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Questions from August 2010
I plan to trade-in my 2003 Ford Ka Collection for a two or three-year-old model. I'm a 74-year-old widow, living in a Somerset village, and doing only 3000 miles a year, mostly local driving. What would...
On start up, all my Kia Venga's dashboard lights failed to come on and the power steering was not working. On the second occasion this happened, all the dashboard warning lights stayed on when the engine...
My automatic Ford Focus is just four years old with 54,000 miles on the clock. Last week I lost all power, the car wouldn't drive properly. The dash showed transmission failure. This car is driven by myself,...
I am thinking of purchasing the Peugeot 3000 auto six-speed. I am disabled and am only able to now drive automatics. Have you any opinions on these cars?
I am about to order a new Audi A4. I am keen to go automatic and for the 2.0 diesel with the Multitronic gearbox. I have read a few horror stories of older Multitronics, but most of these seem to date...
In both 1983 and 1984 my father bought a 280SL Mercedes-Benz in Manchester - I do not and cannot find a registration number for either car. Mercedes-Benz cannot help in any way at all. I know that they...
I have a 2004 Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor which has done 84,000 miles. It was purchased from and has been serviced by my local main dealer. Against a used two-year-old C180 with 28,000 miles on the clock,...
I bought a Suzuki Alto through the scrappage scheme and am very happy with the car. Having an engineering background, I am interested in more than the normal information supplied in the vehicle's owner's...
I have a Nissan 2003 X-Trail 2.2 DCI Sport. Recently it broke down, making a very nasty mechanical noise from the engine. The car would not start very well and did not tick over. I could drive it at full...
I had a bit of trouble changing my 2002 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6's timing belt as I didn't know to use a timing locking pin, but after putting in new valves, replacing the head and timing belt, the car starts...
My 2002 Citroen C3 1.4 HDI is running slow, suffers a loss of power, and won't go above 3000rpm. It starts easily but it won't tick over straight away. I have to hold the revs a little higher for a minute...
When I change to second gear or third gear in my Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, there doesn't seem to be any power at around 30 to 40mph, so I have to rev the engine until the power returns. What do you think...
My 2003 Ford Focus' sump nut has rounded off. Is there a tool to get the sump nut off so I can replace it?
My 1992 Vauxhall Calibra has the brake system light and the alternator light coming on, and the worn pads light as well. The brake light and alternator light started intermittently and dimly, and now they're...
Can someone offer advice about my Peugeot 306TD? The car starts first time and runs well, with no misfiring or whistles, but there is no turbo effect whatsoever. When you floor the throttle the motor gradually...
What is the specified automatic transmission fluid for a 2001 Ford Galaxy Ghia 2.8 V6?
I've just done a diagnostic test on a 1994 Nissan Micra and it came up with fault code 12. Could you tell me what this means?
My son purchased a car from a 'friend' several months ago and had to apply for the V5 which he duly received. The car was insured with his partner as the main driver and him as the named driver. They split...
We have been advised to change the cam belt on our Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC. It is nine years old and has done 36,000 miles. Would you advise this and would you advise using a Honda dealer at a fixed price...
We are led to believe that a shortage of drivers exists. Is this true? I've spent a lot of money gaining my Class 2 licence and hopefully my Class 1 soon, but the information I get from agencies is that...
Can you tell me if there is a problem with sensor lights on the BMW 118D? Mine is eight months out of warranty and I have the DTC and DSC light illuminated on the dashboard. I rang BMW and they say it...
My insurance renewal is due. My insurer is offering extras such as personal accident cover and legal services cover. Do I need either of these? I thought I remembered a few weeks back you writing that...
I have just bought a Rover 416 (1996 N reg) automatic with a Honda engine. I noticed a strong petrol smell inside the car when I filled it up fully and now whilst I'm driving I continue to smell it. I...
I am looking to replace my Vauxhall Astra with either a Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge or a Ford Ka 1.2 Zetec. The Ka is on offer in August for £8924 otr as opposed to £10,865 for the Fiat. Is almost £2000 too much...
