Questions from July 2010
Many cars (Golf, Audi TT) have no spare tyres. The can of sealant costs £45 (or £3 from cpc.co.uk) and once used, the tyres cannot be repaired, needing new replacement(s). What progress? Can Golf Mk4 emergency...
I noted your recent comment on the time lag with VW DSG gearboxes when starting at junctions. My three-year-old Passat 2.0TDi DSG suffers from this to such an extent I am considering changing it for a...
I have an 03-plate Hyundai Trajet 2.0CRTDi with approx 80,000 miles on the clock. When I change from first to second gear there is a very unhealthy crunching noise. From talking to Hyundai dealers and...
Having purchased a 2009 model Toyota Verso, I thought you might appreciate some feedback. I agree 100 per cent that my "2.0D is uninspiring to drive" - its either underpowered or over-geared, and seems...
The clutch pedal on my wife's Peugeot 107 is becoming jerky on return. Is this a manifestation of the 107 clutch problem and will it be covered by warranty? What do you recommend? The car is a 2008 model...
I took my Nissan Almera 2002 1.8 Auto to a garage had new complete exhaust fitted at cost of £348. Soon after, the engine management light came on. The garage checked it and said it was O2 reading new...
On a PCP, if I pay a higher deposit it reduces the monthly payments, I think. When is it a good idea to pay the higher deposit on a PCP?
I've heard that the Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo were made identical, with a few changes. Do all three cars have the same clutch kit?
I am considering buying either a Volvo V70 or Ford Mondeo estate. We need a diesel to do two long journeys abroad a year and modest mileage in the UK, possibly to pull a medium-sized horse trailer with...
I have a Skoda Octavia, registered in 2005, with the Volkswagen 2-litre (140bhp) diesel engine. It is due for the timing belt to be changed. I'm not sure what else needs to be done when the belt is changed?
I would like you to make all your Vauxhall purchasers aware that if they do not have their cars serviced by Vauxhall dealers then any goodwill gestures regarding warranty will not be forthcoming, although...
Could you tell me if there are any changes being made to the Note, September onwards. My dealer said he thought they might alter the engines, but said they would be the last to know. Anything you can find...
I am seriously looking to buy a 7-seat MPV shortly with a budget of around £12,000. Everybody, including your good self, seems to rave about the S-Max, but looking at the reviews and specs, it does seem...
I am looking to buy a '57 or '08 plate Nissan X-Trail and just come across some information that seems to indicate that the turbo has been a real problem. Can you offer any advice on this? I understand...
My 20,000-mile Volkswagen Golf GT TDi 2.0-litre has just had the DPF, engine management and diesel glow plug lights come on. I bought it six weeks ago from a main Volkswagen agent. The dealer who has looked...
We bought our Volkswagen Fox used about nine months ago. It's a 2006 which has covered 35,000 miles, and the last two services were performed outside the Volkswagen network. Four weeks ago the engine management...
Why does my 2002 Vauxhall Astra's alarm keep going off for no reason at all?
We are using a Citroen Xsara Picasso but I have just had a right hip change and the next one is due later. My wife has rheumatoid arthritis and cannot drive a manual, but is happy with an automatic. Our...
I recently made a ferry crossing to France with my new Volvo V70 2.0D which, incidentally, I’m really happy with. When I returned to my car on the outward trip I realised that the alarm had gone off. I...
My Suzuki Jimny is an '04 model and the back hood has shrunk. It won't stretch over to pop shut on the door gate, plus the majority of poppers have corroded. Do I have to go to a main dealer or are there...
I was told recently that you reported an incident where someone's car was towed away for blocking off their own driveway. Is this so or was someone winding me up?
My Renault Megane 1.5DCi won't turn over. It's had a new ECU and has been coded and still won't turn over. I press the brake and the clutch, and press the start button, then it beeps twice and the fan...
Please can you advise where I put clutch fluid into my 2003 Toyota Yaris? I can't see on the diagram in the manual. First and second gear are hard to engage.
I'm looking for a new car. I live in the country and whilst my current mileage is around 1000 miles per month I'm expecting it to drop to around 500 per month when I move house in a few weeks, and will...
My wife has a 56-plate Honda CR-V with the CDTI engine. It has 56,000 miles on the clock and a main dealer service history. The last service was in February 2010. Yesterday it suffered a terminal failure...
Our Renault Scenic 2006 1.5 diesel has developed a strange and unpleasant smell emanating from the air conditioning, especially when the unit is first turned on. We run the air conditioning generally when...
We ordered a premium Hyundai ix35 4x4 with media and individual packs in Sirus silver on 14 May 2010. Delivery was estimated at to be before the end of July, but has now been put back to end of August...
I have just purchased a Volkswagen Polo on a 10 plate. My lights are constantly on when the engine is running. I cannot turn them off at all unless I turn the ignition off. I think there is a fault on...
Could you please recommend possible vehicles for my partner, who is having to hand back her company car (a Nissan Pathfinder) at the end of the month? She likes the room and power of her Nissan, especially...
I ordered a brand new Suzuki Swift Sport in February this year, taking advantage of the car scrappage scheme. At delivery date, I made my way to the dealer and very happily signed all appropriate documents,...
I have a trailer with a weight of 600kg unladen and 2500kg laden that I want to register in Bulgaria. The authorities there will only accept a V5 or similar as proof of ownership. The DVLA just keeps sending...
Where is the diesel fuel filter located on my 59-plate Saab 9-3?
I have been looking at some of your reviews and see that in the price/specification section your figures do not seem to agree with other publications/websites. For example, in the case of the Volkswagen...
I know many people who are over 70 whose old paper licences have not expired when they have reached 70, so they continue to drive for many years without re-applying. Are they driving illegally? If so,...
I have £7000 to spend on a used car and have a choice of two motors to buy. I have placed a check on both cars and both are ok. Obviously I have to check the validity of the documentation, VIN numbers...
I can't believe that my 2001 immaculate Peugeot 306 is in need of an o/s driveshaft. The car has only done 52,000 miles and I’m the second owner. It’s not fair. Can anyone recommend a good garage located...
I drive an Nissan Tino 2005. There is a spanner on the display which states the car is due for a service. How can I turn it off?
How many blue, silver, red, green, black, white and yellow cars are made in the UK?
How much can I expect in part-exchange for a 57-plate 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa automatic with less than 10,000 miles, in metallic and very clean?
I was wondering if you know if there is a common fault with the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9l diesel's DPF? I'm having trouble with the warranty on my car. Also, how much should this cost to fix?
I'd like to buy a year-old Audi A3 Sportback and have a choice of three; a 1.6 TDi, a 1.8t, or a 1.4 TFSI. My driving now consists of about 7000 miles a year, mostly short runs on A and B class roads with...
I'm looking to buy a new small car and, having done a bit of looking around, on the top of my wish list are the Suzuki Splash and the Vauxhall Agila. I know they are very similar in terms of design, but...
We are considering buying a 2- or 3-year-old Honda CR-V and wondered how good and reliable the diesel engines are? Are they likely to have problems later on when the mileage gets high?
I am told that there is a switch on the Volvo V50 which deflects the headlights for European driving. Where is it?
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