically;...
I'm thinking of buying a car to use as a taxi. I've noticed a lot of drivers use the Skoda Octavia. I was prepared to buy a 2004 diesel model when a mate of mine who is in the trade told me they suffer...
I have a 2008 BMW 2-litre coupe diesel. At the time of purchase I also purchased the service package. The longlife oil has to be changed every two years or approximately 16,000 miles with my current driving...
I have recently bought a 2007 Honda Civic 1.8i ES, and have owned it for a week. I commute 40 miles a day to my workplace and, in an effort to keep fuel costs to a minimum, I try and be as delicate as...
I have a brand new KIA Rio (59) 2009 hatchback and I wish to sell it. Where can I do this?
I have a Ford Fiesta Mk6 1.4TDCi and, for the past few weeks, the car won't start on a morning. I have found air in the fuel pipe but no diesel is leaking out. When I pop the bonnet and pump the fuel around...
I have a 1998 Vauxhall Astra G that has a misfire on no.1 cylinder. I have replaced the coil pack, plugs and leads and still have a misfire. It has got loads of compression in the engine. Has anyone come...
I have ordered a car on the Motability contract hire, but the dealer wanted me to sign a car order form which had the price of the car on it - does that mean you cannot cancel the order?
I have recently had the turbo and actuator replaced on my 54-reg Ford Mondeo TDCi, although I now know that it was only a loose connection within the actuator which could have been re-soldered, costing...
I have a 2002 2.5 diesel Jeep Cherokee which has an intermittent fault under acceleration. It will sometimes cut out and you have to stop, turn the key off, then restart it. I've had injectors checked...
I bought a 56 plate Nissan Micra automatic 5-door 1.2 SE with 10,000 miles on it. The car is great, but one thing has puzzled me: the engine is very dirty when you lift the bonnet. I can't understand why.
What would be the car you would recommend for a 17-year-old to cheaply buy and insure?
In your FAQ at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/what-is-intelligent-speed-adaptation the question is regarding "Intelligent Speed Adaptation" and especially the failure of the electronic throttle and brakes....
My two-year-old Subaru Outback diesel had a new clutch at 5000 miles. On two occasions thereafter it suffered from a temporary problem such that I had to drive for about 60 miles across Devon in third...
We recently had to disconnect our Vauxhall Astra's battery and the radio went off, unfortunately. When we looked in the logbook for the code we could not find it. We have now had the car for approximately...
My 2008 Ford Focus TDCi's air conditioning unit releases water when the engine stops. As far as I can tell the air con unit is generally working fine. Is this normal?
I'm looking at buying a Volkswagen Passat Estate 1.8 TSI 59 plate with 5000 miles from a car supermarket. They've had it in stock for some 3-4 months now and haven't reduced the price, which is £14,600....
My Peugeot 206 XSI 1.6 petrol has an anti-pollution fault and engine management fault light on the dashboard. It also went to reduced power with little or no acceleration available, but was able to drive...
I'm looking to buy a car that's not huge, but that will suit me and my German Shepherd in the back. I'd like something nippy (I currently have Skoda Fabia vRS) - possibly a small 4x4? I never have anyone...
I will be hiring a car in the US in September for one month. Exactly what insurance cover do I require and what should I say "no thanks" to? The jargon used by the companies is confusing.
I have had my Rover 25's head gasket changed not long ago, my water pump three months ago and once again my water tank is emptying very quickly and needs changing more or less everyday. Do you have any...
I have a Ford Fiesta Mk6 petrol and it runs and drives great, but every now and then the car will not start. It turns over fine but struggles to start, so I turn the key off and try again and it starts...
My horn and radio steering wheel controls no longer work and I'm struggling to identify the correct fuse to replace using the information in the handbook. Can you help?
Our 51-plate Ford Mondeo has just started making tapping noises and there's a lot of smoke from the exhaust. I have been told to replace the hydraulic lifters - could it be anything else, and is this going...