I have a 2004 Honda 2.0 CR-V SE automatic (petrol) which I purchased secondhand (one previous owner) from a Honda franchise in 2008 with 17,500 miles on the clock. I am now thinking of selling the car....
I have a friend of the family who is on the closer side of 50. Last year he decided to start taking driving lessons, but due to various reasons he could no longer continue to do so. Unfortunately he bought...
I have shortlisted two cars - a 2007 Ford Fiesta Zetec with 18,000 miles and a 2007 Nisan Tiida with 35,000 miles. Both are the same price. Which one is the best buy?
I have a 2008 Range Rover TDV8 Vogue. Which tyres can I fit that are suitable for offroad use in mud and snow, whilst at shoot meets?
What are the best small and most economical cars with automatic transmission?
Does my 1.8 Mazda MX-5's MZR engine have a dual mass flywheel fitted?
Last year I purchased an Alfa Romeo 159 TI from new. I was travelling 50 miles to and from work each day. Initially the car was near perfect and I certainly had no complaints. In January this year I changed...
Have you any info regarding "What's Bad" about the Peugeot RCZ? I imagine the lack of rear seat space is the biggest snag. Also which engine would you go for?
I was driving my Ford Galaxy diesel on the motorway at around 70mph when it just lost power, and now there is loads of white smoke and maybe a slight bit of blue smoke mixed in with it on start-up. When...
I own a 2003 Volvo XC90 D5. Sadly it's not the most reliable of cars, and it does seem to suffer from frequent annoying little faults. I'm seeking an independent Volvo specialist who won't charge the earth....
I 'm thinking of downsizing from my Toyota RAV4 (01/2004) diesel and quite like the Toyota Urban Cruiser. I do about 6000 miles pa and you say the diesel is the better model, so if I give it a 25 mile...
I have a 2002 LPG-converted Subaru Impreza Saloon with 120,000 miles. It is serviced regularly. Recently, when turning left, it has started to emanate a clack-clack-clack sound which increases in rapidity...
On Wednesday I went to a well-known workshop to get my 2007 Volkswagen Polo's tyres replaced. They said I only need to replace the front offside tyre. I remembered that last time my tracking went straight...
Your review on the above suggests that non-runflat tyres are fitted. The BMW brochure states 17-inch runflats are standard. Please confirm the reality as I am interested in purchase.
I am about to head off to the south of France with the family in our BMW 530i Sport Touring (2003) and have seen the tyre pressure on the door saying 2.8 bar front and 3.3 bar rear - assuming heavy load,...
Since purchasing the above vehicle in May of this year, I notice that when pulling away from standing the engine almost stalls unless I increase the revs. It's difficult to balance the car and the acceleration....
I am looking for a used car to replace my own. I spotted a black Ford Fusion that looks like a steal on Autotrader. Unfortunately, that may literally be the case. I called the dealership a few minutes...
I bought a car from an independent car dealer at the start of July, which still had four months' manufacturer's warranty left. The car advert stated warranted miles and a full service history. Two weeks...
Last week I signed up for a 10-plate Ford Mondeo Titanium X hatchback at £17,995 - bargain! I also part-exchanged the wife's Volkswagen Golf 1.6 for £6000. I rang the salesman to arrange a swap the day...
I recently bought a secondhand trailer for my husband which he has completely refurbished. However, when I tried to insure it the insurance company were adamant that they needed the age of the trailer....
There seem to be more and more aftermarket HID headlight conversion kits for sale, being fitted to cars with halogen headlights. I found a statement on the DfT website (link here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps...
I have just been given a quote of £1500 to replace my BMW 530d's turbo. Is this about right? This is from a main dealer.
I am looking at a Ford S-Max tonight. It's manual, seven-seater, 56 plate and has done 28,710 miles, with only one owner. Any known problems with these vehicles?
Can you tell me if I have been wasting my money putting Shell V-Power petrol into my Toyota Auris?
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