I've just had my 1999 Ford Escort's air conditioning serviced and the next day my blower motor stopped. It has only been working on a low setting for some time, so I am thinking the resistor has gone....
Why is my Citroen's heater/cooler fan always blowing hot even when set to cold?
My HGV licence has expired as I've not used it in many years. Do I need to sit my HGV test again and do I need a CPC, as I passed my test in 1975?
Our 1999 Peugeot 406 just locked up the parking brake in our driveway, so we can't move it at all. How can we get it released in order to take it in for repairs? I haven't taken the wheels off because...
A year ago we purchased a Citroen C3 Rhythm 1.4 petrol. It was first registered in July 2008 and has now done 20,000 miles. On three occasions we have queried with the dealership the sharpness of the brakes....
I was informed by a garage representative that our Volkswagen T5 Transporter van requires a new engine and turbo due to metal contamination in the oil (an unknown internal problem) and a new manifold due...
I have just been summonsed to appear in court after going through a red light. The red light I went through is at a big junction with multiple lights and is very confusing. It shows on the camera image...
We are experience a continuing groaning noise when bringing our 2004 KIA Sedona automatic to a stop. We have been back and forth to our local dealership with no joy. We have had the front discs and pads...
I am trying to work out what it would cost to drive from London to the Dordogne. Would you agree that 20p a mile is a good guide to petrol costs? Also, how can I work out exactly what the toll routes will...
My 2006 Ford Focus 2.0TDCI has recently developed a juddering/vibration when I reach speeds above 40mph and is worse around the 60mph area. My throttle pedal also vibrating. My local garage has checked...
Can the middle row of seats in a Mitsubishi Grandis be taken out of the car?
At the age of late 60's it's time to move out of the mould and buy something 'different' (for me). So, should it be a BMW 320d or a Mercedes-Benz E220 or what? My budget is about £20,000.
I'm considering a Vauxhall Insignia but have always kept away from belt cam engines. I will buy 12-18 months old with up to 20,000 miles and keep it for five years, doing 7000 miles a year. Regardless...
Can anyone throw any light on an annoying problem I'm having with my '51 Polo Match. It's a 3-door and it's usually just myself in the car, but I've noticed that whenever I fold the seat forward and have...
Recently I asked you whether it was legal for someone to park opposite a solid white line on a main road. I was grateful for your advice which advised me that it was not legal if passing cars have to cross...
Last Sunday you suggested that someone doing low mileage and short trips should not buy a car with a particulate filter. I do about 8000 miles a year- a mixture of fairly short journeys and also some fairly...
My daughter had an accident where the insurers wrote off her car. We were under the impression the car was being scrapped, but it turns out a dealer has rebuilt it and sold it on and we are now being hounded...
I have a 51-plate Vauxhall Vectra with an Isuzu diesel engine. Can you tell me what other cars over the last few years have also been sold with Isuzu diesel engines?
I purchased a car today. I am really happy with it, though the "full service" he stated was only a quickie and I have a tyre on the legal limit, and just as I left the dealership he mentioned that the...
I have a Nissan Micra Twister, S-reg (1998 model) manual, 1.0-litre engine. When I start it, pressing down the clutch pedal (whether in neutral or in gear), the pedal feels some resistance and engine produces...
I have a 320d SE BMW Touring on an 04 plate. Mechanics tell me a piston has lost compression and a new or replacement engine is needed. Where can I get such a part? Do I go ahead if it's cost prohibitive,...
After listening to your advice in January, I bought a Hyundai Santa Fe although I did not take delivery until June (Hyundai are a victim of their own success). When I collected the car the salesman told...
My neighbour has a 2004 MINI Convertible. The electronic roof made an almighty bang while she was retracting it and one of the rods has snapped. The local Sytner garage has quoted £4000 for repair, which...
My Citroen Xsara has an intermittent 'Stop' warning and temperature light coming on. This only seems to happen when I'm driving in town. When driving on the motorway, there's no problem. I notice the temperature...
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